You're taking a group photo. Someone blinks. You take another. The lighting's off. Another. Someone wasn't ready. Another. By the time you get the shot, you've taken 15 nearly-identical photos.
This scenario repeats constantly—sunsets, selfies, food photos, pets. Your gallery fills with similar shots, making it harder to find the actually good ones and eating up storage space.
The solution? A systematic way to compare similar photos and keep only the best version of each moment.
Common Similar Photo Scenarios
Group Photos
15 tries for one shot where everyone looks good
Landscapes
Multiple angles and exposures of the same scene
Selfies
10+ attempts for the perfect angle and smile
Pet Photos
Burst mode to catch that perfect moment
Food Photos
Various angles before it gets cold
Kid Photos
Dozens of shots because they won't sit still
What Makes One Photo Better Than Another?
When comparing similar photos, look for these key quality indicators:
🎯 Sharpness
Is the subject in focus? Any camera shake or motion blur? Zoom in to check critical areas like eyes in portraits.
💡 Exposure
Is the photo too dark or washed out? Look for detail in shadows and highlights. Well-exposed = more detail preserved.
📐 Composition
Is the subject well-positioned? Distracting elements at edges? Better framing often makes the difference.
😊 Expression
For portraits: eyes open? Natural smile? Caught mid-blink? These small details matter most in people photos.
How to Compare Similar Photos with FlickSort
Open FlickSort and Start Sorting
The app groups photos taken close together in time, presenting similar shots as natural comparison sets.
View Photos Full-Screen
Tap to zoom and inspect details. Pinch to check sharpness at 100% zoom—this reveals blur invisible at thumbnail size.
Swipe to Decide
Swipe right on the best shot to keep it. Swipe left on inferior versions to mark for deletion. Fast and decisive.
Review Before Deleting
All marked photos go to a review queue. Double-check your choices before permanent deletion.
💡 Pro Tip: The 3-Second Rule
If you can't decide between two photos in 3 seconds, they're probably equally good. Keep the first one and delete the rest—your gut reaction is usually right, and perfectionism wastes time.
Why Keeping Similar Photos Hurts You
- Storage waste — 15 nearly-identical photos use 15× the space of one
- Harder to find photos — Scrolling through duplicates to find the good one
- Backup bloat — Cloud storage fills faster with redundant photos
- Decision paralysis — When sharing, you waste time choosing between similar shots
- Emotional clutter — A curated gallery feels better than a chaotic one
Advanced Comparison Techniques
For Portraits
- Check eyes first—they should be sharp and open
- Look at the smile—forced vs. natural is obvious when comparing
- Check hair and clothing—wind or movement can ruin an otherwise good shot
- Background distractions—someone photobombing?
For Landscapes
- Compare sky detail—look for best cloud definition
- Check horizon—is it level?
- Foreground interest—which shot has better leading lines?
- Light quality—which captures the moment best?
For Action Shots
- Peak action—did you capture the decisive moment?
- Subject sharpness—motion blur on subject vs. background
- Expression/posture—natural and dynamic?
Stop Hoarding Similar Photos
Compare, choose the best, and delete the rest. It's liberating.
Download FlickSort FreeFrequently Asked Questions
How do I find similar photos on my phone?
Use a photo comparison app that groups similar images. Apps like FlickSort can detect near-duplicates based on time taken, location, and visual similarity, then present them side by side for easy comparison.
What makes one photo better than a similar one?
Key factors include: sharpness (no blur), good exposure, better composition, open eyes in portraits, and no motion blur. Compare at full resolution to spot these differences.
Should I keep multiple versions of the same photo?
Generally no. Keeping the single best version saves storage and makes your gallery more meaningful. Exception: if each version serves a different purpose (one for printing, one for social media).
How quickly can I compare similar photos?
With a dedicated comparison tool, you can evaluate and choose between similar photos in 2-3 seconds each. Without one, manually finding and comparing similar shots can take 30+ seconds per group.