Why is my S5 camera switching from 16mp to lower rez?

[Chris Tempel]

s5 camera switches from 16mp to lower rez

I have not been able to figure out what triggers this, but sometimes when I go into my camera settings, I notice my megapixel count has dropped from 16 to something lower, like 6. Anyone know why this is?

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: s5 camera switches from 16mp to lower rez

Welcome to Android Central! Does it occur when you start from the Messaging app? If you choose to take a photo to add to a text message, it might automatically downsize the resolution for the message.

 

[jonebk12]

Re: s5 camera switches from 16mp to lower rez

Mine does the same thing, switching my settings around seemingly at random (sometimes it's the resolution, other times it's picture stabilization, or video recording mode). I clear the cache once or twice a week but this doesn't seem to be the cause (at least not every time). The only time I "caught" it in the act was when I used the panorama feature a couple weeks ago. I had been taking normal 16mp photos, switched to panorama mode and took a pano picture, switched back to normal/auto mode only to later discover that the resolution had been bumped down to 6mp. I think it's just some really annoying (and stupid) software issue. No idea how to fix it unfortunately; we may just have to wait for a software update. In the meantime, I just have to be vigilant and double check the settings before taking photos.

 

[Chris Tempel]

Re: s5 camera switches from 16mp to lower rez

I"m glad I'm not the only one. Thanks for the welcome! I did try your suggestion of checking Messenger, as well as Voxer which I use a lot and neither reproduced the result. Also tried the pano and that didn't reproduce it either. It does seem to be completely random. I've had my s5 just over a month and this happens about once a week.