Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Does anyone else think the camera sucks?

[The Droid Abides]

Re: Does anyone else think the camera sucks?

Do you really need to remove the Sandisk Ultra to test it or can you just change the camera's storage to the phone to confirm? Or maybe even just remove the SD card and let the phone store the pics locally?

My hunch is that it's an issue a lot deeper than just where you are saving the pictures. I don't know the intricacies of Android but i'm sure certain data and SD card states are stored somewhere on the phone even when not the card is not inserted or in use (read/write). Not to mention, if there is some sort of physical current come from the UHS cards that the phone can't properly handle, it could cause interference elsewhere. The SD slot is right next to the camera unit.

Anyway, swapping cards didn't initally fix, but I suspect that some kind of setting or data left over from the old card was cleared out while I was transferring files to/from my computer (through USB 3.0 and taking the card out to use in a card reader), or during the subsequent wipe of the cache partition from recovery. Now the camera is focusing instantly and properly. You can see the difference in real time looking through the "view finder". It used to look like the image was covered in vaseline 90% of the time.

 

[anon8126715]

Re: Does anyone else think the camera sucks?

My hunch is that it's an issue a lot deeper than just where you are saving the pictures. I don't know the intricacies of Android but i'm sure certain data and SD card states are stored somewhere on the phone even when not the card is not inserted or in use (read/write). Not to mention, if there is some sort of physical current come from the UHS cards that the phone can't properly handle, it could cause interference elsewhere. The SD slot is right next to the camera unit.

Anyway, swapping cards didn't initally fix, but I suspect that some kind of setting or data left over from the old card was cleared out while I was transferring files to/from my computer (through USB 3.0 and taking the card out to use in a card reader), or during the subsequent wipe of the cache partition from recovery. Now the camera is focusing instantly and properly. You can see the difference in real time looking through the "view finder". It used to look like the image was covered in vaseline 90% of the time.

What I mean is, the phone came without an SD card out of the box right? And you could still take pics without the SD card and have them stored locally. Thus, it should give you cleaner pictures with the SD card removed (maybe after a few reboots as you stated). I may pull my SD card (an ultra as well) to see if I notice anything.


Also, there are 2 different camps of "this camera sucks". There are those that have blurry shots, and those that think there are low light performance issues.

 

[The Droid Abides]

Re: Does anyone else think the camera sucks?

What I mean is, the phone came without an SD card out of the box right? And you could still take pics without the SD card and have them stored locally. Thus, it should give you cleaner pictures with the SD card removed (maybe after a few reboots as you stated). I may pull my SD card (an ultra as well) to see if I notice anything.

Also, there are 2 different camps of "this camera sucks". There are those that have blurry shots, and those that think there are low light performance issues.

Sure, if the Ultra was the culprculprit then I assume no card at all would work, as long all the junk left over from the U1 card was cleared out. Then again, maybe certain placeholders related to sd card access stored on the system wouldn't reset until a new card was used?

I'd say I was in both camps before. When taking indoor shots with plenty of ambient natural light coming through the room the subject in the foreground often looked out of focus, while the background looked relatively sharp. In low light scenarios (in my case, the soft yellow lighting of my apartment in the evening and early morning) the whole scene looked like it had a fuzzy brushstroke texture. It looked this way in real time while looking through the camera and looked horrible when zooming into a captured shot. Now, in the same lighting it looks crisp, clear, and even brighter in both the viewfinder and in pictures. Still more noise than daytime or outdoor pictures, but nothing like before.

 

[whitezee10]

Re: Does anyone else think the camera sucks?

So where is the camera review I was waiting for?

Posted via Android Central App

 

[LunatiqueRob]

Re: Does anyone else think the camera sucks?

It's coming. I'm writing it as a full-blown professional-level review with test samples, comparison of features, pros and cons, detailed analysis, tricks and tips, etc, so it's a pretty big effort. I'm also doing a separate review/app recommendations blog post on the Note 3 itself as well as Android equivalent apps for the iOS apps I love, and how to set up phone to be as convenient as possible.

So where is the camera review I was waiting for?

Posted via Android Central App

 

[whitezee10]

Re: Does anyone else think the camera sucks?

It's coming. I'm writing it as a full-blown professional-level review with test samples, comparison of features, pros and cons, detailed analysis, tricks and tips, etc, so it's a pretty big effort. I'm also doing a separate review/app recommendations blog post on the Note 3 itself as well as Android equivalent apps for the iOS apps I love, and how to set up phone to be as convenient as possible.

Coz im dying to read your review since last week!! Thanks for this!

Posted via Android Central App

 

[droog74]

Re: Does anyone else think the camera sucks?

I am really pissed about the focus issues and utter trash image stabilization. I upgraded from a RAZR maxx hd and I was more pleased with that than the current note 3. First non Motorola phone since first droid. I take alot of photos thru the week as far as action shots or pics that require a lot of detail To Show For Quality Control questions. Now I have to carry a separate actual camera and laptop. Is there any apps that will adjust for a faster aperture and improve the **** focus and image stabilization?

 

[Ja5o]

Re: Does anyone else think the camera sucks?

Finding the camera pretty darn awesome myself personally. I normally shoot with a DSLR, but I cans see myself using my note 3 more often now. Note 2 camera sucked balls!

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[runamuck0870]

Re: Does anyone else think the camera sucks?

Was out Black Friday shopping today. Tried snapping a few product pics to share with wife and all of them were blurry. All shot indoors under bright fluorescent lighting. Took 3-4 seconds to properly pose each one. This camera is trash indoors. Absolutely useless.

 

[eve6er69]

Re: Does anyone else think the camera sucks?

The factory settings are not the best. Adjust it to your best settings and I promise it won't disappoint.

Sent from my gameboy color

 

[Misterb]

I doubt this is due to SanDisk cards. That's what I have, and I don't have issues because I stopped using the Samsung stock camera app. I spent like $5 on Camera Zoom FX. You can really tweak the settings to get it right. I set the volume up and down keys to change the exposure up and down so I can lighten and darken shots without having to always use the flash. It has much better image stabilization features. There's an option to have a red circle on the screen that disappears when you're perfectly still. It also has a mode that senses once you're sitting still and after pressing the shutter, but only takes the pic once you actually hold still. Anyway, I'm pleased with this other camera app

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Nakrohtap]

Re: Does anyone else think the camera sucks?

Pictures I have taken indoors with adequate lighting are fine. The ones I take outside in natural sunlight have great detail to them. No complaints here.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[zmann]

I doubt this is due to SanDisk cards. That's what I have, and I don't have issues because I stopped using the Samsung stock camera app. I spent like $5 on Camera Zoom FX. You can really tweak the settings to get it right. I set the volume up and down keys to change the exposure up and down so I can lighten and darken shots without having to always use the flash. It has much better image stabilization features. There's an option to have a red circle on the screen that disappears when you're perfectly still. It also has a mode that senses once you're sitting still and after pressing the shutter, but only takes the pic once you actually hold still. Anyway, I'm pleased with this other camera app

Posted via Android Central App

Must have been a price drop,, it's 2.99 now. I was going to buy it but it says takes pictures in full resolution up to 8mp. That's not great,, the camera has 12 mp. Seems there is no flash either,, at least that's what the reviews say.

THE BEAST,,NOTE 3. SIZE IS EVERYTHING!!!

 

[Misterb]

Must have been a price drop,, it's 2.99 now. I was going to buy it but it says takes pictures in full resolution up to 8mp. That's not great,, the camera has 12 mp. Seems there is no flash either,, at least that's what the reviews say.

THE BEAST,,NOTE 3. SIZE IS EVERYTHING!!!

You'll be pleased to hear you can take photos at the full 12 mp, and that the flash works. If you do a wide screen photo, the resolution drops, but that's the same as the stock camera app

Posted via Android Central App

 

[zmann]

The stock stays at 12 of you set it to 12,the pic just does not fill the screen.

THE BEAST,,NOTE 3. SIZE IS EVERYTHING!!!

 

[Brownhornet34]

No complaints from me but I know it won't replace my Nikon D7000.

sent from the Alpha.. Note 3!

 

[z06mike]

Re: Does anyone else think the camera sucks?

It's coming. I'm writing it as a full-blown professional-level review with test samples, comparison of features, pros and cons, detailed analysis, tricks and tips, etc, so it's a pretty big effort. I'm also doing a separate review/app recommendations blog post on the Note 3 itself as well as Android equivalent apps for the iOS apps I love, and how to set up phone to be as convenient as possible.

When do you think your review will be posted?? I'm waiting with anticipation!

 

[whitezee10]

Re: Does anyone else think the camera sucks?

When do you think your review will be posted?? I'm waiting with anticipation!

Me too!

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Misterb]

The stock stays at 12 of you set it to 12,the pic just does not fill the screen.

THE BEAST,,NOTE 3. SIZE IS EVERYTHING!!!

This app is no different in that regard

Posted via Android Central App

 

[runamuck0870]

So let's see some pictures of Xmas lights. This the season for fuzzy, blurry low - light shots.