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

[alex346]

Yeah, I think some people are just difficult in general. I bet they're about as hard to shop for Xmas as my brother is. What I've learned to do is not put much thought into buying their Xmas present because it could be the most perfect ideal gift for them, but they're still going to ***** about something "Oh it's the wrong shade of my favorite color", "It isn't approved by my friend_____ who's a 'chef' over at iHop"....




That's one slick looking tree. I've never done them in my life, but if someone asked me what I think doing shrooms is like, I'd show them this picture and say, "Imagine every tree looks like this".

Lol... I can't take any credit for the tree... I just put the tree up the wife goes to town on it with the decorations

Posted via Android Central App

 

[xderiwx]

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

With camera zoom fx are you able to set the viewfinder up to where the adjustment settings like expsure, ISO, WB, Flash etc. are always available on the screen? Similar to the stock app, but able to have more than just two or three settings available on screen at a time?

Posted via Android Central App

 

[zmann]

Here's my attempt at a Christmas tree low light pic

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using AC Forums mobile app

I'll be honest,, I hate white Christmas lights but this tree is nice,, she pulled off the white lights awesomely.

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

 

[Almeuit]

Random shots of my puppy.

Sent from my T-Mobile Note 3 using AC Forums.

 

[ZarathustraHead]

Another Verizon update just landed. Camera still sucks.

sent from my Note 3

 

[LunatiqueRob]

I'm still working on that very long/in-depth review/tips&tricks article (it covers much more than just the camera, and includes every single aspect of the phone that matters to me--from the best GPS app, screen control, schedule/to-do/remind/notes, audiophile grade music player, automatic profile switcher, to a bunch of other stuff).

But I just wanted to quickly tell you guys that it is a total misconception that the "camera" on the Note 3 sucks. It has nothing to do with the physical hardware itself, and it is solely the problem with the Samsung default camera app. I have tested the best camera apps for Android during my review and they do not have the same problem. So switch to a better camera app and the camera will perform much better. I will get into detail about which apps and how to best use them when I post that article. I spent an entire month working on this article pretty much full-time, so it's very detailed. It should be coming in a week or so.

 

[zmann]

That's what I did, your absolutely correct.

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

 

[back2Dfuture]

I have the N1 and N3 so I can compare the camera performance.The N3 is superior in just about every department except low light.I used the same camera app in both phones called Night Camera so that the camera and not the app is compared.In very low dingy light conditions,the N1 destroys the N3.While the N1 shows a reasonably bright photo with some details,the N3 is virtually completely dark.

In good lighting conditions however,the N3 is a beast.Fantastic detail,colour and accuracy for a smart phone.This is the trade off when you use a sensor that has more pixels but keeping it the same size.The individual pixels in the 13MP N3 is much smaller than the 8MP N1 so it doesn't gather as much light.Where the N3 gains in detail and sharpness,it loses in low light.The next generation N4 with Isocell technology should fix low light issues with high megapixel smartphone cameras.

 

[LunatiqueRob]

I have the N1 and N3 so I can compare the camera performance.The N3 is superior in just about every department except low light.I used the same camera app in both phones called Night Camera so that the camera and not the app is compared.In very low dingy light conditions,the N1 destroys the N3.While the N1 shows a reasonably bright photo with some details,the N3 is virtually completely dark.

In good lighting conditions however,the N3 is a beast.Fantastic detail,colour and accuracy for a smart phone.This is the trade off when you use a sensor that has more pixels but keeping it the same size.The individual pixels in the 13MP N3 is much smaller than the 8MP N1 so it doesn't gather as much light.Where the N3 gains in detail and sharpness,it loses in low light.The next generation N4 with Isocell technology should fix low light issues with high megapixel smartphone cameras.

Night Camera is by far the worst camera app among all the ones I tested. Its internal processing destroys so much detail and it overexposes in ridiculous amounts so that the scene's overall brightness looks nothing like the original lighting of the scene. In my upcoming detailed comparison reviews, I'll show comparison photos of the kind of destructive processing each of the apps applies (and you can't change any of it), as well as which apps do not mess with your photos with its own subjective internal processing and gives you the most true photo (retaining all the details that's untouched and directly from your hardware/sensor). I'll also show you guys just how much you can get out of those untouched photos with proper processing techniques (huge difference).

 

[back2Dfuture]

Night Camera is by far the worst camera app among all the ones I tested. Its internal processing destroys so much detail and it overexposes in ridiculous amounts so that the scene's overall brightness looks nothing like the original lighting of the scene. In my upcoming detailed comparison reviews, I'll show comparison photos of the kind of destructive processing each of the apps applies (and you can't change any of it), as well as which apps do not mess with your photos with its own subjective internal processing and gives you the most true photo (retaining all the details that's untouched and directly from your hardware/sensor). I'll also show you guys just how much you can get out of those untouched photos with proper processing techniques (huge difference).

You are probably correct about Night Camera but my point was to compare the cameras of the N1 and N3 using the same app.I could use any app and the N1 still beats the N3 in dim light conditions.Unfortunately that is what happens when you go from 8 megapixels to 13 megapixels without increasing the sensor size.

The stock app in the N3 probably doesn't help.I am sure the low light performance would improve a bit with better software but you can only do so much with such a small sensor.The LG G2 also has the same size sensor with 13 megapixels and it's low light performance is marginally better than the N3 so there is scope for improvement.

 

[JellyBeanGurl]

I hate the camera on this phone. Absolutely hate it. The iPhone 3G, 4GS and 5 had way better camera. Using those phones I never had to pull out my Canon DSLR. Now, I have to carry the DSLR with me. Like for tomorrow's short trip and church on Sunday.

And no one said anything about it replacing a real camera. We just want one that takes good pictures, that's the least we ask for. Not pictures that are fuzzy and pixilated or overly filtered (if that's a word).
Oh and I didn't read through all 500 comments. Only the first few.
Sent From My Samsung Note 3 using Tapatalk

 

[back2Dfuture]

The N3 camera does not suck in good lighting.It is one of the best under these conditions.Problems begin with moderate lighting and gets worse under dim lighting.

I have been playing around with the camera for a few weeks and this is how I get the best photos.In good strong lighting,I use the stock app with smart stabilization turned off and auto ISO.

Under moderate lighting I use the app Pro Capture.I use the reduce noise mode.This takes reasonably bright photos with very little noise and much better than the stock app under these conditions.The downside is that the subject and camera must be held still for about 2 seconds.

For dim lighting,I use the app Night Camera.This takes far superior photos than the stock app smart stabilization mode.Photos look like 13 megapixels instead of like cartoon drawings.Smart stabilization brightens the photo but all detail is lost.Again the downside with Night Camera is that you have to hold the subject and camera very still,in this case about 8 seconds so it is only good for inanimate photos.

Let's not forget other camera phones do not exactly take memorable photos under low light.They may be a little bit better but not exactly photos I would keep.We should also give credit where credit is due and the N3 is better than the iPhone 5s and other phones in good lighting conditions.The 4k video is superb also and the only smartphone capable of 4k video at the moment.

 

[zmann]

You are probably correct about Night Camera but my point was to compare the cameras of the N1 and N3 using the same app.I could use any app and the N1 still beats the N3 in dim light conditions.Unfortunately that is what happens when you go from 8 megapixels to 13 megapixels without increasing the sensor size.

The stock app in the N3 probably doesn't help.I am sure the low light performance would improve a bit with better software but you can only do so much with such a small sensor.The LG G2 also has the same size sensor with 13 megapixels and it's low light performance is marginally better than the N3 so there is scope for improvement.

So what your saying is in dim light the 13 mp is a problem? Well, just set in to 9 mp for a low light shot. The option is there, in any case the software is not perfect. That is fixable in a update. I now use camera zoom fx and the pictures are amazing,, in any lighting.

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

 

[xderiwx]

I'm still working on that very long/in-depth review/tips&tricks article (it covers much more than just the camera, and includes every single aspect of the phone that matters to me--from the best GPS app, screen control, schedule/to-do/remind/notes, audiophile grade music player, automatic profile switcher, to a bunch of other stuff).

But I just wanted to quickly tell you guys that it is a total misconception that the "camera" on the Note 3 sucks. It has nothing to do with the physical hardware itself, and it is solely the problem with the Samsung default camera app. I have tested the best camera apps for Android during my review and they do not have the same problem. So switch to a better camera app and the camera will perform much better. I will get into detail about which apps and how to best use them when I post that article. I spent an entire month working on this article pretty much full-time, so it's very detailed. It should be coming in a week or so.

Can't wait for this!

Posted via Android Central App

 

[back2Dfuture]

So what your saying is in dim light the 13 mp is a problem? Well, just set in to 9 mp for a low light shot. The option is there, in any case the software is not perfect. That is fixable in a update. I now use camera zoom fx and the pictures are amazing,, in any lighting.

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

Setting the camera to a lower megapixel setting may or may not improve low light performance depending on how the camera lowers the pixel count.The Nokia 1020 uses a 41mp sensor but takes default 8mp photos for better low light performance perhaps using a proprietary method of grouping 4 pixels as being 1 pixel.The photo is 8mp but it still takes up the same amount of memory as a 41mp photo.

I am not aware of any other smart phone camera capable of doing this.Certainly I have tried this on my N3 and the low light performance is the same whether I use 13mp or 8 mp.The camera still takes 12mp photos and probably reverse interpolates it to 8mp.This won't improve low light performance but rather save space on your memory card.

I would not hold your breath that Samsung will fix it with an update.The life of a smartphone model is only 1 year so they will come out with a fix in the form of the Note 4 with the isocell sensor.The low light problem is not a serious one for most users so it will not be a priority as far as Samsung is concerned.

Isocell technology looks promising.It basically can physically isolate each pixel from one another so that crosstalk is dramatically reduced.Low light performance is said to be 8 times greater.This would solve the problem of low light problems with small high megapixel sensors.

I can live with the low light problem.I don't take many shots in dim lighting and other smartphones don't exactly blow your mind in poor light anyway.

 

[z06mike]

Setting the camera to a lower megapixel setting may or may not improve low light performance depending on how the camera lowers the pixel count.The Nokia 1020 uses a 41mp sensor but takes default 8mp photos for better low light performance perhaps using a proprietary method of grouping 4 pixels as being 1 pixel.The photo is 8mp but it still takes up the same amount of memory as a 41mp photo.

I am not aware of any other smart phone camera capable of doing this.Certainly I have tried this on my N3 and the low light performance is the same whether I use 13mp or 8 mp.The camera still takes 12mp photos and probably reverse interpolates it to 8mp.This won't improve low light performance but rather save space on your memory card.

I would not hold your breath that Samsung will fix it with an update.The life of a smartphone model is only 1 year so they will come out with a fix in the form of the Note 4 with the isocell sensor.The low light problem is not a serious one for most users so it will not be a priority as far as Samsung is concerned.

Isocell technology looks promising.It basically can physically isolate each pixel from one another so that crosstalk is dramatically reduced.Low light performance is said to be 8 times greater.This would solve the problem of low light problems with small high megapixel sensors.

I can live with the low light problem.I don't take many shots in dim lighting and other smartphones don't exactly blow your mind in poor light anyway.

The only smartphone that blows my mind with "poor light" is the Lumia 1020. Take at look at this thread and you will be amazed!

 

[back2Dfuture]

The only smartphone that blows my mind with "poor light" is the Lumia 1020. Take at look at this thread and you will be amazed!

Yes,I should have said the Nokia 1020 is the exception.It has a huge 1/1.5 in sensor which is approximately 4 times the size of the one in the N3.Of course the downside is that you need a bigger and thicker camera module and many people find the bulge on the back of the Lumia quite unattractive.

I am hoping Samsungs Isocell technology will be as good as they promise.Good low light performance from a small sensor seems too good to be true.The advantage of a small sensor of course will result in a slimmer and lighter phone.

 

[nismo591]

I can honestly say that if you have steady hands and are taking a picture of something not moving the note 3 takes good photos. If the subject is moving it's pointless. Coming from the note 2 it's a downgrade when it comes to real life pictures because you can't capture anything that's moving. I love my note 3 but it's a serious shortcoming. The HTC one, note 2, DROID DNA, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy nexus all took better photos. At least I could take a picture without seeing a blurry subject.

Sent from my SM-N900V using AC Forums mobile app

 

[anon(5348413)]

Since it's the holidays and I'm taking more pics now, I've noticed this is a huge weakness with the N3. It doesn't really have to be really low light for the camera to rear it's ugly head. Anything less than bright sunny day/indoor office type lighting and the camera sucks. Awful. Once of the worst camers I've seen in a phone as far as low light is concerned. Even in soft warm light in the house, it's bad. Way too much noise and it has an amazingly dificult time with focusing. Sometimes it just can't focus in. I make it focus on a spot over and over and over until it will finally get it. Horrible. Last 2 phone's i've used is the Nokia 920 and HTC One. Both hands down, better cameras all around when you really need it to perform. In those non ideal situations, which is about 90% of the time.

 

[Eric Mazariegos]

Has no one found a fix for this issue? As previously posted, this camera is absolutely useless trying to take pictures of moving subjects. Although I will say it is really good in bright light.
But sheesh, even my Nexus 4 took better (aka not blurry) photos in dim lighting. I would prefer a grainy photo with recognizable subjects than a blurry picture.