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

[anon8380037]

I am finally beginning to think some carriers have different hardware or lenses, or leave out something.

I respect enormously many of the previous posters here and their experienced opinion, but I have been constantly very happy with still, daylight photos and day and night videos on my SM-N9005 EU model.

I can accept the iPhones can be better, quicker and easier.
I delete approx 30-40% of my shots, but I put that down to myself. I know straight away when it's a good shot. A real camera would be more stable, have even better anti-shake etc. so I would keep more.
Then again I only view them on a 20" 1600x900 monitor, or the phone.

So not dissing anyone here, saying mine is fine so you're all wrong (I hate when people do that); but for me it doesn't suck at all. It's good to have it with me.

From my UK Note 3 on Tapatalk

 

[sarkycow]

I am finally beginning to think some carriers have different hardware or lenses, or leave out something.

I respect enormously many of the previous posters here and their experienced opinion, but I have been constantly very happy with still, daylight photos and day and night videos on my SM-N9005 EU model.

I can accept the iPhones can be better, quicker and easier.
I delete approx 30-40% of my shots, but I put that down to myself. I know straight away when it's a good shot. A real camera would be more stable, have even better anti-shake etc. so I would keep more.
Then again I only view them on a 20" 1600x900 monitor, or the phone.

So not dissing anyone here, saying mine is fine so you're all wrong (I hate when people do that); but for me it doesn't suck at all. It's good to have it with me.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/26/c2e0ef1beb0cf5ddb07706a5a9b7d2ab.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/26/448faf3cdd7024a72d50474819bbcce3.jpg


From my UK Note 3 on Tapatalk

Madd! I'm so jealous that you got to see the poppies in person. I purchased one for the family I lost during the wars. The exhibition looked stunning (and very emotional) from the news articles and videos about it. I woukd have very much liked to have seen it in person too.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[anon8380037]

Madd! I'm so jealous that you got to see the poppies in person. I purchased one for the family I lost during the wars. The exhibition looked stunning (and very emotional) from the news articles and videos about it. I woukd have very much liked to have seen it in person too.

Posted via Android Central App

Hi Sarks.

So you ordered one online to be delivered.
Your family probably has a story or two to tell.

The Tower display was really well attended all during that week, so much you couldn't get around the whole Tower. It's a big tourist area anyway. I happened along there on a Sunday a few weeks earlier also when they were half way through. I couldn't take many photos when it was busy but a made a few short video clips of the earlier visit.

I stuck what photos I had on the Note 3 Pictures thread. I may take most down again.

They also had many large images, with amazing and touching stories attached, on display in St James Park.
I was surprised how much it brought to life what they endured in the trenches in WW1. I thought I knew a lot but I learned so much more.

The poppies were meant for all wars of course, though the 888,246 represented WW1 British Commonwealth casualties I think.

 

[enb123]

I haven't read this whole thread, so forgive me if this has been posted here already. In another thread, though, someone made 2 suggestions: (1) turn off smart stabilization; and (2) turn on the tap-screen-to-take-pictures option. These tips made a huge difference for me and I like the camera now. I suggest giving them a try!

 

[Manohar murthy]

i feel the camera is good ...you need to chk out with the settings especially the lighting and iso i hv attached one of the pic taken by note 3

 

[courtnie coulson1]

I am a pro Photog. I had a galaxy s3 before this and The camera was pretty good. I bought this one for the camera and I have to agree with orig poster... My camera as well takes very grainy shots, and also has a fake filtery look to them. It doesnt take a clear shot even if i set it on stuff... TERRIBLE camera. People are brushing OP off.... saying what more could you expect... and I feel like i had better with my s3. And I know about composition, light, ISO, shutter speed aperature.. what causes noise. The camera on my phone BLOWS. I showed it to the samsung reps at Best Buy both were appalled at the pictures I was getting from the phone and suggested it was a lemon. Im hoping so because it is still under warranty. I just hate missing shots of my little girl because my phone camera sucks. The shots even with decent light are grainy and have no depth, have terrible color and hardly any contrast and most seem to have a haze over them (Yes the plastic is off the camera... as the samsung rep so rudely suggested)..

I have had the camera more than 6 months.. I have watched tutorials thinking it was my fault. I even downloaded an app called camera vf5 and it helped because it let me choose my while balance and ISO... and also got rid of that smoothing looking filter but now the app is so buggy I cant get it to even open.

Im not expecting this to take shots like my DSLR... Im not nuts I know it wont be that quality. But a good clear shot would be nice. I would kill for the note 4 which my husband has... He couldnt take a clear shot if his life depended on it... however his pictures with his note 4 are gorgeous without even trying.


I know its been a year OP... and I hope that you have gotten a new phone or had your issue resolved. But I am feeling your pain. This camera sucks and its not just you!

 

[JonhMena]

Turning off smart stabilization definitely helps alot, don't be fooled by the word "smart" there's nothing smart with that function. I'm not sure about the "tap-screen" but I might give it a try.

 

[eve6er69]

I don't feel like it's a bad camera at all. I do get blurry pictures sometimes but that's usually when the item or phone is moving. Took this one of my goofy dog sleeping and we lifted her lip.

Sent from my Gameboy Color

 

[Earnest Aviless]

I think it sucks. All light seems to almost brighten areas of the frame that ruins my shots and my Galaxy s4 was awesome compared to the note 3 I have now. I take alot of pics and this phone is nowhere as nice as it should be! I do not know why. Its so noticeable that I thought my settings were off but I reset the settings to default and it still sucks. I also just updated its software to 5.0 and it looks worse.

 

[Kalvin Kerns]

Yeah it definitely sucks even compared to an old iPhone 4....

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Haalcyon]

I don't think it "sucks" but I believe the Note 4 and Note Edge have better cameras.

♻from the n.3 controller

 

[Anarchyfortoddlers]

Here's the skinny for laymen/women:
The Note 3 camera requires you to learn the very basics of digital photography.
For example: The Note 3's default setting is 9MP in a 16:9 aspect ratio -- The first thing you should do if you want better photos from your Note 3 is change that to 13MP in 4:3.

Take some time to learn the abilities of the Note 3's camera. Google around. In this thread there are very good examples of amazing photos taken with a Note 3, proving the excellence of the camera. They have a Note 3, and you have a Note 3 - you are the variable.

In addition to learning the abilities of your phone's camera, learn the basics of taking good photos. There's a few dozen, easy to remember tricks that will greatly enhance the quality of your photos.

To get you started on both of these, go to phonearena. They have some great guides.

For the photographers with $3000 digital cameras:
OMG shuuuuut uuuuuuup. "Well you see this phone I bought for $250 doesn't take photographs on the level of my $4000 Nikkon with $1200 lens. Overall I feel a camera phone should at least be up to that level." (This strawman actually sounds more likeable than you do.)

For everyone:
STOP TAKING FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY OF YOUR PET'S FACE. Are you stupid or do you just like torturing your animal for the sake of a few likes on facebook?

 

[Oreozco]

All my photos come out super blurry. Like I'm taking pictures with a potato. Maybe I'm just dumb and can't work a camera but half the time I can't get this stupid thing to work. It usually takes a full minute to get It to focus

 

[FifthElement]

Smart Stabilization is only for low light shots in reality so keep it off otherwise. But if you need a low light pic turn it on as it will take a dark area and brighten it up for you.

Also for those with blurry photos, press the screen where you want to focus the camera and the phone will quickly focus. If it shows a red square then do it again until the square is green meaning the phone got focused (in theory). Don't wait for the phone to focus of you will be waiting forever. I've been able to get some really great macro (up close) shots by just touching a focus point until I get a perfect focus then I press the shutter button.

And the newer phones are going to have way better cameras as that is just the way technology works, things get better (most of the time, lol).

Also my dogs love the flash, they try to chase it. Oh an I spent $800 on my Note 3 not $250 so I expect it to take good pics compared to the $250 phones, lol.

 

[andrew_sc_syd]

In addition to learning the abilities of your phone's camera, learn the basics of taking good photos.

Yesterday, I had enough of my atrocious Note 3 photos, and grabbed my wife's S4, while we were walking in the park. The photos came out great. Most surprising was the level of detail. I photographed a parrot at arm's length, but the black swans swimming in the distance also came out clearly. I would never got that with my Note 3.

Earlier, I tried the Open Camera app on my Note 3. The White Balance in "auto" mode is better than with the stock application. But not much.

My contract expires next September. I wonder whether I should stay with the Note line, or defect to a G4. I've got a four year old LG "Black P970h" and it takes better photos than my Note 3. I'm equally knowledgeable - or ignorant - on all these phones. As many people have said before, the best camera on a phone is the one which takes good photos on automatic mode, without manual fiddling on the spot.

 

[snorske]

I've had the Note 3 for about 1 year now, and agree the Camera is terrible. Previous phone iPhone 4S took better pictures. Constant out of focus, grainy, can't Macro-Focus, looks washed out etc. I paid for the Camera ZOOM FX app and the quality did not improve.

But my question is I'm looking at the camera lens and there appears to be lots of dust particles inside. Is there anyway to open this up and clean? Or would I need to replace the camera?