You might think it's too early to start with the rumors of Galaxy S4, right? But that's not the case, since the leaks have begun and the first was the one that indicated that this new phone would be launched in the Mobile World Congress. Something that Samsung quickly denied.
Well, now it's the turn of one of its components, specifically the rear camera that will include. It's not the most important thing on a phone, that's clear, but it's already a interesting information and which announces, if true, the effort that the Korean company is willing to make with its next flagship phone.
It will have a 13 Mpx sensor
The most important information that has been known is that the sensor, this time, will be of 13 Mpx, much higher than the 8 megapixel camera that the current Galaxy S3 camera has. Therefore, the new device would perform higher quality photos, that is undeniable, and also much larger. Be careful with this, as it is not usually taken into account when assessing the Storage capacity, and it is a pretty serious mistake.
Yes, nothing has been known about the lens for now (and it's very important, really), as well as the software additions that the specific app will have. What's very clear is that, if this is Samsung's path, it seems interesting. That said, let's hope the Galaxy S3 revision isn't just an improvement on what's known, as happened, for example, with the iPhone 5... don't you think?
Sensor, aperture and photo quality
Beyond the number of pixels, the determining factor is the sensor size and optics. In the Galaxy S4, various specialized sources point out the use of a Sony Exmor RS sensor aperture f / 2.2 and native capture in 4:3 at 13 Mpx. This configuration yields very good outdoors, offering detail and a competitive dynamic range when the HDR. Indoors and in low light scenes, without optical stabilization (OIS) and with a compact sensor, it is normal to observe increased ISO and some noise if the LED flash is not used.
The reading is clear: the 13 Mpx allow crop and enlarge without losing so much sharpness, but it is advisable to master the automatic modes and aids such as HDR and Night Mode to obtain consistent results.
Smart camera modes and functions
- Dual Camera / Dual Recording: shoot and record with front and rear at the same time, integrating both shots into a single image or video.
- Shot Drama: combines bursts to show a sequence of motion in a single photo.
- Sound & Shot: add up to 9 seconds of audio to a photograph to contextualize the moment.
- Eraser: Captures multiple shots and allows remove unwanted elements that intersect.
- Best Photo / Best Face: automatically selects the better take or best gesture of each person in a group.
- Cinema Photo / Animated Photo: generates GIFs or photos with one area in motion and the rest static.
- HDR, Night, Sports, Panoramic and 360º: classical repertoire for Highlights, low lights, action and great scenes.
Video, audio and photo interface
The rear camera records in 1080p with and stable rate, while the front of 2 Mpx allows video calls with Dual Video Call. The focus is Speed, the shot has zero delay and the LED flash helps in dark close-ups. The camera app integrates a mode wheel very accessible and direct adjustments to white balance, ISO and scene so that changing modes doesn't mean losing the shot.
Screen, storage and battery: impact on photography
The screen 5-inch Super AMOLED Full HD displays photos with high pixel density, ideal for evaluate approach and composition at the moment. Since 13 Mpx images take up more space, it is appreciated to have microSD up to 64GB to expand storage. The battery of 2600 mAh supports extended photo and video sessions, and the absence of a dedicated physical button It is supplemented with on-screen access and shortcuts.
With a 13MP sensor, bright f/2.2 optics and an ecosystem of advanced modes, the Galaxy S4 is all about ambitious photographic experience: remarkable outdoors, solvent indoors with software aids and very funny thanks to features like Dual Camera, Drama Shot, and Sound & Shot. If you're going to get the most out of its camera, consider upgrading your memory and mastering HDR and Night Vision to ensure consistent results in any situation.
