Samsung Galaxy S3: 10 Useful Camera Tips and Tricks

As we know that Samsung Galaxy SIII comes with advanced 8MP camera that will allow us to capture HDR photos with it.

See also: How to Take HDR Photos with the Samsung Galaxy S3

In addition it also embedded with built-in camcorder to let us take and play any HD video we like. With this advanced camera you can do a lot of more with it. As written on webcazine.com, below are the useful tips and trick while using the camera on Samsung Galaxy SIII:


1. Access Camera app on lock screen quickly
as we know, we can customize the lock screen easily as we have learned before, including add the shortcut in it. So, you can also add camera shortcut into lock screen.

See also: How to Customize Lock Screen on Samsung Galaxy S3

To access camera preview screen through its shortcut on lock screen, just tap and swipe on it. But, if you set your phone more secure with PIN, then you have to enter 4 digit code before getting to the preview screen.


2. Access Camera app quickly using motion
You can quickly access camera app by tap and hold its screen while rotating it to the landscape position. If you have a PIN enable on this phone, you have to enter it before you getting to the preview screen. To enable this option go to Setting-> Security-> Lock screen option-> camera quick access. This will also automatically enabling your motion activation.


3. Zoom in and zoom out
When you want take a picture or video you can do zoom in and zoom out with it. Place your two finger on its screen then spread them apart to zoom in, while to zoom out pinch your two finger together. You can also do these things using the Volume key.


4. Capture moving object
You can do this by enabling burst mode on your phone. Just go to Camera app-> Settings-> Shooting mode-> Burst shot. Once it enable, the camera will take up to 20 pictures in 3 second while you capture moving object. But, it will only take 8 pictures on one go if you set Best shot option on. After the shot, you can select the best one to save.


5. Tap to focus
You can definitely set the focus anywhere you want on the preview screen by tap on it. The white focus frame will move to the part you've been tap and the subject will turn into green as a sign that it's in focus.


6. Capture panoramic photos
You can do this if you activate panoramic mode by go to Camera app-> Settings-> Shooting mode-> Panorama.

Image Credit: tunerpage.com


7. Take pictures using voice command
You can open Camera app with voice command that you've specified before. To activate this feature, go to Settings-> Language and input-> Voice cmd for apps-> Enable Voice cmd for app function-> tick on Camera check box.

See also: How to Enable and Use S Voice on Samsung Galaxy S3


8. Add location information in pictures
To do this, first you should enable GPS on your phone by drag the notification bar downdwards to on or off the GPS function and you should enable GPS tags in Camera setting by go to Camera app-> Settings-> GPS tags.

Once you enabled these two things, you can confirm to location information on your photo by view the photo you want to add location information through Gallery app then press the Option key and tap Details. Here you can see an address for Location field.


9. Turn on anti-shake
By activated this feature, it will reduce the blur on your picture that caused by movement of this device. By default, this features is off. So, to turn it on go to Camera app-> Settings-> Anti-Shake.


10. Turn shutter sound off
If you feel disturbed by the sound of camera shutter, then you can set it off by lower the volume to vibration mode using the volume button or you can do this by use Sound/Mute/Vibrate button on the notification bar before you take a picture.


Well, 10 tips and trick of the camera on the Samsung Galaxy SIII Mentioned above are easy to do and can improve the quality of your pictures and improve your productivity in using camera on this phone. So, if you find this article useful for you, let me know your feedback through the comment below :)

30 comments:

  1. Hye, I'm wondering if you have any tips/tutorials for the second camera??
    I've been trying to remove an annoying mountain icon (its on the top left right under the settings icon)
    My second camera doesn't work as great as other S3 and I think its because of the mountain mode..
    Thanks..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Melissa Putra,
      Thanks to leave your thought here.
      There is two focus modes available on Galaxy SIII, auto focus and macro. The mountain icon means Infinity focus mode(in Auto Focus mode), this mode will be useful if it used for objects that are very far away from you, like a landscape or a cityscape.
      But, as I've mentioned on tips #5 that you can continue to manually control the focus by simply touching the viewfinder to direct the focus rectangle.
      However, try to use some shot modes available there, and see whether the icon is still there or not.
      Hope it helps :)

      Delete
  2. Okay..got it..
    Thanks a lot. (:

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Melissa Putra,
      Thanks for getting back here.
      I'm glad you was helped with my answer :)

      Delete
  3. How can I get rid of the " two finger zoom tip"?
    thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Eve McQuade,
      Thanks for coming here.
      Try to disable motion on your phone. It's under Settings> Motion> uncheck Motion activation, then see whether it helps.

      Delete
  4. How can I take a picture without having to use the on screen button or speak? Is there a way? I have a lifeproof case and I'm trying to take pictures underwater but I can only do so if there's an actual button I can push and not the on screen one. :/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Futurefitgirl88,
      Thanks for coming.
      Can you please tell me why you didn't use the on screen button?

      Delete
    2. I am experiencing the same exact problem with my lifeproof case. The on screen butyons dont work underwater. I am only able to take videos. My sister, with an iphone 5, is able to take pictures by pressing her *increase volume* button. If someone could help with this, I would very much appreciate it.

      Delete
    3. Hi Anonymousfrustration,
      Thanks for coming.
      After I've read on some review of Lifeproof S3 case, most of them reported that they have difficulty to take a picture. But, they said that they can recording video by pressing the button before they submerge the phone.

      Delete
  5. Hello, can someone tell me how to stop my camera from taking multiple shots of the same images. I used to get just one but now get 3 different sized copies of the same image

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Milly,
      Thanks for coming.
      Have you ever tried to take a picture using different shot mode? If so, do you still encountering this problem?

      Delete
  6. How close do I have to be to switch to macro from regular focus?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Gzuckier,
      Thanks for coming.
      CMIIW, if you use auto focus, at least you should reside less than 15 cm from the object. Another option, you can also change focus to macro mode.

      Delete
  7. I don't want to use the speak option or the camera button on the screen can I use something else like the volume or the off button or something?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. +1 on this please also let me know

      Delete
    2. Hi Garry Paul and HITMAN47,
      Thanks for coming.
      Unfortunately, there is no option inside the stock Camera app to change the camera button using the Volume key (as the Samsung Galaxy S4 has). Another way, you can try to use another third-party camera app, such as VolShutter Camera app which will allow you to set the Volume button to take a picture.
      Here's the link:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.beyondweb.rocker.free&hl=en
      Or if your phone is rooted, then here I found a useful link that might help you: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1691145&highlight=volume+button
      Hope this helps :)

      Delete
  8. Helo, I would like to know how can I change the oprion of taking a picture by the bottons "sleepmode" or "increase volume"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi HITMAN47,
      Thanks for coming.
      Please take a look at my reply in the Gary Paul's comment right above you.

      Delete
  9. My camera keep saying Camera failed :-( Tried to reboot take battery out etc and it wont work

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ciara Cairns,
      Thanks for coming.
      Do you know what you've done before the camera app is failed? For instance, update OS or install certain app or else. Knowing the cause will make us more easier to find the best solution to fix the problem.

      Delete
  10. stupid question but does tapping the screen mean you are doing manual focus instead of auto focus?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Airtas,
      Thanks for coming.
      Yes, you're right. By default, if you aim the camera to the object and you don't tap the viewfinder then it will automatically focus in the middle of the viewfinder. Manual focus will let you to focus on the desired part of the object.

      Delete
  11. Hi excellent tips and tricks tons of it,but I have a question about the Galaxy S III front camera zoom function in the setup menu the zoom activation for the front camera grayed out.
    By using a Selfie Bluetooth mono pod for the back camera it work like a charm but not functioning for the front camera.Is the S III lacking this future?
    Also if they any app to activate the zoom for the front camera?
    Thank's in advance
    Barnabee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Barnabee,
      Thanks for coming.
      Here my answer for your questions:
      1. Can't zoom when using the front camera.
      Yes, you're right. The stock Camera app in the Samsung Galaxy S series doesn't allow you to change the zoom level. I surmise it's because the software limitation. FYI, I've checked in my S4, S5 and Tab 2, and I couldn't zoom when using the front facing camera using the stock Camera app.

      2. Third-party Camera app with ability to change the zoom level when using the front camera.
      I believe that there are some third-party Camera apps in the Play Store that have this ability. I myself have installed the Camera ZOOM FX-FREE app from Play Store and it allowed me to adjust the zoom level when using the front camera.

      Delete
  12. Hi I have a galaxy s3, and I receive my pics that people send me in video form, I have went thru settings, but I really dont know what is off or what to do, really could use some help

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi, I have a galaxy S3 GT19300 Android version 4.3 and would like to know how to include a time/date stamp on my photos. Otherwise what simple and free apps would you recommend. Thanks Wendy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Wendy Roudette,
      Thanks for coming.
      Since none of my Galaxy S phones use Android 4.3, I don't remember the detail features within this Android version. But, you can try opening the settings menus of the stock Gallery app and find "Tag buddy" option. If this option is available, enable this option and then enable "Date" to include a time/date stamp to your photos.
      However, if you don't have tag buddy feature, you can use a third-party app to add a time/date stamp to your photos, e.g: APD TimeStamp, Vignette・photo effects, etc.

      Delete
  14. Hi, I have the galaxy s3 and its seem that when I take a picture using the front camera it seems to flip the photo and it does the same with video how do i fix this problem I've tried to find ways but thereis nothing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Buddy,
      Thanks for coming.
      Try the following steps to fix your issue:
      1. Open the Camera app.
      2. Switch to the front camera.
      3. Tap the Menu key and then select "Settings".
      4. Tap the settings tab(it's a gear icon).
      5. Scroll down the menu. Tap "Save as flipped" and then select "Off".
      6. From now on, your phone won't auto flip all photos you take with the front camera.

      Delete

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