Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Rumors: Note 2’s Sequel To Feature 13 Megapixel Camera With Optical Image Stabilization Technology

Despite this year’s Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin, or IFA, the event where Samsung usually unveils the Galaxy Note versions, being months away, rumors about the Galaxy Note 3 have started gaining momentum. If the latest bit of information is to be believed, the device will feature an enhanced camera with Optical Image Stabilization, or OIS technology.

According to Korean publication Electronic Times Internet, Samsung is apparently working on incorporating OIS capabilities into the Galaxy Note 2’s sequel, allowing users to capture improved pictures and video using the handset’s rear camera.

OIS is a mechanism found in still cameras or video cameras that stabilizes the recorded image and helps reduce image blur caused by motion while taking pictures or recording video. The technology stabilizes the image projected on the sensor even before it gets converted into digital information.

There are some mobile devices that feature software-based image stabilization, but OIS will be implemented in the lens itself. The technology will handle issues stemming from mobility at the lens or sensor level, Android Authority reported.

Apart from the OIS technology, the Galaxy Note 3 camera is also rumored to sport a 13-megapixel sensor and 3x optical zoom capability. However, the latter option remains doubtful as it may require some amount of added thickness to the device.

Considering Samsung’s focus on digital camera technology -- the company released its Android-based Galaxy Camera last year -- there’s enough ground to believe that the South Korean behemoth could be preparing for a much improved camera experience with its upcoming flagship devices. In addition, growing competition from rival manufacturers like Nokia and HTC also provides a valid motivation for Samsung to bring something new to the cameras of its popular handsets.

It is worth mentioning here that Samsung is rumored to be developing a camera phone with the Galaxy S4 moniker. Presumably called the “Galaxy S4 Zoom,” the phone is expected to feature a 16-megapixel camera with 10x optical zoom.

Meanwhile, recent reports suggest that Samsung could release the Galaxy Note 3 in the second-half of this year. The rumor of the H2 release of the Note 3 gains credence since the IFA 2013 is also scheduled to take place from September 6 to 11 in Berlin.

Rumors also suggest that the Galaxy Note 3 will have the same design as the Galaxy S4. It will have a sleeker bezel and could sport a plastic frame. Other rumored features of the Galaxy Note 3 include a 6-inch screen with AMOLED display panel, a 13-megapixel rear camera, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, 2GB RAM and Exynos 5410 Octa-core processor with four Cortex A15 chips clocking 2GHz and four power-saving Cortex A7 chips running at 1.7GHz.