Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Vs. Samsung Galaxy S4: How Does The Rumored Galaxy Note 3 Photo Match Up Against Actual Galaxy S4 Photos?

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is rumored to feature a 13-megapixel camera with an optical zoom and image stabilization update from the 13-megapixel camera seen on the Galaxy S4. While it remains to be seen if the rumors are true, a photograph has surfaced with claims that it was taken with a Galaxy Note 3 camera.

Discovered on Picasa last Friday, having originated from somewhere in Asia, the image is of a generic computer space. We see the corner of a keyboard, some tissues, some tea, among other random knickknacks. The image has since been removed from Picasa, as per Gotta Be Mobile’s predictions, but we still have the photo here for observation.

In addition, there is the Exif data for the photo, which lists the model number of the capturing device as SM-N900, which is largely accepted as the model number for the upcoming Galaxy Note 3. The image is supposedly 2322 by 4128 pixels and was captured by a 13-megapixel camera in 16:9 mode, with the camera featuring f/2.2 aperture and a 31mm lens -- the same characteristics seen in the camera on the Samsung Galaxy S4.

At this point is would be fairly simple for someone to snap a photograph with any random device, perhaps the 13-megapixel camera on a Samsung Galaxy S4, and pass it off as a photo taken by the Galaxy Note 3. We decided to peg the photo against those actually taken with a Samsung Galaxy S4 in order to see if we can come to any conclusions.

Upon purchasing a T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S4 handset in May, we put together a piece called “Samsung Galaxy S4 Review: 3 Days With The Smartphone's 13-Megapixel Camera,” where we collected a weekend’s worth of New York City excursions with the camera on the Samsung Galaxy S4. For reference sake, here is a photo of our Galaxy S4 handset (taken with an iPhone 4S, if anyone cares).

Here are some images taken with said Samsung Galaxy S4. While the smartphone’s 13-megapixel camera has the potential to take great photos, it's admittedly lacking in many ways, including its decreased capacity for low light photos and reduced ability to capture stable imagines (hence the image stabilization rumor for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3).

Here is a shot taken while walking down a particularly shady street in the Financial District of Manhattan. Parker Smith noted that the Galaxy S4 is known for is exposure problems, which accounts for the light flood at the top of the photo while the bottom remains largely dark.

Here is a photo taken while the Samsung Galaxy S4 handset was not quite steady. We also note that the package on the left largely shadows the one on the right in the photograph, despite there being a significant amount of light in the area where the photo was taken.

Here we have one of the sharpest photos taken with this Galaxy S4 handset, at “The Great Gatsby” costume exhibit at Prada SoHo. We had ample lighting, a great angle and enough stability for this photo to come out nearly flawless. It really shows how well the Galaxy S4 camera can shoot under the proper circumstance.

Here is a generic desk photo taken with the Galaxy S4 alongside the photo supposedly taken with the Galaxy Note 3. In comparison, the photos appear similar, honestly as if they could have been taken by the same camera. With rumors of an image stabilization feature circulating, many who expected to see sharper images from the camera supposedly included on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 were likely disappointed. Perhaps the image stabilization feature is one that can be turned on and off, making the Galaxy Note 3’s camera more like the one seen on the Galaxy S4 when that feature is not enabled. However, this is something that we cannot confirm.

Verdict?

While many reports hail the 13-megapixel camera that Samsung introduced to the Galaxy S4 and is expected to be featured on the Galaxy Note 3, we would like to note that megapixel count does little to dictate the quality of any camera, but rather dictates how large a canvas on which a photo can be printed. As most smartphone photographers are largely accessing their images on electronic devices and sharing them on various social media platforms, print quality means little to them. What matters is screen quality. If this photograph was in fact taken with a Galaxy Note 3, it may be an indication that Samsung still has a few kinks to sort out with its mobile cameras.

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