Camera

[pkulak]

From reading some reviews, it looks like the camera on the Captivate kinda sucks in anything but great lighting. And, even in great lighting, the camcorder picks up way too much noise and has wind noise even when there is no wind. For you guys who got yours early, is that really the case? Did some of the early reviewers get bad units?

I'm really disappointed that the camera isn't top-of-the-line. It seems that Apple is the only company on the planet willing to not skip any corners with their hardware. Can't one, single Android maker just make a phone without the compromises? I love Android, but no one seems willing to step up and make some hardware worthy of it. Arg.. I'm so sick of that boring-ass, restrictive iOS, but I may have to get it anyway just because I'm not willing to carry around and Android phone and a Flip video camera at the same time.

(My son is 1, so a camera/camcorder is really important to me.)

 

[maerlim]

From reading some reviews, it looks like the camera on the Captivate kinda sucks in anything but great lighting. And, even in great lighting, the camcorder picks up way too much noise and has wind noise even when there is no wind. For you guys who got yours early, is that really the case? Did some of the early reviewers get bad units?

I'm really disappointed that the camera isn't top-of-the-line. It seems that Apple is the only company on the planet willing to not skip any corners with their hardware. Can't one, single Android maker just make a phone without the compromises? I love Android, but no one seems willing to step up and make some hardware worthy of it. Arg.. I'm so sick of that boring-ass, restrictive iOS, but I may have to get it anyway just because I'm not willing to carry around and Android phone and a Flip video camera at the same time.

(My son is 1, so a camera/camcorder is really important to me.)

If they're really important, buy a dedicated camera and a dedicated camcorder. You will never find a top-of-the-line camera on a phone. Even the iPhone.

 

[pkulak]

If they're really important, buy a dedicated camera and a dedicated camcorder. You will never find a top-of-the-line camera on a phone. Even the iPhone.

I own an SLR. But what are the chances that it's near when something happens that I want to take a picture of?

From what I can tell, the iPhone 4's camera is nearly as good as a standard point and shoot for photos, and as good as a Flip for video.

 

[Surfer]

Hey. I won't lie, the iPhone does have a good camera and camcorder. The iPhones would probably be only a bit better due to its flash, and I AM disappointed with the lack of flash for this phone. But don't let a decent camera hold you back! It is a great phone with better camera options. I am sure you can capture life's precious moments even with the Samsungs camera!

 

[subie41ife]

It seems that Apple is the only company on the planet willing to not skip any corners with their hardware.

lol, really? I'm a huge apple fan. I have owned EVERY iPhone to date(just returned my iPhone 4)...every iPhone besides the 4 has a shitty camera...until now(with the iPhone 4 out) there was always other phones with much much better cameras. IMO if you looking for a android phone with a good camera, why are you looking at the Samsung captivate?

 

[ewingr]

From reading some reviews, it looks like the camera on the Captivate kinda sucks in anything but great lighting. And, even in great lighting, the camcorder picks up way too much noise and has wind noise even when there is no wind. For you guys who got yours early, is that really the case? Did some of the early reviewers get bad units?

I'm really disappointed that the camera isn't top-of-the-line. It seems that Apple is the only company on the planet willing to not skip any corners with their hardware. Can't one, single Android maker just make a phone without the compromises? I love Android, but no one seems willing to step up and make some hardware worthy of it. Arg.. I'm so sick of that boring-ass, restrictive iOS, but I may have to get it anyway just because I'm not willing to carry around and Android phone and a Flip video camera at the same time.

(My son is 1, so a camera/camcorder is really important to me.)

Is that what you are experiencing? I've read a lot of threads and viewed a lot of samples over the past few weeks. While they don't indicate it is fabulous like the screen, they all have pretty much said it is adequate at worst, to surprisning how well it works in darker settings, the analysis being that maybe the flash isn't all that important.

Your review above pretty muchs indicates it is worthless.

 

[tyte]

if people were really serious about photography and want a decent camera.. the best choice is to just buy a separate digital camera...

having one on a phone is only meant for convenience anways.. imo

 

[pkulak]

if people were really serious about photography and want a decent camera.. the best choice is to just buy a separate digital camera...

having one on a phone is only meant for convenience anways.. imo

I own an SLR. Still though, at least half of my photos come from my phone, so buying a phone with a better camera makes half of my photos better.

 

[Surfer]

if people were really serious about photography and want a decent camera.. the best choice is to just buy a separate digital camera...

having one on a phone is only meant for convenience anways.. imo

I own an SLR. Still though, at least half of my photos come from my phone, so buying a phone with a better camera makes half of my photos better.

That being said, the iPhone's camera won't live up to an SLR nor will it live up to many Point and Shoots now. If you really want a camera wait until the X10, but you will be sacrificing a slow UI and Android 1.6. The iPhone's camera is only better because it has flash, while the Samsung has several different options to choose from.

 

[pkulak]

That being said, the iPhone's camera won't live up to an SLR nor will it live up to many Point and Shoots now. If you really want a camera wait until the X10, but you will be sacrificing a slow UI and Android 1.6. The iPhone's camera is only better because it has flash, while the Samsung has several different options to choose from.

Well, as long as it doesn't have that horrible hissing noise on the camcorder that I've seen in some reviews, I'll be fine. Mediocre quality is one thing, but having a camcorder that's useless because it ruins everything with horrible sound is another.

 

[Surfer]

Well, as long as it doesn't have that horrible hissing noise on the camcorder that I've seen in some reviews, I'll be fine. Mediocre quality is one thing, but having a camcorder that's useless because it ruins everything with horrible sound is another.

Well the thing is you say mediocre quality, but the iPhone has basically the same quality, just in low lighting it has flash. And the hissing noise if you noticed is when they are outside filming cars, many camera's get that. I look at it in a positive way thinking it records audio better, but thats just me.

 

[tyte]

investing money into a new camcorder or camera to record all the precious memories.. seems far more important that into a phone to me at least...

before purchasing the samsung.. you might want to go into a corp store and ask to see and test the phone's camera before going through with a decision.. even though there are samples online... its better to make an opinion of it yourself from a demo unit...

 

[KMA]

It seems that Apple is the only company on the planet willing to not skip any corners with their hardware. Can't one, single Android maker just make a phone without the compromises?

Not trying to be facetious, but based on this statement (and some others) it sounds like you might be much happier with an iPhone 4.

 

[maerlim]

Isn't there somewhere in Asia a device that's been called "A camera that can make phone calls" running Android? Something like a 12 mega pixel camera with hardware zoom... The devices exist, but there really isn't much demand for them in the US.

 

[pkulak]

Isn't there somewhere in Asia a device that's been called "A camera that can make phone calls" running Android? Something like a 12 mega pixel camera with hardware zoom... The devices exist, but there really isn't much demand for them in the US.

With 12 megapixels (and likely not a much larger sensor), that thing probably takes even worse photos. When we finally get out of this megapixel trap, then we'll see some good, small cameras. Right now, however, even credible tech sites put up spec comparisons where 8MP is "better" than 5MP. So, small hardware makers (small meaning, "not Apple") have no choice but to build in terrible 8MP sensors to compete with each other on who can make the crappiest camera. It's a joke.

 

[maerlim]

With 12 megapixels (and likely not a much larger sensor), that thing probably takes even worse photos. When we finally get out of this megapixel trap, then we'll see some good, small cameras. Right now, however, even credible tech sites put up spec comparisons where 8MP is "better" than 5MP. So, small hardware makers (small meaning, "not Apple") have no choice but to build in terrible 8MP sensors to compete with each other on who can make the crappiest camera. It's a joke.

I think my understanding of the device was it actually had a good sensor and all. But, you know, Asia and all.

 

[KMA]

Isn't there somewhere in Asia a device that's been called "A camera that can make phone calls" running Android? Something like a 12 mega pixel camera with hardware zoom... The devices exist, but there really isn't much demand for them in the US.

Thinking of this one?

Here are some links:

Samsung M8920 - Full phone specifications
Samsung W880 AMOLED 12M Review : TechnoEzine

 

[maerlim]

Thinking of this one?

That looks like it.

By the way, I took some HD video today from inside my office building of a bird right outside the window. The video looked pretty damn good to me played back on the phone. Also pictures I took looked pretty good as well. Later this evening I'll load it all up on the computer and take a closer look.

 

[pkulak]

That looks like it.

By the way, I took some HD video today from inside my office building of a bird right outside the window. The video looked pretty damn good to me played back on the phone. Also pictures I took looked pretty good as well. Later this evening I'll load it all up on the computer and take a closer look.

Oh, I didn't know you had the phone. My whole point of this was to get people's opinions on the camera. So thank you.

Did you notice any bad sound on the video?

 

[maerlim]

Oh, I didn't know you had the phone. My whole point of this was to get people's opinions on the camera. So thank you.

Did you notice any bad sound on the video?

Sorry, I think we have signals crossed. I don't have that phone, I have a Captivate. My bad for commenting on 2 different posts in one.

 

[pkulak]

Sorry, I think we have signals crossed. I don't have that phone, I have a Captivate. My bad for commenting on 2 different posts in one.

haha, no I meant the Captivate. I didn't know you picked up a Captivate already. I didn't think you had a limited-release, Korea-only phone.

 

[tekonus]

lol, really? I'm a huge apple fan. I have owned EVERY iPhone to date(just returned my iPhone 4)...every iPhone besides the 4 has a shitty camera...until now(with the iPhone 4 out) there was always other phones with much much better cameras. IMO if you looking for a android phone with a good camera, why are you looking at the Samsung captivate?

^^^ agree. There are Android phones with higher quality cameras out there already.

 

[pkulak]

^^^ agree. There are Android phones with higher quality cameras out there already.

Like what?

 

[tekonus]

Like what?

If you are bound to AT&T, maybe not so much. If not, the Incredible, EVO, Droid X all have 8 megapixel cameras with a flash just to name a couple off the top of my head.

 

[pkulak]

If you are bound to AT&T, maybe not so much. If not, the Incredible, EVO, Droid X all have 8 megapixel cameras with a flash just to name a couple off the top of my head.

haha, I just got done ranting about mega-pixels. I don't want more pixels... I want a better camera. And flash ruins photos. I'd rather have an underexposed shot than one full of red-eye and people who look like freakish zombies. But, it is at least nice to have the option.

However, after all this complaining about the camera, this is really not bad at all for an indoor shot:

YouTube - Samsung Captivate 720p HD Video Sample: Indoors

Samsung seems to prefer to underexpose a bit rather than just hike up the gain and show bags of noise. I actually prefer that.