I think you could upload a pic to dropbox etc then post the link here. Not sure though.
Tbh it sounds bad that it still happens with the lens covered.
Have you tried a camera app from play store?

 

Hmm thats weird.
Did u try a different app to narrow it down a bit?

 

Must be something deeper than just software like a problem with the hardware or its driver. Hope someone else can suggest something. Is it still under warranty? :thumbup:

 

Does the lens/cover appear to be scratched?

 

hmmmm, sounds like it could be a hardware issue as funky suggested.
Considering:
A. it does it with the camera covered
B. it does it with another camera app.
C. it does it even after a factory reset.

Try this...take a pic in landscape mode...do the scratches follow the layout? i.e. are the scratches in the same pattern in landscape vs. portrait?

 

Yes that makes sense....hmmmm again.....I just wonder if there are some minute, unseen to the naked eye, scratches.???

 

Excellent out-the-box thinking bro :beer:
Its startin to really sound like the camera sensor is damaged or has somehow got some dust in it are the "patterns" of blue always the same? Even after shaking or gently tapping the phone (long-shot i know lol)

 

If you want to definitively rule out software, you could do a factory restore via Odin.

If it still happens after that, you know its hardware

 

Thats why its probably the sensor. Warranty should be cool if the phone isnt pure battered or had water in it :thumbup:

 

Did you ever find out what was causing your phone to act this way? Mine recently started doing this and was relieved to find that I am not the only one experiencing this weird problem. It is doing exactly what you posted and looks just like your pics but fortunately I have only one streak and I can zoom past it since it's in the left hand corner. Please let me know what you found out.Thank you!

 

Same is happening with my S4. Any suggestions?