This guide explains Galaxy Note 4 camera modes and, how and when to use the 17 camera modes to get some amazing photos.
By default, Galaxy Note 4 camera can take nice photos out of the box. The Auto mode in Galaxy Note 4 works amazingly well. You just point and shoot.
Samsung actually incorporates several camera modes in the old phones into the Auto mode. For example, when Galaxy Note 4 detects the lighting condition is not good, the auto mode will automatically enable the night mode and adjust settings accordingly.
This is a big improvement in the camera app. Nobody wants to fiddle around the settings and figure out the proper settings.
But sometimes, Auto mode may be not sufficient. For example, you want to take some photos for your kids in a basketball match.
Until now, it is still impossible to make all camera setting automatic. Some sorts of manual control may be needed in certain situations.
So, Samsung provides some camera modes in Galaxy Note 4 for you to take some special photos.
To access Galaxy Note 4 camera modes, you need start the Camera app.
By default, the Galaxy Note 4 camera starts with the Auto mode.
In Camera app (if you are not familiar with the camera app interface, please check this guide), tap Mode icon as shown below.
In the bottom of the screen, you will be able to find the available Galaxy Note 4 camera modes.
In most regions, there are 12 pre-installed Galaxy Note 4 camera modes for the main camera. 8 of them are activated and you can tap to select immediately.
For the other 4 camera modes, you need tap Manage modes to activate them.
In addition to the 12 pre-installed Galaxy Note 4 camera modes, you can also download and install more camera modes for Galaxy Note 4. Please check this guide on how to manage and install more camera modes for Galaxy Note 4.
Once the camera mode is selected, your camera will use this mode for photos taken in this session.
Please note, Galaxy Note 4 camera mode setting is not persistent: it is valid for current session only. Once you close the camera app, Auto mode will be automatically used. You need change the camera mode for each session.
Now, let’s explore the 17 Galaxy Note 4 camera modes (2 of them are for front camera only).
Auto mode represents Samsung’s latest technology depth in smartphone camera. We all know it is not an easy job to make something automatic with nods from most users.
In Galaxy Note 4, the Auto mode works surprisingly well. It seems Samsung finally learnt the lesson from packing half-baked features in Galaxy S4.
By default, whenever you start the Camera app in Galaxy Note 4, Auto mode is waiting for you. You can further change the settings, for example, ISO, white balance, HDR, and almost all other settings when Auto mode is used.
For most users, you don’t need do anything, just tap the camera icon to take a photo. Of course you can also use voice control to take photos or record videos( please check this guide if you want to know how to use voice commands for Galaxy Note 4 camera).
The Auto mode, as suggested by its name, is able to adjust the settings according to environment conditions (e.g., lighting conditions) and even the object (e.g., a face).
So, just point and shoot in Auto mode. You can get a decent photo most of the time.
Normally, you will easily get a blurry photo if the object is moving fast because of the slow shutter speed.
In Sports mode, Galaxy Note 4 uses a faster shutter speed to freeze the motion. And therefore, you can get a clear picture with frozen moving objects.
Of course, when Sports mode is enabled, Galaxy Note 4 not only increases the shutter speed, but also adjust the ISO and many other settings.
The good thing is that everything will be done automatically by Galaxy Note 4 camera. What you need to do is selecting the Sports mode and tap the camera button (shutter) to take photos.
Of course, this is different from DSLRs, with which you get many manual settings. For smartphones, Samsung has to make the camera app simpler than point-and-shoot cameras.
When you check the EXIF data of the photo taken with Galaxy Note 4 Sports mode, you can find that Galaxy Note 4 adjusts many settings for Sports mode.
Please note, most camera settings are disabled when Sports mode is selected. Galaxy Note 4 will adjust the settings for you.
Galaxy Note 4 Sound & Shot mode adds audio to the photo. The audio will be recorded immediately after or before, the photo is taken. The duration of the audio recording is up to nine seconds.
Photos taken with the Sound & Shot mode can be viewed with Samsung Gallery apps in compatible Samsung Galaxy devices. You can safely share these photos through WiFi, NFC and Bluetooth. The audio will be preserved and you can listen to them in compatible devices.
But if you view the photo taken with the Sound & Shot mode on a PC or with other apps, you will not get the sound. You will only get the normal photo. This is due to the way of embedding audios. There are no widely-accepted standards to do this yet, Samsung chooses its own way. So, only Samsung Gallery app knows it.
Also, if you share photos taken with Sound & Shot mode through MMS, email or any apps, the audio will be removed and you will get the normal photos only.
After starting the camera app, tap Mode icon, choose Sound & Shot. Then you are ready to use this mode.
By default, auto recording is taken after you take the photo (post-shot). You can stop the audio recording by tapping the stop button before it reaches 9 seconds as shown below.
You can also configure the Galaxy Note 4 Sound & Shot mode as pre-shot. In other words, you can record up to 9 seconds of audio before tapping the camera button to take the photo.
In the Sound & Shot mode, tap the arrow button (^) in the bottom of the screen as shown below.
Now, you have the option to choose Pre-shot or Post-shot for the Sound & Shot mode.
Please note, although the camera mode selection in Galaxy Note 4 is not persistent (it will be defaulted to Auto when you start Camera app nexty time), the sound recording setting in the Sound & Shot mode is persistent. It will be used automatically when you use the Sound & Shot mode again next time. It is not necessary to set it every time.
When Animated photo mode is selected, Galaxy Note 4 will take a sequence of photos up to 5 seconds and then make an GIF animation.
In addition to simply animating the photo sequence, Galaxy Note 4 Animated photo mode can even freeze or animate specific part. In other words, you can specify (draw) an area for animation or for freezing. This can be found only in some professional GIF tools.
The advantages of using Animated photo mode over video recording include:
Animated photo mode may be not enabled by default. If you cannot find the Animated photo mode in your Galaxy Note 4, please follow this guide to enable it.
Please note, you need review the photo taken with Animated photo mode and explicitly tap the Save icon (disk) to save the photo, even if you turn off review pics/videos.
In a nutshell, Galaxy Note 4 edits the photo on the fly when the Beauty face mode is selected. And therefore, you can get a live preview of how it looks.
In camera pp, tap Mode, then tap Beauty face mode to use it. Galaxy Note 4 will do the rest.
You can also set how much effects will be applied by tapping the head icon as shown below.
By default, the level 4 is used. You can drag the circle up and down to increase or decrease the level of editing.
In Beauty face mode, higher level means more artificial effects will be applied.
Please note, Beauty face mode works best when the person is not too close (and not too far) to the camera and when the lighting condition is good.
When the Beauty face mode is selected, you are not allowed to use flash or to adjust white balance. But you can adjust the ISO value and exposure.
I believe you know you can use the rear camera to take a photo for yourself with any smartphones.
But the Galaxy Note 4 Rear-cam selfie mode can do three more things for you:
So, when Rear-cam selfie mode is used, it is not necessary to find the camera button or use voice commands to take photo. Your face is guaranteed to be in the photo and are in focus.
In Galaxy Note 4, once Rear-cam selfie mode is selected, you will be given a box to decide where your face should be as shown below. You can move and/or re-size the box.
Galaxy Note 4 camera will try to recognize the faces in the box only and focus on the faces in the box. By default, the box is in the center occupying about 1/4 of the area.
Now, let the main camera facing you. You will hear the beep from Galaxy Note 4 once your face is detected in the box. It will then take a picture for you after 2 seconds. So, do not move once you hear the beep (followed by the timer sound).
Please note, when Rear-cam selfie mode is used you are not allowed to use flash.
Voice command is also not working with the Rear-cam selfie mode because photos taking will be controlled by Galaxy Note 4 camera automatically.
For many DSLRs, Selective focus is a basic feature. But for smartphone cameras, Selective focus mode is quite new and interesting.
Unlike HTC M8 (which has dual rear cameras), Galaxy Note 4 use one rear camera to achieve the selective focus.
For photos taken with Selective focus mode, you can edit it later to change the focus again whenever you want. But this works only with Samsung Gallery app, not any other photo edit apps.
When you share the photo taken with Selective focus mode through email or MMS, the photo will become a normal photo and you will lose the feature of selective focus for that photo.
Using Selective focus mode can be frustrating for new owners because you may get the selective focus failed message often. You need some patience to make Selctive focus mode work for you.
For the detailed guide on how to use Selective focus mode, you may check this page.
Panorama m
You can find Panorama mode in almost all Android phones, not just Galaxy Note 4. This is a basic and interesting feature of cameras in Android phones.
In Galaxy Note 4, when Panorama mode is selected, the final photo is limited to 6MP resolution. You are not allowed to use flash or set any exposure or white balance settings. Galaxy Note 4 will do these for you.
When taking photos in Panorama mode, you need tap the camera button (or use Galaxy Note 4 camera voice control), then move the phone in one direction.
Galaxy Note 4 will stitch and process the photos to one final photo without artificial traces.
As suggested by its name, Galaxy Note 4 Food mode is specially designed for taking photos for your food. The settings are automatically applied to emphasis the vivid colors of the object (usually food).
Please note, photos taken with Food mode currently can only be saved into the phone memory, not the SD card, even if you set the picture storage location as memory card (SD card). This probably is a software bug.
Galaxy Note 4 provides a color balance slider to the Food mode as shown below for you to correct the color. You can make it warmer by moving it up. This is very useful if you are taking food photos under fluorescent lighting.
In most regions, Food mode is not pre-installed in Galaxy Note 4. You need download and install Food mode from Galaxy apps. Please follow this guide to install Galaxy Note 4 camera modes.
So, you can think Sequence shot mode is a combination of Sports mode and Animated photo mode.
Sequence shot mode takes photos at a fixed resolution of 1280×720. This is higher than that of Animated photo mode.
But Sequence shot mode does not allow you to specify frozen or animated regions. It works like video recording with GIF output.
The photos taken in the Sequence shot mode are always saved in the internal phone storage, not the SD card, regardless your settings of the storage location.. This is not a software bug. In Sequence shot mode, Galaxy Note 4 camera has to work in burst mode and therefore it is safe to save photo in internal storage to guarantee certain frame rate.
So, the major difference between Surround shot mode and Panorama mode is whether it is linear or spherical when combing the pictures.
To take a picture with the Surround shot mode, you need initially put the object in the center of a sphere. Then moving camera in any directions. Pictures will be taken automatically when the circle turns blue.
Tap the camera button to finish the photo.
You can also undo a picture during the photo taking process.
When you view the albums, the photo taken with Surround shot mode will have a 360 degrees sign indicating the Surround shot mode was used for this photo.
What dual camera mode does is combining your front and main camera photos into one photo. You get the live-preview to see the effects.
Galaxy Note 4 also gives you the full control on how the two camera photos are overlapped with several combing effects.
You can adjust the size and location of the overlapping photo as well.
By default, the overlapping photo is combined like a stamp. But you may not know Galaxy Note 4 actually gives you 9 different combing effects:
To set the combining effects in dual camera mode, tap the arrow key (^) in the bottom if these effects are not displayed. Tap arrow down button to hide them as shown below.
You can tap and hold the overlapping photo to get the box as shown below.
You can then move and position it to any location.
You can also re-size this box by moving through one of the 4 corners as shown below. The maximum size of the overlapping photo is about less than 25% of the final photo. The only exception is 50% when you choose split as combining effects.
By default, in dual camera mode, the main photo is from the rear camera and the overlapping photo is from front camera.
You can switch rear and front camera photos, i.e., you can set the front camera photo as the main photo and the photo from rear camera is overlapping.
Do NOT use the switch camera button! It does not work for dual camera mode.
If you tap switch camera button, front camera is used, and dual camera mode is NOT available for front camera.
So, to switch the rear and front camera photos in dual camera mode, you need double tap the overlapping photo. This will switch two photos. Double tap again to switch back.
Virtual tour mode creates a stereoscopic image. For most apps, it is just the first part of your image. But if you view it in Galley app in Galaxy Note 4, you get the pictures in all direction with smooth transition. Actually, you need tap the play button to view it.
The photo taking process is similar to that of Surround shot mode.
So, this Slefie mode is similar to Auto mode for the rear camera. You can access most of the settings in this mode.
When Selfie mode is selected, you have many ways to take a photo:
For photos taken in Selfie mode, you can also choose to save the photo as flipped in Settings–More.
In Selfie mode, beauty face is applied automatically. You can adjust the levels of beautifying or disable it.
Another mode that works with Selfie is the Sound & Shot mode.
Wide selfie mode allows you to take a wide-angle selfie shot so that you can fit more people in the photo.
The normal Selfie mode takes photo with a view angle of 90 degrees. Wide selfie mode extends this angle to about 120 degrees.
Once in Wide selfie mode, tap the camera button (shutter). The on-screen guide will tell you to move the camera to left side then to the right side. If Galaxy Note 4 fail to understand the direction, it will beep.
Please note, in Wide selfie mode, the photos are taken with a resolution of 2.1M only, not 3.7 M. You cannot change it.
Burst mode allows you to take photos successively in a short period of time.
In Galaxy Note 4, burst mode is not listed as an individual mode. It woks with some other modes as well.
To take photos in burst mode in Galaxy Note 4, tap and hold the camera (shutter) button. For more details on how to use Galaxy Notye 4 burst mode, please check this guide: How to use Galaxy Note 4 camera burst mode?
In Galaxy Note 4, HDR is no longer a camera mode. It is a camera feature.
So, HDR mode can be enabled in Auto mode and Selective focus mode. In other modes, HDR is not available.
If you have any problems or questions on Galaxy Note 4 camera modes, please post them in the comment box below.
We will try to help you find a solution.
More how-to guides , tips and tricks for using Samsung Galaxy Note 4 are available at Galaxy Note 4 how-to guides page.
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I just got an S8+, and installed the Dual mode. I don't see the "Glue Effect". Was it removed and if so, is there another way to get this option in a camera.
I'm attempting to use my Note 4 to photograph birds close-up on my bird-feeder hanging outside 2ft away from my kitchen window. The phone is mounted outside on the window glass using a car-phone rubber suction windshield mount 18" from the feeder. I'm using a Bluetooth selfie-stick remote to snap each photo. Each time I set up and go back inside it takes 10 min or so for the birds to return to the feeder. I'm watching the feeder inside so as not to frighten the birds away. However, I have to snap a photo every 15-20 sec's for that 10 min period or else the Note 4 camera app times out and turns off. Is there a way to: 1) Turn on the camera mode/app remotely or 2) is there a setting to turn off camera app timeout? Thanks
By default, the maximum screen timeout is 10 mins in Note 4. But you can tm keep screen on all the time in developer options. You just need to check "stay awake" on developer options.
You may follow this guide to enable developer options: http://gadgetguideonline.com/s7/sasmung-galaxy-s7-how-to-guides/how-to-access-and-use-galaxy-s7-developer-options/
Thanks for the quick response tip. I tried it out and it does keep the screen from timing out. however it doesn't stop the camera app from timing out after several minutes of inactivity. I'm looking for a way to either turn on the camera app remotely or keep it from timing out. Is there a third party camera app out "there" that may have these features? Thanks.
yes, it seems Samsung camera app now has a hard-coded timeout setting of 2 mins, and does not follow the screen timeout settings.
You have other options:
1. use other camera apps. For example, Google camera app follows screen timeout setting.
2. use Google now voice command "OK Google, open camera app" or "OK Google, take a picture" or similar. But you need to enable Google Now voice in Settings--Google --search & now -- Voice --OK google detection
3. Use S voice. You need enable and configure S Voice. You can find the S Voice app in apps screen.
I used to easily convert my Galaxy Note 4 panorama shots to videos, but for some reason the video app is no longer on my phone. Can you tell me an app that will convert my Galaxy Note 4 panorama pics to video?
You can download Samsung video editor or Samsung video app from Galaxy apps. There is a special section for those apps called Galaxy essentials.
Help! I've read several of these posts and everyone seems very knowledgeable (especially you, Simon!). They're great. But they don't solve my problem. I'm using my front-facing camera for Facebook live videos. Videos after Dec. 23 are now being cropped on the sides with black or gray bars (gray on Facebook). The rear-facing camera seems fine. It's as if I've changed a setting somewhere. I even reset my camera settings and that did not affect the front-facing video.
Any suggestions?
Probably picture size (aspect ratio). If you know rear camera is OK, you can use the same aspect ratio for front camera. Open camera app, tap settings- picture size. Note is 4:3 or 16:9. Now back to preview screen, switch to front camera, tap settings, picture size. You can choose the correct aspect ratio.
Hello Steve you have helped me so much at night when I want to take selfies the camera goes into like a night mode and in the corners turns dark and now I can take them but I have to change camera size is there a way to stop it without caming camera size small I love the large pictures thank you Steve
there is no dual camera mode option in my Note4, any solution ??
You need download it.
Are you freaking kidding me?? making almost all the setting automatic is an improvement? that night-mode in itself ruins most picture quality, its actually a recipe for crappy pictures not to mention all the custom settings that you could do before are GONE ! its a regression.. the Note 4 may have a nice camera but my good old trusty S3 has far better camera settings which also doesn't reset as soon as you close the camera app..not to mentioned I can't even disable that annoying shutter sound even when on mute because of some shady and stupid privacy law...
Totally regret getting the Note 4 even if it seems like a good phone... won't be using it for long..
You need to send this comment to Samsung because I can tell be the verbal in this article that it was written by an individual and not Samsung. Maybe they would use your idea.
My front camera not working out when the button shuffle to selfie mode. Any problem with my front camera. Also happen when i'm using tanggo apps or video call.
did you get any error messages? You can try to clear data and clear data for the Camera app in Settings-- Application manager --Camera.
All of my camera modes are gone. Including Manage modes. If I go to download it shows that they are downloaded, but I cannot use them. The only modes that show on my phone at this time are Selfie, Wide Selfie and Sound & Shot. I've uninstalled and reinstalled, I've restarted my phone and I AM NOT in easy mode. Any ideas why this is happening? Thanks! Tina
Beause you are in front camera. When front camera is active, only camera modes for front camera are shown. You can switch to rear camera to see all modes for rear camera.
I love, love, love my note 4 camera. I work in Real Estate and always get compliments on my photo's. They are all taken with this camera. It is awesome. However, when I use the panorama mode and put it on my computer, it shows a beautiful picture but is very narrow. Is there a way I can get a full shot with the panorama mode?
This is normal. There are no solutions yet.
I have only 3 camera modes on my Galaxy note 4. I got my phone back in Oct 2014 had all modes till around Dec, they were gone.if I reset to factory mode, will I lise all my info, such as my notes, lictures, files, etc?
You are probably in easy mode. Switch to standard mode in settings- easy mode.
I reset my note 4 and after i do that,when i use a camera no camera "settings" show i dont know what to do
Very likely, you are in easy mode. You can try to switch to normal mode in settings - easy mode.
The shutter sound button in camera settings doesn't seem to work on my Note 4. Several people have suggested the old method of putting the phone into silent or vibration mode. Didn't work either. What else?
Did you try to clear cache and clear data for camera app in Settings--Applications -- Application manager --All--Camera?
I have a Note 4 Samsung. Everything works fine but the light behind never comes up even when taking photographs in the dark. Any help?
You need turn on flash in the camera app.
Can I use Bluetooth to take a picture?
Yes, you can. Most Bluetooth selfie sticks work with Note 4.
Hi Simon, I did what u told but it is still not working. Something wrong with the camera apps?
Is the problem specific to food mode?
Yes,the error only applies to food mode. The rest working fine
Not sure. It could be caused by some other settings/apps. There are no known problems for food mode in Note 4 camera.
If you really need that camera mode, you may backup the phone and try a factory data reset.
I tried factory reset but still have the same problem. I don't know what can I do now.
Not sure. I tested it in on both Note 4 and Note 5, there are no issues with food mode.
Anyway, if factory reset does not solve the issue for food mode, you have no choice. You have to find alternative apps.
Recently, my food mode stopped working. How to solve this? Been using it since March till 1week ago.
Any error messages when you try to launch food mode in camera app? You may try to reboot the phone to see whether it helps.
It says "Unfortunately, food has stopped". I tried rebooting my phone but it's not working. Other modes are working fine
You can try to uninstall food mode in settings - applications - application manager - food. Then install it again.
If it's not working, you can try to clear cache and clear data for camera app on application manager, then re-install all modes and effects.
I tried reinstalling,clear cache but not working.
You need clear data for camera app.
Recent upgrade from Note 2 to Note 4...
Trouble with using camera app to take screen shots of checks for deposit in a banking app... Verizon and bank have spent considerable time, chrome has been diabled, Google is given permission on content and banking app has permission on using camera.. shots are appearing taken from great distance and a pink band at right is displayed for 20% of screen north to south when held in landscape mode...
Thought igcognito might have been blocking some aspect that's why I disabled Chrome. .all cameras modes are off... (except Auto)
Have reset phone, removed battery, unis taller and reinstalled bank app, cleared cache, data and history multiple X... then reinstalled bank app... Any ideas ?
Do you mean you take photos for the PC screen? This depends on the refresh rate of the screen. Such photos need professional tools to "filter" the noisy info.
Why don't you just take screenshot on the PC? Or print the screen, then take photo for the paper?
I take a picture and a preview comes up and I have to wait for it to disappear. I don't want that preview to come up. Is there a way to turn it off?
In camera settings, you can turn off Review pics/videos.
Thank you :)
Hey how can I take pictures of models on the runway? Can't seem to focus on them. Sitting in the audience is dark, they are brightly lit; they usually turn out like white ghosts, and if I tap on them I might get be lucky enough to get a bit of colour for a quick moment... Same problems with camera and video. Thanks for any help.
It is always a challenge for smartphones and many point-and-shoot cameras to take nice photos under low light conditions.
You can use touch to change focus (to touched area). You can also touch and hold to change focus and exposure (based on touched area).
I have note 4 Samsung I want to take completely dark pictures at night without it automatically adding light and flash is off help
You can just turn off the flash. But anyway, the picture probably will not be good..... You need some professional camera/lens for such scenarios.
I WANT TO TAKE COMPLETELY DARK PICTURES WITHOUT THE CAMERA ADDING LIGHT TO MY PICTURES ON ALL MY OTHER SAMSUNG PHONE S I WAS ABLE TO DO THIS AND PICTURES WERE BEAUTIFUL PLEASE HELP TELL ME HOW TO GET IT TO STOP ADDING LIGHT
You say HDR is only available in auto mode and selective focus modes on the Note 4. Which focus modes? Panorama or virtual tour? I am also looking at the Note 5 as a possible purchase and there is mentioned real time HDR. What is the difference? Would this mean that it is available in all or more modes? If so, which ones? I am a realtor and with the outside scenes through the windows of an interior shot HDR seems important.
HDR is not available for Panorama or virtual tour mode in both Note 4 and Note 5.
Selective focus is explained in the page and this page. You can choose the focus on the background, foreground, or normal pan focus. You can even change it later. In Note 5, you can use touch to focus.
Real time HDR just means it works faster. But it is still not available for the modes you mentioned.
Great info on camera. Since purchase back in March 2015, I have had serious blurring while camera is focusing. This can last up to at least 1 minute. Found similar issue reported by other owners. Tried all suggested solutions. The only one that worked was to turn the camera on and slap it hard against hand palm. Camera immediately focuses. But if camera turned off for several minutes, problem reoccurs. Why?
It's sounds like some software bugs. Did you get similar problems when using third party camera app, e.g. Google camera?
I'm having the same blurring problem. I'm using the standard camera, but for example in foodie mode, the item will flash into focus but immediately blurs before I can snap the picture. I've tried everything I know to do. Any suggestions?
You can try to reset the camera app. In Settings--Application manager--All--Camera, tap clear cache and then tap clear data to reset the camera app.
My note 4 camera flashlight got dim all of sudden, the flashlight works but not like when it was new. What could be the reason for this, please help..
My N4 suddenly only have 3 modes, auto, beauty . Without the selective focus modes which I like the most.
Have you updated to Android Lollipop?
You may also check whether you are in easy mode in Settings--Easy mode. Make sure you are in standard mode.
Thank you for your informative and helpful information... so gaga where is my camera settings and other camera modes.. u deserve a kiss and prayer...and hugs.. u save my doubts to my phone integrity..love u from philippines.. mabuhay