Everything you need to know about Galaxy S8 camera settings are explained.
This Galaxy S8 camera guide explains to you when you need to use use Galaxy S8 camera settings, and the meanings of all entries in Galaxy S8 camera settings.
Why you need to understand Galaxy S8 camera settings?
Most of the time, you may find the default Galaxy S8 camera settings are sufficient. You can just use Auto mode with rear camera or selfie mode with front camera to capture desired photos.
You can also apply Galaxy S8 camera effects to any photos without accessing Galaxy S8 camera settings in Galaxy S8 and S8+.
But sooner or later, you will find you have to change some settings for the camera app in Galaxy S8 and S8+.
For example, when taking selfies, you may want to avoid the mirrored photo, and want to get the photo as previewed..
Or, you may want to use the timer for Galaxy S8 camera.
Or, you may want to use the floating camera button to take photos with Galaxy S8 camera app.
Or, you may want to enable Galaxy S8 camera quick launch to start camera app from any screen by pressing power button twice quickly.
Or, you may just want to change the photos size or photo aspect ratio.
Or,…
For any of these, you need to access and use Galaxy S8 camera settings.
In Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung moved some options from camera app interface to camera settings. For example, in previous Galaxy phones timer and photo size can be accessed from the camera interface instantly. But in S8, they can only be accessed in Galaxy S8 camera settings.
Actually, Samsung started this change in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S6.
How to access Galaxy S8 camera settings?
Unlike in previous Galaxy phones, Galaxy S8 camera settings can only be accessed after you start camera app in Galaxy S8 and S8+.
After starting camera app, you can then tap the settings (gear) icon as shown below.
This will let you access settings of the camera in Galaxy S8 and S8+.
Please note, as explained in this post, Galaxy S8 camera modes and camera effects can be accessed by a swiping gesture in the camera app interface.
Galaxy S8 camera settings explained
As shown in the screenshot above, there are at least 20 entries for Galaxy S8 camera settings.
Some of the settings are in the format of a toggle. You can tap it to turn on or turn off this feature.
Some of the settings are in the format of multiple choices. You need select one of available options.
Entries 1-5 are for rear camera (main camera). Entries 6-10 are fir front camera. And the rest are for both.
1. Picture size
Actually, this option is not just for picture size.
You can set:
- Photo size (12M, 9.1M, 7.9M, 6.2M, 4.7M and 3.7M).
- Photo aspect ratio (4:3, 16:9, 1:1, or 18:5.9)
- Save RAW file when in Pro Mode.
2. Video size
You can set video size for the rear camera as UHD (3840*2160), QHD (2560*1440), FHD (60fps) (1920*1080, fast motion), FHD (1920*1080), 1:1 at 1440*1440, HD (1280*720) or VGA (640*480).
3. Tracking AF
You toggle this option to focus and track a subject.
4. Shape correction
This option allows you to correct distortion in pictures automatically.
Shape correction works only for subjects far away from the camera.
5. Timer
In previous Galaxy phones, Timer is can be accessed as quick settings in camera app interface.
But in Galaxy S8 and S8+, you have to enable/ disable and configure it in camera settings.
You can set the Galaxy S8 camera timer as off, 2 seconds, 5 seconds or 10 seconds
Once the timer is not off, you can also choose to take 3 photos in one shot.
Please refer to Galaxy S8 camera timer guide for details.
6.Picture size
For front camera, you can only choose from one of the following three picture sizes:
- 8M at 4:3, or
- 6M at 16:9, or
- 6M at 1:1.
7. Video size
Video size for Galaxy S8 front camera can be set as: QHD, FHD, 1:1, HD or VGA.
8. Save picture as previewed
By default, when you take selfies, you get flipped (mirrored) photo.
If you don’t like it and want to save the picture as shown in preview screen, you need to enable this option.
9. shooting methods
In addition to use camera button, or floating camera button, or voice control, you can enable and use another three methods to take selfies:
- Tap screen. This is similar to tap to capture in many other Android phones.
- Show palm. You can hold you hand out with your palm facing out the camera to take a picture once your palm is recognized.
- Tap heart rate sensor. You can tap heart rate sensor in the back of Galaxy S8 or S8+ to take a selfie after your face is recognized,
10. Timer
The options are identical to that for rear camera.
Please check this guide on how to use Galaxy S8 camera timer.
11. Motion photo
Motion photo is similar to Apple’s live photo. But Motion photo only records a short video before shutter button was pressed, not after.
By default, motion photo is disabled because it requires additional storage.
12. Video stabilization
Enable or disable video stabilization for both front and rear cameras.
13. Grid lines
You can use grid lines to help you to compose photos.
There are 3 options for grid lines in Galaxy S8 camera:
- Off; or
- 3×3; or
- Square.
14. Location tags
If enabled, geographic location will be embedded in the meta data of each photo and video.
The location tags can help you remember the location of the photos or videos. But it also may reveal your location when you share it without removing the location tag.
In Google photos apps, the default is to remove location tags when sharing.
15. Review pictures
If you want to check each photo before saving it, you can enable review pictures.
In Galaxy S8 and S8+, picture review will be shown as a pop up for 3-5 seconds. If no action is taken before the pop up window disappears, the photo will be saved automatically.
16. Quick launch
You can enable Galaxy S8 camera quick launch so that you can launch camera quickly from any screen.
Please refer to this guide on how to use Galaxy S8 camera quick launch.
17. Voice control
You can use voice control to take pictures or record videos in Galaxy S8 and S8+.
18. Floating camera button
In addition to the normal shutter button, you can add a floating camera button in Galaxy S8 camera app.
Please refer to this guide on how to use Galaxy S8 floating camera button.
19. Volume key function
You can assign one of the four functions to volume key for Galaxy S8 camera app:
- Take pictures
- Record video
- Zoom
- System volume
20. Reset settings
If you mess up Galaxy S8 camera settings, you can reset the settings.
Do you understand the meaning of Galaxy S8 camera settings in Galaxy S8 and S8+?
If you have any questions on Galaxy S8 camera settings, please let us know them in the comment box below.
The community will help you find the answer or solution.
You may also check our Galaxy S8 guides:
- Galaxy S8 new features guide covers all new and unique features of Galaxy S8 and S8+.
- Galaxy S8 how-to guides give you detailed step-by-step guides on using most features of Galaxy S8 and S8+.
- Galaxy S8 user manuals lets you download official Samsung Galaxy S8 user manuals in your won language.
- Galaxy S8 camera guides covered everything related to Galaxy S8 camera is covered in Galaxy S8 camera guides section.
- Galaxy S8 accessories guides help you find the perfect accessories for Galaxy S8 and S8+.
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Why doesn’t the voice command on my camera stay on?
My galaxy s8, I had it approx. 3 month., I turn the camera voice command on. But as soon as I close the settings it turns off. Please help.
The voice control settings on camera app should be consistent. It should be kept on once it’s on.
You can try to reset camera app (clear cache and clear data for camera app in settings -apps) to see whether it helps.
You can also reset camera settings in camera app.
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When I try to send a screen shot pic of something to someone through text, my pictures come out pixelated and is not a clear picture. Can you help me fix this problem? Please and thank you! Kat
The problem is due to MMS. When you send images our videos through SMS, they will be automatically scaled down.
You should send them through WhatsApp or other apps.
Also, you can share the screenshot through Photos app. This is the only way that guarantees the image is not compressed or scaled down by apps.
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My S8+ camera takes great pictures and videos; however, the video degrades when I go live in Facebook. What must I do for FB live to look exactly like the camera video?
if you use the live streaming feature from Facebook without using streaming software, Facebook limits a lot on the video (e.g., max resolution 720p, max bitrate 4 Mbps…). So the video quality is not good.
If you do not need to interact with viewers, you can record and upload the video. Otherwise, you may try some streaming software and use Facebook live API.
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I can’t get my selfie to take pictures, when I take selfie pictures it comes out black, can someone please tell me what to do
When you preview the selfie (before tapping the shutter button), is it normal on the screen? Do you have issues when using the rear camera?
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