Galaxy S3's camera sensor ?

[Ayhio]

Hi...I'm finally getting an s3 this week But I heard a rumor that not all the S3s use the same camera sensor.One uses the sony sensor which takes great quality pics and one uses an unknown sensor which -as I heard- gives bad quality noisy pics.Is there a way I can make sure mine got the sony sensor when I buy it ?

 

[EpicMindWarp]

Nope. None what so ever.

Frankly, I've never heard of this rumour. I would be surprised if this is true.

Only way you can guarantee you don't get it is if you follow a rather convoluted method of finding out which retailer ended up with the wholesaler responsible for creating this "bad sensor" phones.

 

[Ayhio]

What about the camera firmware ? Can I find out from it ?

 

[EpicMindWarp]

There would really be no way of tracking this sort of information at all. No one keeps this information to hand - only manufacturers and even they would only have information about what THEY have.

I really don't see where you've picked up this rumour from. I've been trawling the S3 forums for almost 2 months and I've never heard of this issue. That's why it's never been mentioned here.

 

[Trent Reznor]

Hi...I'm finally getting an s3 this week But I heard a rumor that not all the S3s use the same camera sensor.One uses the sony sensor which takes great quality pics and one uses an unknown sensor which -as I heard- gives bad quality noisy pics.Is there a way I can make sure mine got the sony sensor when I buy it ?

Samsung is using both Sony and Samsung sensors in the GS3

http://equity.co.kr/upfile/issue/2012/06/25/1340588656589.pdf

Page 2 Table 1 shows the exact sensors.

What about the camera firmware ? Can I find out from it ?

Some people have been able to read camera firmware versions by:

"1. Open Dialer
2. * # 34971539 #
3. In the menu

 

[NetNoggin]

...If your FW starts with "G" then it's a Sony sensor. If it starts with "Z" then it's a Samsung sensor."
...

Rear Cam FW starts with a Z.
Front Cam FW starts with an S.

It is a blue model that was purchased 08-31-2012 from an AT&T store in Atlanta, GA.

Well, the pics have been fine. ...and _way_ faster than my Galaxy Note LTE. I don't feel the OCD urges kicking in yet.

 

[Ayhio]

Guys,I looked around more and I found a comparison between both in xda and there seems to be no difference between them.The samsung one took better pics in some conditions actually.I also found a comparison between s3's camera(with sammy sensor) and the iphone 4s,the s3 took better pics in most conditions(unless if you like the fake colors in pics taken by iphone's cam).Anyways,thanks :>

 

[burtonvdp]

Honesty I thought I had a bad camera until I picked up on one tip..... Click to focus every time or at least every time your distance changing including the first time you fire up the camera. Sounds dumb but coming from an HTC and iPhone I had never bothered with that..... My pictures went from crappy noisy to really nice!