How to use the Galaxy S20 camera app?
The camera is probably the only reason many Galaxy S10 or S9 owners choose to upgrade to the Galaxy S20, as explained in the
Galaxy S20 new features page
.
But first you need to familiarize yourself with the Galaxy S20 camera app to realize the full potential of the Galaxy S20 camera.
This Galaxy S20 guide explains every element of the Galaxy S20 camera app interface, shows you how to use gestures in the camera app, and how to use the Galaxy S20 camera quick launch.
Please note that the camera app on Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra is identical, although the camera systems on these 3 models differ significantly (as explained in the
differences between the Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra
).So this guide applies to all Galaxy S20, S20+, S20FE and S20 Ultra.
Contents
hide
1.
Understanding the interface elements of the Galaxy S20 Camera app
1.1.
#1.Preview screen
1.2.
#2.Shortcut to gallery
1.3.
#3.Trigger (capture)
1.4.
#4.Rear/front camera switch
1.5.
#5.Galaxy S20 Camera Modes (Shooting Modes)
1.6.
#6.Zoom control
1.7.
#7.Scene Optimizer
1.8.
#8.Camera settings
1.9.
#9.Shine
1.10.
#ten.Timer
1.11.
#11.photo size
1.12.
#12.Animated picture
1.13.
#13.Camera effects (filters)
2.
Extra buttons in Galaxy S20 video mode
2.1.
#14.Super stable
2.2.
#15.Doodle in AR
3.
Galaxy S20 camera app gestures
4.
How to use Galaxy S20 Camera Quick Launch?
Understanding the interface elements of the Galaxy S20 Camera app
By default, when you start the camera app on the Galaxy S20, it's in Photo mode, as shown in the
screenshot
below.
In this mode, you can find the following:
Preview screen.
Shortcut to gallery
Trigger (capture)
Rear/front camera switch
Camera modes (shooting modes)
Zoom control
Scene Optimizer
Camera settings
Glow
Timer
photo size
Animated picture
Camera effects
Now let's go through them one by one.
#1.Preview screen
You can preview the photo before pressing the shutter button.
The size of the preview screen depends on the aspect ratio of the chosen photo (read more).
Please note that you can press and hold anywhere on the preview screen to lock the
auto focus
(AF) and
exposure
.
You can pinch or pan on the preview screen to zoom in or out. You can switch between front and rear cameras by swiping up or down on the preview screen
#2.Shortcut to gallery
By default, the thumbnail of the last photo is displayed. It is a shortcut to the Gallery application.
Once in the Gallery app, if you
faucet
the Back button to exit the Gallery app, then you can return to the Camera app.
Please note that if you are using the Assistant menu, you can use
Assistant More
to add the shortcut to the Gallery.
#3.Trigger (capture)
Normally, you need to press the shutter button to take a photo with the Galaxy S20 camera.
Of course, you can also use the
volume key
,
floating trigger
,
voice command
, or gestures (
show palm
) to take photos on the Galaxy S20.
On the Galaxy S20 camera app, you can hold the shutter button to take a quick video.
You can drag the trigger down to
use burst mode
, or create GIF animations.
Please refer to
this guide
for more details and features of the trigger.
#4.Rear/front camera switch
You can press the button to switch between rear camera and front camera.
As mentioned earlier, you can also swipe up or down to switch front/rear cameras.
Please note that when you want to change the camera settings, you have to switch to the desired cameras because some camera settings only appear when the corresponding camera is selected. For example, if you want
enable/disable mirror photos or mirror videos
when using the front camera, you need to switch to the front camera first, then tap the gear icon.
#5.Galaxy S20 Camera Modes (Shooting Modes)
You can press the corresponding buttons to choose Photo (
Automatic mode
),
Video
, and
single shot mode
.
Other
Galaxy S20 camera modes are accessible and managed
by pressing the More button.
Other Galaxy S20 camera modes
to understand
Pro Mode
,
panorama
,
food
,
night
,
live focus
,
live focus video
,
professional video
,
super slow motion
,
slow motion
, and
hyperlapse
.You can also
add/pin one of the camera modes in the preview screen
so you can access it without pressing the Dead button.
You can swipe left and right on the preview screen to change camera modes.
Please refer to
Galaxy S20 Camera Modes Guide
for details.
#6.Zoom control
Galaxy S20 supports Hybrid Optic Zoom and Super-Resolution Zoom as explained in
this guide
.
Support for Galaxy S20 and S20+ up to
3X hybrid optical zoom
and up to 30X super-resolution zoom.Galaxy S20 Ultra supports hybrid optical zoom up to 10X and 100X
super-resolution zoom
.
By default, there are 3 buttons for 3 levels: 0.5x, 1x (default) and 5x (on Galaxy S20 Ultra, 3x on Galaxy S20 and S20+). These zoom levels correspond to
use of different camera lenses
.
If you press any of the three buttons, further zoom levels will appear, as shown below.
These are preset zoom levels. You can pinch or pan on the preview screen to get any zoom level.
Please refer to
this guide
on how to zoom in and out with proper camera lenses.
If you choose not to use the volume key to take photos, you can
use the volume key to zoom in and zoom out
.
#7.Scene Optimizer
By default, in Photo mode (automatic mode), the Scene Optimizer chooses the best settings based on previewed objects.
The Galaxy S20 camera can recognize up to 30 different scenarios/subjects, including Face, Baby, Person, Dog, Cat, Food, People, Beaches, Sky, Mountain, Sunrise, City, Snow, Waterfall, Watersides, Landscape, Stadium, Vehicles, Drinks, Flowers, Trees, Greenery, Animal, Shoes, Backlit, Indoors, Text, Clothes, Night view.
You can turn it on/off by tapping the button. In Galaxy S20 camera settings, you can also turn it on/off.
#8.Camera settings
The button is related to the Galaxy S20 camera settings.
Please refer to
Galaxy S20 Camera Settings Guide
on how to use camera settings.
#9.Shine
You can set the flash mode to on, odd or auto.
In auto flash mode, the Galaxy S20 camera system automatically turns the flash on or off depending on the lighting conditions.
The LED flash is on the back of the phone (see
Galaxy S20 layout
).It is recommended to avoid it if possible.
#ten.Timer
You can set a 2, 5 or 10 second timer for the Galaxy S20 camera.
The default timer setting is off.
you can show
rear camera timer countdown
on the cover if you use a
Galaxy S20 LED back cover
.
#11.photo size
The Galaxy S20 does not allow you to manually set the photo size.
Instead, you can only set the aspect ratio (4:3, 16:9, 1:1, and 20:9). For each aspect ratio, the size of the photo is fixed.
For 4:3 aspect ratio, on Galaxy S20 Ultra, you can choose the maximum resolution (108MP) or the default resolution (12MP). Normally, 12MP gives better photo quality and less noise. You can consider 108MP when the lighting is really good.
You can check this
photo size guide
.
#12.Animated picture
Galaxy S20 Motion Photo lets you capture seconds of action before you release the shutter.
You can extract different moments or share the animated photo as a video.
By default, the animated photo is disabled on the Galaxy S20.
#13.Camera effects (filters)
You can add camera effects to your photos.
The Galaxy S20 also lets you create your own filters.
Extra buttons in Galaxy S20 video mode
If you are in Video mode, you can see two additional buttons as shown below.
#14.Super stable
Super Steady is a video stabilizer. It helps you record the moment with less blur and shake, even if you and the subject are both moving.
This feature was first introduced on Galaxy Note 10.
#15.Doodle in AR
The button is a shortcut to AR Doodle, which uses
augmented reality
(AR) to insert 3D objects into your video.
Please refer to this guide (coming soon) on how to use AR Doodle on Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10.
Galaxy S20 camera app gestures
As mentioned above, you can use various
touch screen gestures
on the Galaxy S20 Camera app, including:
Swipe up/down
on the preview screen to switch between front/rear camera.
Swipe left/right
on the preview screen o choose shooting modes.
Faucet
on the preview screen to change the focus.
Press and hold
(
long press
) on the preview screen to lock AF/AE.
Pinch or smudge
on the preview screen to zoom in/out.
Press and hold the shutter button
to record a video.
Swipe from the trigger to the bottom edge
to
take burst photos
(or create GIF animations). You can configure the functions of this gesture in the Galaxy S20 camera settings.
How to use Galaxy S20 Camera Quick Launch?
Instead of pressing the camera app icon or using voice command, you can use the Galaxy S20 camera quick launch.
Quickly press the
side key
twice
to launch the Galaxy S20 camera app. This is called the quick launch of the Galaxy S20 camera.
On the Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra,
side key
replaces the power key. It is located on the
right side of the phone
.
In most regions, Galaxy S20 Camera Quick Launch is enabled by default. You can disable it by
reconfiguration of side key functions
in
Settings
-
Advanced features
-
side key
.
Please note that by default the camera app shortcut is added to
Galaxy S20 lock screen
.You can also use the camera app without unlocking the Galaxy S20.
Do you have any questions about the Galaxy S20 Camera app on Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra?
If you have any questions or encounter any issues while using the Galaxy S20 Camera app on the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra, please let us know in the comment box below.
The community will help you get the answer.
If you have any questions about the Galaxy S20, you can check out other Galaxy S20 guides:
Guides to new Galaxy S20 features
.
Galaxy S20 How To Guides
.
Galaxy S20 Camera Guides
.
Galaxy S20 Accessory Guides
.
Official Galaxy S20 User Manual in your local language
.
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