Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Camera Test

DPReview smartphone reviews are written with the needs of photographers in mind. We focus on camera features, performance and image quality.

The Note 4 is the latest version of Samsung's high-end line, so-called 'phablets'. In terms of design, the new model is very close to its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 3, including a similar leatherette material on the back cover. Under the hood, however, things have improved considerably. In the camera department, the Note 4 acquired an optical image stabilization system which makes it the first Samsung smartphone with this feature.

With a 1/2.6 inch 16MP BSI CMOS image sensor and a maximum aperture of F2.2 the rest of the rear camera specification is identical to the Galaxy S5. Up front, you'll find a 3.7-megapixel camera with a fast F1.9 maximum aperture for selfie shooting and video chatting. It comes with a selfie-panorama mode.

However, as you'd expect, it's not just the camera that's been improved on the new model. The Note 4 comes with a new 5.7-inch QHD 2560×1440 display that offers a very high pixel density of 518 ppi. Depending on the region, Android 4.4 is powered by a quad-core or octa-core processor and 3GB of RAM. Images can be stored on 32 GB internal memory or on a microSD card. The 3320 mAh battery offers a quick charge mode that allows you to recharge from 0-50% in approximately 30 minutes. On paper, the Note 4 looks like a very attractive smartphone for mobile photographers who prefer large devices and screens. Read our full review to find out how it performed in our test.

Key Photographic/Video Specifications

16MP BSI CMOS sensor

F2.2 aperture p>

Optical image stabilization

3.7MP / F1.9 front camera

4K video recording

Other specifications

5.7 2560×1440 inch QHD Super AMOLED display

2.7 GHz Quad-Core or 1.9 GHz Octa-Core (Quad 1.9 GHz + Quad-Core 1.3 GHz) processor (depending on region)

Android 4.4

3 GB of RAM

32 GB of storage and microSD support

3320 mAh battery with fast charging

Our 8-page review

We looked at every aspect of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, with the photographer in mind. We looked at the native camera app's UI and its special features. We experimented with the camera's performance when shooting photos and videos, and played around with the camera's many special feature modes. Click on any of the links below for more information on specific functions and continue to our conclusion for a final summary of our findings.

Page2: Design and material

Page3: Camera Operation

Page 4:Camera Features

Page 5: Camera Features (continued)

Page 6: Image quality and performance

Seite 7: Video mode

Page 8: Conclusion and Gallery