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How to Use the Galaxy S6 Camera: Everything You Need to Know

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This guide will show you how to use the Samsung Galaxy S6 camera to take better-looking photos. You’ll learn the Galaxy S6 camera settings and modes as well as how to utilize the many options. We’ll also show you our favorite Galaxy S6 camera tips.

These Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge Camera tips and the guide work for all carriers and for both models. Samsung includes the same camera app on both the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge, so you don’t need to worry about any missing features.

Many times taking a better looking photo with your Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge is as simple as two or three taps, as long as you know where to touch.

Learn how to use the Galaxy S6 camera to take better looking photos.

Learn how to use the Galaxy S6 camera to take better-looking photos.

We’ll walk through the Galaxy S6 camera settings, show you where to find the new camera modes and some of your favorites that aren’t included by default.

Read: 65 Galaxy S6 Tips & Tricks

Samsung includes an impressive 16MP camera on the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge that is easy to launch with a double-tap of the home button for fast access to photos. There is a 5MP front facing camera for selfies and video chat.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Camera Tips & Tricks

If you want to master the Galaxy S6 camera, the video below walks through our favorite features and how to use many of the Galaxy S6 camera modes.

  • Quick Camera – Double tap the home button from anywhere to launch the camera fast, so you can take a photo. 
  • Voice Control – With Voice Control turned on in the settings, you can say “Cheese”, “Capture”, “Smile” or “Shoot” to take a photo and “Record video” to record a video. 
  • Volume Shutter –  Use the volume button to take a photo, record a video or zoom, depending on your choice in settings. 
  • Tracking Auto Focus – The Galaxy S6 camera includes a Tracking Auto Focus option that can keep an object in focus as it moves across the screen. You need to turn this on in Settings. 
  • Video Stabilization – Use this option in settings to help prevent shaky video. You cannot use it with Tracking Auto Focus turned on.
  • Quick Switch Modes – Swipe in from the left edge for fast access to modes so you can switch while shooting.
  • Burst Photos –  Press and hold the shutter button, or the volume button if you have that setup, to take burst photos very fast.
  • HDR Live View – Tap on the HDR option on the left of the screen to see what HDR photos will look like before you take the picture and to automatically turn on when you need it, even if you don’t know that you do.
  • Photos to Text – Download the Optical Reader from the Samsung Store. Tap on this in the app section on your phone. Point the camera at text and it will turn the photo into real text you can copy and paste into another document or chat window.

Keep reading to learn about additional Galaxy S6 camera features, settings, and modes.

Galaxy S6 Camera Basics & Features

Samsung slimmed down the choices and settings, but there are still a lot of places to tap and options to change on the Galaxy S6 camera screen. The photo below and the list underneath it outline what each of these Galaxy S6 camera buttons does.

Learn the basic Galaxy S6 camera features.

Learn the basic Galaxy S6 camera features.

  1. Hide or Reveal Settings
  2. Use a Live Filter on Your Photo
  3. Toggle Live HDR, HDR Auto and HDR off
  4. Set a Timer for 2, 5 or 10 seconds
  5. Toggle Flash on, off or Auto
  6. Full Galaxy S6 Camera Settings
  7. Current Mode
  8. See Gallery of Recent Photos
  9. Take a video
  10. Take a Photo – Hold for Burst mode
  11. Switch between front and Rear Camera
  12. Change Galaxy S6 Camera Modes

When you are using the front facing camera, the Flash option changes to Beauty Face. This allows the user to control camera settings to take a more flattering selfie.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Camera Settings

Samsung includes some Galaxy S6 camera settings that users can change to customize the experience. There are settings for the front-facing and rear-facing cameras that change depending on which camera is active.

Learn which Galaxy S6 camera settings to change.

Learn which Galaxy S6 camera settings to change.

  1. Picture Size – Leave this at 16M 16:9 unless you have a different preference or need.
  2. Video Size – FHD is a good quality for most users, but if you want more, choose 4K or UHD
  3. Tracking AF – Lock the focus on a subject, and it will stay in focus as it moves across the camera.
  4. Video Stabilization – Avoid the shakiness of handheld video.
  5. Grid Lines – Show grid lines on the screen so you can set up your shot.
  6. Location Tags – Save location information with your photos.
  7. Review Pictures – See your photos right after you take them.
  8. Quick Launch – Turn on or off the double press home button to launch feature.
  9. Voice Control – Say Cheese, Smile or Record to take a photo or video.
  10. Volume Keys Function – Choose to take a photo or zoom with the volume buttons.
  11. Shutter Sound – Turn off the Galaxy S6 camera shutter sound.

On the front facing camera, you can also change the a smaller subset of options that change how the front facing camera works.

Change front-facing Galaxy S6 camera settings.

Change front-facing Galaxy S6 camera settings.

  1. Picture Size – Leave this at 5.0M 4:3 unless you have a distinct preference or need.
  2. Video Size – FHD is a good quality for most users.
  3. Gesture Control – When this is on you can hold up your palm and start a two-second timer.
  4. Save as Horizontally Flipped – Save a flipped version of your photo.

You may not need to change the Galaxy S6 camera settings very often, but knowing where the options are can help you take better photos.

Galaxy S6 Camera Modes

Samsung cut down on the Galaxy S6 camera modes, but there are still a lot of options. The Auto mode does a fantastic job, but if you want more control the Pro mode offers this. You’ll also learn how to use fast-motion or slow-motion video.

Here's what different Galaxy S6 camera modes can do.

Here’s what different Galaxy S6 camera modes can do.

  1. Selective Focus – Tap on Mode and then on Selective Focus. Now take a photo where you are within 20 inches of your subject, and the camera will take multiple shots and then allow you to choose the focus to blur parts for dramatic effect. 
  2. Virtual Shot – Virtual Shot allows you to walk around an object to create a cool virtual walk around. It’s handy for showing off a new car, impressive statue or fantastic dress. Find this in the modes.
  3. Pro Mode – Pro Mode on the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge lets you control metering, ISO, white balance, focus and save custom settings. 
  4. Slow Motion – Tap on Mode, slow motion and then record a video. In the gallery you can use the sliders to change the slow motion section and overall clip length. 
  5. Fast Motion – Tap on Mode, fast motion and then record a video. In the gallery you can use the sliders to change the fast motion section and overall clip length. This works best when filming action at normal speed, that looks amazing at faster speeds. 
  6. Add Themes to Your Photos – Tap on the Effect button to apply live filters to your photos so you can see the best look before you snap the shutter.
  7. Wide Selfie – When you switch to the front facing camera tap on mode and choose Wide Selfie. Tilt the Galaxy S6 side to side to include more people in the photo.
  8. Take a Selfie With The Sensor – In the main Selfie mode you can smile and then put your finger on the heart rate sensor to snap a photo.
  9. Beauty Mode – Tap on Beauty in the top of the camera options when using the front-facing camera. This will soften glare and any wrinkles.

When in the camera, tap on Modes and then on Download to download many other Galaxy S6 camera modes that you may be used to on the Galaxy S5 or Galaxy S4.

20 Comments

20 Comments

  1. Wutd

    07/03/2015 at 5:34 pm

    How do you zoom the camera?

  2. Rich

    07/08/2015 at 5:30 am

    In camera settings select volume keys function and switch to zoom.

  3. Kimberly

    07/31/2015 at 5:59 pm

    how can I take a picture of my dogs in motion without it being blurry

  4. DavidTRobison

    08/28/2015 at 10:40 pm

    0=5 Hey Friends,…,!my classmate’s step-aunt makes $79 /hr on the laptop .!!She has been fired for 5 months but last month her income was $19889 just working on the laptop for a few hours. Visit This Link>>>> Click Here To Read More

    • chedhu meie

      09/16/2015 at 8:11 pm

      cant understand why you would not do it yourself and also why your classmate wouldn’t do it either

  5. Cheryl

    09/03/2015 at 4:06 am

    Hi, firstly thank you for taking the time to do all this!!

    I want to record a video through my phone, but save it on line and be able to watch it real time on line.

    Is this possible?

    Thanks

  6. Cristy Young

    09/25/2015 at 7:24 am

    Thank you. Very clear and precise information. Very helpful..now I feel like a pro!

  7. Arlene Kilgore

    09/29/2015 at 3:00 pm

    A big help thanks

  8. Art Carnage

    10/15/2015 at 2:19 pm

    Just FYI, the shutter silence mode will probably not be available in versions sold in the US, as the shutter sound is required by law.

  9. Chis

    11/03/2015 at 2:12 pm

    How do I take a selfie with the flash. This has option in snapchat but not camera.

  10. Samantha

    11/24/2015 at 11:32 am

    Hey can you help me. With regards to changing the front camera to save as horizontally flipped. I don’t seem to have that option on my S6 edge, only the option for back camera, even when the camera is flipped to front camera. Am I missing something. How do I change this option as every time a selfie is taken it flips it and it’s annoying….

    • Gale

      01/13/2016 at 1:02 pm

      I have the same problem on my S6 edge. I’ve searched everywhere.

  11. Gale

    01/13/2016 at 12:59 pm

    I can’t find an option to switch off the “Save as Horizontally Flipped – Save a flipped version of your photo.” When using the front camera the picture or pose looks perfect, but when saved it is flipped so it looks wierd.

    • Samantha

      01/13/2016 at 3:15 pm

      I’m glad it’s not only me it’s soooooo annoying

  12. George

    01/25/2016 at 2:11 am

    Does the front camera has flash?

  13. Anna

    02/22/2016 at 4:09 am

    I had the same problem but now it works perfectly,
    how to solve this problem:
    Go to about device then click software update
    then go back to your camera setting and click the save picture as previewed.

    It will go back to normal
    Hope this will help you guys

    cheers

  14. Jose Villanueva

    04/25/2016 at 9:52 pm

    Has anyone noticed how when you have the camera app open using the front camera, the red flash on the back turns on when your finger is on it. What is that for?

  15. Katy

    05/08/2016 at 6:22 pm

    Where do you look to take a selfie? Can’t get it quite didn’t.

    • Katy

      05/08/2016 at 6:23 pm

      Quite right… Sorry

  16. Kelly

    06/18/2016 at 10:34 am

    Is there any way to turn off the heart rate sensor as a shutter button for the self facing camera? Sometimes my finger rests there and it takes pictures that I don’t want, it’s not a feature I want. Any way to turn it off?

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