Samsung Electronics Co. is expected to put out the Galaxy Note 3 with an upgraded camera later this year.

The sequel to the company’s flagship “phablet” Galaxy Note will likely feature a 13-megapixel camera as well as some of the most versatile picture-taking capabilities found on a smartphone, local media reported citing Samsung sources. 

The camera will be powered by 3x optical zoom, better shutter speeds and optical image stabilization technology.

Such technologies are speculated to put Samsung’s new phablet on par with mainstream compact digital cameras, a possibility that may pose a direct threat to camera makers already beset by the widespread use of smartphones for casual photography. 

While smartphone manufacturers mostly focused on offering more pixels to enhance their cameras, Samsung’s new device will broaden the area of competition to other camera functions.

By Kwon Bum-joon
(bjkwon@heraldcorp.com)