Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Use Volume Key to Take Photos in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

For some reason, you may want to be able to take photos using the physical button, for instance: if you want to take photos as you used to do with your conventional/digital camera or if you're in a condition when it's difficult for you to take photos using the on-screen icon or the voice command. Fortunately, the stock Camera app lets you change the Volume key function as the camera key so that you can use this physical key to take photos.

How to set the Volume key as the camera key?
By default, the Volume key in the stock Camera app is set to adjust the zoom level. Thus, you have to set this key as the camera key first before you can use this key to take photos. You can set the Volume key as the camera key by using the following steps:

1. Open the stock Camera app.
2. Tap to open up the detailed settings menu.
3. Scroll the settings menu to the very bottom.
4. Tap Volume key and then select Take pictures.
5. The Volume key has been set as the camera key.

How to take a photo using the Volume key?
When the Volume key has been set as the camera key, you can take a photo by pressing the Volume Up key or the Volume Down key. As the example, we'll try taking a photo in auto mode with the Volume key by using the following steps:

1. Open the stock Camera app. By default, the Camera app uses auto as the shooting mode.
2. Aim the camera to the object.
3. If needed, you can change the focus point by tapping the screen where the camera should focus. When the subject is in focus, the focus frame turns green.
4. Press the Volume Up key or the Volume Down key to take a photo. As a note, to get the best result, make sure to hold the phone as steady as possible when pressing the Volume key to take photos.