I'm sorry brother, I'm on AT&T and I read your post and then took a pic through my messenger using stock cam and also outside of the messenger with the stock cam app. both images went across crystal clear.
For the record Android does the same thing by downsizing the image before sending. Matter of fact it tells you that the image is too big for MMS, then show converting loading to a smaller size. With the 1520 I notice there is no wait for conversion. Went into my cam settings and I see that it says when an image is taken both high and low res are stored. This means that it will send the lower res right away without waiting. I have had the Sammy G Note 1, 2, & 3. in this instance 1520 has the droid beat. But, let us discuss things without trying to down another. Comparisons are good but the bashing does not help anyone it only shines light on individuals trying desperately to justify themselves or what they have.
I will try the email next and report back simply because i'm interested in the outcome...
Edited: I just sent myself the same two images via email. I used my AT&T email account to send to my Gmail account. On my phone:
1st image - 3072 X1728 / 1.60MB
2nd image - 3072 X 1728 / 1.62MB
Received in email:
1st image - 1632 X 918 / 333KB
2nd image - 1632 X 918 / 403KB
The images received are crystal clear I might add and the dimensions are smaller. For the record a touch smaller the HD imaging, which is 1920 X 1080. Some consider 1280 X 720 to be HD.
I hope this may help someone...