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Is the word capturar the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

No

While the spelling, grammar, and fundamental meaning of "capturar" are identical in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese, there is a difference in typical usage.

In Brazil, "capturar" is frequently used in both physical and technical contexts, such as "capturar a tela" (to capture the screen/screenshot) or "capturar um criminoso" (to capture a criminal). In Portugal, while "capturar" is used for physical captures, speakers much more naturally use the verb captar when referring to abstract, sensory, or signal-related concepts (e.g., capturing light, a feeling, or a radio signal). Additionally, for the physical act of catching a person or animal, a Portuguese person is more likely to use the verb apanhar.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. A polícia capturou o suspeito durante a noite. (The police captured the suspect during the night.)
  2. Eu vou capturar a tela para te enviar o erro. (I am going to capture the screen to send you the error.)
  3. O software consegue capturar os dados automaticamente. (The software is able to capture the data automatically.)
  4. O fotógrafo tentou capturar a essência da festa. (The photographer tried to capture the essence of the party.)
  5. Eles tentaram capturar o animal que fugiu do zoológico. (They tried to capture the animal that escaped from the zoo.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

  1. A polícia apanhou o suspeito durante a noite. (The police caught the suspect during the night.)
  2. Vou capturar o ecrã para te enviar o erro. (I am going to capture the screen to send you the error.)
  3. O software consegue captar os dados automaticamente. (The software is able to capture the data automatically.)
  4. O fotógrafo tentou captar a essência da festa. (The photographer tried to capture the essence of the party.)
  5. Eles tentaram apanhar o animal que fugiu do zoo. (They tried to catch the animal that escaped from the zoo.)