As a lot of you know, I'm very dissatisfied with the nexus camera. I've bashed it a lot. Sure, there are times when you can get a decent shot, but it seems like it's very hard with this camera.
I believe the issue is with the zero shutter lag and stock camera app. You see, when you focus on the subject, THE TINIEST MOVEMENT before snapping the picture will cause the subject to come out of focus and make the image look like total crap. This was never present on previous smartphones I've owned; I could always focus, and it would keep the focus before taking the pic even if I moved the phone a little. Not with the nexus, nope.
The result of this problem is out of focus pictures, which in turn (somehow) makes the colors look washed out, which in turn makes the result piss you off. I don't know exactly what it is, but I've narrowed it down to that. It's just very touchy and very hard to keep anything in focus.
And no...I'm not talking about a slower shutter speed where movement DURING the picture will cause a blurry photo. Even with fast shutter speeds, the slightest movement with this camera before or during the shot will cause out of focus subjects.
Now, what I've found is not something that will completely make the nexus seem like a point and shoot camera, but something that will make you feel a little less frustrated. Keep in mind, this is NOT my app, and I am not advertising it for any other reason than it works. I used to be the type of person that hated camera apps besides stock, but nope, not after using the nexus. It's almost needed.
Now here's the thing with this app. You open it (it opens as quick as stock BTW), don't even mess with any of the special effects or anything (unless you want to of course). Just use it as a stock replacement. Now here's the good part....
Once you have the app open, all you do is tap anywhere on the screen and it will focus in on where you tapped and automatically take the picture. What does this mean? No having to tap to focus and THEN move over and his the shutter button like on stock. This reduces the amount of movement after focusing and before the picture is taken.
Now, if you don't want to tap to focus, simply hit the shutter button and it will do an auto focus on the entire picture and then automatically take the picture! No need to press and hold to focus, and then release to take the picture like the stock app. Again, this basically reduces the amount of movement and gets rid of a step, which in turn equals clearer pictures.
On top of that, this app seems to keep it's focus better than the stock app. If you happen to move the phone just after you focus and right before it takes the picture, it does a better job of keeping focus. With the stock app, any movement and your picture is screwed.
In conclusion, this isn't a fix to the sensor (which is considered low quality by some). It just makes your picture taking on the nexus much more easier and enjoyable. Sorry for the long post, but this app has made the camera experience a lot better.
Here is an example I took. My phone was held in the exact same spot for both photos. Touch to focus what used directly on the water bottle label. Notice how the picture from the stock app is blurry (and the kleenex box), and notice how the image from the other app is sharp (even look at the difference on the kleenex box). Open up both pictures, and then keep switching between them and you will see what I mean.
Differences might look minor to some, but the small differences really change the entire quality of the photo. It's a huge difference overall.
Stock app:
http://i.imgur.com/c5FGZ.jpg
Other app:
http://i.imgur.com/CBigb.jpg
Name of app? Camera Zoom FX ($2.99 from the market, worth every penny)
No need to change anything in the app settings, everything comes on auto. I don't even use any of the special effects or anything in the app; I just use it as a replacement for stock.
I hope this post has helped some of you.
Agreed. Also camera 360 (free at the moment on the market) does the same.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
klobkelosh said:
Agreed. Also camera 360 (free at the moment on the market) does the same.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, no. Camera zoom FX is far far superior and I still get blurry photos with 360. It's also not as easy to use as zoom fx.
brian85 said:
Stock app:
http://i.imgur.com/c5FGZ.jpg
Other app:
http://i.imgur.com/CBigb.jpg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock app picture is not sharp (camera shake).
i believe there is a software issue as well. i remember someone did an EXIF on some of their GNexus and the ISO was at like 1/6000 or something lol. ideally on my dslr i try to go for ISO 80.
I bought Camera Zoom FX when google had that 10 cent deal a few weeks back.
I will have to download and try it. To be honest I never even used it before just bought 90% of apps in case i ever needed it
Valynor said:
Stock app picture is not sharp (camera shake).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly my point. You have to be extremely careful and put in a lot of effort to get an in focus picture in the stock app.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
tannor said:
I bought Camera Zoom FX when google had that 10 cent deal a few weeks back.
I will have to download and try it. To be honest I never even used it before just bought 90% of apps in case i ever needed it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Danger it. I knew I should have gotten it.
Just did the same test.. The OP is 100% right. The camera zoom fx shot IS better...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
GinoSylum said:
Just did the same test.. The OP is 100% right. The camera zoom fx shot IS better...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. There are times when the difference won't be much noticeable (depends on how careful you were with the stock app), but overall camera fx with so much better.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
flipping back and forth, initially you seem to be right, the stock app water bottle is blurrier. but, watch the wall in the background...its sharper in the stock app than the 'other app'. this would show stock app not picking the correct focus distance...stock focused farther behind the bottle (i'm sure you tapped to select the bottle for focus), other app properly focused on the bottle.
could be software or calibration
cancerouspete said:
flipping back and forth, initially you seem to be right, the stock app water bottle is blurrier. but, watch the wall in the background...its sharper in the stock app than the 'other app'. this would show stock app not picking the correct focus distance...stock focused farther behind the bottle (i'm sure you tapped to select the bottle for focus), other app properly focused on the bottle.
could be software or calibration
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point. I tapped on both apps directly on the water bottle label.
Camera zoom fx focuses on what it should, while the stock app doesn't.
klobkelosh said:
Agreed. Also camera 360 (free at the moment on the market) does the same.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Camera 360 asks for too many permissions for a simple camera app. Fortunately, I managed to pick up Camera Zoom FX for $0.10 during the 10 day sale last month.
j.go said:
Camera 360 asks for too many permissions for a simple camera app. Fortunately, I managed to pick up Camera Zoom FX for $0.10 during the 10 day sale last month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
360 does indeed do that, plus it doesn't even work nearly as good as zoom fx. I'd even say 360 isn't an improvement over stock.
zoom fx opens just as fast as stock, yet performs better.
brian85 said:
360 does indeed do that, plus it doesn't even work nearly as good as zoom fx. I'd even say 360 isn't an improvement over stock.
zoom fx opens just as fast as stock, yet performs better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never really got to try camera 360. As soon as I saw the permission requests, I cancelled the download.
I agree that zoom FX does takes better pictures, but only because it gives you time to steady your hand/the phone AFTER you tap on the screen. As you said in your original post, zero shutter lag is to blame. It takes pictures way TOO fast. Google should add delay settings that you can choose from such as 0(default)/.5s/1s/1.5s before taking the shot. Sure it defeats the purpose of zero shutter lag, but it at least gives us a choice which is what android is all about.
I bought Camera Zoom FX during the Market $0.10 sale. But haven't used it since I upgraded from my Desire to the Galaxy Nexus.
After reading this, I may have to start using it on a regular basis now. So thanks brian85!
IMO I just don't like the fact that I tap the screen to take the picture. I love the fast response, but since touch screen offers no real tactile feedback, its hard to get a "click" feel like you would with a regular camera. I had D1 Droid before this, and its camera is crap in general, bad quality and focus...etc. But it had a dedicated shutter button. Even though its just a switch, a physical button on the periphery is easier to let me hold the camera steady and shoot the picture. I wish there are some mod or in custom ROM that let you map one of the physical button(power, or one of the volumes) to act as the shutter release in the camera app....
You guys do know you can hold the shutter button in the stock camera app to focus and let go to take the picture, right?
spitefulcheerio said:
You guys do know you can hold the shutter button in the stock camera app to focus and let go to take the picture, right?
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Click to collapse
/thread
(10char)
spitefulcheerio said:
You guys do know you can hold the shutter button in the stock camera app to focus and let go to take the picture, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I described that in my OP. It's still terrible compared to camera zoom fx.
can anyone get the auto focus to happen automatically on the camera? only way for me is to tap the screen or hold the capture button. just wanted to know if that is normal because what i liked about the 4s was that it would actually autofocus during camera mode. thanks
i'm finding the same type of issue lately...
every time i attempt to use the camcorder the autofocus does not function at all. i remember it did work at one point...now if i get within like 4-6 inches of anything it's blurred. and can't screen tap to focus.
frustrating.
I seem to be having the same issue lately, the camera autofocus does not appear to be working for me either. my front camera takes perfectly clear pictures but the 8 megapixel rear camera photos look horrible now. blurry blurry blurry I have tried installing a couple of different camera apk's.... going to install another 1 now and see if that changes things. if not I will soon tar back to a completely stock set up and see how the camera works .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=22619643
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
EDIT: I just installed the camera.apk from this link and my autofocus now works again I will take some pictures tomorrow when the sun's up and hopefully they will be much clearer ie in focu. ... Thanks
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=22619643
Tapatalk
Ive been trying to find a "perfect" camera app for my DInc2 with a few key features.
*hardware volume button shutter option
*touch screen focus
*adjustable ISO
*clicking thumbnail goes to HTC Gallery app
Didn't think that would be so hard, right? But it always seemed that they came close, but were always missing one feature or another.
So, after many rounds of both paid and free apps I finally found Ucam
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ucamera.ucam&hl=en
Has all the above features, plus more. It also has a stunner of a built in editing package, with tons of presets and discrete controls for brightness, saturation, contrast,etc., *BUT* it downsamples the image to like 1280x800 or something and I can't figure out how to make not do that.
But that's just gravy, considering it already fulfilled my wish list, so hopefully they will fix the resolution problem with the editor. Nice GUI too. And it makes animated GIFs, amongst other oddities. Did I mention the incredible sharing setup?
Plus, its FREE.
They also just came out with a tablet version.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ucamera.ucamtablet
Forums are here but a lot is in Chinese
http://forum.u-camera.com/
I may be late to the party and everyone is already using this, but I think it's worth sharing
I'm using nitsuj's TSMBullet and it has a great camera! The touch to focus, thumbnail brings to gallery, and it has manual, panorama, hdr, and burst mode. There isn't a volume shutter however. One of the best camera's i've used
mushypizza said:
I'm using nitsuj's TSMBullet and it has a great camera! The touch to focus, thumbnail brings to gallery, and it has manual, panorama, hdr, and burst mode. There isn't a volume shutter however. One of the best camera's i've used
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree. The bullet camera is very sharp.
Sent from my ADR6350 using xda premium
This app is awesome! Thanks for the tip.
Btw, to change the image size. Be in camera mode and scroll through the menu at the top of the screen, you should see a square with some sizes in it, press it and select the size you want
Sent from my Incredible 2 running Zeus 1.3
What ROM?
Anyone know if this works with the CM9 Kang ROM by areovan? This CM9 ROM is almost perfect. Only 2 issues that I'm running into:
1. Must run "su; killall drmserver" in the terminal after reboot in order to get Google Play to download/update apps
2. Flash on any camera app that I've tried (stock, angel, zoom FX) doesn't work.
I don't really care if the FFC or camcorder works, mainly need a camera app with flash as I travel a lot (business) and love to take pics at a moments notice with my phone.
Any ideas?
I've tried a ton of camera apps and this is by far my favorite after just a few hours of use. Thanks for the tip!
ecatsab said:
2. Flash on any camera app that I've tried (stock, angel, zoom FX) doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can turn on the torch before taking the picture and that should help.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using XDA
they just updated the app to 1.1.7 today, and it fixed a couple of repeatable crashes I was having and had reported...these guys are super responsive! They also said they would consider an option to not downrez the image in editing mode since many smartphones are powerful enough to edit a 8mp image (slowly) these days
This is a great camera app. Thanks for the heads up. Does it take the full 8mp wide pics like sense roms do? It looks like the pic fills the entire screen.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using XDA
Does AOSP Camera kill quality? I like CM but I like also good pictures quality...
Sent from the best combination ever - HTC One X Tegra 3 with CM10
I've never found AOSP to kill quality, the only difference if the ratio of the image compared with Sense.
It's not as good as the Sense camera as it doesn't make use of the image sense chip. Sense version is optimised.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
I think the panorama function is better in the aosp camera
Colours and details are often much less prominent in the AOSP camera. I've done my own comparisons and the Sense camera has better white balance in photos, though details remain mostly the same. Some AOSP ROMs have very grainy camera quality though. When it comes to video, Sense ROMs record MUCH better footage with more accurate colours and much more detail, frame rates remain similar though. To capture photos with better colours when using the AOSP camera, you often need to manually change the white balance as the "auto" setting isn't very effective for getting realistic looking shots.
The Sense camera is also faster at opening up and at shooting and processing panorama photos. The Sense camera also has far better touch (and auto) focus, the AOSP camera is often difficult to focus for close ups but the Sense camera almost always focuses correctly. Additionally, the AOSP camera has somewhat fixed focus for video recording, where auto focus still sort of works but you can't touch the screen to focus because this takes photos during recording (this is how this feature was implemented on the AOSP camera). So basically, while recording video, you have to hope the phone knows what you're trying to focus on, especially if you want to take photos while recording. On the AOSP camera, taking photos while recording also has impacts on the frame rate at times.
The AOSP camera also can take a long time to switch between photo, video or panorama (depending on the ROM you're using). Burst fire is also a joke on AOSP ROMs, put simply, it doesn't work. You can take photos faster by tapping on the shoot button really quickly.
The most critical thing for me is the start up and focus time of the AOSP camera that makes you lose the moment where you needed to take that photo while something awesome was happening. I have some fairly stupid friends, who do very funny things, which i will often record hahaha, so it's quite disappointing when i miss that moment with AOSP ROMs. I've never really missed "that moment" on a Sense ROM though.
These are just my opinions though, i hope someone can find this post useful!
after upgrading to a KitKat rom (Paranoid) my camera is pretty much useless.
I tap the screen to focus. Click the button to take the picture. It goes from a perfectly clear picture to a completely out of focus picture. I never had this issue before.
I have went through my settings and do not see a manual focus setting.
Try a different camera app, I bought and use camera fx. If you use aosp roms frequently, I would suggest trying out a few camera apps and figure out which one works best for you. Again, aosp camera is pretty much junk, imo!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk
i thought it was packaged with the nexus 5 camera... i will try many.. thanks for the tip