Develop Bugs

How to: Greatly improve picture quality!

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?
Click to expand...
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.

[Q] Camera Performance - Galaxy Nexus - Any Tweaks?

Hey Guys,
I'm new to the Nexus, I just got it today. Had a HTC Sensation before.
I LOVE this phone! It's amazing! Everything is just so perfect! The one thing which bothers me is the Camera. Which I do use, a lot! Even my Sensation didn't have a nice camera itself but I remember my super old K850i! It used to take such crisp shots!
Any way to improve the shooter's performance?

You could decompile the camera and look for some delay or speed values in the code?
I will do so when I have time.
Good luck
Greets!
I'm not a fake.
I prefer people to reply to me and give feedback instead of thanking me!
But thanking me does show if you apreciate my works.

mDroidd said:
You could decompile the camera and look for some delay or speed values in the code?
I will do so when I have time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would editing the Speed/Delay values help? Better focus time? :\

Touch and hold on-screen shutter button to focus, release to take picture, or touch the area in the view finder where you want to focus and the tap the on-screen shutter button.

Tjotte said:
Touch and hold on-screen shutter button to focus, release to take picture...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't work on stock gsm 4.0.2.

I use an app called Camera Zoom FX from the market. It takes much better stills than stock. Costs 3 bucks though, but you can test it pretty thoroughly and get a refund if you don't like.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Tjotte said:
Touch and hold on-screen shutter button to focus, release to take picture, or touch the area in the view finder where you want to focus and the tap the on-screen shutter button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha thanks but I do know how to take a picture ! It's just not clear enough !
KeithRVA said:
I use an app called Camera Zoom FX from the market. It takes much better stills than stock. Costs 3 bucks though, but you can test it pretty thoroughly and get a refund if you don't like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I've used it on my previous phones but am gonna try it on this too

Look for the app camera ics in the market. Improves quality and uses the 4.0.4 camera app as a base

klobkelosh said:
Look for the app camera ics in the market. Improves quality and uses the 4.0.4 camera app as a base
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use this as well
Camera Zoom FX doesn't make any impact. I've done some pretty extensive testing and unless it was something with my phone, there was almost no difference or there was no difference whatsoever. Couldn't notice anything at least.

this tweak for camcorder (from euroskank ROM) increase the average bitrate:
extract media_profiles.xml from media_profiles.xml.zip and place it to /system/etc
you can customize this file to fit your needs
need r00t

krasnoff said:
this tweak for camcorder (from euroskank ROM) increase the average bitrate:
extract media_profiles.xml from media_profiles.xml.zip and place it to /system/etc
you can customize this file to fit your needs
need r00t
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done that
Gonna try the ICS Camera app.

Hey guys, what's the photo size you all select? What resolution?

Widescreen
Is there anyway to use widescreen (16:9) pictures using mods or something in the galaxy nexus?
Cheers

Camera Questions (Focus Speed)

I'm running the M1 release of CM10 on my Galaxy S3.
With the stock ROM the camera was FAST. I could snap pictures of fast moving things and the phone would take a picture when I touched the shutter button.
With CM10, it is horrid. When I press the shutter button the camera spends a few seconds slooooowly focusing and THEN takes the picture. If, in advance, I do a touch to focus it will snap the next picture quick but then it goes back to dragging.
Any way to make the stock camera app not suck? I had this same issue with CM7 on my Evo, I was really hoping to not have it. Maybe I'm just doing something dumb??

Did you change the focus mode from Auto? I think it's the only one that pre-focuses before taking a picture.

I've cycled through all of the focus types to try and find one that works quickly. Continuous, Fixed, Macro, Infinity - they all spend time focusing whenever I press the button.
splashattack said:
Did you change the focus mode from Auto? I think it's the only one that pre-focuses before taking a picture.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I think it is the flash firing. When I set the camera mode up right with the flash turned off I get crazy fast pictures (yay!). When the flash fires though, it pre-fires the flash (I'm guessing to judge light??) then does a quick focus, then flashes. So low light photos will suck, but photos that don't need a flash will be OK.
Any way to improve the flash situation?

[Q] Any way to speed up the shutter with a higher iso?

It takes pics soooo slow, making anything moving blurry.

ceteamclut said:
It takes pics soooo slow, making anything moving blurry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you must have a bad phone also this needs to go here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g3/help

CheesyNutz said:
you must have a bad phone also this needs to go here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g3/help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LG built it to have a low iso and low shutter speed to keep it bright. It's not broken, but I didn't know if anyone knew how to modify anything to change it, or have an app to do so.

Try Camera FV-5 app. You can adjust iso and wb manually.

Pro capture works good for me.

tridogg97 said:
Pro capture works good for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm...i'll try this one....i have the same problem as the op

Camera FV-5 works better than the regular camera, but I still want to find a way to fix the regular camera.

Best replacement camera app for LGG4?

Has anyone tried any replacement camera apps for the LGG4? Don't get me wrong, I like the stock camera but I do think it lacks a little in features (in auto mode). I tried 'Open Camera' and I really like the extra features but It only has 4x zoom instead of the 8x the stock camera handles. I also don't know if any 3rd party camera apps take full advantage of the G4's laser focus and color spectrum analyzer? Another feature that I like in 'Open Camera' is the ability to select scenes such as back light, indoors, macro and candle light. I know the G4 stock app has automatic scene selection but I like a little more control.
So what do you guys think? The big thing is if any 3rd party apps take full advantage of the G4's hardware? If so, what are some feature packed camera apps?

ProShot for me. Little slow to focus but with ISO 50 and NR off the daylight shots are just amazing.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riseupgames.proshot2
Odoslané z LG-H815 pomocou Tapatalku

Has it some filters to preview a shot before take it? that's the only thing I miss from the stock camera, the ability to use filters before taking pictures, because sometimes don't have time or mood to postprocess. Thanks!

RocketFoot said:
Has anyone tried any replacement camera apps for the LGG4? Don't get me wrong, I like the stock camera but I do think it lacks a little in features (in auto mode). I tried 'Open Camera' and I really like the extra features but It only has 4x zoom instead of the 8x the stock camera handles. I also don't know if any 3rd party camera apps take full advantage of the G4's laser focus and color spectrum analyzer? Another feature that I like in 'Open Camera' is the ability to select scenes such as back light, indoors, macro and candle light. I know the G4 stock app has automatic scene selection but I like a little more control.
So what do you guys think? The big thing is if any 3rd party apps take full advantage of the G4's hardware? If so, what are some feature packed camera apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I woulden't be over concerned by the low zoom capabilities of Open camera. Zoom only degrades the quality and sharpness of the picture anyway... If you really have to use it, i woulden't recommend you go beyond 4x. Other thing, no 3rd party camera app can fully utilize all of the G4's features and capabilities. It's simply not possible, as of yet anyway. So, my advice to you and everyone else is, use the default camera app as it is quite powerfull if you know how to manage the manual settings .
Here is a link that explains in detail the manual mode:
Link

Dude, stock app is best. Learn how to use manual.

NocturnalDroid said:
Dude, stock app is best. Learn how to use manual.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can use the manual camera ok but only for planed shots...takes too much time to catch random shots! Feature rich auto mode is what I am wishing for!

RocketFoot said:
I can use the manual camera ok but only for planed shots...takes too much time to catch random shots! Feature rich auto mode is what I am wishing for!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hm yes, good point. Lol. I used camera360 once, that was good.

Try AZ Camera, NR is a lot better than stock and manual control is still possible.

t68kv said:
Try AZ Camera, NR is a lot better than stock and manual control is still possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone seen a camera app that has a fancy animated facial recognition reticle like the Galaxy Edge Plus/Note 5's have? It actually moves across the screen and targets a detected face in the scene. I know that it is completely gingerbread, but it would be a pretty cool feature!

wayne_sk said:
ProShot for me. Little slow to focus but with ISO 50 and NR off the daylight shots are just amazing.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riseupgames.proshot2
Odoslané z LG-H815 pomocou Tapatalku
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found that there's a free demo for this at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riseupgames.proshot_free
Which is nice to try it out. Very restrictive demo, allowing only 2 full res shots. I'm keen to try out the low ISO with the NR off you mention (as I've yet to see a photo at this handset level beat the G4 in a decent lit outdoor shot), but my handset went hot as hell whilst running the demo, possibly showing its using all the available processer power but a bit unsettling for potential longer usage.
:edit: unistalled and let handset cool down. Reinstalled and handset ran uncomfortably hot again. Shame, but thanks for the recommendation.

Hi, just got an LG G4 today and tried a few camera apps. Stock is great and since it has a manual raw mode, no need for 3rd party apps imho.
ProShot is nice and does show a low res preview of dngs in its viewer (useful to send them to PS Express for instance); BUT I have noticed that it does only goes to 0,6s in manual exposure (while stock goes to 30s). So for (ocasional) dng viewing I will use Slingshot Portfolio and for the processing, PS Express, much friendlier than Photomate (which yields slightly sharper pics, but with much worse color balance...)
Snap HDR Camera has an interesting low light mode that merges multiple exposures to increase detail / lower noise, BUT then again you can use manual long exposures in the stock app, which in dark conditions will give better results.
For panos I prefer Google's camera interface and options .
Anyway, those are my quick impressions.

You made my day! Thank you!
This one (especially ability to switch off NR) gives me the best from the G4
Tweaking sharpness and NR should be native and available in Stock camera app in manual mode
Shame on you LG!
wayne_sk said:
ProShot for me. Little slow to focus but with ISO 50 and NR off the daylight shots are just amazing.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riseupgames.proshot2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

dawabz94 said:
You made my day! Thank you!
This one (especially ability to switch off NR) gives me the best from the G4
Tweaking sharpness and NR should be native and available in Stock camera app in manual mode
Shame on you LG!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, just tried, and ProShot's no NR setting is amazing! Thanks

Kemby13 said:
no 3rd party camera app can fully utilize all of the G4's features and capabilities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey Kemby13,
what exactly do you think can proshot or camera fv-5 or other camera apps not utilize from the hardware?
I'm considering buying the LG G4 but have similar thoughts as the thread starter. I'm comfortable with manual modes on cameras and shoot/edit raw with my DSLR but I'm looking for more or better auto modes than the stock camera app can offer. Also lots of reviews show that the auto mode of the G4 is not as good as images taken in auto mode with other smartphones (I'm not speaking of what the LG camera is capable of once it is used in manual mode). I thought that maybe other apps give better images in auto modes than the stock app (plus more options/scene modes). I often find myself in situations where I don't have the time to setup in manual mode but would like to tell the app to at least use a fast shutter speed (sports mode) etc.
my second concern is because I love custom roms. and even though there are hardly any out there for the G4 I'd still try the few available ones and would need a good camera app. Proshot etc will work on any rom (yes, the shutter speed is reduced to max. 0,7).
But what else would I be losing?
To the thread starter: have you reached a solution? I'd be very curious to know.
Thx and greetz,
vercetti.

Proshot doesn't have HDR that I can find. I don't recall if Camera FV-5 does but I prefer the custom modes of Proshot to FV-5.

I would settle for an app that can take pictures using flash in half the time that mine currently does.

I am waiting for Almalence's Better Camera to support camera api2 on the LG G4, so we can test its SUPER mode on our phone, similar to Google Camera's HDR+. I wonder how it would compare to LG's own Night mode.
According to the developper, it's planned and in alpha stage.

Did you guys find any app that can get to 30" shutter speed? It seems like I can only get that with the stock app.
Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

hi there, updates on this? i think proshot now is optimized to lg g4. anyone confirm?

How about now? Still no updates?