Develop Bugs

[Q] Camera quality due to hardware or software or both?

Hello all,
Do you think the issues with the Galaxy Nexus camera are due to software issues or is the camera sensor just really that bad? It seems that the low light capability of this camera is even worse than that of the Nexus S. I've never had any issues with my camera phones in the past producing such crap photos as the one this phone produces(HTC Sensation, Nexus S and original Nexus). I'm thinking about just going back to my Nexus S and selling this one.
I've attached two photos that someone posted on Google+ illustrating how bad the Galaxy Nexus compares to the Asus Transformer Prime's camera. This is really frustrating and if I were Google and/or Samsung, I'd be embarrassed.

Not the same angle, not the same focus point which impacts the validity of this comparison.
Also note that there is a little bit more detail in the more grainy shot. This is something that actually could be improved with a software update.

Valynor said:
Not the same angle, not the same focus point which impacts the validity of this comparison.
Also note that there is a little bit more detail in the more grainy shot. This is something that actually could be improved with a software update.
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Hmm...each picture look pretty close to the same angle. I'm more concerned with the graininess of the Galaxy Nexus photo. It seems that the camera's ISO is too high which is why it's producing a grainy picture.

oracleicom said:
Hmm...each picture look pretty close to the same angle. I'm more concerned with the graininess of the Galaxy Nexus photo. It seems that the camera's ISO is too high which is why it's producing a grainy picture.
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It mainly comes down to a balance of exposure time, ISO, picture quality level of the sensor at that ISO and noise reduction algorithms/general software post-processing of the image.
I agree that there is quite some room for improvement in this area on the GN camera. I hope Google/Samsung will address this in an update someday.
Apart from this, any phone camera sucks at low light.

I find the camera really good. The only thing I find kind of strange is how photo's look in a dim room with flash on close up.
Videos look godly

Coming from the SG2 the Nexus certainly is a step backwards. What has impressed me about the Nexus camera is the ability to focus and stay focused, and snap shots almost instantly. The SG2 has issues with focus and delays. In movie mode the SG2 would come in and out of focus even when I have not moved the phone at all. Taking photos of moving objects on the SG2 is a real challenge because of its inability to focus, but having said that the photos that are taken properly do come out very sharp and vibrant, especially given enough daylight.
So where the Nexus improved vastly on focus speed, it fails in image quality. Even in moderate light I see more than usual noise from photos taken with the Nexus.
I look forward to the SGIII.

I just remind myself that I'm taking pictures with a phone. So I don't care. I also have not had issues with photos. Especially when I remind myself, again, that I am using a phone to take pictures with.

mzrdisi said:
I just remind myself that I'm taking pictures with a phone. So I don't care. I also have not had issues with photos. Especially when I remind myself, again, that I am using a phone to take pictures with.
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Yeah dude, I agree. If I want yo take sick photo's, I'd use a camera anyway, even if the phone is the best "camera" phone on the market. Its for quick shots. I agree aswell that the Gnex could be better... But I've seen/used worse. = )

mzrdisi said:
I just remind myself that I'm taking pictures with a phone. So I don't care. I also have not had issues with photos. Especially when I remind myself, again, that I am using a phone to take pictures with.
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Amen!
That's why I lug a DSLR around with me when I go away for work.
REAL camera = photography, cell phone = phone with a point & shoot camera built into it.

For indoor pics just set your phone to Party preset. Works best.
You can get similar / better results by manually choosing the white balance and exposure settings depending on your light conditions. But for quick snaps, just select party mode and see the difference.
Camera is more than decent.
Personally I am using Camera Zoom FX for most of the time. But in certain low light conditions, stock camera app with party preset actually does much better job.

This is one of the worst camera I seen in years.

This is what really holds me back from buying a GN these days...I would be interested in your guys thoughts: Do you think that there will be some software based improvements within the next weeks? Or is it just the lense (or some hardware stuff like that, not my terrain here^^), which can´t be improved?

brooon said:
This is what really holds me back from buying a GN these days...I would be interested in your guys thoughts: Do you think that there will be some software based improvements within the next weeks? Or is it just the lense (or some hardware stuff like that, not my terrain here^^), which can´t be improved?
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Hardware is always limiting. No amount of software can make something better than it physically can be. I'm not saying that updates cant fix the issues we're seeing, I actually believe the contrary. There is a lot you can do with software to really tweak things. But you can't compare a phone camera to a DSLR or something like it.
I personally believe google will update the camera but the question is when. Personally I think the camera is great. I think it depends on what you're used to taking pictures with, and how ocd/picky you are about quality. The SGS2 has better camera hardware, but do try to remember the issues it had when it first came out. The camera quality issues of it were patched up really nice with a software update so don't give your hopes up.

EddieN said:
Hardware is always limiting. No amount of software can make something better than it physically can be. I'm not saying that updates cant fix the issues we're seeing, I actually believe the contrary. There is a lot you can do with software to really tweak things. But you can't compare a phone camera to a DSLR or something like it.
I personally believe google will update the camera but the question is when. Personally I think the camera is great. I think it depends on what you're used to taking pictures with, and how ocd/picky you are about quality. The SGS2 has better camera hardware, but do try to remember the issues it had when it first came out. The camera quality issues of it were patched up really nice with a software update so don't give your hopes up.
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Thanks for your input! Yeah I´m coming from an SGSII, atm I´m on a Galaxy Note...so both of my current devices do have better hardware...in the past there was the HD2, which had some terrible software bugs, that have been worked out within months. The last roms I used with the HD2 really pushed the photoquality...

I came from the sgs2 and they are almost identical, I do find the nexus a bit sharper. Great macro
Sent from my francoPhone using xda premium

I started using Shot Control over the stock camera app. It seems to do a better job of with the settings and does give a higher degree of fine tuning them. Give up the panorama mode though, which I love!

People want the highest quality, buy a freaking camera. Or get over it already, stop making this kind of threads.

i am completely dissatisfied with the camera on this phone. I came from a Nexus One to the Gnex. The Nexus one has an AMAAAZING camera on it. Of course HTC uses better hardware. Ill post comparison pics later... damn samsung!

how can i reduce the noise (or grain... i dont know the exact english term) in the pic??
the pics on first posts explain very good the problem.
thx a lot.

daffyno said:
how can i reduce the noise (or grain... i dont know the exact english term) in the pic??
the pics on first posts explain very good the problem.
thx a lot.
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In short...you can't. The hardware in a device this small can't do much more than that.

Note II Camera (Your Best Settings &/or Preferred App)

Okay... I must state that I came from a HTC One X. Awesome camera out of the box. I honestly always heard everyone (reviews) saying how good it was but never really realized it till switching phones to the Note II. Now I understand.
So with that said; the Note II does okay but seems more blurry to me. More like a iPhone 4 (girlfriend had so only iPhone comparison).
The photos are okay, just not as clear as I want. The photo's seem to look okay scaled down but when looking at full version (not full screen) on Laptop .... it shows low quality.
I'm probably not explaining it well. Sorry
So.... I do have some questions here. Please note I know that these are only opinions. Not looking to bash any apps or settings. Please bring the positive.
What App do you prefer...what settings do you prefer in stated App? to get the best quality photo? Stock? third Party? etc.
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I am currently using Stock app
Burst shot = on
flash usually off, but sometime on
No effects
No scene mode
Exposure value = 0
Auto Focus
Resolution = 3264x2448
White balance = Auto
ISO = Auto
Metering = Center weighted
Auto Contrast = Off
Anti Shake = On
Image Quality = Superfine
Would it help to turn on or off any of these settings? What has been your best results?
Thx!

Is burst shot the same quality as single shot. I Googled it but got no answer. I think it may have to do with how the signal is processed and of course the sensor size. As the sensor is opviously very small it can only capture a little light. The phone compensates with a higher iso causing grainy pictures. Do some comparisons in daylight add compare them.
It could obviously be as you stated. The One X has a better camera.

Dmwitz said:
Is burst shot the same quality as single shot. I Googled it but got no answer. I think it may have to do with how the signal is processed and of course the sensor size. As the sensor is opviously very small it can only capture a little light. The phone compensates with a higher iso causing grainy pictures. Do some comparisons in daylight add compare them.
It could obviously be as you stated. The One X has a better camera.
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I have been playing around a little bit this morning.
Found that HDR is not bad. Helps a lot indoors.
Also Many shots were the best in "Low Light" mode while indoors.
Agree that I was probably spoiled with the HTC One X.
Just need to keep playing around and use more. with the One X I was able to just point and shoot. Didn;t really have to use any special options. LOL

Every phone camera sucks, , Why spend so much time on it lol.

Antishake adds considerable amount of noise to the picture. This is not a mechanical antishake like on a dslr lens. Its a software elemination. However "camera 360 " app and some other apps dont add noise when you use this feature cuz they only let you take take the photo when your hand is stabilized. I suggest you not to use antishake with stock camera app unless you want lower picture detail.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

Thx! I will turn off the Anti Shake and try it out. Good info...

warfanax said:
Antishake adds considerable amount of noise to the picture. This is not a mechanical antishake like on a dslr lens. Its a software elemination. However "camera 360 " app and some other apps dont add noise when you use this feature cuz they only let you take take the photo when your hand is stabilized. I suggest you not to use antishake with stock camera app unless you want lower picture detail.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
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WOW! Yes the Antishake adds a lot of noise. Thx I would have never thought of turning off this feature.

[Q] A better camera

Hello,
I dont like the quality of the pictures I take although I have set the quality to superfine. The pictures I take look a bit dark and I think that a phone with 8mp camera can take better pictures. Also, the pictures I take at night are not so good. Are there any tweaks or mods I can flash or even settings?
Waiting for your answers!

pantapanta1 said:
Hello,
I dont like the quality of the pictures I take although I have set the quality to superfine. The pictures I take look a bit dark and I think that a phone with 8mp camera can take better pictures. Also, the pictures I take at night are not so good. Are there any tweaks or mods I can flash or even settings?
Waiting for your answers!
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I found this guide really helpful. It's for the SGS3, but is good for the SGN2 too.

You may try turning on the "Low Light" shooting mode. Drastically improves brightness in low light situations without the usual graininess/noise.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app

Photo quality

Say "cheese", then rate this thread to express how photos taken with the OnePlus 3T come out. A higher rating indicates that photos offer rich color (without over-saturating), sharp detail (with all subjects in-focus), and appropriate exposure (with even lighting).
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!

Great photos :good:

Enviado desde mi ONEPLUS A3003 mediante Tapatalk

I would like to share this

Some photos from dark Finnish winter. "ok" photo quality.

Valistaja said:
Some photos from dark Finnish winter. "ok" photo quality.
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Use HQ mode for low light still shots, I find this helps a lot with noise and overexposure, HDRa for all others. Also if you are interested you can shoot raw and develop them with snapspeed. The photo on the left I took was a raw image developed by snapspeed. Pure raw lack any post processing so look awful but allow might greater image tuning due to not being compromised to jpeg.

Camera is very acceptable (not that of My S7 Edge) however it is to my liking....
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using XDA-Developers mobile app

Decent quality for a phone, low light need improvement

Like this camera, Dont take to many pictures, just messing around with it!

Not bad, all shots in auto HQ
---------- Post added at 05:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:07 PM ----------
Few more on Auto HQ

What is better, hq or hdr?

Outdoors are fine. 2 stars because as soon as you are shooting moving subjects, even tiny moves, the pictures become unusable, blurry mess

vicusbass said:
Outdoors are fine. 2 stars because as soon as you are shooting moving subjects, even tiny moves, the pictures become unusable, blurry mess
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Agreed. Photo quality of moving objects is horrible (probably the biggest flaw of OnePlus 3T) and indoors (regular everyday lighting you have in indoors) is quite ****ty. Most of the pictures come out quite blurry. Outdoors is fine!
I actually have discovered that in order to get better indoors pictures you have to set Flash to always ON as it really helps to improve image quality, especially regarding the sharpness, blur and better detail overall.

jemeljsh said:
Agreed. Photo quality of moving objects is horrible (probably the biggest flaw of OnePlus 3T) and indoors (regular everyday lighting you have in indoors) is quite ****ty. Most of the pictures come out quite blurry. Outdoors is fine!
I actually have discovered that in order to get better indoors pictures you have to set Flash to always ON as it really helps to improve image quality, especially regarding the sharpness, blur and better detail overall.
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I know, but using flash when there's plenty light and any other phone I tried has no difficulties...

EmreSo said:
What is better, hq or hdr?
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md3Ow6AEwLU
I think HD got renamed to HQ which we have now.
¨
But basically HDR tries to get both bright and dark areas in the pictures to shown without them being totally black or white. Doesn't always mean that picture is better quality tho, can be a lot worse what it comes to noise etc.
Not sure is this correct but found that HQ mode will reduce the noise when taking pictures in dark.

jemeljsh said:
Agreed. Photo quality of moving objects is horrible (probably the biggest flaw of OnePlus 3T) and indoors (regular everyday lighting you have in indoors) is quite ****ty. Most of the pictures come out quite blurry. Outdoors is fine!
I actually have discovered that in order to get better indoors pictures you have to set Flash to always ON as it really helps to improve image quality, especially regarding the sharpness, blur and better detail overall.
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vicusbass said:
Outdoors are fine. 2 stars because as soon as you are shooting moving subjects, even tiny moves, the pictures become unusable, blurry mess
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That concerns me... With kids (and dogs) I rarely have a still target 😯
Sent from my Note 3

YankInDaSouth said:
That concerns me... With kids (and dogs) I rarely have a still target 😯
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Turn off HDR and HQ (which increases the shutter speed to pick up more light) also manual controls are there to help.

LMcR92 said:
Turn off HDR and HQ (which increases the shutter speed to pick up more light) also manual controls are there to help.
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While that may help, often times with kids there's no time to play with settings... Just point and shoot.
Sent from my Note 3

YankInDaSouth said:
While that may help, often times with kids there's no time to play with settings... Just point and shoot.
Sent from my Note 3
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Good point. I mainly need phone camera to take pictures of my kid and I can say that it's pretty much impossible to get good/decent quality indoor pictures while taking a picture of a kid (HQ, HDR modes), except if you set the flash to always ON, where even moving objects come out are pretty good.
If with all my previous phones (no particular order, but phones with which I had no issues taking fast quality pics of my kid -> Iphone 7, xiaomi mi5, galaxy s6, nexus 5x, xperia Z3, xperia Z3 compact) I had no issues getting a decent quality picture of a moving object, with 1+3T its either impossible or very hard to do. It's a fact. Camera is average at most.

jemeljsh said:
Good point. I mainly need phone camera to take pictures of my kid and I can say that it's pretty much impossible to get good/decent quality indoor pictures while taking a picture of a kid (HQ, HDR modes), except if you set the flash to always ON, where even moving objects come out are pretty good.
If with all my previous phones (no particular order, but phones with which I had no issues taking fast quality pics of my kid -> Iphone 7, xiaomi mi5, galaxy s6, nexus 5x, xperia Z3, xperia Z3 compact) I had no issues getting a decent quality picture of a moving object, with 1+3T its either impossible or very hard to do. It's a fact. Camera is average at most.
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Appreciate the honesty... That being said I think I may cancel my order and grab an international S7 (SM930F) - It's $500 on Amazon ATM so very similar pricing.
Sent from my Note 3

1/17 Shutter speed problems... blurred pictures

My OP3 is always chosing 1/17 Shutter speed pictures, no matter night and day... It usually choses slow speeds so I can't take decent pictures of HUMANS, PETS or Childrens...
I know that there are another camera options, that let me chose manual mode etc, but you are usually loosing the "magic" moment of the picture, I mean, open another app, set manual, adjusting speed, taking picture. If you take picture to humans, you are out
Is anyone having this problems? Why OP3 is forzing such very slow speeds? For landscape, maybe it's ok, but not for living things like people, pets.
What is your workaround? How are you solving this silly *but important* parameter?
Thanks!

Just checked a bunch of my photos (made with Paranoid Android stock camera) and I can confirm that most of them were taken at 1/17 shutter speed - worth mentioning that most are interior photos, often under artificial light. Only those taken at broad daylight have (much) faster shutter speed.
But I don't have issues with sharpness, they seem fairly good. I guess OIS does its job... Won't deny it could be better, but they don't seem blurry unless you zoom in.
Sent from my OnePlus 3 using Tapatalk

Explorer23 said:
Just checked a bunch of my photos (made with Paranoid Android stock camera) and I can confirm that most of them were taken at 1/17 shutter speed - worth mentioning that most are interior photos, often under artificial light. Only those taken at broad daylight have (much) faster shutter speed.
But I don't have issues with sharpness, they seem fairly good. I guess OIS does its job... Won't deny it could be better, but they don't seem blurry unless you zoom in.
Sent from my OnePlus 3 using Tapatalk
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thank you for trying it, but yes 1/17 is not usable for people IMHO. I guess your pictures are maybe from static objects or landscapes maybe? 1/17 is totally unusable for me
thanks anyway

raultaboraz said:
thank you for trying it, but yes 1/17 is not usable for people IMHO. I guess your pictures are maybe from static objects or landscapes maybe? 1/17 is totally unusable for me
thanks anyway
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Also took some pictures of people, but that was also static (posing), don't do much spontaneous shooting of moving objects/persons. I can see that this would be problematic, 1/17 *is* slow.
Sent from my OnePlus 3 using Tapatalk

Well, yeah, no matter how good the OIS is, it makes 0 difference if the subject is moving. Talk about pets or children, and the photo is mostly useless.

morphvale said:
Well, yeah, no matter how good the OIS is, it makes 0 difference if the subject is moving. Talk about pets or children, and the photo is mostly useless.
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I agree. What is your workaround? Another app? Because FV-5 or similar app is not useless (very slow, open app, adjust, take picture and wait 1 second till the picture is shoot).
Thanks

Oh well, I rarely use my phone for photos. I don't have any kids, and I see my cat all the time. As for the wife, I would always use my DSLR, rather that my phone.

Same issuse for me. Take fotos of persons with low shutter speed of 1/17" gets always blurry images due movement.
Opencamera is also not a solution because camera overrides manuall settings sometimes.