Develop Bugs

[Q] Camera optimal settings

Hey there, just got the Z1C yesterday. I've had an XPERIA S and XPERIA Z so I'm familiar with the Sony ecosystem.
I was just wondering what settings you guys use to capture images? I would prefer 16:9, with noise being reduced as much as possible. I don't really mind about sacrificing detail too much if I can get noise levels down.
Right now I use manual mode, 15.5mp, single auto-focus. Automatic White-Balance and auto-iso.
I'm also confused, should I use 15.5MP or 8MP?
Can you also recommend settings for taking pictures in low-light.
I don't suffer from flashbleed problem btw.

theprince1991 said:
Hey there, just got the Z1C yesterday. I've had an XPERIA S and XPERIA Z so I'm familiar with the Sony ecosystem.
I was just wondering what settings you guys use to capture images? I would prefer 16:9, with noise being reduced as much as possible. I don't really mind about sacrificing detail too much if I can get noise levels down.
Right now I use manual mode, 15.5mp, single auto-focus. Automatic White-Balance and auto-iso.
I'm also confused, should I use 15.5MP or 8MP?
Can you also recommend settings for taking pictures in low-light.
I don't suffer from flashbleed problem btw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have any advice to offer, however I was considering posting the same question to see what people have found to work the best.

charlatan01 said:
I don't have any advice to offer, however I was considering posting the same question to see what people have found to work the best.
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Click to collapse
I don't think we're getting an answer. It's dead here lol.

theprince1991 said:
Hey there, just got the Z1C yesterday. I've had an XPERIA S and XPERIA Z so I'm familiar with the Sony ecosystem.
I was just wondering what settings you guys use to capture images? I would prefer 16:9, with noise being reduced as much as possible. I don't really mind about sacrificing detail too much if I can get noise levels down.
Right now I use manual mode, 15.5mp, single auto-focus. Automatic White-Balance and auto-iso.
I'm also confused, should I use 15.5MP or 8MP?
Can you also recommend settings for taking pictures in low-light.
I don't suffer from flashbleed problem btw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://connect.dpreview.com/post/85...htc-one-mini-vs-samsung-galaxy-s4-mini?page=3
Interestingly, the phone is only more willing to use higher ISO when using the Superior Auto (it maxes out at ISO 400 in manual), so if you don't need the full 20.7 MP goodness for post-processing cropping you may be better off with Superior Auto.
Another thing to note from the article comments, their review model is only running JB, and there were some camera improvements introduced in the KK upgrade.
Personally, I stick with 8 MP Superior Auto and only switch to the full 20.7 MP if I prefer to do post-processing cropping.
On a related note, I wished the Manual mode is really fully manual...

blue_quartz said:
http://connect.dpreview.com/post/85...htc-one-mini-vs-samsung-galaxy-s4-mini?page=3
Interestingly, the phone is only more willing to use higher ISO when using the Superior Auto (it maxes out at ISO 400 in manual), so if you don't need the full 20.7 MP goodness for post-processing cropping you may be better off with Superior Auto.
Another thing to note from the article comments, their review model is only running JB, and there were some camera improvements introduced in the KK upgrade.
Personally, I stick with 8 MP Superior Auto and only switch to the full 20.7 MP if I prefer to do post-processing cropping.
On a related note, I wished the Manual mode is really fully manual...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Iso setting can be changed at 8MP up to 3200. in full resoution the option is more limited. (including HDR, scene detection etc)

theprince1991 said:
I don't think we're getting an answer. It's dead here lol.
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Click to collapse
I'd go and look at the various threads on the Z1 forum as the camera is basically identical and there's load of good advice on getting the most from the Z1 from users who have had more time to experiment (and there simply being more users full stop).
Bear in mind that since .757 there have been a number of improvements. Auto mode is now actually quite good, especially in good lighting conditions, so some of the advice might be less relevant. I'd have been in the 'NEVER USE AUTO - ALWAYS USE MANUAL' camp but I think you might actually get away with auto now.
I still use manual modes, and have been blown away by the quality of some shots I've had over the last few days.
Like this: https://www.dropbox.com/s/phosttk8pa8zkw8/2014-04-19 17.16.28.jpg
and this: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5tkgofiylv43w1v/2014-04-19 17.15.22.jpg
(Both using Landscape SCN mode)

jonmorris said:
I'd go and look at the various threads on the Z1 forum as the camera is basically identical and there's load of good advice on getting the most from the Z1 from users who have had more time to experiment (and there simply being more users full stop).
Bear in mind that since .757 there have been a number of improvements. Auto mode is now actually quite good, especially in good lighting conditions, so some of the advice might be less relevant. I'd have been in the 'NEVER USE AUTO - ALWAYS USE MANUAL' camp but I think you might actually get away with auto now.
I still use manual modes, and have been blown away by the quality of some shots I've had over the last few days.
Like this: https://www.dropbox.com/s/phosttk8pa8zkw8/2014-04-19 17.16.28.jpg
and this: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5tkgofiylv43w1v/2014-04-19 17.15.22.jpg
(Both using Landscape SCN mode)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is insane quality . No noise at all. Very detailed. Do you put HDR mode on? What is your focus mode? And what about metering?
I'll try the landscape SCN mode... I have found some pictures I have taken are blurry at the edges but your photo's don't really have that.
trewelu said:
Iso setting can be changed at 8MP up to 3200. in full resoution the option is more limited. (including HDR, scene detection etc)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought the higher the ISO the more it lights up the scene but the higher the noise as well? I thought the best thing to do was to keep ISO low as possible.
blue_quartz said:
http://connect.dpreview.com/post/85...htc-one-mini-vs-samsung-galaxy-s4-mini?page=3
Interestingly, the phone is only more willing to use higher ISO when using the Superior Auto (it maxes out at ISO 400 in manual), so if you don't need the full 20.7 MP goodness for post-processing cropping you may be better off with Superior Auto.
Another thing to note from the article comments, their review model is only running JB, and there were some camera improvements introduced in the KK upgrade.
Personally, I stick with 8 MP Superior Auto and only switch to the full 20.7 MP if I prefer to do post-processing cropping.
On a related note, I wished the Manual mode is really fully manual...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok cool, I'm not really into post-processing, I just want to be able to point and shoot quickly and get decent picture quality. One thing that kind of annoys me about this phone is that the flash is very aggressive in manual mode (I set it to auto) and quite a lot of times I have to set it to off manually.
Manual mode is overwhelming enough for me! lol what other settings could there be to tweak?
Thanks for the advice guys, and that link is amazing btw!

Anyone knows how to get the Stock G4 Camera app?

Hello!
Yesterday I flashed CyanogenMod on my G4 H815 and just before the phone rebooted, I realized that I won't have the mega-awesome Camera app from LG. So does anyone know if there is any apk or any way to get it? To mention, I didn't backup my device because... because.
Thank you!

Probably won't work even if you get the apk, since most OEM specific apps need OEM specific framework to run. I think the only way to have it working on CM would be to port it. But why would you want that anyway? The image quality won't really change. It's not that much dependant on the app but rather the drivers running the camera.

nitrous² said:
Probably won't work even if you get the apk, since most OEM specific apps need OEM specific framework to run. I think the only way to have it working on CM would be to port it. But why would you want that anyway? The image quality won't really change. It's not that much dependant on the app but rather the drivers running the camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not necessary the image quality, but the flexibility you have with that app (manual focus, iso, exposure time, etc.). I hope there is a way to use that app. While I was searching for it I found that there is the G4 Camera app ported for G3, so I am thinking that there could be the original app somewhere..
Thanks!

It's not possible right now. There have been efforts to port it, but nothing has come out of it yet. There are however other apps that are pretty good. And the CM stock camera app only misses the HDR and Manual settings. The quality otherwise is similar

xdag4 said:
It's not possible right now. There have been efforts to port it, but nothing has come out of it yet. There are however other apps that are pretty good. And the CM stock camera app only misses the HDR and Manual settings.
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Click to collapse
there are 3rd party apps that should work for manual setting but your max shutter won't exceed 0.7s. This is the already the case with the stock firmware and 3rd party camera apps.
There is something called night shot which the G4 resorts to very often especially with the front camera. that will be gone. Selfies ain't going to be as good. it's also used for the rear in lower light. Though a longer exposure will produce better images. night shot is a convenience when you don't want to set up on a tripod.
The quality otherwise is similar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can you tell ?
it requires a side by side in full resolution with 2 G4's one with stock & CM under varying lighting. Lots of comparisons like that.
How good is the Cm camera in auto ? that's one of the strengths of the stock G4 camera.
Does the Cm camera make use of the colour sensor at all.

Except for the 30s exposure there is nothing special about that app, just use Proshot and you will be far better, cancel noise reduction make dngs and you have better shots

One Twelve said:
How can you tell ?
it requires a side by side in full resolution with 2 G4's one with stock & CM under varying lighting. Lots of comparisons like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can tell because I have seen photos from both cameras (on the computer). And if you really need 2 separate G4s under the same conditions side by side to tell the difference then there is not much difference. It's the audio bitrate debate all over again.
I am not saying it's as good as with stock but similar in most situations. I miss the HDR feature because it helps in low light situations.

One Twelve said:
I can tell because I have seen photos from both cameras (on the computer).
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Click to collapse
Can you post links to examples of photos taken with cm camera ?
saw a few in the g4 community but the max resolution was just 2.4MP, need to be full resolution.
The low light shots on auto were crap. The G4 is a low light shooter in stock auto.
And if you really need 2 separate G4s under the same conditions side by side to tell the difference then there is not much difference. It's the audio bitrate debate all over again.
I am not saying it's as good as with stock but similar in most situations. I miss the HDR feature because it helps in low light situations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Such are the requirements for a clinching argument. otherwise its based on faith.
if people want to go down this route they need to know what they will be losing.
---------- Post added at 06:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:20 PM ----------
ObiDanKenobi said:
Except for the 30s exposure there is nothing special about that app, just use Proshot and you will be far better, cancel noise reduction make dngs and you have better shots
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heh, anything from 0.5s UP TO 30s isn't possible.
I would be very sceptical about replacing stock with cm camera until i see plenty of examples with cm.
Also bear in mind that vendors keep a very tight lock on their cameras and don't share much with 3rd parties. yeah you can use a 3rd party app in some circumstances but you can never replace the stock camera in all situations. This stock cmaera that can challenge the likes of smasung and is touted as a major selling point of the G4. Yeah, i say its pretty special.
Which is a requirement to any one considering the CM path.
What i'm reading here is if you want CM then you don't care too much about the camera to begin with. That would not surprise me as people that are good with roms don't tend to be very good with camera and vice versa. it's rare to find both those skill sets in people.

[SOLVED] Buying a G3 - What should I look out for?

EDIT: Thanks for the feedback I have made my final choice!
Hello G3 community!
After a recent decision to order the G3, I am heading to the lovely XDA forums of the G3 for some of my concerns. First off, I am looking to purchase not the unlocked version but a carrier version (like the D851) that is still unlocked. However, apart from the different bands used, what else should I look out for? Things are often different and may have some bugs the D855 won't have. For example, the G2 AT&T has a weird modem. Any of that stuff or other issues going on here? Also, how's AOSP and CM development? Anything that is vastly different and/or worse on the unofficial ROMs, like battery life and camera quality? What about laaaggg, a lot of people are complaining about it. Anything else that is worth mentioning?
I'm heading to all of you guys as all the reviews are just not going to be enough. You are the best reviewers of the phone!
Thank in advance,
Chris (AKA A recovering G2 user)

Camera on cm isnt as good i run a stocm based ro. Att d850 and had mine unlocked battery life is decent on cm and stck if u set it up right some people complain about cracks aroundthe bezel on heaphone jack usb port an ir blaster. Ive had mine a year almost and no cracks despite multiple drops one at 55 of my car. I recomend a high end protective case. And dont use the tempered glass screen protectors the reduce screen accuracy a lot also in my opinion development has slown down til i think the pending marshmallow update is release

Even though I used to be Nexus owner and prefer vanilla android experience, I still use LG's stock rom instead because it has got waaaay better camera, speaker is much louder and battery life is same as CM.
AOSP/CM isn't well developed for the G3 IMO because it has few bugs, bad camera and audio performance. I feel there is no difference in speed and smoothness when comparing stock rom to CM.
I can't help you about modems since I use international model.
If you are coming from a phone with an AMOLED screen, I would rather recommend you to search for an other phone or at least add few bucks for the G4 because G3's blacks are so terrible (black is literally grey). That is my only concern about the phone.

He is correct about the screen i done a red green blue adjustment and contrast adjust and i got.pretty decent blacks but its took me a while outa the box its way diffrent

LG G3, Worth buying?

I'm getting a LG G3 and wanted to know how is ROM support etc?
Are there any drawbacks on the phone i should be aware of?
I need something that has good audio in headphones(heard it sucks on LG G4) like Audiophile, Good vibrant contrast display, has OTG support with ROMS..
Is this phone for me?

I traded in my g3 for a g4 and kick myself every step of the way g4 is a good phone but g3 was better there is a issue with crackling sometimes with the g3s. Otg. Is good use many devices. G3 is a must root and mod device. Outa the box they are sluggish a little overheat. Lag but once u root and apply a few mods its the best

Good vibrant contrast display,no.G3 has really dull colors and contrast is very bad.

From Sony to LG - just bought a G4. Any tips?

Hi guys,
So my Xperia Z2 D6543 broke and I needed a new phone. Got the G4 H818P (on Lollipop 5.1) because of it's relatively bigger screen and the camera software.
So far, I've noticed a few things that I would like to ask you guys about.
Camera-wise:
- the camera has a lot of nice options, including manual focus. Is that focus from the camera hardware or it's emulated by software?
- On both jpeg and raw modes, the camera seems to blurry the edges of shapes too much. Is there a mod to sharpen those or even to get those pics better?
- About the low light noise (Xperia really did a good job if it wasn't for that DRM...), is there a way to improve low light post processing?
Android-wise:
- I've read that some people are on 6.0 already. Does LG have a PC software to update the phones or something?
- How difficult is to root the G4? Also, is unlocking the bootloader important enough to be done?
- About unlocking - does unlocking bootloader bring any problems such as seen with Sony mobiles and the loss of DRM?
Thanks for taking your time on helping a LG newbie!

There is no bootloader unlock as of yet. Except tmobile usa. And i believe h818 eur
Do not update to mm u will lose ability to root. In honestly u shoulda picked a diffrent phone for development. As for camera man mode the higher the iso is the less noise but the darker the pic. Ive managed to get a few wonderful night shots. But most are a little noisy. But some shots i get are worth it
Rooting involves uploading a rooted syatem image throught what is called download mode. Shut the phone off hold vol up the plug into pc.
The two star shots were using 2 diffrent iso settings and u can see the diffrence. Both were taken at about 11 at night 2nd star shot u can see no porch light. Neither had my porch light just the stock flash.

- focus is hardware on all cameras. There is no after effects focus processing on the G4.
- Not sure what you mean by this so post some pictures about blurry edges. This camera is sharp.
- low light the G4 goes into 'night shot' on its own. If you examine the exifs you will notice the shutter is 1/9 and ISO is missing. If you see that shutter without ISO that means it used night shot. In some situations where there isn't light in the scene this turns out pretty good, if there are lights in the scene it will blow them out. The fix is to go into manual and drop shutter to 1/4.
The MM update on the G4 is 6.0. Still waiting for 6.0.1.
Dual sims can't be boot loader unlocked yet, and since MM requires it just to root there is no root possible if you move to MM.
The only G4's that have boot loader unlocked are the Euro G4's H815. Not heard anything untoward when unlocking boot loader.

Wow, that was pretty complete! Thanks a lot!

Nice shots indeed!