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!
Related
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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!
after 3 months of using my LG G3 this is the 1st time that the camera begun to become less fast when taking photos. i thought it was because i rooted my phone and then I unroot my LG G3 f400k but the same problem occurs it takes time to shoot photos it will slightly load after taking a shot. before you can resume and shot a photo again... what should I do! thanks for the help!
Hello
I have only bought my LG unlocked European version a few weeks ago, and have had the same issue since new. It is just so so slow - incredibly slow compared with My wives iPhone 5 even... Keep missing photos of my children as they don't hold still for long!! only bought the G3 for a) the screen and b) the camera speed.. Screen is great, but camera so so so slow.... If anyone has any ideas how to fix this it would be very much appreciated from me as well..
James
Hi,
Same experience here, my wife's G3 is just rubbish indoors! It takes 2s to take a picture and than another 2s to let you take another one?! it does it make any sense it looks like some sort of HDR mode is enabled in the background - at least that how it feels. On top of that you can't modify the shutter speeds either manually or by choosing scene mode. CRAP CAMERA!
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.
Click to expand...
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).
Click to expand...
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.
I think it's time to forget about DRM and stupid Sony image processing, bionz and other stupid s...t from Sony.
Just look at the differences:
1. Xzp Sony's sh... t camera
https://youtu.be/CZaWOCd9YjI
2. Ultracorder
https://youtu.be/4hann0Mt4uk
Same differences in 4k also.
Now tell me pls wtf is wrong with stupid Sony!
Inerent said:
I think it's time to forget about DRM and stupid Sony image processing, bionz and other stupid s...t from Sony.
Just look at the differences:
1. Xzp Sony's sh... t camera
https://youtu.be/CZaWOCd9YjI
2. Ultracorder
https://youtu.be/4hann0Mt4uk
Same differences in 4k also.
Now tell me pls wtf is wrong with stupid Sony!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok maybe it has improved light handeling but what about some features lilke super-slowmo, 60fps, intelligent steady shooting etc...
plus, it has more light, but it still has noise, the movement isnt as smooth the only good thing here is light sensitivity improved, but we need more demonstration and more features compared to see whats worth it, rooting to get the ultracoder or stay rooted with DRM... we need some hard convincing differences
plus, can you show us differences in photo quality as well?
If you install a camera app with locked BL or with drm fix, it will still use the sony noise reduction and image processing software. You need AOSP bypass that. So my question: what firmware was used?
Stock, 179 with locked bootloader. What the catch? The differences are huge. Could Sony enabled drm in 3rd part apps? I recently downgraded to nougat and also have compared camera stock nougat to stock 179 oreo and there is a huge difference in quality. Sony's AI has improved from nougat to oreo.
Inerent said:
Stock, 179 with locked bootloader. What the catch? The differences are huge. Could Sony enabled drm in 3rd part apps? I recently downgraded to nougat and also have compared camera stock nougat to stock 179 oreo and there is a huge difference in quality. Sony's AI has improved from nougat to oreo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wait so youre saying you have managed to take videos with improved light performance while still locked and not rooted? how? care to share with us? also could you care to share picture comparison and video comparison under more enviroment settings? or simpley tell us how you did it so I can try for myself and see which is actually better in all cenarios.
Yes. Just install that app. Ultracorder... ?
It's easy to see if DRM is active in third-party apps. Test it on stock with locked bootloader and then test it on stock with unlocked bootloader without DRM fix.
Inerent said:
Yes. Just install that app. Ultracorder...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
downloaded 1.0.5 as 1.0.6 says "not supported in your country" dunno why XD
I do see a huge difference in terms of light plus the stock camera is way farrrrr zoomed in compared to the ultracorder, light is way better on ultracorder, but it doesnt have no working functions, no stabilization nothing at all, could be useful at night times but i dunno needs more testing
Edit:
I did a little video testing (in 4k mode in both cameras)
1) In low light conditions, yes the ultracorder does perform better.
2) In terms of heavy light conditions (day light, under the sun), the stock does appear to have better handling, but in low light it sucks bad.
Conclusion:
would I use the Ultracorder as my default video taking app?
No. Why? simpley because in heavy light it doesnt perform better than stock, even a little worse plus it doesnt have any useable function like the stabilization, or slowmo etc...
BUT, I would definitely use it under low light conditions as it seems to out-perform the stock by so many levels, plus its not zoomed in like the stock, and it makes low light videos look a lot better in terms of everything except the stabilization, but i would definitely make it my default go to when in low light conditions!
but in daylight I would prefer the stock, but great job on the lowlight by Ultracorder, definitely will be so useful in night condtions.
madshark2009 said:
downloaded 1.0.5 as 1.0.6 says "not supported in your country" dunno why XD
I do see a huge difference in terms of light plus the stock camera is way farrrrr zoomed in compared to the ultracorder, light is way better on ultracorder, but it doesnt have no working functions, no stabilization nothing at all, could be useful at night times but i dunno needs more testing
Edit:
I did a little video testing (in 4k mode in both cameras)
1) In low light conditions, yes the ultracorder does perform better.
2) In terms of heavy light conditions (day light, under the sun), the stock does appear to have better handling, but in low light it sucks bad.
Conclusion:
would I use the Ultracorder as my default video taking app?
No. Why? simpley because in heavy light it doesnt perform better than stock, even a little worse plus it doesnt have any useable function like the stabilization, or slowmo etc...
BUT, I would definitely use it under low light conditions as it seems to out-perform the stock by so many levels, plus its not zoomed in like the stock, and it makes low light videos look a lot better in terms of everything except the stabilization, but i would definitely make it my default go to when in low light conditions!
but in daylight I would prefer the stock, but great job on the lowlight by Ultracorder, definitely will be so useful in night condtions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you buy the app or find a free version? It cost £4.49 for me in the UK
I saw this video: https://youtu.be/gyV9G3BRaSk
oke.... I will buy a Huawei and dont use the Google sshhhtttt show how legally buy the Software?
I_AGREE_BUTTON said:
I saw this video: https://youtu.be/gyV9G3BRaSk
oke.... I will buy a Huawei and dont use the Google sshhhtttt show how legally buy the Software?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mcpro24fps is much better than any existing video solutions including...
dadadaaaam...
even filmic pro!!!
and costs laughable money.
first time on xda, maybe i posted in the wrong section. i'm just a noob, my english isn't that good either.
just wanted to share my thought on the camera, overall i'm impressed despite the underwhelming review i come across the internet.
also to help people who still concern about the camera performance, the lowlight is even brighter than my perfectly healthy eye.
check this out oi66 . tinypic . com/34g4tx3.jpg (i put space because i can't post an outside link, 10 post rule)
man this phone got bad a camera review, i just wonder how good phone like samsung, iphone, google pixel are which always got high praise on their camera..
anjargun said:
first time on xda, maybe i posted in the wrong section. i'm just a noob, my english isn't that good either.
just wanted to share my thought on the camera, overall i'm impressed despite the underwhelming review i come across the internet.
also to help people who still concern about the camera performance, the lowlight is even brighter than my perfectly healthy eye.
check this out oi66 . tinypic . com/34g4tx3.jpg (i put space because i can't post an outside link, 10 post rule)
man this phone got bad a camera review, i just wonder how good phone like samsung, iphone, google pixel are which always got high praise on their camera..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't get you link to work, shame. Yes, the camera did get a bad review, but given the technology packed into the phone, I think it should do better than it does. I did a side by side comparison to the Z3 compact and for quite a few of the pictures the Z3 won. I think it was a mistake to put such a wide angle lense on the phone. Yes, it was a good for vistas and views, but the sensor chip struggles with close up work. The camera was useless until Sony released a 'fix' for it. I don't understand how a phone go through the manufacturing process without anyone testing the lense/sensor combination. It's better than it was, now the fix is in place, but it's not the best camera Sony have made.
Manual mode every time, take the iso and shutter speed out of auto and get the shutter down as slow as possible. If you can find the time to put the phone on a tripod, the difference is amazing.
Didgesteve said:
I couldn't get you link to work, shame. Yes, the camera did get a bad review, but given the technology packed into the phone, I think it should do better than it does. I did a side by side comparison to the Z3 compact and for quite a few of the pictures the Z3 won. I think it was a mistake to put such a wide angle lense on the phone. Yes, it was a good for vistas and views, but the sensor chip struggles with close up work. The camera was useless until Sony released a 'fix' for it. I don't understand how a phone go through the manufacturing process without anyone testing the lense/sensor combination. It's better than it was, now the fix is in place, but it's not the best camera Sony have made.
Manual mode every time, take the iso and shutter speed out of auto and get the shutter down as slow as possible. If you can find the time to put the phone on a tripod, the difference is amazing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oi66 . tinypic.com/34g4tx3.jpg (don't forget the 0i66) just wait till it load
well i never know the close up problem tho, is it like can't shoot macro shot or something like that?
are u sure z3 won over the xz1? because i also do that first time trying to compare to the z1. but then i realize it was my mistake because the phone keep shooting in different mode, but if it the same mode xz1 won, everytime
anjargun said:
oi66 . tinypic.com/34g4tx3.jpg (don't forget the 0i66) just wait till it load
well i never know the close up problem tho, is it like can't shoot macro shot or something like that?
are u sure z3 won over the xz1? because i also do that first time trying to compare to the z1. but then i realize it was my mistake because the phone keep shooting in different mode, but if it the same mode xz1 won, everytime
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also had a z1 and z3, and they were good (z1 with some Sony' camera mod was the best!). And yes, in night mode z3 it's better than our new xz1 (but it's at will be covered maybe with patches or mods, maybe in future, because our sensor can take picture with iso lower than it can use now in stock camera app)
Inviato dal mio G8441 utilizzando Tapatalk
PeppeBove said:
I also had a z1 and z3, and they were good (z1 with some Sony' camera mod was the best!). And yes, in night mode z3 it's better than our new xz1
Inviato dal mio G8441 utilizzando Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not believe! there are examples? xz1 much better in poor lighting
anjargun said:
first time on xda, maybe i posted in the wrong section. i'm just a noob, my english isn't that good either.
just wanted to share my thought on the camera, overall i'm impressed despite the underwhelming review i come across the internet.
also to help people who still concern about the camera performance, the lowlight is even brighter than my perfectly healthy eye.
check this out oi66 . tinypic . com/34g4tx3.jpg (i put space because i can't post an outside link, 10 post rule)
man this phone got bad a camera review, i just wonder how good phone like samsung, iphone, google pixel are which always got high praise on their camera..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, SUPER impressed with your low light results while in manual mode. I tried recreating those results in low light conditions myself, but couldn't find the right settings to see that big of a difference. Would you mind sharing the settings you used to achieve that? Thanks!
I see on 4pda people are advising to use SnapCamera. I wonder what is the difference between stock, Snapcamera, and Gcam (if available)?