Best Manual RAW Camera App? - Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers

What's up guys? So I'm looking for all your opinions on what is the best camera app that, 1, shoots in RAW, and 2, that had good manual controls for shutter, iso, focus, WB, and EV?
The one I'm using currently is "Proshot" but it seems the RAW pics are not as crisp or good looking as the normal Google camera.

Manual Camera is a nice app and has RAW output available.

I've tried that app, but it hasn't been updated since October.

Quadrider10 said:
I've tried that app, but it hasn't been updated since October.
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Constant updates doesn't make it a better APP.

True, but I've been seeing camera apps getting updated to support pixel 2 series

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Camera technology

Hi... I bought my G4 at the weekend, it's a great phone! The reason i chose it was because if the camera, and having used it a little it got me thinking how it works and have a question.
So, I do DSLR photography and wanted to try the same things that I do on that including long exposure time lapse. The only way I can figure to do this is with a 3rd party app like fv5. But you can adjust the shutter speed on that even if you have another smartphone that doesn't have manual control.
So my question is ... by using fv5 is it using the built in capability of the phone or is it simulated? Furthermore... Does that mean the built in manual control on the G4 is just a simulated shutter speed anyway and is it any different to just using fv5 on any other phone? When they talk about being the only phone with manual controls does that mean in the real world that its the only one where the stock camera can do it?
Thanks!
Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk
Try proshot for time lapse.
G4 is not the only phone with manual controls, there are many ones before it that had it, especially Nokia ones.
The G4 stock camera has real shutter speed control, not simulated. No idea about fv5.
What I like about ProShot is that when you set ISO, shutter speed is automatically adjusted.
Paul75_XD said:
Hi... I bought my G4 at the weekend, it's a great phone! The reason i chose it was because if the camera, and having used it a little it got me thinking how it works and have a question.
So, I do DSLR photography and wanted to try the same things that I do on that including long exposure time lapse. The only way I can figure to do this is with a 3rd party app like fv5. But you can adjust the shutter speed on that even if you have another smartphone that doesn't have manual control.
So my question is ... by using fv5 is it using the built in capability of the phone or is it simulated? Furthermore... Does that mean the built in manual control on the G4 is just a simulated shutter speed anyway and is it any different to just using fv5 on any other phone? When they talk about being the only phone with manual controls does that mean in the real world that its the only one where the stock camera can do it?
Thanks!
Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk
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Camera api2 allows for full manual control. so apps likefv-5 and manual camera can change things like the actual shutter.
Ramsey - Ok, ProShot has full manual control on timelapse, i'll give that a go - thanks
Eagle1337 - go to know, so Android allows manual control, and its just that LG uses it in the stock camera then? Is it correct that all androids can run manual then if their phone runs an OS with Camera API2?
Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk
Oh and can you recommended a good tripod mount phone clamp ? The generic ones don't seem to be able to stretch to G4 size!
Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk
FV-5 will utilise the Camera2 API if it is available. By available I mean that the vendor (HTC, LG, Samsung etc.) needs to have coded it in to the kernel and drivers for the camera hardware. It can't be retro-fitted in to older devices unless the manufacturer releases specific Camera2 API drivers for the hardware.
If FV-5 is installed on a device without Camera2 API is stitches together multiple shots to simulate long exposure, if you try it on an older phone you'll notice that it does not have smooth 'light trails' and instead has a more 'pulsing' rendition of the image. Unfortunately I don't have the old long-exp photos I took with FV-5 as they didn't come out very well, only ones that I have taken on the LG.
NJ72 said:
FV-5 will utilise the Camera2 API if it is available. By available I mean that the vendor (HTC, LG, Samsung etc.) needs to have coded it in to the kernel and drivers for the camera hardware. It can't be retro-fitted in to older devices unless the manufacturer releases specific Camera2 API drivers for the hardware.
If FV-5 is installed on a device without Camera2 API is stitches together multiple shots to simulate long exposure, if you try it on an older phone you'll notice that it does not have smooth 'light trails' and instead has a more 'pulsing' rendition of the image. Unfortunately I don't have the old long-exp photos I took with FV-5 as they didn't come out very well, only ones that I have taken on the LG.
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NJ72 - ok thanks, makes sense. Im almost there! With regards to FV-5 and others, do you know why the shutter speed is limited to 0.7sec rather than the stock camera's 30sec? RAW is turned off when i try
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Paul75_XD said:
NJ72 - ok thanks, makes sense. Im almost there! With regards to FV-5 and others, do you know why the shutter speed is limited to 0.7sec rather than the stock camera's 30sec? RAW is turned off when i try
Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk
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Sorry for the delayed reply, only just got the notification that you'd replied! :S
I have had a look on FV-5 and I don't know why it only allows up to 0.7s... It may be a bug because it should allow much longer. I have used Open Camera and that doesn't allow manual shutter controls at all, even though it supports Camera2...
Thanks NJ72 - If you look at the fv5 site it lists the maximums, the OnePlusOne as 60seconds, so the app can do it... But it lists the LG4 as 0.7...i contacted the dev but no reply as yet
Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk
Actually, there is a bit that states "LG typically has not implemented any advanced manual capture control on it's camera driver." so maybe thats why!
Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

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?
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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
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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
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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!
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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.
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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?

Manual Camera

Is there a camera app, possibly a modification of the stock camera Google Camera app, that allows for full-fledged manual operations and control?
I mean an app that allows you to control the camera like a DSLR. Of course without the aperture and the focal length..
Thanks in advance
Try proshot on the app store
Camera FV-5 from the play store
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using XDA Labs
MrMagicPotato said:
Is there a camera app, possibly a modification of the stock camera Google Camera app, that allows for full-fledged manual operations and control?
I mean an app that allows you to control the camera like a DSLR. Of course without the aperture and the focal length..
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pro shot camera
Footej camera
Lumio cam
The only 3 I can recommend at this time. Don't waste your money on camera fv-5 until the developers show they wanna keep their app you to date... hasn't been updated since Sept of last year. There's bugs and I wouldn't count on support at this point.
Also, don't waste your money on manual camera as it to is buggy and very inconsistent updates.
Mr Patchy Patch said:
Pro shot camera
Footej camera
Lumio cam
The only 3 I can recommend at this time. Don't waste your money on camera fv-5 until the developers show they wanna keep their app you to date... hasn't been updated since Sept of last year. There's bugs and I wouldn't count on support at this point.
Also, don't waste your money on manual camera as it to is buggy and very inconsistent updates.
Click to expand...
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But isn't there a modified version of the stock camera that allows for manual controls? I want hdr+ so badly?
I have heard that the Nokia camera app is coming soon to all android phones. That would be the best manual camera app. Just wait for a bit more.

Question OnePlus Stock Camera App

Has anyone gotten the stock camera app from OOS to work on LineageOS?
I've used systemizer to install the app to /ststem/priv-app but upon launching the app it crashes after it has gathered permissions.
Using the shortcut to Pro mode opens the app long enough to show an image through the camera. But it crashes nonetheless.
Or does gcam work nearly as well as the fancy stock cam?
fungisimp said:
Has anyone gotten the stock camera app from OOS to work on LineageOS?
I've used systemizer to install the app to /ststem/priv-app but upon launching the app it crashes after it has gathered permissions.
Using the shortcut to Pro mode opens the app long enough to show an image through the camera. But it crashes nonetheless.
Or does gcam work nearly as well as the fancy stock cam?
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The stock camera performs good but the Gcam is better in all aspects, it enhances the phone's camera to improve the quality of the photos and videos. I use Gcam in my 9 Pro which gives much better photos compared to the stock camera.
Sorry, gcam is not better, especially when you want features that are missing in gcam, like high resolution photo
giaur said:
Sorry, gcam is not better, especially when you want features that are missing in gcam, like high resolution photo
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But the high-resolution option in the stock camera gives a very sharp image that is not natural and Gcam gives photos with natural colors so I prefer it.
mptynugget said:
But the high-resolution option in the stock camera gives a very sharp image that is not natural and Gcam gives photos with natural colors so I prefer it.
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It's not about what you preffer. Most important thing - gcam is unable to use full set of camera hardware capabilities. Thus, it's not a real replacement. I can be only considered as additional software, nice to use. In my case, for 360 photos for example. I want to have both - stock and gcam.
But I'm not surprised you can't run stock gcam on non stock rom, because it probably requires some closed source libs, which can't be embedded eaisly, or have license issues.
Also taking videos doesn't work either.
fungisimp said:
Also taking videos doesn't work either.
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Don't load the XML config. Without the config the video works
Ravel7774 said:
Don't load the XML config. Without the config the video works
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Still hangs when you set 60 fps, even viewfinder is black. With config loaded. Without config, I can't use all cams and video is always 30 fps.
60/120 fps should be supported. So, again - gcam is not stock camera replacement. I only use it for 360 photos, astro and better night mode

Question Best cam app for this phone?

Hello. As you may know, because of this phone's processor, the GCam app port does not work. Are there any alternatives, or anything you've found to have worked better than the default app, even partially? GCam Go app, or other?
Also, on another note, I've disabled the Samsung gallery app in favor of Google Photos but now the regular Samsung camera app won't preview pictures. Which system app should I reenable with ADB? Thank you.
(I'm all ears to other tips and tricks for this phone as well.)
The GCam that worked for me is PenguinGCam v7.0-hotfix1
For quick photos, the default camera is good. Also if you want to use some of the built-in special features like slowmo, pano, etc.
If you want something more pro, i got manual camera and it works fine; it let's me control the focal distance manually. It also has some cool features aside of the manual mode, like time-lapse (the only good app available to capture time-lapses was LapseIt and, unfortunately, the pro versions is not available anymore due to the last update being years ago so you can't capture in high res). I discovered manual camera a few weeks ago because the pro version was in sale (free).
Link to the free (limited) version:
Manual Camera DSLR (Lite) - Apps on Google Play
Take your mobile photography to the next level!
play.google.com
random-xda-user857284 said:
For quick photos, the default camera is good. Also if you want to use some of the built-in special features like slowmo, pano, etc.
If you want something more pro, i got manual camera and it works fine; it let's me control the focal distance manually. It also has some cool features aside of the manual mode, like time-lapse (the only good app available to capture time-lapses was LapseIt and, unfortunately, the pro versions is not available anymore due to the last update being years ago so you can't capture in high res). I discovered manual camera a few weeks ago because the pro version was in sale (free).
Link to the free (limited) version:
Manual Camera DSLR (Lite) - Apps on Google Play
Take your mobile photography to the next level!
play.google.com
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ProCamX is better afaik
applesucksLmao said:
ProCamX is better afaik
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I just tried it, but I can't get the manual focus to work (it doesn't get affected by the slider at all) so it's not pretty useful as a pro camera for me. I don't know if it's just me or it happens to every A32.
Also, i already have the pro version of manual camera so i'll stick with that one for now. Thanks anyway!
applesucksLmao said:
ProCamX is better afaik
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Does any of those apps offer a good option for low light photography?
GCam GO works ok (it is much better than stock app for that purpose), but I was wondering if there is any other app with similar results for low light compared to the original GCam (which has better results than GCam Go).
Thanks in advance!
callero666 said:
Does any of those apps offer a good option for low light photography?
GCam GO works ok (it is much better than stock app for that purpose), but I was wondering if there is any other app with similar results for low light compared to the original GCam (which has better results than GCam Go).
Thanks in advance!
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you can try this one, it works https://gcambrasil.com.br/hypercam/strike-remix/
applesucksLmao said:
you can try this one, it works https://gcambrasil.com.br/hypercam/strike-remix/
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply!
It worked much better than any gcam apk I've tried, the image appears on the screen on this one
Do you know the recommended settings or specific xml file I should use?
Unfortunately only the "hypercam" and "video" modes works, Night Sight and Portrait modes just give me a black screen.
Edit: nevermind, I've just tested hypercam on my Nokia 7.2 and the night sight is not the same as the GCam apk, the results are very similar to GCam GO actually. (the Samsung A32 is my wife's new phone, I was trying to install gcam because she was very impressed with the low light pictures I take with my phone using it).
Thanks though! Tmj

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