Not a GS4 problem, more of an Android problem. Just learned how to fix. Hold the snap button instead of tapping, and release when in focus.
Hope this helps others.
If it's a universal android problem, why can I pick up any HTC phone made in the last year and a half and snap instant, crystal clear photos without waiting for them to focus? The problem is just that the S4 has a crappy camera.
Sent from my SGH-I337
I get super sharp pictures out of my S4. I too had some blurryish and some extra light in my first pictures. Then I discovered, There is yet another piece of protective film on the camera. It has a hole in the middle for the sensor but the edge of the protective film in the "donut hole" both messes with the focus and causes halos.
Personally I find every camera will be blurry if just held. I have pretty shaky hands....
I will say this camera needs better Macro focuses. I wish it was an option or there was a way to adjust focus. Samsung camera have long seemed to lack in the Macro areas.
Sent from my awesome AT&T SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 SGH-I337 using xda developers app.
CAG-man said:
I get super sharp pictures out of my S4. I too had some blurryish and some extra light in my first pictures. Then I discovered, There is yet another piece of protective film on the camera. It has a hole in the middle for the sensor but the edge of the protective film in the "donut hole" both messes with the focus and causes halos.
Personally I find every camera will be blurry if just held. I have pretty shaky hands....
I will say this camera needs better Macro focuses. I wish it was an option or there was a way to adjust focus. Samsung camera have long seemed to lack in the Macro areas.
Sent from my awesome AT&T SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 SGH-I337 using xda developers app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow I didn't even see that. I hate when company's apply some film and make it almost impossible to see.
If you hold the shutter many phones will do burst shots. Blurry photos are caused by too slow a shutter speed, i.e. low light shots.
geoff5093 said:
If you hold the shutter many phones will do burst shots. Blurry photos are caused by too slow a shutter speed, i.e. low light shots.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
em, go into setting and turn burst shot off?
Came from iPhone 4S. 8MP camera on there took 10x better photos than this 12MP camera on this... Don't get me wrong the camera on the S4 _CAN_ get some decent photos.. if you're in a extremely well lit area, or using flash, and your subject is completely still... but the shutter speed on the S4 just seems way to slow. Let alone the aperture and sensor doesn't seem big enough to get good low light photos.
FYI. Samsung galaxy s4 have 13 MP camera and pictures are cristal clear. iPhone 4s have no chance with appeture speed against Galaxy s4. On other hand nothing like good camera in hands , let say canon EOS D60 or Nikon D3200 with good f1.4 lens if you want to take good pictures. This is just a phone so relax everydody.
WoodburyMan said:
Came from iPhone 4S. 8MP camera on there took 10x better photos than this 12MP camera on this... Don't get me wrong the camera on the S4 _CAN_ get some decent photos.. if you're in a extremely well lit area, or using flash, and your subject is completely still... but the shutter speed on the S4 just seems way to slow. Let alone the aperture and sensor doesn't seem big enough to get good low light photos.
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Click to collapse
I have to agree, I came from an iPhone 5 and the camera seems to be a lot better than the S4's.
Unless you changed to the 13MB, the camera default it actually 9.6MB for the widescreen photo... not really the topic though
nakedninja42 said:
Unless you changed to the 13MB, the camera default it actually 9.6MB for the widescreen photo... not really the topic though
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Click to collapse
my S4 takes amazing pictures, all of them are clear, no blurryness. Maybe its not about the camera and more about the camera man
polish_pat said:
my S4 takes amazing pictures, all of them are clear, no blurryness. Maybe its not about the camera and more about the camera man
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Click to collapse
The only time I notice blurry pictures is when I am drunk :laugh:... maybe its my eyes
The S4 does take awesome photos, but I am a little biased since I bought a new Nikon D5200 two weeks before I got the phone... 24MP vs the 13/9.6MP
The recording on the phone is great too! I was at a Sharks playoff game during the first round. I was recording them coming onto the ice and the arena went into a roar. LOOOOOOUUUUUD. There is no audio clipping considering how crazy it was in there.
For those that are getting blurry shots, make sure you are holding the phone still when you take the picture. As long as I hold the phone still, my pictures come out sharp.
WoodburyMan said:
Came from iPhone 4S. 8MP camera on there took 10x better photos than this 12MP camera on this... Don't get me wrong the camera on the S4 _CAN_ get some decent photos.. if you're in a extremely well lit area, or using flash, and your subject is completely still... but the shutter speed on the S4 just seems way to slow. Let alone the aperture and sensor doesn't seem big enough to get good low light photos.
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Click to collapse
I agree completely.
polish_pat said:
my S4 takes amazing pictures, all of them are clear, no blurryness. Maybe its not about the camera and more about the camera man
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Click to collapse
It makes me so angry when people make this argument. I've used both the iPhone 4S and the Galaxy S4 to take pictures. Same camera man. The iPhone pictures always come out better. Plus, they are much easier to take because I don't have to worry that if I move the camera a tenth of a millimeter, the picture will come out blurry.
GeorgeP said:
For those that are getting blurry shots, make sure you are holding the phone still when you take the picture. As long as I hold the phone still, my pictures come out sharp.
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Click to collapse
Not the issue. The issue is phone vs. phone, not person vs. person or technique vs. technique. The fact is, some phones have fast shutter speeds and take crystal clear pictures even with a little movement, and some phones have slower speeds and a little movement causes blurry pictures. The S4 falls into the latter category.
mattdm said:
It makes me so angry when people make this argument. I've used both the iPhone 4S and the Galaxy S4 to take pictures. Same camera man. The iPhone pictures always come out better. Plus, they are much easier to take because I don't have to worry that if I move the camera a tenth of a millimeter, the picture will come out blurry.
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Click to collapse
Well, you obviously have an issue i don't. My GF has an iphone 5 and i always think to myself how "crappy" her pictures are, there is always some glare or pixeling to the picture i don't have with my s4. I have compared both phones directly and i do like the s4 better. The s4 tends to oversaturate the colors, which, for me, is a total +. I like vivid colors. Also, you make it sound like i take picture with a tripod or something, i dont, i always take them standing or sitting, just like you, i obviously dont run with the camera, but i'll go back to what i said earlier, my photos always come our crystal clear and beautiful.
Both the S4 and iPhone have the 2 best cameras in town, if your pictures always come out blurry, or most of the tiem, then you have a problem, with you, or with the phone. take your guess
mattdm said:
If it's a universal android problem, why can I pick up any HTC phone made in the last year and a half and snap instant, crystal clear photos without waiting for them to focus? The problem is just that the S4 has a crappy camera.
Sent from my SGH-I337
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
perhaps you don't understand the meaning of the word "crappy"....my s4 takes great pics...better than my htc for sure:victory:
im pretty sure people can testify with the picts theyve taken themselves
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2251755
mattdm said:
Not the issue. The issue is phone vs. phone, not person vs. person or technique vs. technique. The fact is, some phones have fast shutter speeds and take crystal clear pictures even with a little movement, and some phones have slower speeds and a little movement causes blurry pictures. The S4 falls into the latter category.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just trying to make a suggestion to help out those that are getting blurry pictures. But comparing the facts - phone vs phone:
My wife has an iphone 5. My pictures definitely come out clearer than hers. But this does not have to be a matter of opinion. For the facts, one can look at the specs of the camera and the EXIF information of the pictures taken. The shutter speed set by any camera is largely a function of the camera's maximum aperture (along with camera's ISO selection algorithm). The S4 has a larger maximum aperture, 2.2 vs 2.4, and tends to set a higher ISO, meaning that all else held equal, the S4 will set a faster shutter speed. Comparing the EXIF information on pictures taken with the S4 and iphone 5 confirms this. Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) did a comparison of 4 camera phones including the S4 and the iphone 5. In their tests, the S4 set the fastest shutter speed. For example, in the side-by-side low light test, the S4 set a shutter speed of 1/30 second and the iphone set a speed of 1/17 second.
Finally, the S4 has a slightly shorter focal length 31mm vs 33mm (35mm equivalent) meaning that the S4 will be less sensitive to camera shake, i.e., the same amount of camera shake, at the same shutter speed, will result in less motion blur.
GeorgeP said:
I was just trying to make a suggestion to help out those that are getting blurry pictures. But comparing the facts - phone vs phone:
My wife has an iphone 5. My pictures definitely come out clearer than hers. But this does not have to be a matter of opinion. For the facts, one can look at the specs of the camera and the EXIF information of the pictures taken. The shutter speed set by any camera is largely a function of the camera's maximum aperture (along with camera's ISO selection algorithm). The S4 has a larger maximum aperture, 2.2 vs 2.4, and tends to set a higher ISO, meaning that all else held equal, the S4 will set a faster shutter speed. Comparing the EXIF information on pictures taken with the S4 and iphone 5 confirms this. Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) did a comparison of 4 camera phones including the S4 and the iphone 5. In their tests, the S4 set the fastest shutter speed. For example, in the side-by-side low light test, the S4 set a shutter speed of 1/30 second and the iphone set a speed of 1/17 second.
Finally, the S4 has a slightly shorter focal length 31mm vs 33mm (35mm equivalent) meaning that the S4 will be less sensitive to camera shake, i.e., the same amount of camera shake, at the same shutter speed, will result in less motion blur.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! This guy dropped the bomb!
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2
GeorgeP said:
I was just trying to make a suggestion to help out those that are getting blurry pictures. But comparing the facts - phone vs phone:
My wife has an iphone 5. My pictures definitely come out clearer than hers. But this does not have to be a matter of opinion. For the facts, one can look at the specs of the camera and the EXIF information of the pictures taken. The shutter speed set by any camera is largely a function of the camera's maximum aperture (along with camera's ISO selection algorithm). The S4 has a larger maximum aperture, 2.2 vs 2.4, and tends to set a higher ISO, meaning that all else held equal, the S4 will set a faster shutter speed. Comparing the EXIF information on pictures taken with the S4 and iphone 5 confirms this. Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) did a comparison of 4 camera phones including the S4 and the iphone 5. In their tests, the S4 set the fastest shutter speed. For example, in the side-by-side low light test, the S4 set a shutter speed of 1/30 second and the iphone set a speed of 1/17 second.
Finally, the S4 has a slightly shorter focal length 31mm vs 33mm (35mm equivalent) meaning that the S4 will be less sensitive to camera shake, i.e., the same amount of camera shake, at the same shutter speed, will result in less motion blur.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that's all true, I have to conclude I have a defective unit. -_-
Sent from my SGH-I337
Related
I'm just wondering, is it really good as some people say or is it just average? I didn't get a tracking number yet so I don't think I'll be able to test it myself for a while. Some shots you've taken recently would suffice, just to see the strengths of the camera.
The quality of the actual pictures are fine, but the real deal breaker is how slow it is. Even after achieving focus, there's always this 1-2 second delay after you hit the shutter button. It's terrible. It doesn't matter if the camera took the highest quality shots in RAW if it's too slow to capture anything you could consider a "moment."
aznxk3vi17 said:
The quality of the actual pictures are fine, but the real deal breaker is how slow it is. Even after achieving focus, there's always this 1-2 second delay after you hit the shutter button. It's terrible. It doesn't matter if the camera took the highest quality shots in RAW if it's too slow to capture anything you could consider a "moment."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On mine, an HDR+ shot acquires focus and snaps the picture in about 1 second. Regular shots take maybe half a second or less.
aznxk3vi17 said:
The quality of the actual pictures are fine, but the real deal breaker is how slow it is. Even after achieving focus, there's always this 1-2 second delay after you hit the shutter button. It's terrible. It doesn't matter if the camera took the highest quality shots in RAW if it's too slow to capture anything you could consider a "moment."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which mode are you speaking of?
Dungeon47 said:
On mine, an HDR+ shot acquires focus and snaps the picture in about 1 second. Regular shots take maybe half a second or less.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not bad, but not insanely fast. If pictures took only a second I wouldn't mind but if it is as bad as he says, then I might have to download Focal and see how that works.
Dungeon47 said:
On mine, an HDR+ shot acquires focus and snaps the picture in about 1 second. Regular shots take maybe half a second or less.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would agree with this experience. The camera app itself loads fairy quickly too: 4 seconds from touching the camera icon to having the photo snapped and saved to storage.
androidrockz said:
Which mode are you speaking of?
That's not bad, but not insanely fast. If pictures took only a second I wouldn't mind but if it is as bad as he says, then I might have to download Focal and see how that works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also like how it maintains focus based on facial recognition.
It's alright.
androidrockz said:
Which mode are you speaking of?
That's not bad, but not insanely fast. If pictures took only a second I wouldn't mind but if it is as bad as he says, then I might have to download Focal and see how that works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tried Focal and it couldn't take any pictures. Might need an update before it works.
Dungeon47 said:
Just tried Focal and it couldn't take any pictures. Might need an update before it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's probably not compatible with Kit Kat yet. Are there reviewers having the same issues?
I actually think the camera is pretty good. About the same as a iPhone 5s. Definitely not great though. However, the app sucks. Right now I'm using Camera MX and it's better than the stock app. Mine is pretty fast BTW. Not a long time between shots.
KingSolomon said:
I actually think the camera is pretty good. About the same as a iPhone 5s. Definitely not great though. However, the app sucks. Right now I'm using Camera MX and it's better than the stock app. Mine is pretty fast BTW. Not a long time between shots.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does Camera MX take burst shots?
androidrockz said:
Does Camera MX take burst shots?
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Click to collapse
Nah, not that I can tell. But there are plenty of free camera apps that will probably perform better than the stock.
I think the camera is very good considering the overall top of the line phone specs vs price.
The OIS works amazing, try it, you can really shake the phone around and the image stays perfectly still - really what a small low mass smartphone needs! As even just tapping the screen to take a photo causes blurred photos.
I also like how it uses the flash to help you pre-focus, something my Desire Z never did, even with JB.
HDR+ is also pretty amazing, I can't fault it yet in my limited use, the photos come out much more vibrant, very impressive for the phone's small size!
Now what is bad is the shutter lag, between taking photos and when pressing the shutter, even if pre-focused... Come on Google, please fix that in your next update .
Other phones take photos a lot faster.
god camera is amazing well down google
i am in love with this phone its surpassed all the non ois equipped device like iphone5s, s4, even not 3 in low light
hdr+
digweed4me said:
god camera is amazing well down google
i am in love with this phone its surpassed all the non ois equipped device like iphone5s, s4, even not 3 in low light
hdr+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm impressed. I'm wondering how it does macro shots, that the real thing I want to know. Are those with HDR+ enabled?
androidrockz said:
I'm just wondering, is it really good as some people say or is it just average? I didn't get a tracking number yet so I don't think I'll be able to test it myself for a while. Some shots you've taken recently would suffice, just to see the strengths of the camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better than the wifes iPhone5 is my rating. It's better is daylight, better is low light, better at HDR, and the photosphere is a game changer.
androidrockz said:
I'm impressed. I'm wondering how it does macro shots, that the real thing I want to know. Are those with HDR+ enabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Macro is very good
This shot was just testing out closer photos - I think I could go even closer. HDR+ was off so these are just standard quick shots.
I have attached a photo which I guess will be higher res, and also put it on imgur for the guests viewing.
You can see tiny bits of specs of dust and paint on the rotor blade (rc model heli), very good quality. The blade is covered in oil btw...
http://imgur.com/fBNSRIl
The bokeh is not bad either!
Oh, and reviewing photos on the HD display is beautiful, you can easily see if they are sharp and the colours / clarity is spot on even in daylight.
few more on both regular and hdr +
---------- Post added at 10:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:01 PM ----------
androidrockz said:
I'm impressed. I'm wondering how it does macro shots, that the real thing I want to know. Are those with HDR+ enabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
top one is hdr +
and one thing why ppl complaining about slow focus mine is almost instant focus and camera shots.
Compared to the Galaxy Nexus camera, I think the camera of the Nexus 5 is an improvement. It performs way better under suboptimal lighting conditions, and it supports HDR which snaps really nice pics with good colors.
LaurenceGough said:
Macro is very good
This shot was just testing out closer photos - I think I could go even closer. HDR+ was off so these are just standard quick shots.
I have attached a photo which I guess will be higher res, and also put it on imgur for the guests viewing.
You can see tiny bits of specs of dust and paint on the rotor blade (rc model heli), very good quality. The blade is covered in oil btw...
http://imgur.com/fBNSRIl
The bokeh is not bad either!
Oh, and reviewing photos on the HD display is beautiful, you can easily see if they are sharp and the colours / clarity is spot on even in daylight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is beyond expectation. Do you have an example of a pure bokeh, pure isn't what I mean, but like, a shot and then the background is completely bokeh.
New thread series - reasons to buy this phone from a new user, who is myself.
My Android phone history - HTC EVO, HTC EVO 3D, Sprint Epic 4G Touch, HTC Evo LTE, Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4.
---Camera---
I always have to take 3-5 consecutive shots to get a sharp picture. I think it's because my hands shake, and there's not much I can do about it - it's enough to make even the best-focused shot blurry. This has always been the case with me and smartphone cameras - hold as still as you can, take 3+ shots, and hope you got a good one.
Not so - enter the HTC One m8 camera.
I took many test shots in a Verizon store, and each shot was nearly perfectly focused, after a single try.
I also took many test shots with an S5 in a US Cellular store, and *none* of the shots were focused.
So 16 megapixels were ruined by bad focusing, while 4 megapixels were great on this phone.
I may be somewhat biased because I'm now an owner of the 4MP HTC One m8, but even S5's 16MP camera couldn't hold a candle to the 4MP in my hands.
Please discuss.
Try zooming in..
That's where the camera falls short. (only downfall I see)
I still love it though.
Ya, but that front facing camera though. Snapchat is ****ing dope though
DjCalvin said:
Try zooming in..
That's where the camera falls short. (only downfall I see)
I still love it though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you are right in the general sense. 16MP(S5) looks MUCH better than 4MP (factor of 2 in sharpness - 2x2 vs. 4x4) under ideal circumstances. But that isn't the only variable.
But my point was like this - even if I zoom in, blurry cannot be fixed, because of bad focusing on Samsung phones. Blurring made my 13MP shots (S4) look like 1MP at best!
I was actually amazed at how well the HTC camera can help me focus shots - basically, all I had to do was press the button.
Also, the "best shot" is automatic with this camera, whereas on S4, you had to choose the best shot yourself (which makes zero sense.)
While the possibility is there to have better shots with Samsung phones, for me personally, not having to think about the quality and still get good shots is much more important.
I got my wife the S5 for "free" when I bought my m8.
While the camera on the S5 can be good with 16MP, it also makes you hold the damn phone for like 5 seconds to take the picture. Its so annoying. If you were trying to hurry and take a quick snap of something, you wouldn't stand a chance. You hit the shutter button and it seriously says something like "hold steady..." I can't remember exactly, but it take forever to snap the picture.
My m8 on the other hand, is damn instant. Sometimes I feel like I didn't even touch the shutter button yet lol.
People always get locked on the Mega Pixels. Mega Pixels does not mean better camera/pictures. I am a photographer by hobby, and any real photographer will also tell you this. Yes its true, the more mega pixels, the clearer the image usually is when you zoom in to details. (at least on a phone that is) on a real camera, a quality lens can also make or break.
My point here is, I have a 12MP Cannon DSLR that is quite a few years old now. But I have a lot of equipment (lenses, filters, etc), and even though its only 12MP it will still make any phone camera, and also most any point-and-shoot digital camera look bad. Case-in-point = Mega Pixels doesn't mean better pictures. It means bigger pictures and larger possible print sizes. Phone manufactures know that most people think "more MP=better", and they use that to market their device to attempt to sell more (Hence all the 16MP, 20mp and even 40mp phone cameras. They know people will literally say "ohhhh more mega pixels, that will take amazing photos". Lets face it, 99% of the users are NOT going to be making large 30" photo prints with their phone pictures. So IT DOESN'T MATTER.
I love this camera.
I just came from a 13 megapixel G2. It WISHES it could hold a candle to this camera. Seriously.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW
I agree. I will take this 4mp over my old s4's 12 any day.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using xda app-developers app
So far, I'm pretty happy with this phone but very disappointed with the stock camera app. The camera does pretty well outdoors and in low light, but is terrible in moderate light conditions (i.e. normal indoor conditions.) I just took a bunch of blurry, grainy pictures of my kids with their Easter baskets that all snapped 1/2 a second after I clicked the shutter. The thing that makes me think the camera can do better is that everything looks great on the screen up until I ask it to take a photo, then it refocuses and everything goes to hell. I tried Samsung's sports mode, and that is only marginally better. My wife's new S5 is suffering from the same problem.
Has anyone had better luck with other camera apps or a change in settings? Camera Zoom FX and Google's new camera app don't seem any better. I don't care about effects, HDR, manual photo settings or gimmicks; all I want are sharp, in-focus photos that take without a bunch of lag.
Bazirker said:
So far, I'm pretty happy with this phone but very disappointed with the stock camera app. The camera does pretty well outdoors and in low light, but is terrible in moderate light conditions (i.e. normal indoor conditions.) I just took a bunch of blurry, grainy pictures of my kids with their Easter baskets that all snapped 1/2 a second after I clicked the shutter. The thing that makes me think the camera can do better is that everything looks great on the screen up until I ask it to take a photo, then it refocuses and everything goes to hell. I tried Samsung's sports mode, and that is only marginally better. My wife's new S5 is suffering from the same problem.
Has anyone had better luck with other camera apps or a change in settings? Camera Zoom FX and Google's new camera app don't seem any better. I don't care about effects, HDR, manual photo settings or gimmicks; all I want are sharp, in-focus photos that take without a bunch of lag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Turn picture stabilization off and it gets rid of the picture lag.
But yes, otherwise similar issues.
That's the thing. The HTC M8 wins on indoor/low light pics (if you don't get that purple blob effect), this will on outdoors. That's where the whole MP vs. sensor size come into play as larger sensor means more light but not as sharp vs. more MP means sharper but due to smaller sensor less light thus not always great.
Anyway I've found it takes me about 2 pictures to get one I like with HDR and image stabilization off. With that on that all seem to suck due to the delay. Would have been nice to have some true optical image stabilization too. Samsung just doesn't seem to learn/care though.
We get good HW but they cheap out on the little things that make it better.
Yeah, turning off stabilization, HDR etc helps, but there's still a noticeable lag. The lag bothers me less than the fact that my near-stationary subject is coming out blurry. If the camera would simply capture the exact image that is on-screen at the moment I hit the shutter, I would be thrilled...
Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
So here's kinda the problem. And it happens a lot with people taking pictures on your phone.
A phone was not meant to be a camera. It just wasn't. In the early days of low resolution things went faster. When you try to run 16 megabit... things are necessarily going to be harder.
Here's the easiest solution to your problems: Practice taking pictures with the phone. Keep your arms tucked in at your sides, keep the phone closer to your body. Shoot in landscape instead of portrait so your hands are in better position. I use the flip case for this phone which means I can use that as well to have better grip and stability. Take the picture... and keep the camera pointed just where you were taking the picture for at least 1/2 sec after you tap the "shutter release". Shutter lag will only be exacerbated by being too quick to move the phone. Also, you don't have to mash the on screen button, light tap and whatnot. Oh and the 1/3 of a sec focus time is their "fastest" rating. While in truth that is pretty darn decent, it's also the fastest you'll have. Expect a possible 1/2 to 3/4 sec focus time. And make sure you're PICKY about your focus. Do it over and over again if it's not right.
Also, your metering mode will have a big impact on your images. Get used to changing them to suit your subject.
I have 13+ years experience as a photographer. If it weren't absolutely absurd, and say all of my bodies died at the same time... I would be carrying a monopod or tripod for use with my GS5... Stability is the key to image quality. Who cares what you look like when you take the picture, it's the picture that matters.
Oh and one other thing, image blur is exacerbated when objects are either very close, or very far away. One because the contrast elements (edges and such) are easy to distinguish from the rest and when they're blurry... you notice it. The other because detail elements are TINY at that range, down to even 1 pixel width, so any shake makes those disappear entirely into blur.
Just some basic things to do. Honestly if it's a choice between getting the shot with my Nikons... or getting it with my GS5? the Nikons will win every time. But in a pinch, the camera on the GS5 is good enough. Just takes the right hands and the right frame of mind.
Arkanthos2015 said:
So here's kinda the problem. And it happens a lot with people taking pictures on your phone.
A phone was not meant to be a camera. It just wasn't. In the early days of low resolution things went faster. When you try to run 16 megabit... things are necessarily going to be harder.
Here's the easiest solution to your problems: Practice taking pictures with the phone. Keep your arms tucked in at your sides, keep the phone closer to your body. Shoot in landscape instead of portrait so your hands are in better position. I use the flip case for this phone which means I can use that as well to have better grip and stability. Take the picture... and keep the camera pointed just where you were taking the picture for at least 1/2 sec after you tap the "shutter release". Shutter lag will only be exacerbated by being too quick to move the phone. Also, you don't have to mash the on screen button, light tap and whatnot. Oh and the 1/3 of a sec focus time is their "fastest" rating. While in truth that is pretty darn decent, it's also the fastest you'll have. Expect a possible 1/2 to 3/4 sec focus time. And make sure you're PICKY about your focus. Do it over and over again if it's not right.
Also, your metering mode will have a big impact on your images. Get used to changing them to suit your subject.
I have 13+ years experience as a photographer. If it weren't absolutely absurd, and say all of my bodies died at the same time... I would be carrying a monopod or tripod for use with my GS5... Stability is the key to image quality. Who cares what you look like when you take the picture, it's the picture that matters.
Oh and one other thing, image blur is exacerbated when objects are either very close, or very far away. One because the contrast elements (edges and such) are easy to distinguish from the rest and when they're blurry... you notice it. The other because detail elements are TINY at that range, down to even 1 pixel width, so any shake makes those disappear entirely into blur.
Just some basic things to do. Honestly if it's a choice between getting the shot with my Nikons... or getting it with my GS5? the Nikons will win every time. But in a pinch, the camera on the GS5 is good enough. Just takes the right hands and the right frame of mind.
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Lots of truth to your post in regards to the pointers about technique and settings. I've got an EOS-1Ds I use when I plan to take photos, and you need to know how to use your gear and be practiced if you want to take a decent photo.
However, I disagree when it comes to expectations for smartphone camera performance. I used to have the same attitude you expressed about taking photos with a phone, until I recently backed up and printed some of the photos off my wife's old iPhone 4S. The photos it took were shockingly good, and my disappointment with the Galaxy S5 camera stems from the fact that it is getting severely outperformed by the 3 year old iPhone. If the Apple crowd has been able to rely on their iPhones as a competent point-and-shoot camera for years, I see no reason why my flagship Android phone should be no different.
In other news, I've been playing with different settings and apps all afternoon, and still aren't seeing any improvement in performance. Camera Zoom FX allows for ISO 1600, and that's giving me the best performance so far in terms of reducing lag and image blur. (Of course, the images are quite grainy...boo hiss.)
Hello, so I been using this phone for few weeks, and now I gave up. Camera quality is terrible, only close and with flash shots are okay. But even outside, little bit further it comes blurry. What's the problem? Third (3) photo is looking great with flash outside. Second photo is blurry, if just zoom little bit.. Others without flash just look's terrible, and I don't know what's the problem...
itsignas said:
Hello, so I been using this phone for few weeks, and now I gave up. Camera quality is terrible, only close and with flash shots are okay. But even outside, little bit further it comes blurry. What's the problem? First photo is looking great with flash outside. Second photo is blurry too, if just zoom little bit.. Others without flash just look's terrible, and I don't know what's the problem...
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The Mi4c camera seems to be on par with most other midrange Chinese phones. Coming from a Nexus 5, everything about this phone is an upgrade, except the camera - which is a shame because it's not like the N5 had the best camera ever - but it was still better under most conditions than the Mi4c
So this is normal? I mean only close shots are fine, right?
Mi 4C actually has better image quality than most phones at the same price range. But admittedly its auto-focus is a bit problematic. Your photos seems to be the problem of auto-focus as well. My Mi 4C produces very good photos (close or far objects) when focused correctly.
If you are using Snapdragon Camera, try disabling Zero Shutter Lag (press Red Eye Reduction a couple of times to enable developer options).
I have miui 8, and it's stock camera, may you know where to get snapdragon camera? Thanks
Okay, front camera looks like painted if little bit zoomed in. It is because im not using snapdragon camera?
itsignas said:
Okay, I took selfie, and front camera looks like painted if little bit zoomed in. It is because im not using snapdragon camera?
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That's normal. You shouldn't zoom in with a phone camera because there is no optical zooming. Zooming in on a phone is like enlarging a photo on your computer. Of course it will look painted. It's not because you are not using Snapdragon Camera.
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itsignas said:
I have miui 8, and it's stock camera, may you know where to get snapdragon camera? Thanks
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Snapdragon Camera is the default camera in CM13. It's OK if you don't have it.
Try these steps to see if you can take a decent photo:
1. Find an outdoor place with bright sunlight
2. Hold your camera very steadily (find something to support, like a table, light pole, etc)
3. Press the screen to focus
4. Press the shutter button lightly (to reduce camera shake)
The Zero Shutter Lag function keeps making the photo blurry for some reason. I don't know if there is Zero Shutter Lag function in MiUI camera, or whether it can be disabled. If everything fails, try another camera app.
Calebz said:
The Mi4c camera seems to be on par with most other midrange Chinese phones. Coming from a Nexus 5, everything about this phone is an upgrade, except the camera - which is a shame because it's not like the N5 had the best camera ever - but it was still better under most conditions than the Mi4c
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My Mi4c takes way better photos than my N5 ever did. That was one of the worst cameras I ever owned.
Karly Johnston said:
My Mi4c takes way better photos than my N5 ever did. That was one of the worst cameras I ever owned.
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Interesting. I find with the Mi4c that the pictures come out ok only if taken in full daylight and the subject is perfectly still. The N5 camera captures objects in motion. For example, my 2 year old splashing in the pool. The Mi4c will show the pool and surroundings well enough, but the kid and the water splashes are just a blur. The N5 will capture the kid in motion and even the individual drops of water.
I admit, that on release in 2013 , the N5 camera was a bit of a potato, but subsequent updates to Google camera turned it into a relatively decent shooter.
Calebz said:
Interesting. I find with the Mi4c that the pictures come out ok only if taken in full daylight and the subject is perfectly still. The N5 camera captures objects in motion. For example, my 2 year old splashing in the pool. The Mi4c will show the pool and surroundings well enough, but the kid and the water splashes are just a blur. The N5 will capture the kid in motion and even the individual drops of water.
I admit, that on release in 2013 , the N5 camera was a bit of a potato, but subsequent updates to Google camera turned it into a relatively decent shooter.
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So use Google camera. I get better focus from it, not to mention 4k.
Karly Johnston said:
So use Google camera. I get better focus from it, not to mention 4k.
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Which ROM are you using? I'm on TSCM 13.1 and Google camera doesn't seem to work well.. at least not the version I had on the phone (3.2 I think)
Calebz said:
Which ROM are you using? I'm on TSCM 13.1 and Google camera doesn't seem to work well.. at least not the version I had on the phone (3.2 I think)
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sMiUI, it required a fix to enable HDR but no problems sense.
Calebz said:
Interesting. I find with the Mi4c that the pictures come out ok only if taken in full daylight and the subject is perfectly still. The N5 camera captures objects in motion. For example, my 2 year old splashing in the pool. The Mi4c will show the pool and surroundings well enough, but the kid and the water splashes are just a blur. The N5 will capture the kid in motion and even the individual drops of water.
I admit, that on release in 2013 , the N5 camera was a bit of a potato, but subsequent updates to Google camera turned it into a relatively decent shooter.
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The difference between N5 and Mi4C that you mentioned is probably due to the difference in lighting conditions. When you took the photo with N5, you were likely under very bright sunlight so the camera used a fast shutter speed (e.g. 1/500s), freezing everything in the frame. When you took the photo with Mi4C, you might be under weaker sunlight (e.g. overcast) so the camera used a slower shutter speed (e.g. 1/50s), so everything that was staying still appeared sharp and everything that was moving (your kid and the water splash) appeared blurry.
If you still have your N5, try both phones under the same lighting condition. I think Mi4C will give better results. If Mi4C still gives blurry shots in good lighting, try manually setting a high ISO value (e.g. ISO1600) to force the camera to use a fast shutter speed.
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Calebz said:
Which ROM are you using? I'm on TSCM 13.1 and Google camera doesn't seem to work well.. at least not the version I had on the phone (3.2 I think)
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Google Camera doesn't work well on CM13. There is probably no fix for that. I think Snapdragon Camera (the default camera in CM13) is very good, despite its slightly inconvenient UI.
legacyofthevoid said:
The difference between N5 and Mi4C that you mentioned is probably due to the difference in lighting conditions. When you took the photo with N5, you were likely under very bright sunlight so the camera used a fast shutter speed (e.g. 1/500s), freezing everything in the frame. When you took the photo with Mi4C, you might be under weaker sunlight (e.g. overcast) so the camera used a slower shutter speed (e.g. 1/50s), so everything that was staying still appeared sharp and everything that was moving (your kid and the water splash) appeared blurry.
If you still have your N5, try both phones under the same lighting condition. I think Mi4C will give better results. If Mi4C still gives blurry shots in good lighting, try manually setting a high ISO value (e.g. ISO1600) to force the camera to use a fast shutter speed.
---------- Post added at 02:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:34 AM ----------
Google Camera doesn't work well on CM13. There is probably no fix for that. I think Snapdragon Camera (the default camera in CM13) is very good, despite its slightly inconvenient UI.
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Unfortunately, it wasn't a difference in conditions. I had one phone in each hand in full daylight.
By no means am I suggesting that the N5 is the best camera in the world, or that the Mi4c is terrible. The Mi4c clearly smokes the N5 in terms of how long it takea to start the camera, how fast it can take pictures (though using HDR, it's probably a wash), and ability to focus on still objects at much closer range.
I read as widely as I could when looking for a new phone and overall am still eminently pleased with my choice. I just wish for once that a professional reviewer would take into account the idea that sometimes people take pictures of living things that move instead of just trees, random buildings or the crap on their desks :lol:
Calebz said:
Unfortunately, it wasn't a difference in conditions. I had one phone in each hand in full daylight.
By no means am I suggesting that the N5 is the best camera in the world, or that the Mi4c is terrible. The Mi4c clearly smokes the N5 in terms of how long it takea to start the camera, how fast it can take pictures (though using HDR, it's probably a wash), and ability to focus on still objects at much closer range.
I read as widely as I could when looking for a new phone and overall am still eminently pleased with my choice. I just wish for once that a professional reviewer would take into account the idea that sometimes people take pictures of living things that move instead of just trees, random buildings or the crap on their desks :lol:
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If the lighting condition is the same, it's probably the difference in algorithm in exposure calculation that causes the difference. Try using a high ISO on Mi4C, or switch to "Sports Mode" (if any). Maybe that'll help.
Post samples, it's very possible that your unit has a faulty lens.
Gabbbbbbb said:
Post samples, it's very possible that your unit has a faulty lens.
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Added.
I still think it is the problem of focus.
When the camera focuses correctly, everything in the frame is very sharp:
But when the camera screws up the focus (which happens quite often), then the photo becomes blurry like the one you have shown:
Your last 2 samples look like serious lens decentering, but then before the decentering seems to be on the other side. Almost as if a lens element, or an element group is lose.
Alright, I took few more photos few days ago. Last photo looks very sharp, maybe good focused, but that was hell a pain. Almost every photo is out of focus then. Only that looks fine, and close shots while steady.. It's kinda really hard to get focused shot even steady.
EDIT: There are probably dozens of reviews/comparisons, but here are two just from today that are also harsh: Krystal Key and PocketNow. And UrAverageConsumer's wife's comments here and here "it does look a little washed out...it is a little soft...I'm not a fan of it...it's good enough..."
The consensus seems to be that the front camera is "soft" (aka it looks permanently out of focus or blurry), the rear cam consistently blows out highlights with or without HDR, and video is wobbly and distorted despite ois AND eis. To be clear (pun intended) this is not a problem with the sensors, but with Samsung's processing. If Google's Camera app didn't disable HDR+ on non-Nexus devices then the S8 it would very likely take the best pictures of any smartphone ever.
Here are my samples shot with my S8 with the better Sony sensors, and a Nexus 6P from 18 months ago. For maximum quality from the S8, HDR is enabled and beauty disabled. 6P is in auto mode. Be sure to right click on the side-by-side compilation images and open in a new tab to see them at full size, where the detail quality—rather than just the light/color quality—is most apparent.
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FULL GALLERY
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Rear Cam Side-by-Side 1/2 - VIEW AT 100%
Full Res: N6P — GS8
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Rear Cam Side-by-Side 2/2 - VIEW AT 100%
Full Res: N6P — GS8
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Front Cam Set 1/5: N6P — GS8
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Front Cam Set 2/5: N6P — GS8
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Front Cam Set 3/5: N6P — GS8
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Front Cam Set 4/5: N6P — GS8
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Front Cam Set 5/5: N6P — GS8
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BONUS - 2MP tablet front cam with no HDR from 2015
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SUPER BONUS - Mystery camera! Can you guess?
My first impression of the camera coming from a S6, is that it sucks, yes it's better in low light, but if there is decent to good light it is much worse, all my pictures look muddy where the S6 taken at its side looks sharp. really ruins the phone for me!
.psd said:
All in the interest of honesty (it's OK to be honest!)
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Good lord. GSMArena, AnandTech, and Notebookcheck do exhaustive subjective reviews. GSMArena's and Notebookcheck's camera evaluations are linked below. Spoiler alert: they don't agree with your objective testing of your sister's phone.
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s8-review-1603p9.php
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Samsung-Galaxy-S8-Plus-SM-G955F-Smartphone-Review.213438.0.html
Samsung frontcams are always behind the competition. Not sure why. Agreed with OP's honest review.
BarryH_GEG said:
Good lord. GSMArena, AnandTech, and Notebookcheck do exhaustive subjective reviews. GSMArena's and Notebookcheck's camera evaluations are linked below. Spoiler alert: they don't agree with your objective testing of your sister's phone.
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s8-review-1603p9.php
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Samsung-Galaxy-S8-Plus-SM-G955F-Smartphone-Review.213438.0.html
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I also included nearly 30 minutes of reviews of the camera by PocketNow and Krystal Key, but there are likely dozens of reviews by now showing the same thing.
The front cam looks like it's always out of focus—what reviewers universally are calling "soft". The rear cam consistently blows out the highlights even with HDR on. Video is wobbly and distorted despite having OIS AND EIS. In all cases, this is due to Samsung's processing because devices with inferior sensors from Google or Apple don't have these problems.
Something here in which i agree is that over-exposing. The Galaxy S8 loves doing this in certain situations where it shouldn't be doing but most of all is the auto-focus feature for me. Auto-Focus can be a mess when it wants too, simple macros where it should focus with ease it can't do that. I took my S6 and i found that in certain situations it was able to get a faster better macro with one tap compared to the S8. I felt that this one is a bit sloppy, and requires a lot of fiddling to get a good focus point. But don't get me wrong, whenever the phone is able to focus and does a good job in auto mode the photos look amazing. Overall my only complaint is the auto-focus on close-up shots and some over exposing. I really think these can be tweaked with a software update but honestly this phone should have had a completely new rear camera in the first place without being forced to wait for the new Note. I still believe this phone was a bit rushed, it looks stunning and awesome performance but man those software tweaks and scrolling bugs, and stutters and red screens could have been avoided. Oh yes.. let's not forget that Image Stabilization , wobbly videos and front face focus as mentioned above, i think these sometimes do a mess of a job. Real let down from the camera side of things for me.
I didn't do detailed comparison but for rear camera, which is the one i care the most, my S8+ seems similar and even slightly better than my Note 7.
Consumer Reports did more detailed comparison, they think the s8 has the best 12MP camera there is. And according this photo, in low light it's indeed a lot better than the s7.
https://youtu.be/3MmjHMWwtPU
So no, the s8 rear camera is NOT The Worst On A Flagship Phone In Years
My short time with the camera is the opposite. S8 front is marginally better than the 6p. Will do more testing.
No issues, amazing camera. Coming from a Pixel, pixel does look nicer but not by far.
When someone is doing pixel peeping, i am sure you can find flaws about every cameras out there. I look at overall quality and usability such as speed of launch and speed of taking the actual picture. After all phone pictures are all about capturing the moment.
Turn off one of the stabilizations. They dont both need to be on. Also, every samsung has let you adjust the exposure level..
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
The pictures are a lot better than the pictures the HTC M8 took.
Darkestred said:
My short time with the camera is the opposite. S8 front is marginally better than the 6p. Will do more testing.
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Any examples? I posted several, and I've not come across a single instance where the S8 is superior.
I just bought this phone for $800 and have the Nexus 6P sitting right next to me. Money isn't an issue. I don't make income from hyping the S8 or from my brand. I have no interest in suggesting the S8 camera is any better or worse than it is. Would be really interested to see you post actual selfies like I did to support your claim that, despite reviews and my 10 pictures posted, the S8 takes superior front cam pictures.
willymcd said:
My first impression of the camera coming from a S6, is that it sucks, yes it's better in low light, but if there is decent to good light it is much worse, all my pictures look muddy where the S6 taken at its side looks sharp. really ruins the phone for me!
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Whoa, no way the s6 takes better pictures. I just did my own comparison and ask the s6 photos are so dark and fuzzy
.psd said:
Any examples? I posted several, and I've not come across a single instance where the S8 is superior.
I just bought this phone for $800 and have the Nexus 6P sitting right next to me. Money isn't an issue. I don't make income from hyping the S8 or from my brand. I have no interest in suggesting the S8 camera is any better or worse than it is. Would be really interested to see you post actual selfies like I did to support your claim that, despite reviews and my 10 pictures posted, the S8 takes superior front cam pictures.
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I never said anything about that. I just said in my use i feel its better. Here are 2 sample pics i did. I dont have any fancy setup so its all manual and i realize my pictures are not lined up but i got lazy. I feel the color in the s8 is way nicer and while it does get soft or blend in details like my scruff - i still think overall it does a nicer shot. Its not always a perfect shot. out of the 6 i took one came out blurry.
If my pictures aren't perfect enough - i really do not care. Take it for what its worth.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3F4QJb82X1ReV9mVUMzRzJTdmc
I too made a thread because I noticed how soft this front camera is. I'm super disappointed.
@.psd
I appreciate the work you did, but can you provide the original pics with EXIF data included?
thx
Here is a great review on the S8 camera. https://youtu.be/NAEVPxQ4MCw
Sent from my SM-T800 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Looking at the pics it does look like the S8 shots are worse(maybe not) / different from other phones. In all of these reviews the one thing no one has mentioned is that smartphone cameras are largely software dependent. While the S8 is on software that has come right out of the box, 6p as used here has had a whole year's worth of updates some of which definitely did bring updates to the camera software. I still love the S8 and believe that future software updates can and will iron out the issues with the camera. (Just hoping Samsung doesn't drop the ball on the updates front).
Eddie Hicks said:
Here is a great review on the S8 camera. https://youtu.be/NAEVPxQ4MCw
Sent from my SM-T800 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
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That's the one I linked in the OP...??
kornelius1982 said:
@.psd
I appreciate the work you did, but can you provide the original pics with EXIF data included?
thx
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No because image hosts strip the metadata for user protection (e.g. location data) and it would take too long to do it for each picture the following way (e.g. undelete them from google photos and screencap some of the metadata minus the location, then save each file, then upload it, then link it here):
Here's the data for 2 of them to prove they were shot on the S8:
#1 — #2