Just got a N5, camera disappointing - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey All,
Just got a N5 and I'm a bit disappointed with the camera. Seems like this issue isn't new, but the camera has a really tough time autofocusing and even tap to focus.
I saw that there was a fix for older versions, but is there any update in 4.4.4?
Just as a curious note: most of the custom roms have this problem or not?
Thank you,
-Siroes

If you are disappointed with Nexus 5's camera performance, you should consider selling it away and get a phone with a better camera..

Agreed. If after 4.4.2 you think the camera is disappointing you must be a professional photographer. I'd highly recommend a Nokia WP as a phone camera or a quality camera.
Using Google Camera on 4.4.4 has a pretty decent shutter speed and also using different dalvik patches can increase the speed.

The camera works amazing when it does focus, but it takes quite a while sometimes. I never used 4.4.2, so I can't speak of that experience...
Just wanted to see if anyone else had similar issues.

Siroes said:
The camera works amazing when it does focus, but it takes quite a while sometimes. I never used 4.4.2, so I can't speak of that experience...
Just wanted to see if anyone else had similar issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes prior to 4.4.2

TheLastSidekick said:
Yes prior to 4.4.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I really appreciate it.

I personally came from S4 than sold it to buy Nexus 5. Than I picked up note 3 but with bootloader being locked I said F U at&t and just purchased yet again another Nexus 5. Already rooted running Android L preview . I can care less about the camera like the other guys on here said I'm no professional photographer lol.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

install google camera from playstore. better focus

Is this with or without HDR+? Without HDR on, I find 4.4.4 with the Google Camera will focus pretty quickly. With HDR on, it's obviously going to take a fair bit longer to take a snap.

Either you're doing it wrong or you're a professional photographer.
If you're the latter then I don't know what you're trying to do with a phone camera lol.
Camera works fine for me, better than the Note 3.

Lethargy said:
Either you're doing it wrong or you're a professional photographer.
If you're the latter then I don't know what you're trying to do with a phone camera lol.
Camera works fine for me, better than the Note 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in no way a professional photographer. If I want to take a quick shot, it usually ends up taking a minute or longer due to the focus

shohag2018 said:
install google camera from playstore. better focus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
honestly, i have that and it makes very little difference. The camera quality is only good when using HDR mode which in some roms doesnt even work properly. If you are a photo takin/lovin person, this camera will be a disappointment.

A minute to focus? 60 full seconds?? I'm doubting that.
Anyway....camera phones are very cheap cameras....no phone will compare to even my 99 dollar Kodak camera.
I see comparisons with guys comparing this phone to that phone and they are all inferior to the cheapest of dedicated cameras.
If people are that concerned with getting consistently decent pics....carry a camera with you. They can be quite small and light, and will put all phone cameras to shame.
Just my 2 cents. ?
---------- Post added at 03:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:56 PM ----------
And.....if you rely on your phone camera to take your pics at a special event that you want good pics to capture the memories..... Its just silly to show up with nothing but your phone.

If it truly takes 60 seconds to focus I think you might have a problem with your hardware. Otherwise you should check out this thread if you haven't already http://forum.xda-developers.com/goo...tos-post-pictures-videos-share-4-4-1-t2477920

Shouldn't take more than a couple seconds to focus unless you're moving the phone a lot. Perhaps your hand is too shakey? OIS helps but won't fix shakey hand completely.

At the worst it should take about 2-3 seconds to focus. Manage to get consistently clear pictures. If you update past 4.4.2 and still experience an issue, you've got a problem.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

TheLastSidekick said:
At the worst it should take about 2-3 seconds to focus. Manage to get consistently clear pictures. If you update past 4.4.2 and still experience an issue, you've got a problem.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that information. I ended up contacting Google Play and sent a replacement. Now it works just great, just as everyone has described.
I guess something was wrong with the hardware.
Thanks for everyone's input,
Siroes

Siroes said:
Thanks for that information. I ended up contacting Google Play and sent a replacement. Now it works just great, just as everyone has described.
I guess something was wrong with the hardware.
Thanks for everyone's input,
Siroes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad everything ended well. A little scary there's so many hardware defects on the nexus 5 but I still love it.

TheLastSidekick said:
Glad everything ended well. A little scary there's so many hardware defects on the nexus 5 but I still love it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A $350 device with top notch specs. Corners need to be cut and apparently, quality control was the area which they chose
- Sent from an IceCold Hammerhead!

Related

Camera problems any solutions

The camera problems on the Xperia L are obvious. Do you have any solutions? If you have any work arounds please post them. Also post any bugs you have noticed and the build number or custom roms used. Here are things I've noticed.
Third party apps like Camera MX works better than the Sony camera app. How is that possible?
Problems
Flash does not expose properly in extreme low light (like a poorly lit livingroom)
Anything over 3 feet is horribly out of focus.
Shutter speed to slow to catch any moving subject.
Horrible noise in anything less than bright sunlight.
Possible reasons
Many phones have a macro setting (This enables the focus to limit the focus distance and speed up focus for close and distant objects)
No continous auto focus (that may be the reason moving subjects are never in focus)
Shutter speed too slow (another reason subjects are often out of focus)
Image size in relation to sensor. (the sensor could be too small or placed where heat is a problem) I'm sure users would rather have a smaller image that is clean over a large image that is noisy.
A setting to allow release of shutter even if no focus lock.
I bought this phone over others is because Sony claimed almost no shutter lag and good images in low light. The phone does neither. I love everything else abou this phone. It's light, packed with excellent features and the audio and the phone's reception are excellent. Why Sony is marketing this as a good camera phone is beyond me.
Xperia L stock build 15.0.A.2.17
I am also experiencing such problems. When my phone was on the old firmware, exposure are always accurate and autofocus functions well. Images are crisp and sharp but after going to 15.0.A.2.17 it seems quality became crappy compare to 15.0.A.1.36
Camera Problems
I'ts a smartphone with camera, not a camera with phone features. give it a break, its good enough for social sharing and common use, you know taking family spontaneous pictures or shooting on the go, it wouldn't be wise if try to make my professional shoots with this one instead of my dslr.
do you think guys that sony can fix the shutter delay/lag and image noise via software update?
Sent from my C2105 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Phone Camera
Mbside said:
I'ts a smartphone with camera, not a camera with phone features. give it a break, its good enough for social sharing and common use, you know taking family spontaneous pictures or shooting on the go, it wouldn't be wise if try to make my professional shoots with this one instead of my dslr.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't expect to perform like my DSLR but I do expect it to take a better photo than my 4 yo Sony Xperia X10a. Especially when Sony has sold it as the phone that takes quality photos. I know there is always some hype, it's called marketing. But the phone's photos are horrible. They look worse than a cheapo Chinese knockoff phone.
+1
i also bought this phone because sony said this is camera phone. -_- (good for low light) and can capture that famous hourse running on the beach
horse*
After seeing this thread, I cant help but to post. Will you guys give our phone a break? If you want to get good pictures, buy a bloody DSLR, not just complain about the bad photos. Or even better create your own firmware.
Sent from my C2105 using xda premium
Sony can fix all this camera **** in only 1 update..but they just ignore us for some reason...
Sent from my C2105 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:34 PM ----------
allenwalker1998 said:
After seeing this thread, I cant help but to post. Will you guys give our phone a break? If you want to get good pictures, buy a bloody DSLR, not just complain about the bad photos. Or even better create your own firmware.
Sent from my C2105 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didnt you see the bloody Xperia l camera trailer on YouTube?? Thats why we bought the Xperia L and we will never give it a break until everything is fixed
Sent from my C2104 using xda app-developers app
Actually the older firmware has better shots. The problem is they adjusted the sharpness
Sent from my C2105 using xda app-developers app
Sparksys said:
Sony can fix all this camera **** in only 1 update..but they just ignore us for some reason...
Sent from my C2105 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:34 PM ----------
Didnt you see the bloody Xperia l camera trailer on YouTube?? Thats why we bought the Xperia L and we will never give it a break until everything is fixed
Sent from my C2104 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I saw it. But the trailer can be edited or filmed on an DSLR you may nit even know it. This my friend it is called 'marketing'. And I will say it once again. Try fixing it yourself. Stop complaining.
Sent from my C2105 using xda premium
Chill out please, as you can see SONY are way too slow solving their problem, not just L but also in another devices..
about the camera things? yes..it was a major features that's SONY's proudly shout out to their customers so lets hope there will be major updates that focusing to this matter.
mertmag said:
The camera problems on the Xperia L are obvious. Do you have any solutions? If you have any work arounds please post them. Also post any bugs you have noticed and the build number or custom roms used. Here are things I've noticed.
Third party apps like Camera MX works better than the Sony camera app. How is that possible?
Problems
Flash does not expose properly in extreme low light (like a poorly lit livingroom)
Anything over 3 feet is horribly out of focus.
Shutter speed to slow to catch any moving subject.
Horrible noise in anything less than bright sunlight.
Possible reasons
Many phones have a macro setting (This enables the focus to limit the focus distance and speed up focus for close and distant objects)
No continous auto focus (that may be the reason moving subjects are never in focus)
Shutter speed too slow (another reason subjects are often out of focus)
Image size in relation to sensor. (the sensor could be too small or placed where heat is a problem) I'm sure users would rather have a smaller image that is clean over a large image that is noisy.
A setting to allow release of shutter even if no focus lock.
I bought this phone over others is because Sony claimed almost no shutter lag and good images in low light. The phone does neither. I love everything else abou this phone. It's light, packed with excellent features and the audio and the phone's reception are excellent. Why Sony is marketing this as a good camera phone is beyond me.
Xperia L stock build 15.0.A.2.17
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even I Got Those Problems Bro
My Front Camera Stopped Working,Camera Took Horrible Pics n blah blah stuff..But What I Did Was Easy..
Try This One Bro,
repair your phone with SUS
Sony Update Service (SUS)
http://www.sonymobile.com/gb/tools/update-service/
http://www-support-downloads.sonymob...-2.11.12.5.exe
Dont Forget To Hit Thanks BTW..
Repair
GizmOstic1177 said:
Even I Got Those Problems Bro
My Front Camera Stopped Working,Camera Took Horrible Pics n blah blah stuff..But What I Did Was Easy..
Try This One Bro,
repair your phone with SUS
Sony Update Service (SUS)
http://www.sonymobile.com/gb/tools/update-service/
http://www-support-downloads.sonymob...-2.11.12.5.exe
Dont Forget To Hit Thanks BTW..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It did help a little. Not great but better than it was focus and flash wise)
(Doing a repair-reflash)
Camera Problems
allenwalker1998 said:
Yes I saw it. But the trailer can be edited or filmed on an DSLR you may nit even know it. This my friend it is called 'marketing'. And I will say it once again. Try fixing it yourself. Stop complaining.
Sent from my C2105 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I paid for it, I'll complain if I want. I didn't get a used phone on ebay. I bought it new and Sony needs to support it's products and be honest in it's advertisement. Marketing is one thing, being deseptive is another. If they want to allow it to be unlocked without voiding the warranty I would flash a different rom. BTW if the camera was even better than average I would give it 5 stars. Great sound, very fast, very good battery life, decient screen, packed with features noise canceling mic, dedicated shutter release, fm radio ETC.
mertmag said:
It did help a little. Not great but better than it was focus and flash wise)
(Doing a repair-reflash)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bro another thing that I can recommend you is to flash the official stock ftf on your phone.. Via flashtool.. It will work most probably..
Download the flashtool first and then flash this ftf on your phone.Here is the thread-
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2340948
And mate dont forgive to hit thanks if I helped you..
Dont worry.. Your phone will be alright..
Sent from my ST26i using xda premium
mertmag said:
I paid for it, I'll complain if I want. I didn't get a used phone on ebay. I bought it new and Sony needs to support it's products and be honest in it's advertisement. Marketing is one thing, being deseptive is another. If they want to allow it to be unlocked without voiding the warranty I would flash a different rom. BTW if the camera was even better than average I would give it 5 stars. Great sound, very fast, very good battery life, decient screen, packed with features noise canceling mic, dedicated shutter release, fm radio ETC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can complain. Not here complain to Sony not XDA.
Sent from my C2105 using xda premium
allenwalker1998 said:
Yes you can complain. Not here complain to Sony not XDA.
Sent from my C2105 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Problems
allenwalker1998 said:
Yes you can complain. Not here complain to Sony not XDA.
Sent from my C2105 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pointed out problems and yes I did contact Sony no reply as of a week ago. If I had said nothing I wouldn't have received the help of other users. I thought people who are considering the phone would like to know about it's problems.

[Q] Video has breathing autofocus problem

I've been reviewing all the Nexus 5 videos and it looks like the Nexus 5 suffers from the "breathing autofocus" problem that many LG phones (including the recently released G2) struggle with. Has anybody been able to figure out some work around or fix?
If you're not sure what I'm referring too, basically the videos seem to breath/bounce/throb whenever you move it around or something moves into view as the camera focusses. It's really a deal breaker for me which is a shame as otherwise I would pick up this phone in a second.
Any ideas whould be appreciated.
Thanks.
I'm not disagreeing, I know exactly what you're talking about...
But is there a phone that doesn't do this? My DSLR even does it, which is why autofocus isn't suggested for recording video on DSLRs...
Jorsher said:
I'm not disagreeing, I know exactly what you're talking about...
But is there a phone that doesn't do this? My DSLR even does it, which is why autofocus isn't suggested for recording video on DSLRs...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup - my $3K+ DSLR does the same. So for a little 8MP phone camera???.....lol
Jorsher said:
I'm not disagreeing, I know exactly what you're talking about...
But is there a phone that doesn't do this? My DSLR even does it, which is why autofocus isn't suggested for recording video on DSLRs...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay agreed, but the question is: how do I switch autofocus off?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Many phones don't do this.
The iPhone 4S and 5 does not do this. Neither does the Note 3. I've tried them myself.
I also haven't noticed it on MotoX videos I've seen online.

Camera dark!

Hello,
I received a nexus5 few days ago but I just noticed that the camera application is very dark whereas the photo app works great.
I am on CM11 but i restored to 4.4.2 stock and it's still the same.
Please help!
whats your phone brightness set at?
simms22 said:
whats your phone brightness set at?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On auto, I tried with a fixed value, it's still the same. It's seems to have like a grey veil.. Very weird.. :/
Screenshot examples on this thread : http://www.nexus5forum.com/nexus-5-...t-a-nexus-5-for-christmas/?prev_next=prev#new
do you have root or a custom recovery running?
That's known issue, and there is one quite lengthy thread on official Google groups (if you are talking about when shooting in low light, right?).
Google is aware of it. They even contacted few of use to recreate this issue and send a bug report to them, and that was like 2 months ago.
This happened after 4.4.1/4.4.2 update affecting all users (as far as I know).
Edit: Here's the link for that thread: https://productforums.google.com/forum/m/#!msg/nexus/fxsT5LxuXJU/wsUpKaxQ05EJ
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Yeah I was confused. I thought he walking about pictures that are too dark then I read your link and it's about the video that's dark whereas the camera has the same lighting which is normal
ickoicko said:
Yeah I was confused. I thought he walking about pictures that are too dark then I read your link and it's about the video that's dark whereas the camera has the same lighting which is normal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I was also a bit confused, but he is talking about camera and photo mode (app), so I guess he meant video mode .
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
I'm not sure if this is really a bug though. All phones I've used have darker videos than photos. Most likely because the camera isn't capable of longer exposures while taking video. I might be wrong though.
well, if you are running a custom recovery, heres a flashable 4.4.1 full camera/libs. video camera works perfectly for me, its not dark http://goo.gl/orWkC0
But the strange thing is that it was not like that before the update. Maybe they just decreased exposure gain to remove noise.
There is one more weird thing happening withing camera app that I came across trying to "fix" this underexposure issue.
I pointed camera to some dark area and then I was toggling between modes there (eg. From camera mode to PhotoSphere, and then to video mode). Exposure issue fixed itself (in video mode), but picture was unbelievably wide and stretched. And as soon as you start recording, it reverts back to original underexposed video mode. So I guess that is just some weird glitch.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I have CWM touch with CM11-M3 on my phone.
I will try the 4.4.1 app this evening, I keep you in touch.
Thank you for your help guys :]
Yea its a known bug with android 4.4.2 and also the static noise while recording video.
.
My nexus 7 2013 has also been effected with these bugs.....hope google fixes it soon.
I just flashed the the camera but nothing changed :/
Fata7 said:
I just flashed the the camera but nothing changed :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
odd. its fine here. i guess the issue isnt with the cam or its libs
Are you sure that you are talking about the same issue? As far as I know, every phone has this issue after 4.4.1/4.4.2 update...
Here are my screenshots of camera app while pointing it to spot with poor lighting condition s...
Note that difference is even more noticeable in darker scenes...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Tenhi said:
Are you sure that you are talking about the same issue? As far as I know, every phone has this issue after 4.4.1/4.4.2 update...
Here are my screenshots of camera app while pointing it to spot with poor lighting condition s...
Note that difference is even more noticeable in darker scenes...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you are saying that it's normal for the nexus 5 to have an app camera less brighter than the photo app since 4.4.2? I received my phone a week ago so I didn't noticed it, it was already installed in 4.4.2
Fata7 said:
So you are saying that it's normal for the nexus 5 to have an app camera less brighter than the photo app since 4.4.2? I received my phone a week ago so I didn't noticed it, it was already installed in 4.4.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I am not saying that. Read my previous posts in this thread. It is known "bug". Google is aware of it (bug reports have been sent), and it is up to then to fix it or not.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Disable Nexus 5 front camera

Hello
I am wondering if there is a possibility to disable the front camera of my nexus 5 for privacy reasons. I don't need it anyway.
Of course, I could glue something onto it, but that just looks stupid and I think there must be a way to disable the camera for the system, which can be fixed if I need to. I guess the best way would be to remove the drivers for it, but I don't know which one it is.
Does anyone has any idea how to achieve this? Deleting the camera.apk would not work because I still want to be able to use the camera at the back.
Thank you already and cheers.
Just use a black marker pen and put a dot.. If you ever want to use the camera, use alcohol to wipe it off.
Privacy? You believe someone could hack your phone and watch you?
Yeah.... Not going to happen. Relax. ?
KJ said:
Privacy? You believe someone could hack your phone and watch you?
Yeah.... Not going to happen. Relax. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who knows.. may be the govt was spying on us the whole time and this camera-daemon bug was a cover up? :silly::angel:
LCD has good viewing angle. Tilt phone back. You can still see sexy video but camera cannot see your excited face
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
rootSU said:
LCD has good viewing angle. Tilt phone back. You can still see sexy video but camera cannot see your excited face
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the best possible answer for this question.

Blurry front camera

I love my pixel 3a, even the front camera selfies (even though it has a fixed focus). The phone takes awesome pictures, also with the front camera.
However, during video call (whatsapp or snapchat), the video quality is very very very bad. I mean like there is water in the lens or something or it just can't focus or its trying to smooth out everything till infinity. I don't get how this is possible. I know android doesn't have the best social media camera (compared to iphone, which is better optimized), but my galaxy s8 is doing whatsapp and snapchat video's just fine and in focus.
Other people have experience with this? it's really a pity, because it's the only thing i really dislike at the moment.
Any help would be appreciated.
With kind regards
Bengaal
Bengaal said:
I love my pixel 3a, even the front camera selfies (even though it has a fixed focus). The phone takes awesome pictures, also with the front camera.
However, during video call (whatsapp or snapchat), the video quality is very very very bad. I mean like there is water in the lens or something or it just can't focus or its trying to smooth out everything till infinity. I don't get how this is possible. I know android doesn't have the best social media camera (compared to iphone, which is better optimized), but my galaxy s8 is doing whatsapp and snapchat video's just fine and in focus.
Other people have experience with this? it's really a pity, because it's the only thing i really dislike at the moment.
Any help would be appreciated.
With kind regards
Bengaal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI Bengal
Same issue with me, I'm hoping this issue is software of whatsapp app. should be fixed next update or next update Android 10.
What base model do you used? Mine is QQ3A.200605.002
Thanks!
Regards
Asep
asepuhuybok said:
HI Bengal
Same issue with me, I'm hoping this issue is software of whatsapp app. should be fixed next update or next update Android 10.
What base model do you used? Mine is QQ3A.200605.002
Thanks!
Regards
Asep
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply Asep,
I am running the same build number as you. Yes I hope it's fixed in the next update. Have you heard other people have this problem? can't seem to find many people with this problem. I would assume many people would have this issue.
Bengaal said:
Thanks for your reply Asep,
I am running the same build number as you. Yes I hope it's fixed in the next update. Have you heard other people have this problem? can't seem to find many people with this problem. I would assume many people would have this issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't find same issues from other forums either hope next update can fix this, I have trying to clear cache but still no fixed.
asepuhuybok said:
I haven't find same issues from other forums either hope next update can fix this, I have trying to clear cache but still no fixed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just updated to the July patch. Unfortunately still have the same problem. I guess we're just unlucky and it's somehow a hardware issue. I can't imagine that the rest of the pixel 3a owners have the same thing but aren't bothered by it. I read on reddit of one guy who was talking about blurry front camera, but after phone was replaced the problem was gone.
I've had the same problem! My build number is QQ2A.200501.001.B2. I just got a new Pixel 3a as the last camera just died, but it was also an issue on the previous Pixel 3a as well.
Any news on this? I've found several threads on Google support sites regarding this issue but they've ve all been closed without a solution. There must be more people with this issue though and I'm not sure at the moment if this is a hardware issue or not.
Since last night we're in a serious lockdown here in the Netherlands and this is becoming a dealbreaker, cause the front camera is our most used lifeline with friends and family.
I'm on RQ1A.201205.003 and using WhatsApp for video calls.
Edit: see for example this thread from Google support: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/63843045?hl=en

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