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Good Camera app?

Dear all members,
I notice that default camera app cannot have timestamp with date when you take photo.
I have also tried out Vignette and find it better than the stock camera app as it has the auto flash function.
Anyone know whether these is better camera apps?
Sent from my X10i using XDA App

I've tried most of the other camera apps and ended up buying Vignette. It is one of the few that takes full 8mp photos, the focusing works correctly, and it saves the images to the SDcard\DCIM folder.
Camera360 was okay, but I found the photos weren't up to par detail-wise, and I didn't like the interface so much.
I still use the SE Camera app for video.

awojtas said:
I've tried most of the other camera apps and ended up buying Vignette. It is one of the few that takes full 8mp photos, the focusing works correctly, and it saves the images to the SDcard\DCIM folder.
Camera360 was okay, but I found the photos weren't up to par detail-wise, and I didn't like the interface so much.
I still use the SE Camera app for video.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your feedback, I am using vignette full version but it does not have the time stamp for photos. I do like the touch to take photos.
Sent from my X10i using XDA App

I have Vignette as well but i feel that it doesnt take the photo as fast as the stock camera. I end up just missing the moment i wanted to capture. Anyone else experience this? That being said i find i use the stock camera more often than not.
Sent from my X10i using XDA App

hi,
i m using Vignette as well.
Is there anyway to set macro mode in this app ?
thanks
mice

ive been using the stock camera, silent cam, and vignette. i lile vignette the best, but what i really want is a camera with a manual focus. if anyone knows of anything or if its possible please reply.

I want a camera app where i can control ISO speed

You and others are asking too much out of a phone. Go get a digital camera, better convenience.
Sorry in advance if my words are harsh to bear.

TrietHocNhanSinh said:
You and others are asking too much out of a phone. Go get a digital camera, better convenience.
Sorry in advance if my words are harsh to bear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have one... Thing is, I have the phone with me every day... I can't say the same about my D90.
Sent from my X10a using XDA App

What he said

I wonder if it's possible to read the ISO, shutter etc from the camera. I'm guessing the API abstracts and hides these settings; or perhaps Sony restrict them from being set.
Obviously the aperture is fixed (f2.8) for this type of camera lens.
I've noticed that the ISO is often increased to ISO1000 when it doesn't seem to be necessary. And at other times, the camera selects a very slow shutter speed (1/8sec) when it should increase the ISO, to prevent blurring.

awojtas said:
I've tried most of the other camera apps and ended up buying Vignette. It is one of the few that takes full 8mp photos, the focusing works correctly, and it saves the images to the SDcard\DCIM folder.
Camera360 was okay, but I found the photos weren't up to par detail-wise, and I didn't like the interface so much.
I still use the SE Camera app for video.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Vingette doesnt allow zoom in 8mp which completely ruined the program for me.... it focuses on one point rather than zoom the full image. is this a known issue with the ap or is it just me?

sean48 said:
Vingette doesnt allow zoom in 8mp which completely ruined the program for me.... it focuses on one point rather than zoom the full image. is this a known issue with the ap or is it just me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you actually take the photo it should look the same as default camera. That's sort of how digital zoom works. I'm failing to be able to describe it properly though
Sent from my X10i using XDA App

camera app for tab with autofocus?

Does anyone know a camera app that uses the full screen of the tab?
With the integrated camera app not using autofocus it is mostly useless to me since i cant read any text i photograph.
I tried several other apps. They all use the autofocus and it works great, but they dont utilize the full screen of the tab.

The camera app in JM6 features touch-to-focus, and I have no problems making photos of text. Maybe i could post the apk + odex files, for testing on stock firmware.

Yes, the app works fine, its me that didnt function correctly.
You just have to hold the button down, it will autofocus and beep when done.

Thanks very much for thay info now alsi i Focus.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

or you can use vignette..much more customization n works full screen on the tab + video mode with qik..

thesting said:
or you can use vignette..much more customization n works full screen on the tab + video mode with qik..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another strong user of Vignette here.
I posted a topic on the use of Vignette over the stock camera App.
Vignette has so much more to offer and one special mention has to go with 'Zoom'. As you all know the default camera has no zoom but id you use Vignette it uses a very clever 'live crop' tool that works very much like a zoom.
An added benefit is you get to see the surrounding area you are cropping out of the shot..... AND the shot taken is so, so much better than the default camera App.
Much greater detail, cleaner, sharper focus and better colours.
Next is the settings..... there is an absolute MAMMOTH of settings to choose from.
I have one customized that gives me an 'ND Filter' at a touch of a button.

In my experience, if you're looking for the most options & filters, then Vignette is the way to go. But if you're looking to take the best possible "normal" photos, Camera360 is tops for that.
I don't know what it is, but Camera360 shots ALWAYS are clearer & much more detailed/cleaner looking in comparison shots against Vignette.

peestandingup said:
In my experience, if you're looking for the most options & filters, then Vignette is the way to go. But if you're looking to take the best possible "normal" photos, Camera360 is tops for that.
I don't know what it is, but Camera360 shots ALWAYS are clearer & much more detailed/cleaner looking in comparison shots against Vignette.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must confess, although I have great admiration for Vignette, Camera360 Ultimate definitely does have some very good settings.
Of particular value I find the 'Tilt-Shift' to be fantastic. I also like the focus settings with it's 'Manual Focus' where you can focus on a subject then move the camera to another subject to throw the focus out.
So, my recommendation for photography would be Vignette & Camera360 Ultimate for taking the shot and Picsay Pro to post edit for even better image processed results.

Camera app with manual focusing?

I've been looking for an app with real manual focus but I can't find any, I've tried FV-5 and couple others but none of them have actual manual focusing. I'm not looking for touch focus where you select the object you want to be manually focused, I want an app with some kind of slider where I can just manually focus like using a professional camera where you spin the lens to adjust the focus your-self. Anyone knows any app that have this option?
Thanks!

Nothing
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium HD app

Smartphones cameras are very limited. If you are looking for a professional focus; better buy a professional camera.

badboy47 said:
Smartphones cameras are very limited. If you are looking for a professional focus; better buy a professional camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How come? Whats the difference between auto focus and manual focus? Auto focus just runs an algorithm that selects best focus it could find, I don't see a reason why you couldn't set this manually as a simple variable.

Chapii said:
How come? Whats the difference between auto focus and manual focus? Auto focus just runs an algorithm that selects best focus it could find, I don't see a reason why you couldn't set this manually as a simple variable.
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Click to collapse
Because the apps themselves don't control the focus, the system does

Chapii said:
How come? Whats the difference between auto focus and manual focus? Auto focus just runs an algorithm that selects best focus it could find, I don't see a reason why you couldn't set this manually as a simple variable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Camera API doesn't allow for manual focus. That's all there is to it.

what about camera API 2.0? they are supposed to release controls for a lot of functions

rogalxxx said:
what about camera API 2.0? they are supposed to release controls for a lot of functions
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Click to collapse
Possibly but I doubt it.

L will provide.

Many of the finer control configurations can also be modified, including:
Exposure time
ISO Sensitivity
Frame duration
Lens focus distance
Flash trigger
Color correction matrix
JPEG metadata
Tonemap curve
Crop region
AE / AF / AWB mode
AE / AWB lock
AF trigger
Precapture AE trigger
Metering regions
Exposure compensation
Target FPS range
Capture intent
Video stabilization

AFAIK there is no third party camera app with those function supported on N5,I mean at least ISO/exposure manual setting like other phone did. hope it availble on L
sent from nexus 5

Manual focusing function is available on some Chinese phones. Seems that if you use camera360 and your cellphone supports manual focusing, camera360 will provide this option. Unfortunately I've used MI2 (manufactured by xiaomi), and Nexus5, neither of them seems to support this function.

Time for someone to make this

It'd be awesome. Imagine all those bokeh pics with our Nexus 5

My lg g2 mini stock camera app has manuel focus..
Sent from my LG-D620 using XDA Free mobile app

Chapii said:
I've been looking for an app with real manual focus but I can't find any, I've tried FV-5 and couple others but none of them have actual manual focusing. I'm not looking for touch focus where you select the object you want to be manually focused, I want an app with some kind of slider where I can just manually focus like using a professional camera where you spin the lens to adjust the focus your-self. Anyone knows any app that have this option?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont really understand what youre trying to ask. you want an app to "manually" focus, but you dont want to touch to focus on a specific object? youre comparing hardware vs software when youre saying "using a professional camera where you spin the lens focus ring to focus"? . tapping on the screen to select a specific object to focus is technically in your term 'manual' focus. our phones dont have a dedicated hardware knob/switch for such control.
are you looking for something to take photos or shoot videos? if youre talking about photos, google camera already have this feature to select to focus.

I've got focus control via volume keys on standard camera. Think it's due to an xposed module I downloaded. It's a while back but works great. Used it an hour ago

isakkeyten said:
My lg g2 mini stock camera app has manuel focus..
Sent from my LG-D620 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats not a focus control. thats focusing on the background or foreground. and you can do that without a setting control, if you know how. manual focus is like on a real camera, where you spin the lens until youre focused on what you want.

polobreaka said:
i dont really understand what youre trying to ask. you want an app to "manually" focus, but you dont want to touch to focus on a specific object? youre comparing hardware vs software when youre saying "using a professional camera where you spin the lens focus ring to focus"? . tapping on the screen to select a specific object to focus is technically in your term 'manual' focus. our phones dont have a dedicated hardware knob/switch for such control.
are you looking for something to take photos or shoot videos? if youre talking about photos, google camera already have this feature to select to focus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Handy for some types of photography where you know where the action will take place - things like sports and weddings spring to mind.
You know that the player/bride/whatever will be at a specific location, and you don't want your camera wasting time trying to focus when you know you'll only get one shot.

That feature is available in Lumia phones as well. The manual focus really helps when you want to focus some objects which are very close to the camera. Auto focus and tapping on the object will focus the nearby object for a split second but again it will go out of focus. Manual focus will help in capturing macro images of such objects. I am also looking for such a feature in many camera apps, but could not find it. Hope someone creates an app

[HOWTO][WIP] Enable Camera2 and manual camera settings on Moto X Style/Pure

*Generic warning about messing with system stuff*
Summary
Thanks to @defcomg and @troopii, we have a working way to enable manual camera functions and .dng raw file capture on our Moto X Pure. This is still a work in progress as you will see.
Steps
Method 1:
1. Enable camera2 api by adding the line persist.camera.HAL3.enabled=1 to the bottom of your build.prop.
2. Reboot
3. Install the modified version of FreeDCam from this thread.
4. Open FreeDCam. It will probably force close.
5. Open FreeDCam again.
6. Explore to see what you can do. On the left of the capture screen is the option to change from jpeg to raw. This will save .dng files that you can edit in Snapseed or other raw editors (including Adobe Lightroom on the PC).
By changing the exposure mode or focus mode off of auto, you can then click on the gear in the lower left of the capture screen and change your shutter speed, iso, and use manual focus. There are a few other things you can change here too.
Edit: method 2 removed because of incompleteness and unknown errors.
Warnings
1. Using method 1 will disable all other camera applications on your device until you revert the build.prop changes. We don't know why yet, but the symptoms are that the preview of other camera apps never start and always show black.
Future Action
Hopefully we aren't done. It would be great to find out what is limiting the full implementation of camera2 on this device. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
contributors
@defcomg - He made most of the device specific edits, guided me through making edits to my device and testing, figured out how to correctly encode the dng, and is generally awesome. He also doesn't own this device and is helping out of the goodness of his heart. Also figured out the tasker stuff.
@troopii - Main developer of FreeDCam. He made the app and also made some important edits to get this working.
I just tested and wrote the thread so all of you could benefit from their labors. They get all the credit.
Go, have fun modifying your device. Hopefully some devs will want to get involved and get real camera2 support for this device. It's almost there. For details on our progress so far, read here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/mot...ra-comparison-stock-vs-3rd-party-app-t3215603. We hijacked that thread, so please bring all discussion back here.

*reserved*
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Todo :
Metadata Extraction
DNG Orientation flag
Optimize Manual Control Activation
New Color Matrix/ Camera Profile - Will Require a Xplay user with Xrite / MacBeth Color Checker
Source Code : Should you wanna make changes
Code:
My Git : https://github.com/defcomk/FreeDcam
Troop: https://github.com/troop/FreeDcam
---------- Post added at 02:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:52 AM ----------
@Bobby060 Do the logcats for the other camera apps will check them later :good:

Any chance we will ever see a port of L Camera from the Nexus devices?

alex94kumar said:
Any chance we will ever see a port of L Camera from the Nexus devices?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes pretty good chance all camera 2 apps will work after some code adjustments i've fowarded L Camera Dev a link to this thread :good:

Awesome!! Thank you for the work on this, can't wait to see where this goes! cheers!

alex94kumar said:
Awesome!! Thank you for the work on this, can't wait to see where this goes! cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also mailed A Better Camera Dev will see what happens

Haha I called it! lol defcomg and other devs cracked it open! Only bugs left to fix. You guys rock!
What about Geeky Dev Studio? Wonder if its possible to port the Google Camera over with the HDR+!
Oh also, does anyone know of any app that can sample the images down to less mp but end up with insanely crisp photos?

Dpat09 said:
Haha I called it! lol defcomg and other devs cracked it open! Only bugs left to fix. You guys rock!
What about Geeky Dev Studio? Wonder if its possible to port the Google Camera over with the HDR+!
Oh also, does anyone know of any app that can sample the images down to less mp but end up with insanely crisp photos?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done also mailed opencam + proshot lets have a dev party lol:silly:

defcomg said:
Done also mailed opencam + proshot lets have a dev party lol:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi I'm the developer of ProShot and I'm here for the party.
Also, this is awesome! I'll see what I can do

edee1337 said:
Hi I'm the developer of ProShot and I'm here for the party.
Also, this is awesome! I'll see what I can do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you need logs and such @Bobby060 is your guy :good:

defcomg said:
if you need logs and such @Bobby060 is your guy :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, yeah. Just don't bet on it being quick. I probably won't get to getting those preview logs until tomorrow. Silly college...
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

defcomg said:
if you need logs and such @Bobby060 is your guy :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Moto x play camera lib
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_jaJyTPSwjma0Y5VzI2LWpCU0E/view?usp=docslist_api
Sent from my XT1562 using XDA Free mobile app

droider007 said:
Moto x play camera lib
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_jaJyTPSwjma0Y5VzI2LWpCU0E/view?usp=docslist_api
Sent from my XT1562 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately Xplay is using the Older QCOM HAL 2 for camera 2 api you need HAL 3.0.
but you can try freedcam in Camera 1 Mode i added QCOM's Manual Focus and Manual Exosure time. Raw picture is possible without camera 2 but motorola removed it from picture format perhaps they is a workaround to force hal to accept the bayer picture format will try hexxing the hal later and get back to you, but for the moment you can test those manaul functions .

defcomg said:
Unfortunately Xplay is using the Older QCOM HAL 2 for camera 2 api you need HAL 3.0.
but you can try freedcam in Camera 1 Mode i added QCOM's Manual Focus and Manual Exosure time. Raw picture is possible without camera 2 but motorola removed it from picture format perhaps they is a workaround to force hal to accept the bayer picture format will try hexxing the hal later and get back to you, but for the moment you can test those manaul functions .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bummer.....lets see if the workaround works.....
thanks btw!

i will later change the manual modes that they are better useable in freedcam. that means that exposuretime iso and mf get a auto value wich enables/disables ae/focus automatical.
camera2 is full based on the sdk description thats why it is not very userfriendly. but it was important to have it this way to see how it works.
great to see its working ;D
edee1337 said:
Hi I'm the developer of ProShot and I'm here for the party.
Also, this is awesome! I'll see what I can do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
motox has a messed up dngconverter. we did use the one from freedcam for camera1 to workaround that bug.
not sure why the preview is black. maybe it has something todo how the preview gets cropped. freedcam crop it depending on the previewsize and screensize.
had simliar problem when i tryed to get zoom working on nexus5

Awesome guys! Thank you very much!
Its working on my XT1572
Keep up your great work to make it available in all Apps.

Whats the max exposure time you can get on manual mode?

Csetoue said:
Whats the max exposure time you can get on manual mode?
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Click to collapse
I believe the max we have enabled in the app is 1/5 of a second. The theoretical max is more, I think, so it will probably get better.
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Csetoue said:
Whats the max exposure time you can get on manual mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
from parameters it tells max-exposure-time=657.770600, the question is wich format it has. sec, millisec, microsec, nanosec...

Camera Tips&Tricks

Hello ,
What settings are you using when taking photos with this phone ?
Personally I've tried to use both auto and manual with both 19 mp 4:3 and 17 mp 16:9 but the results were horrible ...
Do you guys have the same experience with the camera ?

At 40 kilometers per hour
19mp 4:3 and Sony automatic mode.
H8296
It is cloudy, rainy, not very bright at 17:14.

Really? The colour accuracy is the best I've ever seen on a smartphone. The details are also really great.
I only use auto @ 17 MP for now, and the experience is good so far.

MartinX3 said:
At 40 kilometers per hour
19mp 4:3 and Sony automatic mode.
H8296
It is cloudy, rainy, not very bright at 17:14.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice pciture you got htere ... Here are some of mine taken at Comic Con 2 weeks ago 19Mp 4:3 one with AutoMode the other with Manual no edits , zoom in a bit and you'll see that they look horrible.....
Also here is a link for more exmemples full size images : https://photos.app.goo.gl/6Hh6KpTTGgLxzV9c2

Oh, the manual mode looks a little bit better.
If it is the right picture.
And in the internet, we would say, that this pictures needs more jpeg.
But I can tell you, that it isn't the hardware.
Sony need to implement the camera Hal 2 api with its Raw support.
And don't be sad, if you install lineageos with the DRM fix, you get the Hal 2 api. And a port of the Google cam hdr app.
But the DRM fix, lineageos and TWRP needing to be developed.
Of course you could use the treble lineageos without the device specific stuff.
But wait for the DRM fix or your camera is lost.
And I would wait 2 years until Sony stops the support, because only the Sony updates easily updates the modem, the vendor drivers and the other firmware stuff.

MartinX3 said:
Oh, the manual mode looks a little bit better.
If it is the right picture.
And in the internet, we would say, that this pictures needs more jpeg.
But I can tell you, that it isn't the hardware.
Sony need to implement the camera Hal 2 api with its Raw support.
And don't be sad, if you install lineageos with the DRM fix, you get the Hal 2 api. And a port of the Google cam hdr app.
But the DRM fix, lineageos and TWRP needing to be developed.
Of course you could use the treble lineageos without the device specific stuff.
But wait for the DRM fix or your camera is lost.
And I would wait 2 years until Sony stops the support, because only the Sony updates easily updates the modem, the vendor drivers and the other firmware stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the one picture on the right ( the one with the guy ) is on Auto ... I know that rooting this phones without DRM fix means ruining your camera and I had do not intend to root just yet ...
Sadly looks like a have to live with the way things work right now...
Have a nice day !

I noticed that sometimes auto mode would make horrible blurry images, especially in the darker areas. Sometimes not. It's a bit weird and i'm sure a software related thing. In general it seems like they do too much postprocessing and i hope there will be further optimizations.
Here a photo that looks identical between auto and manual when i tried to reproduce the problem - couldn't say for sure which is which.
All in all i think it's not too bad, weaker spots are always darker areas that are more distant.
While another time auto would set some weird iso value and zooming in, it looks completely blurry.

So i tried to take pictures of the Sunset...
DSC_0537 is Sony Auto Mode 38 is Manual Mode.
IMAG3418 is HTC10 Auto Mode, 19 is Pro Mode.
But on Another note.... WTF Is the Sony Manual Mode?
Iso from 50 to 12'800 is okay... but Shutter from 1 Second to 1/4000th?
So what if i want more than 1 Second ?
Oh... an Manual ISO control Sets HDR to OFF, always, without warning....

The camera takes pretty sharp photos as from my point of view. The Z5 had great photos, but XZ2 have better! Talking about auto mode...

I recommend ProCapture app!
It takes really nice pictures and have a lot of settings, including selfie panorama!
There's a mode that uses dual layers to reduce the noise in pictures!
Sent from my Sony Xperia XZ2!

Is there a gcam port yet?
Sent from my ASUS_X00QD using XDA Labs

EMJI79 said:
Is there a gcam port yet?
Sent from my ASUS_X00QD using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not one someone on this forum is aware of at least otherwise there would have been thread on the topic

Do you guys think the image quality and camera app functionality are going to improve even more? Don't know where to write about this. The forums seem empty. Seems like the XZ2 has quite small community.

Eye_twitch said:
Do you guys think the image quality and camera app functionality are going to improve even more? Don't know where to write about this. The forums seem empty. Seems like the XZ2 has quite small community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe Sony will extend the camera api further.
They already did progress over the years to extend the hardware level support category from Legacy to Full.
But Level_3, Auto focus EDOF, WhiteBalance: shade, WhiteBalance: twilight, WhiteBalance: WhiteBalance: warm fluorescent and RAW capture are still not available.
If we get the DRM fix and GCAM gets ported on SMD845, maybe we will get the full camera api on LineageOS or AOSP and better pictures.

MartinX3 said:
Maybe Sony will extend the camera api further.
They already did progress over the years to extend the hardware level support category from Legacy to Full.
But Level_3, Auto focus EDOF, WhiteBalance: shade, WhiteBalance: twilight, WhiteBalance: WhiteBalance: warm fluorescent and RAW capture are still not available.
If we get the DRM fix and GCAM gets ported on SMD845, maybe we will get the full camera api on LineageOS or AOSP and better pictures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope so.
Sent from my ASUS_X00QD using XDA Labs

Here are 2 videos comparing the XZ2 with one of the best mirrorless cameras sony evere made, the Sony Alpha 6000. On this channel you cand find much more videos with XZ2 comparisons against other phones, and you will see the results are pretty impressive. But "PRO TIP": never, NEVER use tap to focus and on screen shutter to take a photo in superior auto, it is using spot metering and will overexpose or underexpose like hell. Either shoot in manual mode and select frame metering or shoot in superior auto using the shutter button (half press to focus in the centre, recompose the scene, press all the way to take the shot). This is how the Sony camera is meant to be used

Eye_twitch said:
Do you guys think the image quality and camera app functionality are going to improve even more? Don't know where to write about this. The forums seem empty. Seems like the XZ2 has quite small community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes quite small indeed and seems to be a lot of them don't like Sony - it's almost like a hate Sony forum, got to ask why buy a Sony Phone then come on here and ***** about it, rather sinister if you ask me

Hey guys,
I noticed a huge quality loss while taking photos in third party apps like "a better camera" or through app-inbuild camera functions of WhatsApp, Instagram, Signal etc. It affects both cameras.
Why does this happen?
Is it because the apps don't have the permission of using the camera drivers / or api ? Is there any workaround?
The loss of quality (mostly pixelated and grainy as f#) is quite obvious and really grinds my gears.