Database Info

Camera auto mode is horrible

Is anyone experiencing this, I don't see many threads?
Tonight I did a camera comparison with a friends IPhone 6 and the IPhone 6 was far superior in every sense. Images from the Z3 generally seem grainy and lack detail and sharpness.
I see a few people have mentioned that the camera is better of you manually set the options. This isn't what a smartphone is for when you need to snap a quick shot, by the time you've done all that you've missed the moment.
I swapped my LG G3 (which also took better shots) for this and I'm really underwhelmed by the camera on the Z3, which ironically is its main selling point.
Can anyone suggest some third party camera apps which would perform better?
Also do you think Sony will fix this, i owned the original Z and can recall having some camera issues. I didn't think they would still be present 4 years on.
The Z3 camera was hyped up so much, I really can't see why. Great on paper, not so good in the real world.

Xperia Z3 D6603
rm83855 said:
Is anyone experiencing this, I don't see many threads?
Tonight I did a camera comparison with a friends IPhone 6 and the IPhone 6 was far superior in every sense. Images from the Z3 generally seem grainy and lack detail and sharpness.
I see a few people have mentioned that the camera is better of you manually set the options. This isn't what a smartphone is for when you need to snap a quick shot, by the time you've done all that you've missed the moment.
I swapped my LG G3 (which also took better shots) for this and I'm really underwhelmed by the camera on the Z3, which ironically is its main selling point.
Can anyone suggest some third party camera apps which would perform better?
Also do you think Sony will fix this, i owned the original Z and can recall having some camera issues. I didn't think they would still be present 4 years on.
The Z3 camera was hyped up so much, I really can't see why. Great on paper, not so good in the real world.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
superior auto mode is basically a 8 mp with hdr and flash with some adjustments better go with the manual so you can choose a higher mega pixel.

nolihowell said:
superior auto mode is basically a 8 mp with hdr and flash with some adjustments better go with the manual so you can choose a higher mega pixel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed Pro Capture and it seems a lot better. Sony is doing half a job. You cannot supply excellent hardware and not take advantage of it with the software. It seems most people are impressed by the specs of the camera more than its ability to actually take a picture! I cannot believe how much hype surrounding this camera there was.
Have you tried the xposed module 'superiorauto 20mp'? which forces the SA mode to shoot at 20megapixels?

Camera

I'm considering the XZ, however there are very conflicting reviews of the camera. Some show really nasty photos, some show good photos. I'm assuming some of this has to do with SW versions and I know the XZ recently updated to 7.0.
I can't tell anything from a tethered store display unit.
Anyone have any comments regarding photo quality?
Manual mode is fine for me to shoot in. I almost always use manual mode on my cell phones and also my digital cameras.
Thanks in advance.

I find it pretty good, the manual shutter speed goes right down to 1/4000, manual focus ISO etc.
In MM I did realise the camera quality was worse than in 7.0 - so they did improve it.
Photos I have taken have great colours, and can usually be edited quite well in lightroom.
Big downside is the no RAW support (Yet, hopefully they release it)

nzzane said:
I find it pretty good, the manual shutter speed goes right down to 1/4000, manual focus ISO etc.
In MM I did realise the camera quality was worse than in 7.0 - so they did improve it.
Photos I have taken have great colours, and can usually be edited quite well in lightroom.
Big downside is the no RAW support (Yet, hopefully they release it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Colors have pretty much always been good in reports. The main thing that some of the "bad" reviews have mentioned is the artifacts especially in lower light. The better reviews and pictures that I've seen online don't really show a huge artifact problem and some of the youtube videos show what appears to be very good lowlight performance using manual mode.
I knew about the lack of raw support and I've used LR for a long time.

Fred98TJ said:
Thanks.
Colors have pretty much always been good in reports. The main thing that some of the "bad" reviews have mentioned is the artifacts especially in lower light. The better reviews and pictures that I've seen online don't really show a huge artifact problem and some of the youtube videos show what appears to be very good lowlight performance using manual mode.
I knew about the lack of raw support and I've used LR for a long time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony has always been a bit dodgy with low light, but I have found the XZ really improves on that (Compared to ther Z3, and Z5) Manual mode really helps with some of that though (same as a DSLR though)
Another thing to note, the device unlocks super quickly, and same with the camera, good for those un prepared shots

nzzane said:
Sony has always been a bit dodgy with low light, but I have found the XZ really improves on that (Compared to ther Z3, and Z5) Manual mode really helps with some of that though (same as a DSLR though)
Another thing to note, the device unlocks super quickly, and same with the camera, good for those un prepared shots
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again for the response.
I suppose that there isn't really any infor on their nrw 19mp camera used in thr XZs, nor have I found any pricing on it. At any rate it seems only a small upgrade from the XZ, with mostly the new camera and another 1 of ram

Pictures are generally very noisy and blurry when its not in extremely good light (inside with the sun shining through the windows with the lights on as well) Video however is very very good. I dont use manual mode since I don't know what to do, but as a point and shoot I can think of several phones that do better and probably cost less. If you want to buy it for the camera, just dont.

omarfarrah said:
Pictures are generally very noisy and blurry when its not in extremely good light (inside with the sun shining through the windows with the lights on as well) Video however is very very good. I dont use manual mode since I don't know what to do, but as a point and shoot I can think of several phones that do better and probably cost less. If you want to buy it for the camera, just dont.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Noisy and blurry? Do you have a xz? In my xz i don't have those problems...

djgigi94 said:
Noisy and blurry? Do you have a xz? In my xz i don't have those problems...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats strange, I hope I dont have a faulty hardware , however did you try to take indoor pictures and zoom in, you'll really notice the noise atleast, and if I'm not still as a building then it will also blur.

Sometimes the SW can overboard with the sharpening, I wish there was an option to disable it. Most phones probably have this issue too though.
I dont know if this can be counted as an issue but the lens on XZ has kind of a fish eye effect, So If you are taking a picture of an object and put it i the corners, it stretches and looks a bit... uh, unnatural? Because of this I try to make sure to center people as much as I can.
Some also say that taking pics in 8 mp mode introduces some artifacts because of the conversion algorithm (23mp to 8mp downsizing). So I use 23MP to avoid any unwanted processing.

I find the colors of the photos, taken with the XZ, to be very dull and way too cold to my liking, and XZ's Camera UI and Camera API have very limited manual controls set, unlike the rest of the flagships out there. I made a few photos with my old Xperia Pro and my new Xperia XZ for comparison, you can check them here - https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0u28226fxm9z27d/AADrU08TmvfIUtSbprgharT-a?dl=0 . I was very unhappy with the XZ's camera so I sold it one week after I bought it.
EDIT: you check this thread for more information about the limitations, related to the manual controls of XZ's camera - https://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-xz/help/enable-manual-controls-camera-t3580654

My experience, XZ pictures have a lot of noise (you can see that when you zoom in) when the light is not enough (and the phone is the one that decides what it means by enough )
I am coming from Galaxy s6 edge + to XZ Dual, and the S6 is the winner in my comparison.
If you want it for the camera, I wouldnt recommend you to go for the XZ.
---------- Post added at 04:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:09 PM ----------
check this for your reference
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-xz/help/xperia-xz-dual-sim-camera-noise-t3582899

Fred98TJ said:
Thanks again for the response.
I suppose that there isn't really any infor on their nrw 19mp camera used in thr XZs, nor have I found any pricing on it. At any rate it seems only a small upgrade from the XZ, with mostly the new camera and another 1 of ram
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This review has sample photos in full res from XZS if you wanna know about picture quality. I own the XZ and i do see a difference in quality to the better in XZs compared to XZ..
https://www.lowyat.net/2017/128842/sony-xperia-xzs-review-one-trick-pony/

After I started using 4:3 full resolution instead od cropped 16:9 and disabled object tracking I very rarely see edge bluring and the photos in general are a lot better.
The "noise" people talk about in most cases is not really noise, it's a result of the image processing algorithm being too aggressive trying to eliminate noise even when there isn't any. First it sharpens the hell out of the photo to bring out as much detail as possible and then it tries to remove the resulting noise by applying heavy noise reduction. It's basically shooting itself in the foot. But, it really isn't as dramatic as some would say, you can't really see that effect until you zoom in really close. If Sony could find a middle ground, balance it out a bit, it would be perfect.
Sony's image processing has always been an issue for some unexplainable reason, they mastered sensors and image processing in photography a long time ago, but when it comes to phones it fails in software department, the sensor are the best on the market still.
It really is mind boggling, and they are aware of that, it's basically a software issue, it just needs some adjusting, why apply a noise reduction filter when there isn't any noise? HDR usually sucks as well. Then again, their DIS is top notch, the autofocus since the XZ is superb, the colors to me look great all around, low light photos are very good, specially in manual mode with adjustable shutter speed...there are great things about Sony's cameras, but usually things average user doesn't really see or cares about.
To be fair, the only time I see those artefacts is when I zoom in, not even when watching fullscreen on a PC, so I'm really pleased with the camera on Xperia since the Z3, but all things considered, Sony should have the best smartphone cameras in the world or at least be the top 3.
All that being said, shooting in manual mode is a different story, once you get a hang of it and learn how to use it, it can stand besides the best of them, easy. But that's not really a fair measurement, only auto modes, because that's what most people will use, and that's where Sony usually doesn't do that great.
The phone takes great photos, and I have yet to see a review that says it's a bad camera. It really isn't, it just isn't at the top few as it could be.
As for the XZs, currently it often produces lower quality photos than the XZ, depending on the scenario, it isn't a better camera, it's just different and has different strenghts in different scenarios. Plus, the slowmo gadget, if you care about that stuff. Other than that, there is no reason why it should be a better camera in average scenarios, maybe in low light because the pixels are bigger, but that's pretty much it.
If the quality of photos is your only concern about buying an XZ (or XZs, for that matter), you shouldn't be worried.

DXoMark Score of 83. Any thoughts?

https://www.dxomark.com/sony-xperia-xz-premium-first-sony-tested-with-our-new-protocols/
As expected, Sony's premium flagship gets an unimpressive score of 83 from DXoMark's revamped benchmarking (now including zoom, bokeh effect, artifacts, among other testing).
While i don't agree with the score per category (especially on having a low video stabilization score; seriously, Sony's 5-axis is arguably the best in video stabilization right now) but DXoMark does raise some good and valid points on what's wrong with Xperia phones. Hope Sony camera devs read the review as well so they know what to improve on (i.e. software algorithm on superior auto, noise and texture, lowlight performance, zoom in and bokeh effect).
Having said that, still one satisfied Xperia user here. The cons don't affect me that much; unless you're a person who's really nitpicking on every small detail, the Sony Xperia XZ Premium does a good job of being a solid performer in both photo and video capture.

Lawliet918 said:
https://www.dxomark.com/sony-xperia-xz-premium-first-sony-tested-with-our-new-protocols/
As expected, Sony's premium flagship gets an unimpressive score of 83 from DXoMark's revamped benchmarking (now including zoom, bokeh effect, artifacts, among other testing).
While i don't agree with the score per category (especially on having a low video stabilization score; seriously, Sony's 5-axis is arguably the best in video stabilization right now) but DXoMark does raise some good and valid points on what's wrong with Xperia phones. Hope Sony camera devs read the review as well so they know what to improve on (i.e. software algorithm on superior auto, noise and texture, lowlight performance, zoom in and bokeh effect).
Having said that, still one satisfied Xperia user here. The cons don't affect me that much; unless you're a person who's really nitpicking on every small detail, the Sony Xperia XZ Premium does a good job of being a solid performer in both photo and video capture.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony no paid dxomark= dxmark trolling Sony.
Apple paid Dxomark= dxomark 96 points

Glad I don't use zoom on my XZP... Or I never even used it in my life. Truth is I cant expect from camera big as fingernail to catch photos like pro digital camera. Also every model with only one main camera will fail this test. Still I am happy with xzp camera for taking pictures, even the front camera is finally good for selfies.
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4ZdMbV
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4ZdMbV
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4ZdMbV
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4XtNwH
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm2QjnKd
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm2QjnKd
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4AWDDW
Also we should wait for xz1 review, maybe they did some update on img processing...
Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

smitrovic said:
Glad I don't use zoom on my XZP... Or I never even used it in my life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm not sure why this is even part of the test. If there is no actual optical zoom, what are they really testing? I see people zoom in on their smartphone cameras all the time and I wonder what the point is. Just crop the photo later. You get a better picture, and the "zoom" is effectively the same.

It's really sad and bit disappointing. I think most of the stuff they were saying true.

Couldn't care less. I didn't buy this phone for it's camera

Come on Sony... 83
Come on Sony'
I bought the XZ Premium because I already own Sony cameras. Sony is obviously the leader in sensor technology and by teaming up with Zeiss there should be no questions about the hardware. So... That only leaves one thing. Software! Apple uses Sony Sensors. Samsung likewise. Even Huawei. So we know their sensors are no better, it must be the software. Please Sony, get off your arrogant asses and give us something that's competitive. I know this 83 could be brought up to 93 if you can just give us a new update and a little software support.

I guess that wont happen ever, because Sony needs to save digital camera market tho. If they made this camera use all potential, they wont sell any 200-400 euro digital cameras.
Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

The initial purporpose of dxomark is to diminish any phone that lacks a second lens for bokeh and zoom and from the other side to favor the phones that have it. So i cannot take this test into consideration because it lacks any professionalism and puts double standards.

I know people love slating DXoMark with remarks like "Sony no paid dxomark= dxmark trolling Sony." I also know that we can't say if that is true or not but to be honest we don't even need DXoMarks score. The camera is poor compared to 2017 flagships. Just take an objective look and test for yourself. The problem on this forum is that people are so blind sighted and such massive fanboys they can't step back and go wow yeah this is awful. I spend £649 on this phone sim free and I understand a lot of people have done the same and want to back up the purchase with claims like the above.
The point of the matter though is that Sony's whole marketing for this thing was the camera and weather you look at a DXoMark score or not, it is not up to scratch . Its low light performance is miles of the competition, the dynamic range is shockingly bad compared to phone like the Pixel, Galaxy S7 or iPhone 7 all of which where released last year. Not even looking at the quality of the photos there is also many other issues such as camera distortion etc.
I just wish Sony would acknowledge these issues and say "Hey we are working on it" but they don't. What i would also like is a camera 2 API so at least we can use another camera app.

jms.flynn said:
I know people love slating DXoMark with remarks like "Sony no paid dxomark= dxmark trolling Sony." I also know that we can't say if that is true or not but to be honest we don't even need DXoMarks score. The camera is poor compared to 2017 flagships. Just take an objective look and test for yourself. The problem on this forum is that people are so blind sighted and such massive fanboys they can't step back and go wow yeah this is awful. I spend £649 on this phone sim free and I understand a lot of people have done the same and want to back up the purchase with claims like the above.
The point of the matter though is that Sony's whole marketing for this thing was the camera and weather you look at a DXoMark score or not, it is not up to scratch . Its low light performance is miles of the competition, the dynamic range is shockingly bad compared to phone like the Pixel, Galaxy S7 or iPhone 7 all of which where released last year. Not even looking at the quality of the photos there is also many other issues such as camera distortion etc.
I just wish Sony would acknowledge these issues and say "Hey we are working on it" but they don't. What i would also like is a camera 2 API so at least we can use another camera app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then go and pay 1200 pounds to get your iPhone X to shoot in auto mode, and let the people who know about photography to shoot better photos in manual mode with almost half the price.

jms.flynn said:
I know people love slating DXoMark with remarks like "Sony no paid dxomark= dxmark trolling Sony." I also know that we can't say if that is true or not but to be honest we don't even need DXoMarks score. The camera is poor compared to 2017 flagships. Just take an objective look and test for yourself. The problem on this forum is that people are so blind sighted and such massive fanboys they can't step back and go wow yeah this is awful. I spend £649 on this phone sim free and I understand a lot of people have done the same and want to back up the purchase with claims like the above.
The point of the matter though is that Sony's whole marketing for this thing was the camera and weather you look at a DXoMark score or not, it is not up to scratch . Its low light performance is miles of the competition, the dynamic range is shockingly bad compared to phone like the Pixel, Galaxy S7 or iPhone 7 all of which where released last year. Not even looking at the quality of the photos there is also many other issues such as camera distortion etc.
I just wish Sony would acknowledge these issues and say "Hey we are working on it" but they don't. What i would also like is a camera 2 API so at least we can use another camera app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use other camera apps, just not the free versions. If you can handle a couple of euros for Camera Zoom FX you will find that the camera is not as you describe it!!! By any chance have you unlocked your bootloader? I'm sure you know that currently there is no way to backup your TA partition wich means the loss of your DRM unique key which enables camera features, and more.
I've been an xperia fan for a long time and finally Sony are releasing sw updates more frequently and this handset will get Oreo once the sony team puts it together. This will transform this handset which has great HW, as all xperia handsets

Katsigaros said:
Then go and pay 1200 pounds to get your iPhone X to shoot in auto mode, and let the people who know about photography to shoot better photos in manual mode with almost half the price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wasn't really my point was it. You can go buy a year old S7 or LG G6 and shoot in manual mode or in auto mode and smash the Sony out of the water.
And if you want a more stock android experience buy a Moto G5 Plus and that also beats the Sony.
The reason I know is because i have them. The way the sony was sold with improved lens, better low light due to bigger pixel size and hybrid auto focus this was supposed to be a beast of a camera. Which it isn't, not even close.
---------- Post added at 02:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:05 PM ----------
WildBit said:
I've been an xperia fan for a long time and finally Sony are releasing sw updates more frequently and this handset will get Oreo once the sony team puts it together. This will transform this handset which has great HW, as all xperia handsets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lets hope so, I am a huge Sony fan and want them to succeeded. I've had all the xperia's since the z3 compact. I just want a camera experience which is as good as the rest of the software and hardware.

This new DXO formula is idiotic... It gives adventages to dualcam phones.
whats the point of doing bokkeh test if there is actually no bokkeh...It should be a feature, it should not affect the score, because many other phones have their own features which are not measured by DXO tests.
for example. XZP has no bokkeh, but it has wider lens, which is a big advantage for me, but there are no additional point for that in the test.
Beside that, DXO tests started to be incomparable.
Look at Iphone 8 review and XZP review. I8 review is 10x more complex - it contains way more tests than XZP review.
There are also inconsistencies like:
At the first paragraph, in the "Test Summary" section they wrote, quote:
"the XZ Premium features relatively strong autofocus performance for both photography and video, as well as very good stabilization for video."
But at the end, in the "Conclusion" section they wrote, quote:
"Video performance is also competent, but marred by problems with loss of detail and mediocre stabilization."
it is really pathetic and not professional.

jms.flynn said:
I know people love slating DXoMark with remarks like "Sony no paid dxomark= dxmark trolling Sony." I also know that we can't say if that is true or not but to be honest we don't even need DXoMarks score. The camera is poor compared to 2017 flagships. Just take an objective look and test for yourself. The problem on this forum is that people are so blind sighted and such massive fanboys they can't step back and go wow yeah this is awful. I spend £649 on this phone sim free and I understand a lot of people have done the same and want to back up the purchase with claims like the above.
The point of the matter though is that Sony's whole marketing for this thing was the camera and weather you look at a DXoMark score or not, it is not up to scratch . Its low light performance is miles of the competition, the dynamic range is shockingly bad compared to phone like the Pixel, Galaxy S7 or iPhone 7 all of which where released last year. Not even looking at the quality of the photos there is also many other issues such as camera distortion etc.
I just wish Sony would acknowledge these issues and say "Hey we are working on it" but they don't. What i would also like is a camera 2 API so at least we can use another camera app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you even know what is a good photograph?
You don't like the camera quality? Seriously?
I take night photos like never before. Low light photos that are fantastic, videos in slow motion at night that are perfect.
And you compare with s7 and iPhone?

gengi said:
Do you even know what is a good photograph?
You don't like the camera quality? Seriously?
I take night photos like never before. Low light photos that are fantastic, videos in slow motion at night that are perfect.
And you compare with s7 and iPhone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, now I know you're seriously trolling. ha ha
Please show me one of your "videos in slow motion at night that are perfect".
The 960FPS is cool, if not gimmicky, but it only really works well in very very good light

jms.flynn said:
Ok, now I know you're seriously trolling. ha ha
Please show me one of your "videos in slow motion at night that are perfect".
The 960FPS is cool, if not gimmicky, but it only really works well in very very good light
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
960 fps, at night and 500 meters (at least) apart, I would say it's very good.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3HA5nmqdPh0SFFLVHpXRjBxRDA/view?usp=drivesdk

gengi said:
960 fps, at night and 500 meters (at least) apart, I would say it's very good.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3HA5nmqdPh0SFFLVHpXRjBxRDA/view?usp=drivesdk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know in certain lighting conditions it causes alot of flicker. I thought at night it would flicker but it doesnt so thats really cool. Nice video by the way.
Its like alot of people say though, as soon as Samsung or Apple do something new everyone in the world is like wow look at this. Then Sony does it and everyone is quiet about it. Our device the XZ Premium is the first to have a 4K HDR screen and is also the only device alongside the XZS and XZ1 to record at 960fps. Nobody in the world understands how cool it is to have those two features in the palm of your hand. If Samsung or Apple did it then im sure they would understand. As soon as another company besides Apple or Samsung do something cool they get criticised by their 'big bezels' which shouldnt even matter when you take into consideration the features packed into the device.
The score given for our device, I dont think its fair. If you want something fair watch a YouTube video on a comparison or review of the camera, im sure they will be more on point and accurate.
I didnt buy the phone for its camera. If someone wants to say they have an iPhone 8 with a higher score than my XZ Premium they can but I believe the scores are biased and that the rest of their scores are one-sided.

Don't want to bag Sony down but I have compared the XZ Premium(company issued to me) against the Pixel (I own), Pixel 2 (wife owns) and hands down, it is definitely inferior than the Pixels... It takes crappy low light photos with lots of noise. It also struggles with photos where the background is brighter. Again, I think Sony's problem really is software, just like with most Sony phones I owned.
However, I'm not saying that it doesn't do decent photos, it does. I think 86 is too low. Personally, I'd rate it around 90-92.

chefnoob said:
Don't want to bag Sony down but I have compared the XZ Premium(company issued to me) against the Pixel (I own), Pixel 2 (wife owns) and hands down, it is definitely inferior than the Pixels... It takes crappy low light photos with lots of noise. It also struggles with photos where the background is brighter. Again, I think Sony's problem really is software, just like with most Sony phones I owned.
However, I'm not saying that it doesn't do decent photos, it does. I think 86 is too low. Personally, I'd rate it around 90-92.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think everyone knows already that the Pixel has a better camera.

Explain to me like I'm 12....

Okay, so I just bought the XZ premium and mostly I am happy with it; the speed is good, screen is nice etc.
However, my friend just got the pixel 2, and holy crap that camera is amazing! Yes it has hardware in order to do the post processing, but as I understand it, that is purely for speed? Technically, other cameras should be able to achieve similar results with software algorithms right? So I went to download the apk for the camera app, and it simply will not function on my xz premium. Can somebody explain to me like I'm 12, why this is the case, and what is stopping us from getting similar results from what should be a superior sensor?
From reading different posts, I understand it has something to do with the camera2api, but I haven't a clue what this is in practical terms, or what steps would need to be taken to get it working.
Thanks!

So things are like this. Google developed some time ago some algorithms that use "black magic" to make the pictures look awesome, even if it's a phone camera. But for the algorithms to work, phones need to have implemented the full support of Camera2 API, which, since Android Lollipop, unlocks new possibilities for developers to work with the camera and have more low level customization options (like focus, ISO, shutter speed, RAW support). Now, our phone supports Camera2 API, but sadly it's not the full implementation of it. What we are missing is RAW support (that is support for our phone to be able to take photos unedited by the post processing algorithms). Because of that, our phone supports only a LIMITED implementation of Camera2 API, not the FULL one. And the HDR+ algorithms that Google Camera uses need FULL Camera2 APi support, especially RAW support. That's the reason why we can't use HDR+ on the XZP (or any Sony phone).
The reason Sony doesn't implement RAW support isn't known. But clues point to the fact that, by implementing RAW support, they think the phones will cannibalize their cameras department. Since Sony is a japanese company, it has japanese mentality, and in Japan many people carry with them their dedicated cameras everyday for taking photos. Sony thinks it will lose that public if they implement a perfect camera in their phones.
Regarding the steps you need, there is nothing you can do to get it working in the stock software, since it's Sony job to implement RAW support in their ROM. You can get Camera2 API support if you unlock your bootloader and install a custom ROM or use Magisk to enable it, but unlocking the bootloader comes with completely new problems.

Thanks, that's a very good overview, and clarifies the dilemma for me!
I'm now going to sign up to the Sony forums and add my voice to the calls to implement the full API. If all the rumours are true I doubt it will make a difference, but if we don't ask, we don't get.
The pixel 2 bokeh effect really is stunning, and its low light post processing performance is incredible. Sony should realise that its dedicated camera business model (for the casual market) is doomed, and start actively converting users before they jump ship.

I wouldn't say the camera department is doomed, just a few months ago, I bought their 180€ WX220, and it's still magnitudes of order better than any smartphone cam, plus comes with 10x optical zoom.
Though for the actual problem, @Artyomska pretty much already said everything. I personally am hoping for some driver updates to add the missing RAW support, either directly from Sony or from some fantastic modders.

Terrible focus of close objects (all zoom ranges)

Im not sure if it's me but objects at even 15cm take a long time to focus, and after that I can only get to about x4.6 magnification for use able images. Note: about 15 cm is the closest I can get on x1 magnification, anything closer the image looses focus.
Once the x5 lens kicks in you cannot even see what you are taking a photo of.
Is it just me? I've attached a couple of examples. x1, x4.6, x5.
Anything above x4.7 the focus length completely changes and everything gets blurry

hve you tried disabling the AI?

I did and it didn't seem to make much difference

PartheevP said:
Im not sure if it's me but objects at even 15cm take a long time to focus, and after that I can only get to about x4.6 magnification for use able images. Note: about 15 cm is the closest I can get on x1 magnification, anything closer the image looses focus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's correct behavior. At present (firmware .121) there's no dedicated macro mode. There's some rumors about a macro mode coming with the next firmware updates - but you should take that with a grain of salt (don't rely on that).
My guess on the slow focus: This is caused by the low distance, too close for the fast laser autofocus to work, so the P40 Pro needs to rely on "traditional" autofocus taking some more time.
Once the x5 lens kicks in you cannot even see what you are taking a photo of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course, because everything over 5 x should (unfortunately that's not always the case) invoke the telephoto lens - and the name might suggest it's meant for telephotos, not for close-distance shots.
The telephoto lens just needs more distance to the object to focus.

Huawei are aware of the bug as we raised it with them.
If you zoom in 10x you can't focus on anything close up either.

Update 10.1.0.131 has really better close-up shots.

donpablo80 said:
Update 10.1.0.131 has really better close-up shots.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah .131 adds AI Mode "Close-Up" which really improves the macro mode. It's still not as good as the P30 Pro's Macro Mode because of the lens types but it's a vast improvement on what the P40 Pro was doing before the .131 update

AnthonyParryUK said:
Yeah .131 adds AI Mode "Close-Up" which really improves the macro mode. It's still not as good as the P30 Pro's Macro Mode because of the lens types but it's a vast improvement on what the P40 Pro was doing before the .131 update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wierd I have. 131 but I didn't see the close up ai function come up. Will try again. But you are right even compared to my p20 pro it isn't as close

No macro lens no macro pictures. Stop trying to do something the phone is not capable of. Use rhe 50mp ai focus with loads of light instead and boom you can zoom in with great detail

spvc500 said:
Huawei are aware of the bug as we raised it with them.
If you zoom in 10x you can't focus on anything close up either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive got the p40 pro and ive tried taking a few shots at different zooms and im not really facing that issue i know curently theres no super macro embedded on this emui version but im confident itll come

tasked28m said:
No macro lens no macro pictures. Stop trying to do something the phone is not capable of. Use rhe 50mp ai focus with loads of light instead and boom you can zoom in with great detail
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for stating this.
Central problem is people being unaware of the way cameras work.
In another thread, there was someone complaining about "unfocused" picture parts - parts in the background and foreground, outside the depth of field.
OF COURSE that parts are out of focus - because they are out of focus.
Even after lengthy explanations he wasn't willing to change his mind.
If they ain't got any bokeh, they complain about the flat pics. If they got bokeh, they complain about the pics not being flat.
Similar here: I see users complaining about the laws of nature. I guess I'd spend most of my time studying online instructions on how to make letter bombs if I worked at Huawei's customer support.
Right in this thread: I explained the camera behaves just the way it should be, there is NO bug. Response: "Huawei are aware of the bug as we raised it with them. If you zoom in 10x you can't focus on anything close up either. "
So I really, really appreciate a solitary voice of reason.

Klosterbruder said:
Thank you very much for stating this.
Central problem is people being unaware of the way cameras work.
In another thread, there was someone complaining about "unfocused" picture parts - parts in the background and foreground, outside the depth of field.
OF COURSE that parts are out of focus - because they are out of focus.
Even after lengthy explanations he wasn't willing to change his mind.
If they ain't got any bokeh, they complain about the flat pics. If they got bokeh, they complain about the pics not being flat.
Similar here: I see users complaining about the laws of nature. I guess I'd spend most of my time studying online instructions on how to make letter bombs if I worked at Huawei's customer support.
Right in this thread: I explained the camera behaves just the way it should be, there is NO bug. Response: "Huawei are aware of the bug as we raised it with them. If you zoom in 10x you can't focus on anything close up either. "
So I really, really appreciate a solitary voice of reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THis isnt really a complain about the cameras, i fully understand how they work for the most part. However the focal distance for this phone isnt very good. Clearly this is by design....i wanted to now if others have the same issue. As its a step down from the previous p series -> non-sensical when releasing new and better versions.

. 131 bring a closecup feature which immitates macro photography. With proper lighting you can get similar results with p30 pro.

Even after the update, the close up is terrible. My Samsung s9+ could take incredible close-up pics... I'm quite shocked at the lack of capability
Sent from my ELS-NX9 using Tapatalk

Puffin617 said:
Even after the update, the close up is terrible. My Samsung s9+ could take incredible close-up pics... I'm quite shocked at the lack of capability
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you tell me what's wrong with this unprocessed macro picture of a part of a 50 Euro banknote, taken this morning with my P40 Pro (still on firmware .121)? Anything terrible, shocking, incapable?
... one day later: "Still ruht der See." (peace everywhere) :laugh:

It's not even close and nothing focuses...
Firmware 131, btw

Dude if you have a focus problem it might be a faulty device nothing wrong with the rest of us

Mate no on here explains you right. They using pro mode for normal focus on a camera phone and no ones telling you. They are unbelievable ppl here only supporting a low software phone which cNt focus right on a normal distance with a simple tap. Every one here uses pro mode to get a subject completly focus.. And they happy for that

Don't you even listen to ppl here xda isn't so good any more as it was.. If focus was good huwaei will not try to fix it with updates
.. Also if P40 pro hasn't issues with sharpness huwaei will not try to fix it with updates... Here it is your next version update you w8ing for hope to fix all those problems with focus

Noexcusses said:
Mate no on here explains you right. They using pro mode for normal focus on a camera phone and no ones telling you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know the Ten Commandments? - The ninth is "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour", or short: You shall not lie!
I didn't use the "Pro mode" because I cannot manually focus as there are no focusing aids like focus peaking.
I used the PLAIN NORMAL PHOTO MODE for that 50 Euro picture, nothing else.
By the way: "Pro mode" wouldn't help at all because you cannot overcome the physical limitations of the lens just by using a different software mode.
They are unbelievable ppl here only supporting a low software phone which cNt focus right on a normal distance with a simple tap. Every one here uses pro mode to get a subject completly focus.. And they happy for that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stop telling nonsense!
TRY FOR YOURSELF if it's possible to better focus on close objects using the "Pro mode". Surprise! You'll find out that it's EXACTLY THE SAME minimum focus distance.
I expect your public feedback on this. And I expect you saying "Sorry, I was wrong."
Don't you even listen to ppl here xda isn't so good any more as it was.. If focus was good huwaei will not try to fix it with updates
.. Also if P40 pro hasn't issues with sharpness huwaei will not try to fix it with updates...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nonsense again. Huawei implemented that "AI macro mode" because clueless people like you, not willing to listing, not willing to accept the laws of physics, won't stop ranting about things they don't understand and don't know how to cope with. So Huawei tries to find solutions even for those who don't know how to handle a camera correctly. This is a courtesy, not an admittance of faults.
I am really, really fed up with your non-stop *****ing about things working perfectly well.
It's not the P40 Pro making it wrong, it's you.
-------------------------------------------------------
Puffin617: Use normal photo mode with 5 x zoom. Increase the distance to your subject until it's properly focused, make sure your hands don't shake. Don't even try manual focusing in Pro mode, it's close to impossible due to the lack of focusing aids like focus peaking. That's something Huawei indeed screwed.