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[Q] Camera help!

Everyone seems to think the froyo camera (2.2) is phenomenal, but I really must be missing something, because mine sucks. This is my second G2X, and both cameras had the same issues. The biggest issue is that the focus is always slightly off, no matter what setting I choose (yes, manual setting can make the focus somewhat better, but that's not a real fix for me as I can't always be manually focusing the camera to catch a shot in time). Basically, the picture looks decent, but if you enlarge any details at all, they are fuzzy. I'm obviously doing something wrong, and if anyone could help me figure out what that is, it would really be a huge help.
Thanks in advance!

Try pixel peeping on a PC. The gallery app does not seem to render properly when zooming on the phone.
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk

I have checked out the pics on my pc, and they're almost ALL fuzzy. Doesn't matter what the lighting was like, the setting of the phone, whether the object was stationary...they are decent from far away, but up close, not that great at all. If you're getting great shots, what settings are you using? Auto everything? Some preset scene? Or specially tweaked settings?

Erislover said:
I have checked out the pics on my pc, and they're almost ALL fuzzy. Doesn't matter what the lighting was like, the setting of the phone, whether the object was stationary...they are decent from far away, but up close, not that great at all. If you're getting great shots, what settings are you using? Auto everything? Some preset scene? Or specially tweaked settings?
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Try taking off the battery cover and taking a pic. If its better than you may have forgotten to take off that little liner that covers the lens or the battery door camera hole is dirty or something

Even with the back cover off the phone, the pictures look the same.
Just to make sure we're all on the same page - when I look at the pictures on my pc, they look fine, but when I zoom in at all, the pixelation is extremely obvious. I do not have this problem with pics from my sony camera (non-phone).
Are people saying their photos are good FOR A CAMERA-PHONE, or are they actually good photos?? If they are actually good, are people using special settings??

Mine are great. Do you have the settings set to very fine image quality? Also make sure you are taking them using 8mp rather than 2mp.

jrwingate6 said:
Mine are great. Do you have the settings set to very fine image quality? Also make sure you are taking them using 8mp rather than 2mp.
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Yes, I have it set on very fine and 8mp.
See http://www.flickr.com/groups/[email protected]/?added=2
These are a couple of shots I just took without the back cover on the phone. Notice the pixelation. Can anyone with consistently great photos please post theirs?

Erislover said:
Yes, I have it set on very fine and 8mp.
See http://www.flickr.com/groups/[email protected]/?added=2
These are a couple of shots I just took without the back cover on the phone. Notice the pixelation. Can anyone with consistently great photos please post theirs?
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I dont see any photos in Flickr. Can you post the images in this thread?

jrwingate6 said:
I dont see any photos in Flickr. Can you post the images in this thread?
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well, if I post them here, they'll be shrunken photos!
this link should take you to "photos taken by g2x group" on flickr. http://www.flickr.com/groups/g2x/pool/

bump...i also have this issue. did u ever resolve it?
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

that photo looks fine to me. remember this a camera phone, just because it is an 8MP camera that doesn't mean it will take crystal clear shots. A lot of the issues will come down to a poor/cheap lens, overall the camera take good pics for a camera on a phone.
Until manufacturers start using quality lenses like the new WP7 device named sea ray from nokia which uses a carl zeiss lens, pictures will not be great.

Erislover said:
Yes, I have it set on very fine and 8mp.
See http://www.flickr.com/groups/[email protected]/?added=2
These are a couple of shots I just took without the back cover on the phone. Notice the pixelation. Can anyone with consistently great photos please post theirs?
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I checked out your link and it that pic looks very good to me. I do not think a camera phone is going to give you the clarity and detail a larger ccd does in a $400 digital camera.

No zoom function - really??

Just got my wife a refurbished Nexus S on Sprint. The camera shows no option to zoom in/out. Am I missing something? Is there a way to get zoom to work for taking photos/videos?
Thanks

HackGerm said:
Just got my wife a refurbished Nexus S on Sprint. The camera shows no option to zoom in/out. Am I missing something? Is there a way to get zoom to work for taking photos/videos?
Thanks
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Yeah. Really.
No zoom function..

Lolol. Yeah. No zoom. You can imagine my reaction when I found this out too when I got it.
Sent by pocket technology.

i wish it did. does anybody know of any third party camera apps that can allow us to zoom or is it just the hardware cant do it?

As someone who really does not give a single **** about "cellphone cameras" which aren't even cameras imho,
I was still surprised that no one put a crappy digital-zoom into the camera app to make it seem like it would have a zoom.
For the better I guess.
chad90r said:
i wish it did. does anybody know of any third party camera apps that can allow us to zoom or is it just the hardware cant do it?
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Digital Zoom, yes!
you can get it in different camera apps and it will look horrible.
Optical zoom on the other hand has to be supported by the built-in camera and looks good because it actually zooms with the lens instead of just magnifying the pixels that come to the screen (digital zoom).
(Simplified, of course)

Camera app recommendations?
Guess this is a sore spot on that "Superphone" - have to see how I can sell this to my wife ....
I'm using the app Camera Zoom FX and am fairly happy. Any other recommendations, especially for using it mainly on portrait mode.
Cheers!

bobdowl said:
Digital Zoom, yes!
you can get it in different camera apps and it will look horrible.
Optical zoom on the other hand has to be supported by the built-in camera and looks good because it actually zooms with the lens instead of just magnifying the pixels that come to the screen (digital zoom).
(Simplified, of course)
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So it really wouldnt make a difference from just taking a picture normally then zooming in and cropping with a photo editor program??

Just use the crop functionality in the gallery via "edit"... no difference to a digital zoom...

jbruenig said:
Just use the crop functionality in the gallery via "edit"... no difference to a digital zoom...
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Thank you sir, Will do

jbruenig said:
Just use the crop functionality in the gallery via "edit"... no difference to a digital zoom...
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I was about to say. It's time for education if someone thinks a digital zoom is actually anywhere near an optical zoom. It's only a crop of a part of the picture that gets done, nothing exactly fancy or of quality.
Very few Android phones offer optical zoom. Heck, the iPhone 4 doesn't have optical zoom either so it's not an Android problem per se.

Yeah I agree. I really wish there was a zoom function on the Nexus S but I guess we just have to live with it

Yeah like others already said, zooming on most phones(not sure about nokias pure view) aren't really zooming per say. They are just cropping the image in real time.

Zoom is quite useless unless you have optical zoom. Since Smartphones are getting pretty thin you can't really build a Camera with optical zoom into a smartphone. There is just no space for that.
Just think about how big those lenses on a DSLR Camera are. They need that space for the zoom (Not that a optical zoom has to have such a big lens, DSLR cameras have other needs in Zoom than Smartphones)

Blurry camera images.

Is anyone having issues with the camera? When I pinch to zoom in, I find the camera not properly focusing. This seems to occur no matter if it on single shot, hdr, etc. Its not ALL photos, just moist of them. Used to have thunderbolt and did not experience this type of issue there. The reviews praised the s3 camera, so i am disappointed. Anyone have any advice? Thanks
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2

Unfortunately I also am experiencing this same problem. I dont have a real solution but to use an alternative camera application, and hope it helps.

Try a diff gallery. I found sometimes the gallery will not focus in. Although sometimes I have found myself dissapointed in the camera. There are 2 different cameras in the s3 one is app lower quality.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

You're not alone! The camera is almost always blurry for me, and sadly, bad enough for me to say this camera SUCKS. I really hope this is a firmware issue.
I've looked at the pictures on my computer as well, and they're just not nearly focused.

+1 on all of it for me

So let me get this straight:
While you're in camera mode, about to take a picture, and you pinch to zoom-in, the photo gets blurry?
Or are you talking about in the gallery when you pinch-to-zoom on a picture you've already taken?
If it's the former, I believe it's one of two things: 1) firmware issue, or 2) hardware issue. If it is indeed a hardware issue, you can probably get a replacement free of charge from Verizon.
If it's the latter, I think you just have to wait a few seconds for the phone to show you the high-res version instead of the low-quality blurry snapshot.
My sister has the same issue on her Galaxy Nexus. But I'm assuming that's not the case, since the blurriness usually goes away in a matter of seconds?

I've found the camera pretty crummy in anything but full-light settings. It's really frustrating.

tekhna said:
I've found the camera pretty crummy in anything but full-light settings..
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That statement pretty much applies to any camera/phone.
One thing you guys might want to try is using the app "CameraFX"
CameraFX has a pretty cool feature that allows you to take a pic by voice activation. I find the camera phones are much harder to hold steady and take a clear shot than a real DC (& I'm a pro photographer). Using the voice activation allows you to hold the camera super steady & then just say a word like now or smile etc when you're ready to take the shot.
I have my camera set to take a shot with the volume button, but the voice activation is still easier to use IMHO.

jmorton10 said:
That statement pretty much applies to any camera/phone.
One thing you guys might want to try is using the app "CameraFX"
CameraFX has a pretty cool feature that allows you to take a pic by voice activation. I find the camera phones are much harder to hold steady and take a clear shot than a real DC (& I'm a pro photographer). Using the voice activation allows you to hold the camera super steady & then just say a word like now or smile etc when you're ready to take the shot.
I have my camera set to take a shot with the volume button, but the voice activation is still easier to use IMHO.
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This camera doesn't focus properly. Period. I'll do side-by-side shots with my Rezound and iPhone. The GS3 camera is woeful in anything but full, natural light.

tekhna said:
This camera doesn't focus properly. Period. I'll do side-by-side shots with my Rezound and iPhone. The GS3 camera is woeful in anything but full, natural light.
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I agree that the Rezound camera is better, I have three Rezounds & the camera is super (for a phone camera).
I really have not had any focusing issues with the G3 although I don't use it a whole lot because I usually have access to a real DC.
---------- Post added at 10:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:54 AM ----------
Taehee. said:
.
My sister has the same issue on her Galaxy Nexus.
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That's another issue entirely, the Nexus is notorious for having an atrociously bad camera.

+1, I have noticed that a lot of my pics are coming out blurry, I thought it was maybe because the camera was sensative to the slightest twitch and that I was maybe moving it mid shot.

skrypj said:
+1, I have noticed that a lot of my pics are coming out blurry, I thought it was maybe because the camera was sensative to the slightest twitch and that I was maybe moving it mid shot.
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I think it is to some extent, turn on anti-shake, but that doesn't totally fix it. It's pretty frustrating that this phone seems like a step backwards in terms of camera.

skrypj said:
+1, I have noticed that a lot of my pics are coming out blurry, I thought it was maybe because the camera was sensative to the slightest twitch and that I was maybe moving it mid shot.
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That is why I posted what I did about CameraFX.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/59294739/miui.camera.apk
This miui camera works pretty well just install the apk no changes to permission needed. It does not use the ffc so use stock app for that.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

jmorton10 said:
That's another issue entirely, the Nexus is notorious for having an atrociously bad camera.
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I'm not talking about the camera quality, itself. I mean in the gallery, when you're looking through pictures you've already taken, the pictures are a bit blurry at first, but then clear up into the original (higher) resolution.
---
@OP: Are you sure the camera is focused?

Taehee. said:
I'm not talking about the camera quality, itself. I mean in the gallery, when you're looking through pictures you've already taken, the pictures are a bit blurry at first, but then clear up into the original (higher) resolution.
QUOTE]
Gotcha, you definitely have to wait a few seconds or all the images look awful.......
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I took some pictures today in my home office (have a floor lamp...decent lighting but not super bright) with both the GS3 and the Fascinate (GS1). The GS1 pictures are better. This is VERY disappointing

Taehee. said:
So let me get this straight:
While you're in camera mode, about to take a picture, and you pinch to zoom-in, the photo gets blurry?
Or are you talking about in the gallery when you pinch-to-zoom on a picture you've already taken?
If it's the former, I believe it's one of two things: 1) firmware issue, or 2) hardware issue. If it is indeed a hardware issue, you can probably get a replacement free of charge from Verizon.
If it's the latter, I think you just have to wait a few seconds for the phone to show you the high-res version instead of the low-quality blurry snapshot.
My sister has the same issue on her Galaxy Nexus. But I'm assuming that's not the case, since the blurriness usually goes away in a matter of seconds?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is the former. I tried camera 360 today and photos seemed ok. That app only alows 2x zoom. I was outdoors photographing dinosaurs in full sun. Perhaps i try another photo app, camera fx or something like that and see how it goes. Thank you for the reply. As I see I'm not the only one with this issue, I'm glad that we can discuss it and see what helps for us.

Camera Zoom FX as mentioned is a good alternative, for me I think the instant shutter makes it more blurry because you don't have any time to steady the camera after pressing the button. Camera Zoom has a slight lag. I would also try ProCapture, which I think does a better job than Camera Zoom but YMMV.

Camera sucks.. Period.. Pictures are horrible for an 8mp camera..
Sent from my Commodore 64..
READY.
load"*", 8,1

[Q] Camera settings?

I've had the Blaze for a few months, and I am pretty unimpressed with the camera. It's hard to believe that it's not as clear as my former phones, which were the Mytouch 3G, Motorola Defy, and HTC Amaze.
I'm in the auto parts business and one of the most common uses of my camera is to take a picture of a vehicle registration to keep it for reference. With the Blaze camera, when I zoom in, the text is unreadable. With my older phones the text was always clear enough to read easily. I've tried the camera using the stock ROM and with CM10. I didn't notice a difference between the two.
Does anyone know if the limitations of this camera is the hardware or the software? If it's the software, can you recommend a better camera app or what camera settings have worked for you? Thanks

Me again.
The issue really seems to be that the camera will not focus, regardless of which focus mode I choose. I've tried many camera apps and, like I said, both the stock ICS and CM10.
I tried googling my problem and saw some posts of people having the same problem with the S2, but I didn't see any good answers.
d73805 said:
I've had the Blaze for a few months, and I am pretty unimpressed with the camera. It's hard to believe that it's not as clear as my former phones, which were the Mytouch 3G, Motorola Defy, and HTC Amaze.
I'm in the auto parts business and one of the most common uses of my camera is to take a picture of a vehicle registration to keep it for reference. With the Blaze camera, when I zoom in, the text is unreadable. With my older phones the text was always clear enough to read easily. I've tried the camera using the stock ROM and with CM10. I didn't notice a difference between the two.
Does anyone know if the limitations of this camera is the hardware or the software? If it's the software, can you recommend a better camera app or what camera settings have worked for you? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I use Camera Zoom FX. Works great and has lots of options including storage location. It also has some options for auto focus. I have mine set to focus before picture is taken. My pictures come out quite nice.

I just tried Camera Zoom FX, but it still won't focus. Seems like it may be a hardware issue.
boulos said:
I use Camera Zoom FX. Works great and has lots of options including storage location. It also has some options for auto focus. I have mine set to focus before picture is taken. My pictures come out quite nice.
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I have mine set to:
Focus Mode : Focus when taking
Focus : Auto
Not sure what else it could be. Sorry I can't be of more help......

d73805 said:
I just tried Camera Zoom FX, but it still won't focus. Seems like it may be a hardware issue.
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I know this will sound stupid, but is the original protective plastic piece still covering the lens? Or is there any smudges on the lens? If that isn't it then you likely have a hardware issue. You will need to flash this first and then odin back to stock (see here or just download the latest firmware from sammobile.com and odin flash it) before sending it out to have any warranty work done on it.

The plastic is definitely off and the lens seems clear. Seems to be a hardware fault.
I sent an email to Samsung detailing my issues with the focus. They wrote back and explained how to use the settings for the flash. They're both F words, so I understand their confusion. Will call them when I have some time.
Thanks for the links on how to return to stock.
Sent from my SGH-T769 using xda app-developers app

[Q] CyanogenMod 10.0.0 Camera doesn't zoomzoom

I went from an EVO 3D and got the Nexus S, couldn't stand the bugs on the EVO. I installed CM10 and my only complaint is the camera doesn't zoom. No pinch to zoom, no volume key zoom, nothing.
Am I just crazy and can't figure it out? Or is this broken in CM10? Or has the Nexus S never been able to zoom?
Any help is greatly appreciated!!

The Nexus S camera can't zoom. I know it seems silly but that's it. The zoom would be pointless anyway because it's a digital zoom, which is nothing but an auto-crop of the picture.
If you want zoom really bad, there are apps on the playstore which give our camera zooming capabilities and effects too.

powerfuran said:
The Nexus S camera can't zoom. I know it seems silly but that's it. The zoom would be pointless anyway because it's a digital zoom, which is nothing but an auto-crop of the picture.
If you want zoom really bad, there are apps on the playstore which give our camera zooming capabilities and effects too.
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Thanks for the help, I figured that was probably the case, I just wanted to know if I was crazy or not haha. I'll live with it until I get something else.

Camera zoom fx