I was considering upgrading from Note 20 Ultra (Snapdragon) to a new S23 Ultra and then realized the $800 (after trade-in) probably wasn't worth it so I should just stick to my trusted strategy of buying last years model refurb in like new condition (factory unlocked) and save my money.
So I hadn't experimented with difference camera apps (shamed to admit after 1.5 years using my Note 20 Ultra). I usually used just the normal app on auto mode and it's fine for casual shooting. After experimenting and discovering the Expert Raw app my jaw dropped.
The RAW images produced buy the native camera app in "Pro" mode are terrible - worse thant the JPEGS. Loss of detail when you'd expect more detail and no, I'm pretty sure it's just not sharpening vs no sharpening, they are really worse than the JPEGs. The RAW and JPEG images produced by the Expert Raw app are fantastic, especially if you install Lightroom and run the raw photo quickly through Lightroom for further, quick and easy tweaking on the phone itself.
So I started seeing GCam referenced in DPReview forums (which I've been absent from since a couple years) and I side loaded the latest version 8.4. It appears to me this app is designed to use the main sensor wide camera only and doesn't work with the ultrawide or telephoto cameras? Is that true? I took a low light indoor shot using the default settings and the Expert Raw produce a way better image than GCam. Gcam produce a similar quality image if I put it in Night Mode but it took a way longer shot processing time. Or just warn them to hold the phone stead and wait for the line to go all away around the shutter button circle.
I think for this phone the Expert Raw app is the way to go except in cases where I'm going to have someone else take the shot as Expert raw takes a lot longer to take the photo than the native camera app and most people are use to instant shots when they press the shutter so I can see someone move the phone after they press the shutter in Expert Raw before it's done taking the photo.
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Heya all I wan't you to check this app out! It's amazing - real HDR photos with 1 tap! It's better than Camera360 in my opinion
LITE ver: HDR Camera
PAID ver: HDR Camera +
I gave that app a try before.
For HDR, definitely better than Camera360. Camera360's HDR appears to be HDR in name only, not a real HDR effect.
I didn't really like HDR Camera though. I use Pro HDR Camera for HDR photos now.
Is Pro HDR Camera better?
TheFirlen said:
Is Pro HDR Camera better?
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Yes, in terms of image quality
No, in terms of speed.
As someone who enjoys experimenting with HDR with my "real" DSLR camera, I've tried both; I think Pro HDR is honestly better in final image quality, plus it allows post processing. It has it's good points.
HOWEVER, when I shoot HDR with my DSLR, I use a tripod. Can't use that on the phone. And by the time I rig up something using duct tape and sticks, my subject is no longer "right there." The only reason I shoot with my phone is that I always have it "on the spot!"
HDR camera is definitely better when it comes to image alignment(meaning that your images are going to be MUCH blurrier in PHC with normal camera shake; I tested in the most low key environment possible, with my elbows resting on a table taking a picture of an object, still some blur). The post processing feature in PHC can be basically duplicated with a number of free apps. As someone who doesn't mind paying a developer for a bug-free product (I spend time earning money, if you save me time by being convenient, well...), it's not about the paid/free aspect.
I discovered, actually, with HDR camera (free version), it doesn't always save when it's supposed to. When it gives the nag (ugh) to buy the product, you'd better check. And it seemed to start giving it CONSTANTLY after a certain point. When I paid for it (mainly for the geotagging...was it offering me Ad-Free as part of it's paid app???? Ummm...uncool), it was actually MORE buggy and crashed a lot more. DEFINITELY not a happy camper here
In fact, that was why I tried Pro HDR, and was so dissatisfied I was in time to get my refund. I will be so happy when I find an app, paid or free, with HDR capabilities!
There is another app, basically a clone of HDR camera, called "night camera," which also has a free version, if you are LOOKING for the ghosting/blurring that comes with an HDR "screw-up"/treasure, lomography - style (like what happens if you move slightly with PHC). I've only used it for these sort of shots, so I'm not sure of it's long-term functionality.
Xperia x10a running Gingerbread (2.3.3)
Crystalline888 said:
As someone who enjoys experimenting with HDR with my "real" DSLR camera, I've tried both; I think Pro HDR is honestly better in final image quality, plus it allows post processing. It has it's good points.
HOWEVER, when I shoot HDR with my DSLR, I use a tripod. Can't use that on the phone. And by the time I rig up something using duct tape and sticks, my subject is no longer "right there." The only reason I shoot with my phone is that I always have it "on the spot!"
HDR camera is definitely better when it comes to image alignment(meaning that your images are going to be MUCH blurrier in PHC with normal camera shake; I tested in the most low key environment possible, with my elbows resting on a table taking a picture of an object, still some blur). The post processing feature in PHC can be basically duplicated with a number of free apps. As someone who doesn't mind paying a developer for a bug-free product (I spend time earning money, if you save me time by being convenient, well...), it's not about the paid/free aspect.
I discovered, actually, with HDR camera (free version), it doesn't always save when it's supposed to. When it gives the nag (ugh) to buy the product, you'd better check. And it seemed to start giving it CONSTANTLY after a certain point. When I paid for it (mainly for the geotagging...was it offering me Ad-Free as part of it's paid app???? Ummm...uncool), it was actually MORE buggy and crashed a lot more. DEFINITELY not a happy camper here
In fact, that was why I tried Pro HDR, and was so dissatisfied I was in time to get my refund. I will be so happy when I find an app, paid or free, with HDR capabilities!
There is another app, basically a clone of HDR camera, called "night camera," which also has a free version, if you are LOOKING for the ghosting/blurring that comes with an HDR "screw-up"/treasure, lomography - style (like what happens if you move slightly with PHC). I've only used it for these sort of shots, so I'm not sure of it's long-term functionality.
Xperia x10a running Gingerbread (2.3.3)
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I feel like you just said the stuff I wanted to say but couldn't manage to find the words for.
Like I said before, I find Pro HDR definitely better in image quality, but the other stuff... well I'm bad with words so let's just say I almost never use Pro HDR Camera for picture taking except on certain occasions. Or for some "fun" photos where I a friend is in the picture in one photo then moves out of the picture or goes to another position during the second shot to see this ghost effect. Looks pretty cool.
I think about the Night Camera you were talking about, the reason it might be a clone of HDR Camera might be because its by the same developer.
The only camera I use at night time is this Night Effect with Camera360. Though, I find the other effects good during night time too.
Can anyone confirms this? Almost 4 units i tested from sony stalls has this issue.
The photos taken by camera turns out to be overly sharpened, with lots of artifacts.
Turning on or off image enhancements does not help.
I am seeing this as well. And most of the reviews I saw also reported this.
Currently I am trying a few third party camera apps to see if they do the same
Haiz.. Why can't they make the camera right for once?
I concurred this. Mine focused good. I learned a trick that you actually have to tap the screen then press and hold the camera button on screen or side until it is clear. When i first got it, all my photos was focusing on the wrong spot. However, now with that trick i could get sharp images but zooming in they look very blurry and a lot of noise.
Do you experience this is good or low light? You do have to work a little bit harder with the camera settings as the light drops off to get the right image. And use the designated camera button too rather than the on screen one.
Good lightings... Not to mention if its poor lighting conditions. Guess have to wait for a new firmware.
Yep so much sharpening in all lighting conditions. Hoping for a software update soon.
Here is samples pictures from my XZ. It has undoubtedly the best selfies camera under daylight. Lowlight shooting takes a bit to get used to it. It was bad as first but if you toggle on "tap - focus and brightness" in setting it will improve tremendously as it uses it light sensor to automatically brighten the photos. Overall, I'm happy with the camera. It beats Iphone 7 Plus and on par with the S7Edge. My beef with the XZ is the small size and 3GB. I would prefer 5.5 and 4GB for a $600 phone. But if you can get it for $450 or $500, this phone is definitely worth every penny.
http://imgur.com/a/1S4Si
I am not talking about selfies. I am talking about the main camera. Very bad quality here. So fall 8 sets i have tried, same issues
Noticed this myself, not impressed with the image quality. Seems to be worse than my Z2. Hoping when they eventually drop Nougat it'll iron out some of the issues.
About blure and noise, increse ev to +0.7 or 1
A very good example of xz camera samples. You can guess which photos are by xz. The oversharpening of images when zoomed in.. Soo much artifacts.
http://m.gsmarena.com/blind_shootout_iphone7_galaxy_s7_xperia_xz_lg_g5
I have OnePlus 7 for exactly one week, use the stock camera on auto with default settings and took under 20 pictures. Even though I take images in bright summer light and my daughters are in little to no move, I often end up with these poor artifacts.
I will try switching HDR off. Any other suggestion (except trying GCam)? Does anyone else experience something like that? (Am I using it wrong? I had no issues with Samsung Galaxy S7.)
Have similar issues. Portrait mode comes out with artifacts as well. Stock cam sucks despite what everyone else says. Not sure if the OP7pro's cam is as bad.
I think OP needs to put more effort into marketing the OP7 globally (not just the pro) and improving the cam. I am very disappointed.
Have just installed GCam to try. Hopefully it is better.
HDR is and never will be made for super low shutter speeds.
As I reckon these kids are moving quickly there is simply not enough time for the phone to quickly burst shoot and merge those 5 or so pictures for HDR
Just my guess. Try holding your phone still and shoot a static object and see if these problems persist
The attached pictures were taken with shutter speeds of 1/50 to 1/450 sec and on Oxygen OS 9.5.5. I'm now on 9.5.6 but I still experience issues with HDR so I keep it off.
The thing is that with Samsung (S7), only really low shutter speeds of around 1/10 s and low light caused issues - but then objects were blurred, which is what I expect. Not weird artifacts like the samples.
I basically never have enough time to play with settings so I only use auto.
Hi
Been using a V50 for a couple of days comig from a V30.
Regarding RAW capture with the stock camera the output seems much worse than the V30 - the DNG files have vignetting and are very desaturated, noting like the output on the V30 and previous LG phones that had this corrected.
Using a 3rd party camera app, the DNG files don't have vignetting but are still very desaturated.
I'm on android 10. Is this just from this update or has been this way since the release?
Thanks
There isn't anything wrong with them being unsaturated, after all they are raw files, you get much more control of their final output that way.
Just bump up the saturation. on Lightroom I find myself sometimes cranking it up to 80-90% while other times, when there is sunlight involved, I go only up to 20%.
Have fun, don't hate the player, hate the game
Without HDR or any multiframe nonsense. Just the main camera, base ISO. I have seen good photos from the S21, but so far the ones from the S22 don't look that good.
Kind of worried my old P30 Pro produces more detail at a higher resoultion. Maybe I should sit this one out.
It seems that the slow Expert Raw app produces DNG files with artifacts due to over sharpening. While the normal camera app produces clean but slightly softer dngs.
No phone is perfect at launch. I remember the S21 Ultra launch, I got the phone since day one and in less than 3 weeks Samsung pushed about 5 updates/patches that included, among other stuff, camera enhancements. Can't judge the S22 Ultra just yet
How is that relevant if a so called "expert" app creates over-sharpened raw files that need to be reduced in size to hide the artifacts while the normal app produces pure raws and is even faster in doing so.
I doubt the s21 raw output changed with updates.
That's not update/patch territory, that's bad decisions in creating the so called expert app. On par with misleading customers with digital zoom and interpolated megapixel specs.