Camera - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've seen mixed reviews on the camera of nexus 4. From my experience I observed a few things.
Camera is excellent in well lit scenes as many reviews point. When using it in low light setup like I did in a restaurant a last night with my family. My cousin was having the iPhone. On the display itself, it was all to dark in my nexus 4 while my cousin's display on his iPhone shored even more light. Then I tried 'Camera FV5' app and the display on my nexus immediately overtook the iphone's, which makes me think that an updated stock camera app has lots of scope to take it to a new level. Or has anybody already cracked this.
I could settle for a third party app but the stock camera app's simplicity and some features like photo sphere are too good to miss.
Why is Google not thinking about this? I think the optics ( hardware) is already on par with the other popular flagship phones out there, just a bit of improvising will do the trick. Please share your views and any solutions that may already exists.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

sany said:
I've seen mixed reviews on the camera of nexus 4. From my experience I observed a few things.
Camera is excellent in well lit scenes as many reviews point. When using it in low light setup like I did in a restaurant a last night with my family. My cousin was having the iPhone. On the display itself, it was all to dark in my nexus 4 while my cousin's display on his iPhone shored even more light. Then I tried 'Camera FV5' app and the display on my nexus immediately overtook the iphone's, which makes me think that an updated stock camera app has lots of scope to take it to a new level. Or has anybody already cracked this.
I could settle for a third party app but the stock camera app's simplicity and some features like photo sphere are too good to miss.
Why is Google not thinking about this? I think the optics ( hardware) is already on par with the other popular flagship phones out there, just a bit of improvising will do the trick. Please share your views and any solutions that may already exists.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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There are some conditions that the camera will take not so good pictures (if you just point and shot), but when you get the hand of it, for me, there's no difference with other 8MP cameras out there, it takes great pictures.

Related

Poor Camera performance

Is anyone else disappointed with the camera on the nexus 4? I find I'm getting poorly focused photos for objects at short range.
Is there a better camera app?
Yes search XDA for lgcamera. I like using better than the original camera app.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Worst feature of the phone. The autofocus makes me want to shoot myself in the face.
AOKP camera seems to be better tho.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Hi,
Poor performance, poor quality, poor focus, etc... Maybe a faulty Nexus 4 (I don't know / hardware maybe ).
Take a look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2000602 ... Not all the pics are great but... Most are awesome (yeah, it depends mainly of your eyes ).
Seriously not the best cam (software / post-software traitement) but in any case not poor and poor in all circumstance...
Coming from a SGS III (not the best in quality picture but not the last in the course), the Nexus is great! (maybe not in dark place, I agree, besides that it's top!).
And picture quality depends of the photographer (and his eyes) and the subject, the camera settings, etc...
In fact you can try some third apps... I (personnaly) never seen an improvement, on HTC Desire HD, HTC Sensation, Galaxy Nexus, S III, etc... it's not an app which overlay all the post traitement... I mean hardware->software, just some sharpness, colours, effects, etc... it's just in post traitement (you can do the same thing on your computer).
I can understand you're disapointed, but you're coming from what? I mean what smartphone? Real camera? You compare about what?
Post some pics and we'll see if it's poor or not...
And it's a Nexus not an extreme camera-phone, if you just buy a Nexus for his quality pics... You purchased a Nexus for anything other than his camera (or for just that)
we can speak endlessly about the picture quality of the Nexus 4, it depends on too many factors...
Not to be rude but... with no more explanation...
viking37 said:
Coming from a SGS III (not the best in quality picture but not the last in the course), the Nexus is great! (maybe not in dark place, I agree, besides that it's top!).
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I find the camera on the SGSII to be much better than that on the Nexus 4.
Here is a picture that I took which I'm a bit disappointed with. It is predominantly the focus, though perhaps on this one there's a bit of camera shake.

alternative camera apps

as a serious amateur photographer, i find the stock camera app a bit basic for my taste so have been looking at alternatives. so far i've tried the free versions of "camera fv-5" and proCapture but settled in the end for "Camera ZOOM FX" @ £1.79
this lets me control ISO, provides steadyshot functions, voice-activated shooting, custom hard buttons, touch-focus, advance metering options, burst-mode and much more, including an amazing range of filters and image-processing options.
no stability etc. problems with my N4 as yet.
what's everybody else using?
"Serious amateur photographer" if you were really serious you'd buy a dslr
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
rockneo said:
"Serious amateur photographer" if you were really serious you'd buy a dslr
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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I own numerous digital (and film) SLRs and other cameras
but the phone is the one that is always on my person.
The picture quality is pretty crappy to be honest. Just saying. I envy my friend's Galaxy S3.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
scream4cheese said:
The picture quality is pretty crappy to be honest. Just saying. I envy my friend's Galaxy S3.
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Click to collapse
why's that? the h/w spec seems almost identical between the 2 phones.
i haven't found a camera so crappy that i couldn't get decent pics out of it somehow. the zoom fx app makes this easier than with the stock software.
theabsurdman said:
why's that? the h/w spec seems almost identical between the 2 phones.
i haven't found a camera so crappy that i couldn't get decent pics out of it somehow. the zoom fx app makes this easier than with the stock software.
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Click to collapse
That may be so but you have to try out the Galaxy S3 camera first. It shoots faster. The quality is better. It has video focus. The sensor is better. I even read reviews between the two phones and the Galaxy S3's camera was the victor. I had to try it out myself to see and evidently they were right.
I rarely use my phone's camera and I should start. Lol. I have used zoom fx and it's pretty good.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
theabsurdman said:
what's everybody else using?
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Click to collapse
My Pentax K-5
But on my phone, I use either Camera360 if I'm lazy, or actually I do use the stock camera. It's just so smooth and easy to access everywhere, such as from lockscreen or from gallery or app drawer.
Random tip: I find that if you tap the place you want to focus and then quickly tap the shutter button (I generally use 2 hands for this), you will take the pic immediately upon focus lock, kind of like focus-trapping. I find that this method generally gives better focus, because if you hold the shutter button, it'll focus-lock and then because hands tend to be shaking/moving, proper focus is lost.
Have you tried the stock image editor? I was pleasantly surprised to find out it lets you adjust exposure, vignetting, contrast, B&W filters, tonal curves, saturation, etc! To be perfectly honest with you, since finding out about those settings, I haven't really used Camera360 unless it's for those special filters like "big-head mode" or "dreamlike" or whatever.
Camera360 lets you adjust everything you've described, but it's free
There's a camera app called "Perfectly Clear"
that I saw many people were impressed with, check it out in the play store!

Help nexus 7 camera quality terrible

This was taken with my Nexus 7 2nd generation . Front camera is clear and this is my back camera on 5mp.is is completely blurry. Is there a sticker on camera or something giving me quality this bad. It's also makes a clicking noise when switching to camera is that normal
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
The clicking noise is normal. But the blurry pictures not. Maybe reset the device. And try again.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I don't remember having to remove a sticker from the lense at all. That clicking sound,does it come from the speakers or does it sound like its coming from N7's internals? That doesn't sound normal to me, def. not happening on mine.
I would download a replacement camera app and test that out. If the same thing happens I would guess you have a malfunctioning camera, specifiaclly the focus feature. If the replacement camera app doesnt produce the same issue and it doesn't fix it on the stock camera app then I would guess that the stock camera app isn't communicating with the lense correctly.
Best of luck!
Try flashing a different kernel as that is what bridges hardware and software.
When I take pictures close up. Like inches away the quality is better but from a few feet it's bad. I'll try it once I leave work. Sucks if I need to send it back to Google
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Sounds like it isn't focusing properly. The clicking sound IS normal, it's the shutter or whatever, but it shouldn't be that loud. It should sound more like a light rattle when tapping near the camera.
In this case, it sounds like the camera's focus lens is broken. When you tap on different parts of the screen, in the camera app, it should focus where you are pointing. Unfortunately I think you should exchange it. This is the first one I've heard with this issue so it isn't common. Perhaps it was dropped and knocked the focus gear out of whack.
No never dropped it. Thing is babied. I'll have to call Google becaus it was bought from play store. This should be a fun experience
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
hollisterryann said:
No never dropped it. Thing is babied. I'll have to call Google becaus it was bought from play store. This should be a fun experience
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Shouldn't be too bad, Google customer support is pretty good IME, though it's an odd experience speaking to Americans as a Brit.
I think I have tried one of the cameras one. They are junk. Love the device but definitely would not use it for taking pictures. I just use my vacate or even my nex 4. These cams on this device are worthless.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Your picture looks as if it's totally out of focus. Try touching the image on the screen of the object you are photographing to make sure you focus on it. Alternatively, just take a picture of a wall so that everything in your picture is equal distance from the camera.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 4
The camera is just a nice toy, not more or less. It´s good enough if you want to shoot some quick pictures of the stuff you´re about to sell at ebay
Btw, every cellphone camera offers a better quality, check this out : http://thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=padhole
One of the more significant updates to the Nexus 7 (2013) is the inclusion of a 5-megapixel camera where previously there was none. Even though camera usage isn’t very optimal on a tablet, it is a nice addition when you just need a simple shot and nothing too fancy.
The camera app brings all the usual capabilities you get in a stock Android camera app, and that includes Photo Sphere, an improved Photo Sphere, in fact. Picture quality is decent enough, but honestly, it’s nothing to get too excited about.
I'm never gonna use the camera. I usually sell all my olf stuff once a new one comes out and this would be a bad thing when it comes to sell it. Something wrong with focus. Working on a return through Google customer service
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
There is definitely something out of whack with the camera on your N7 FHD! While the camera on this tablet is anything but good, the photo you posted is worse than normal. I agree that using a camera on a tablet is far from idea, my Asus Infinity takes excellent photos!! I'll rarely ever use either camera in the N7 FHD, but if mine was defective then I'd definitely want a replacement device!
SwiftKey'ed from my '13 Nexus 7 FHD using XDA Premium HD
uh. u can upload Dropbox picture taken with your phone...
just need to activate your wifi when at home. 2 minutes later all your pictures will be on Dropbox.
tablet is good for documents to send immediately. scan fax... whatever.
hollisterryann said:
I'm never gonna use the camera. I usually sell all my olf stuff once a new one comes out and this would be a bad thing when it comes to sell it. Something wrong with focus. Working on a return through Google customer service
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
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i think its a problem with all the nexus 7s, both mine and my freinds nexus needs to be focused twice to produce focused shots. hope its software, im going to try a new rom or camera app soon
NigPod said:
i think its a problem with all the nexus 7s, both mine and my freinds nexus needs to be focused twice to produce focused shots. hope its software, im going to try a new rom or camera app soon
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Click to collapse
My N7's rear cam also needs to focus twice (or more) before it snaps a good focused photo.
I'm running a custom kernel and ROM- but they both originate from Google source-code, so it may well be a software issue?
Once it gets focus lock- it seems to drift off very quickly, almost like it's too sensitive to very small movements of the tablet.
Would be nice to have a manual focus override...
Didn't even try the camera prior to reading this thread
But indeed, the images are grainy. They are "okay" when being watched in a smaller size but at 100% you can surely see blocky stuff.
Made two test shots (here and here). Am never going to use the camera anyway so no biggie for me
Looks better then mine did. I got a replacement and this one is better. Not gonna use it just h Los for resell value that Everything works
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

Disappointed with Camera, suggest alternate cameras apps

Had purchased this phone with lot of expectations about OIS camera but unfortunately the camera itself is capable bug LG provided with not a great camera app.
Now I know that there are mods available which to some extent improve the quality of photos but still its not upto the mark.
Now I want to know whether you are using any good camera app which you consider gives better result than the stock camera?
Looking forward to your suggestions.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk
honest1212 said:
Had purchased this phone with lot of expectations about OIS camera but unfortunately the camera itself is capable bug LG provided with not a great camera app.
Now I know that there are mods available which to some extent improve the quality of photos but still its not upto the mark.
Now I want to know whether you are using any good camera app which you consider gives better result than the stock camera?
Looking forward to your suggestions.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk
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I personally think the camera itself is great piece of hardware, the software is on the other hand, however, as many reported (and I agreed) the IQ (image quality) when taking in the good light source is super. In another hand, when taking under low light condition, it's crap.
There is a modded version of it, if yours is rooted, give it a try.
I tend not to install 3rd party app.
I've tried the camera on stock lg rom and 4.4.2 on PA, both pictures look terrible compared to the Nexus 5's camera with HDR mode.
I am using Focal camera (from the ex-CyanogenMod app ). Great UI and features. Still beta, but no lags for me)
gummybear00 said:
I've tried the camera on stock lg rom and 4.4.2 on PA, both pictures look terrible compared to the Nexus 5's camera with HDR mode.
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lol what? the nexus 5 is a g2 with a worse camera so how does that work?
lionheart2092 said:
lol what? the nexus 5 is a g2 with a worse camera so how does that work?
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Random noobs that flame a device they buy. I never understand people buying a phone and just complains.
Sent from my LG-D802 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
TheHaso said:
Random noobs that flame a device they buy. I never understand people buying a phone and just complains.
Sent from my LG-D802 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
personally i think the camera is pretty decent on the g2 id imagine the lumia ones are better obviously but fail to see another phone thats better than the g2's
lmao. random noobs who haven't even used the other device talking about comparison? what do you know? nothing.. keep theorycrafting.
the nexus 5 has an optimized camera app that has better image stabilization and HDR+ mode that actually works by taking 5 pictures and combining it into a much crisper picture compared to normal mode. the HDR mode in the G2 looks practically the same in terms of sharpness and quality.
gummybear00 said:
I've tried the camera on stock lg rom and 4.4.2 on PA, both pictures look terrible compared to the Nexus 5's camera with HDR mode.
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Click to collapse
I'm the opposite heh, I returned my Nexus 5 and picked up a G2 and think the pictures from the G2 look considerably better, in anything but great lightning. Outside with great lighting I think both create very good photos. Additionally, while the software part on the G2 isn't great it's still well ahead of the camera software on the Nexus, which is about as bare bones basic as you can get.
gummybear00 said:
lmao. random noobs who haven't even used the other device talking about comparison? what do you know? nothing.. keep theorycrafting.
the nexus 5 has an optimized camera app that has better image stabilization and HDR+ mode that actually works by taking 5 pictures and combining it into a much crisper picture compared to normal mode. the HDR mode in the G2 looks practically the same in terms of sharpness and quality.
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Click to collapse
I have tried both phones. One does not need to be Einstein to see the difference.
Sent from my LG-D802 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
TheHaso said:
I have tried both phones. One does not need to be Einstein to see the difference.
Sent from my LG-D802 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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I think it actually only uses 3 pictures though. But not sure. I saw in a review that it uses 3 with 4.4.2 to make it faster a little. But it still turns out great. I personally can't see the difference in pictures unless placed side by side but that's just me I think since I don't really pay too close detail.
One thing I want to say is video on the nexus 5 is terrible unless full day light and even then not very good. It darkens it so much (which I think is software) but it's practically unusable with out lots of light because of that. Hopefully Google fixes that
Sent from my white LG Nexus 5
Is the image stabilization a hardware feature? Like, in the VS980 version of the G2, does image stabilization work when using AOSP-based KitKat roms and the default AOSP camera?
The Lenovo Supercamera or whatever it's called will blow you away mate.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/szwk43z5gio6b37/Super Camera.apk
That one is in my Dropbox, it's the same APK from the thread in Apps & Games section.
I think they renamed it to Lenovo SNAPit too, not sure.
Change it to 13MP in the settings menu too, because it's set lower as default.
Here are some shots I just took (huge images)
https://hostr.co/file/zukavQ8oIGG9/2014222105859.jpg
https://hostr.co/file/bRNv2kfDSXsr/2014222105913.jpg
https://hostr.co/file/jl9OeLx4HQxK/2014222110042.jpg
Not a photographer so they might look ****, I don't know lol.
I'm disappointed too with g2 camera (d802), it is extremely slow and in low light it is impossible to take pictures. Then I installed aosp roms and things got worse. Here some pics, taken in very low light with aosp camera (android 4.4.2) but even with stock rom camera I can not obtain decent results.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hi74s269d37jqbg/Dvu99ChNTA

How bad is the camera..... really?

I've read around that people don't like the shutter speed or possible focus problems with the camera.
After the KitKat update, how is it? Faster/better? Manageable?
I have 2 kids and I need camera speed.
My wife has the Nexus 5 and it too has some focus problems, but the potential to take some great shots. Same here?
Anyone who can compare their camera experience with the nexus 5?
Thank you
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
The g2 and most other smartphone cameras aren't very good except for the Nokia's bit they run windows phone 8 so that's a huge disadvantage but it has a great camera you would be better off getting a nice digital camera or a Samsung camera
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk
spinninbsod said:
The g2 and most other smartphone cameras aren't very good except for the Nokia's bit they run windows phone 8 so that's a huge disadvantage but it has a great camera you would be better off getting a nice digital camera or a Samsung camera
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Click to collapse
We all know that good quality digital cameras and naturally DSLRs are better than smartphone cameras but that doesn't change the fact that a phone is the one device that people will always have with them. And because of this camera quality does matter for many. So your answer doesn't really help mate - WP8 is a minority platform so if one was to choose an Android phone, is the G2 worth it camerawise?
pnut22r said:
I've read around that people don't like the shutter speed or possible focus problems with the camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I simply cannot get this camera to focus properly. Nothing is completely sharp. I did not have this problem on my SGS II, III and Note II. But if you don't need pictures of sharp text etc., the lighting is pretty good. Even in pretty dark situations, the pictures come out brighter and than you expect. But I miss my Note II camera which was rich in contrast, had fast and precise focus and did just as well in dark situations. This by the way is what you will also find in most reviews.
If you come from a cheaper phone, you will be impressed. If you come from a SGS III/Note II plus or iPhone 4 plus, you will be disappointed.
Edit: I have tried multiple ROMs, both AOSP and Stock and also multiple camera apps like the stock app, lenovo, CMs cam app, Open Camera, modified stock camera apps from this forum and more that I cannot remember. Same thing.
Oh and yeah, the focus is very slow compared to some of the competition. You need to prepare your shot a little in advance. Unlike Samsungs cameras that are almost instant.
All said, I would prefer this phone to any other at the moment if you look at the phone as a whole.

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