Database Users

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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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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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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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!

[App] Pro Capture

Bought this app as part of the Play Store sales that just happened. So far it's the best camera app I've tried with the N5. UI is decent, solid amount of features, and shutter speed seems much improved for me.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.neaststudios.procapture
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

A couple pics using it. Again, shutter speed is much faster and it doesn't seem to effect low light pics.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Just picked this up, seems faster and focuses better (even though it shows the red focus indicator, it's usually still focused properly.)

Yeah, I found the same, especially in macro mode (all the beer related pics above were in macro with a red focus square).
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

psousa781 said:
Yeah, I found the same, especially in macro mode (all the beer related pics above were in macro with a red focus square).
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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I'm glad you posted this, most of the camera apps I've tried, even those that have been updated for Nexus 5 and 4.4 compatibility all seemed to act weird when tapping to focus, the exposure on screen would flash really dark and often times stay dark.
This doesn't seem to have that issue, so thanks!
Heres a few random macro/close up shots I took.

Just tried it out much better than the stock camera app in my opinion will be using this one

Can confirm this app rocks! Much much better focus speed and picture quality too. Its on sales now ( I'm not promoting for this app )

Thank you very much for this find!
I have tried so many different camera apps (cameraFX, Camera Awesome,...) until now, and none of them did work out really well.
This one is fast in autofocus, Burst Mode is working and the pictures look great!

Another happy user here, came from iPhone 5 , very happy except camera , that's been solved with this app
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Tried the free app... Bought the paid version within 5 minutes. Until Google comes with a fix for the camera, this is going to be my default camera app. Thank you OP. Great find...!!!
Sent from my Nexus 5

Thanks

+1 for this app.
ive been using this for 3 YEARS. and never let me down,
actually it composes with better resolution
stock camera : 1.95 MB photo, slight bulrry good quality
procapture: 2-3MB, Good lighting and awesome quality

Is there HDR+?

Andypandiiee said:
Is there HDR+?
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It has a reduced noise option that takes two pictures then merges them together.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

Holy [email protected]! This app is a HUGE improvement over the stock camera! Thanks to y'all for pointing it out and recommending it/ showing it off! :highfive:

Just bought it. It was 99 cents so I guess not a big deal to try out. I noticed the auto focus isn't great but tap to focus works better than stock. Is it supposed to have a native video recorder? When I clicked "camcorder" it tried opening my stock video camera and then crashed. Also, I'm not sure if the "reduced noise" is usable. It's fairly slow to take the pic as well as to process it.
EDIT: Nevermind about the video, just read on the app page it doesn't support it.

musashihatred said:
+1 for this app.
ive been using this for 3 YEARS. and never let me down,
actually it composes with better resolution
stock camera : 1.95 MB photo, slight bulrry good quality
procapture: 2-3MB, Good lighting and awesome quality
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Click to collapse
Same here. My camera app of choice for a few years now.

PsychDrummer said:
Just bought it. It was 99 cents so I guess not a big deal to try out. I noticed the auto focus isn't great but tap to focus works better than stock. Is it supposed to have a native video recorder? When I clicked "camcorder" it tried opening my stock video camera and then crashed. Also, I'm not sure if the "reduced noise" is usable. It's fairly slow to take the pic as well as to process it.
EDIT: Nevermind about the video, just read on the app page it doesn't support it.
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Well, the HDR+ in the stock camera app mode take longer to process too.

eep2378 said:
Well, the HDR+ in the stock camera app mode take longer to process too.
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Sorry, I meant that the "reduced noise" in the app takes much longer to process than HDR+

Nice app 10x
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Q] G2 Kitkat Camera Quality Differences

Hi guys,
Can anyone that installed kitkat on his/her G2 share some photo samples taken 4.4.2 under this thread?
Also it would be great if you can compare them with older ones.
Thanks in advance.

There's no difference
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda app-developers app

BackDaws said:
There's no difference
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda app-developers app
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Not any? There must be . Many people including me have been waiting major ones.
Can you share one please? I really want to see it.
Please... :crying:

Unfortunately I can confirm it too. No difference...
Wysłane z mojego LG-D802 przy użyciu Tapatalka

Indeed, 0 difference.

Zulake said:
Indeed, 0 difference.
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I am completely disappointed. Kitkat update was my only hope for the camera. Honestly, its about time for me to change my smartphone with better one. Z2 likely mine next one.

Great job LG :crying: well done great support to user

okoboko1 said:
I am completely disappointed. Kitkat update was my only hope for the camera. Honestly, its about time for me to change my smartphone with better one. Z2 likely mine next one.
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What's your problem with the camera anyway? It shoots wonderful images as long as there is enough daylight.
Keep in mind it is a SMARTPHONE, not some kind of DSLR camera. Photos will never be as good as a real camera, the lens is simply too small.

Compared to other smartphone in life light the lg is wank, nobody is trying to compare it to a standard or DSLR camera, ffs people just don't get it, the lg G2 camera is amazing when in optimal light but indoors my HTC one S pisses all over it because the lag in low light on the lg g2 causes blurring very bad blurring but my HTC one S focusses and takes pictures as fast indoors as it does outdoors shall I continue ? Has the penny dropped yet COMPARED TO OTHER SMARTPHONE CAMERAS THE LGG2 LAGS IN LOW LIGHT !
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda app-developers app

Zulake said:
What's your problem with the camera anyway? It shoots wonderful images as long as there is enough daylight.
Keep in mind it is a SMARTPHONE, not some kind of DSLR camera. Photos will never be as good as a real camera, the lens is simply too small.
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The view finder in G2 is slow because it relies on long shutter time to get a bright picture in low light. What people want is that it uses high ISO instead, because having noise in the view finder isnt bad as long as normal pictures still use the higher shutter time. Will this affect the picture? Probably not, but it will give a feeling of a less laggy camera at least.

Excuse me guys, I'm really interested in buying this phone but I'm a bit confused about low light photos. I mean, the "lag" in taking low light photos is expected so to increase light intake. How are low light photos compared to other smartphones? I come from a HTC One S.
Thanks.

I came from a HTC one s and in normal lighting this camera is amazing simple as that
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda app-developers app

BackDaws said:
I came from a HTC one s and in normal lighting this camera is amazing simple as that
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Thanks. And about low light (e.g. indoors) photos what do you think? Are they worse than on the One S? I mean, it's obvious that a very still hand is needed, that's not a bug, but how is the photo quality?

This was me messing with the camera for some reason this morning, untouched, room has poor lighting
https://plus.google.com/115469322450292091744/posts/bdPbjsGKH3y

In low light with the flash on it takes about 5 second's to take a picture but the quality is amazing and with flash off you have to stay so still so no point and shoot like you can with the HTC one S
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z0phi3l said:
This was me messing with the camera for some reason this morning, untouched, room has poor lighting
https://plus.google.com/115469322450292091744/posts/bdPbjsGKH3y
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To me it looks quite good. :good:
BackDaws said:
In low light with the flash on it takes about 5 second's to take a picture but the quality is amazing and with flash off you have to stay so still so no point and shoot like you can with the HTC one S
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda app-developers app
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I see, thanks. So with no flash, given that you can manage to stay still, the quality is good too?

Don't hesitate about upgrading from HTC one S you'll love it
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda app-developers app

I don't use the flash in low light and yes, if the object or person is still, it takes awesome pics in low light situations.
Sent from my LG-VS980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Zulake said:
What's your problem with the camera anyway? It shoots wonderful images as long as there is enough daylight.
Keep in mind it is a SMARTPHONE, not some kind of DSLR camera. Photos will never be as good as a real camera, the lens is simply too small.
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I used nearly all smartphone brands in the market and G2's camera is the most disappointing one for me. Although s3 has 8mp camera it gives better reslults. In my opinion 13mp cam with OIS must be far better.

wargreymon89 said:
The view finder in G2 is slow because it relies on long shutter time to get a bright picture in low light. What people want is that it uses high ISO instead, because having noise in the view finder isnt bad as long as normal pictures still use the higher shutter time. Will this affect the picture? Probably not, but it will give a feeling of a less laggy camera at least.
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Being laggy is also one of the worst parts of the camera and I hoped that at least LG can resolve that issue with the KK update.
Welldone LG You didn't surprise us again.

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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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.
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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.

g3 camera has very littles camera modes and options

got the g3 yesterday and i have the g2, looking at the g3 camera ui and settings and options. there are very little to none, the g2 camera had more options and modes. i feel like they didnt even try for the camera. theres only 4 modes, dual, panorama, magic focus, and auto... if u count that.
what happen to all the other shooting modes like night, beauty shot, shot & clear, they didnt even add filters.
i hate when companys make a upgraded product but they remove other features from the last.

StreetkillnHD said:
got the g3 yesterday and i have the g2, looking at the g3 camera ui and settings and options. there are very little to none, the g2 camera had more options and modes. i feel like they didnt even try for the camera. theres only 4 modes, dual, panorama, magic focus, and auto... if u count that.
what happen to all the other shooting modes like night, beauty shot, shot & clear, they didnt even add filters.
i hate when companys make a upgraded product but they remove other features from the last.
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Sorry... But have you been under a rock? This was a well-known "feature" about the camera. Pretty much EVERY review mentions it.

Slash8915 said:
Sorry... But have you been under a rock? This was a well-known "feature" about the camera. Pretty much EVERY review mentions it.
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i did not look at much reviews, just seen a few unboxing. the camera isnt really a problem just dont get why they wouldnt add them features.
ill probably end up using a 3rd party camera app if really needed.

StreetkillnHD said:
i did not look at much reviews, just seen a few unboxing. the camera isnt really a problem just dont get why they wouldnt add them features.
ill probably end up using a 3rd party camera app if really needed.
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Yeah, that's what most people seem to be doing that want more manual features. Google camera seems to be a popular one.

Slash8915 said:
Yeah, that's what most people seem to be doing that want more manual features. Google camera seems to be a popular one.
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The best app by far which has access to all manual controls is 'A Better Camera'.
Google Camera is fine but like the G3's default camera app has little in the way of control.

StreetkillnHD said:
got the g3 yesterday and i have the g2, looking at the g3 camera ui and settings and options. there are very little to none, the g2 camera had more options and modes. i feel like they didnt even try for the camera. theres only 4 modes, dual, panorama, magic focus, and auto... if u count that.
what happen to all the other shooting modes like night, beauty shot, shot & clear, they didnt even add filters.
i hate when companys make a upgraded product but they remove other features from the last.
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Click to collapse
So what is exactly your complain about? Are you aware that when LG device rings home and sends statistics of its usage then LG engineers could look into it and see what is the most used features of their product. And they can clearly see that very minority of people do make shots with dual camera, filters and all other fancy settings, instead most people just POINT and SHOOT. So why bother. Why spend precious engineers' stuff time to optimize features that will sit in the corner forever unused when LG needs to update ROMs for old devices and programmers are in need?
And for those who needs more tweaks and filters in camera settings there already plenty of 3rd party camera apps in GPlay

StreetkillnHD said:
got the g3 yesterday and i have the g2, looking at the g3 camera ui and settings and options. there are very little to none, the g2 camera had more options and modes. i feel like they didnt even try for the camera. theres only 4 modes, dual, panorama, magic focus, and auto... if u count that.
what happen to all the other shooting modes like night, beauty shot, shot & clear, they didnt even add filters.
i hate when companys make a upgraded product but they remove other features from the last.
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Click to collapse
As mentioned above, there are a myriad of different third party camera apps for those that want something more in depth. I'm glad LG spent more time on things like ergonomics and the skin rather than the camera.
Sent from my LG-D850 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

AhsanU said:
As mentioned above, there are a myriad of different third party camera apps for those that want something more in depth. I'm glad LG spent more time on things like ergonomics and the skin rather than the camera.
Sent from my LG-D850 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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I love how minimal the camera app is it truly is point and shoot which is what a phone camera should be, if you want to go deeper than that a phone camera is not what you're looking for

LG wanted to go minimal on this whole device, the whole new UI reflects minimal and that includes the camera.

sloseph said:
I love how minimal the camera app is it truly is point and shoot which is what a phone camera should be, if you want to go deeper than that a phone camera is not what you're looking for
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Honestly, I can understand the OP's disappointment. You won't find shooting modes like the ones he listed on a DSLR camera, but you'll find it in a regular 'ole point and shoot. And since these were available in the previous version, one might expect to find it in the new version.
But again, this is the beauty of android. Download a camera application that has what you want! There are very few limitations, which is why most of us love android powered devices.
Sent from my LG-D850 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

AhsanU said:
Honestly, I can understand the OP's disappointment. You won't find shooting modes like the ones he listed on a DSLR camera, but you'll find it in a regular 'ole point and shoot. And since these were available in the previous version, one might expect to find it in the new version.
But again, this is the beauty of android. Download a camera application that has what you want! There are very few limitations, which is why most of us love android powered devices.
Sent from my LG-D850 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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its not really a disappointment as i said its not a problem nor does it bother me.
i just dont get why they wouldn't add them features back.
but any who the phone is really nice i love it its a great upgrade from there last device.
and i love how att didn't remove the theme editor this time lol

StreetkillnHD said:
its not really a disappointment as i said its not a problem nor does it bother me.
i just dont get why they wouldn't add them features back.
but any who the phone is really nice i love it its a great upgrade from there last device.
and i love how att didn't remove the theme editor this time lol
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The whole reason why there is no more night mode, I think, is because there was "intelligent Auto" mode in G2 and now its gone, too. But now IA is THE default mode of camera instead of optional while being in G2, so the camera sets itself to HDR, or night mode when appropriate based on the measured exposures and lighting conditions and dynamic range of frame
Beauty shot is probably included in frontal camera in auto mode,too.

Didn't you do any research before getting the phone ? Because the simple . Camera ui shouldn't be a surprise at this point
LG G3

Love the minimal everything on this phone. It also takes the best pictures and videos of any phone.
Sent from my LG-D850 using XDA Free mobile app

should have tried it before buying it..thats like buying a car without test driving it

The g2 took horrible low light shots.... The filters are well worth the trade for this camera
Sent from my LGLS990 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I also agree that the camera is too basic, in a good way. However, manual exposure compensation needs to be available in every camera app.

twoeleven99 said:
Didn't you do any research before getting the phone ? Because the simple . Camera ui shouldn't be a surprise at this point
LG G3
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not much just loved the g2 because of its ui and where the buttons are placed. its much better ui then the sluggish touch wiz on galaxy phones.

Somehow my touch to shoot has been turned off, i have to hit the shutter button now. Anyone know how to get it back to where i just touch the screen so it will focus and shoot?
Edit..
My bad, should have searched. Answer is here http://forum.xda-developers.com/sh...amera: Tap to focus and snap no longer works

LG made this camera for idiots who only point and take photo
Samsung so far has the best camera software, other brands should learn from the master how to do good camera app.