Database Users

The Moto G camera: noise reduction is the key

Here are some details I uncovered in regards to the camera of Moto G:
Camera specification:
- 5mpxl
- f/2.4
- 4mm focal length.
Most definitely a small sensor, (< 1/3.2' ), likely 1/4'. Also very likely won't have BSI for better low light performance.
Meanwhile there's no good teardown (yet) to find out the make of the camera module, by going through the spec sheets of many other phones, the sensor is likely to be same one you find in Lumia 625.
Most of you will probably agree that Moto G doesn't take good photos. Meanwhile the optic is the best it should be well capable of better.
Issue at the moment is that there's TOO MUCH noise reduction, which can cause a very 'water-paint' feel to the pictures, and destroying any form of sharpness.
From my test with stock and many other camera apps (Lenovo, focal, a better cam, etc etc), while they help with the compression, focus, white-balance and metering etc. and can help the quality of the photos. They don't fix the sharpness/noise reduction issue with the camera. It seems like it's been hard-coded into the software for the camera.
Are there anyone out there who will be able to fix this?

The Motorola camera app was updated today, has this improved the noise reduction?
Nuthin' but a 'Moto G' thang

cption said:
Are there anyone out there who will be able to fix this?
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Click to collapse
Google seems to be working on a completely overhauled Hardware Abstraction Layer for the cameras that will allow apps to tap more directly into the camera pipelines. They'll be able, for instance, to get RAW captures and and do their own custom demoisacing/debayering and the whole post- pipeline. That would probably fix any heavy-handed processing done by any of the OEMs.

AluKed said:
Google seems to be working on a completely overhauled Hardware Abstraction Layer for the cameras that will allow apps to tap more directly into the camera pipelines. They'll be able, for instance, to get RAW captures and and do their own custom demoisacing/debayering and the whole post- pipeline. That would probably fix any heavy-handed processing done by any of the OEMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RAW just gives an uncompressed image, there's no real guarantee that no processing takes place..
I'm going to report my findings on the new moto camera update. From the look of it it's just a routine, general update that shouldn't make much difference.

bien irleeno
cption said:
RAW just gives an uncompressed image, there's no real guarantee that no processing takes place..
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Click to collapse
Not really. RAW is much more than an uncompressed image, it's as close to the raw, unprocessed sensor output as possible. No demosaicing, no tone mapping/gamma, no conversion from (typically) 12 bits per pixel to 8 bits, no processing and no lossy compression. If any of this is done, then it isn't RAW.

For you which camera app is the best ?

el-marino said:
For you which camera app is the best ?
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Click to collapse
camera awesome is amazing and vignette its very good try with this app's u can get a better pic from stock cam

I think the original Android app takes better photos
The only problem with this app is the HDR
I installed the original app 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4, none of them has the HDR
Any way to solve this?

I've just installed snap camera, I have to say it is streets ahead of stock moto cam.
Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

I wasn't able to post before/after comparison with the stock camera app as it updated itself. So far I'm not seeing any different image wise between the update.
I've done some comparison shots in between the cameras, and added in my Ativ S (GS3 WP8 alter-ego) as a bonus.
Snap Camera focus very well, and I was able to take good shots with my shaky hands. However, the blurring issue is very apparent with all camera apps..
N.B. The Focal photo was slightly blurred due to my shaky hands, sorry!

Just to clear it, you're talking about this paid app ?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marginz.snap&hl=en

SlashGear have posted an article on the Camera software update released by Motorola.
This update does a tiny bit to improve all areas of shooting with manual controls, and shows sign that Motorola isn’t going to let this device fall by the wayside at all, whatsoever.
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Click to collapse
[SlashGear]

lost101 said:
SlashGear have posted an article on the Camera software update released by Motorola.
[SlashGear]
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Click to collapse
I dunno Slashgear articles seems iffy...
Moto G ALREADY had the Exposure/Focal Ring tbh, seems they didnt notice or use it in their original review. This exposure/focus ring is the basis of their camera comparison it seems.

I did not find options to manual focus and exposure.

Psychoferno said:
I did not find options to manual focus and exposure.
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Click to collapse
It's just the ring that you can drag around the screen to choose the point of focus and exposure. I'm sure that we (at least I did!) had this from the beginning on Moto G (maybe the X didn't and that's where the stories are coming from?) and the recent update was basically bug fixes for us.

Yes, the G Moto already had this function. Thanks for the clarification.

Kameo said:
Just to clear it, you're talking about this paid app ?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marginz.snap&hl=en
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Yes, I just used the trial for the comparison.
Note that XDA compresses the image so it's very hard to tell from the photos I posted.
But the Moto-G is absolutely no match for the camera on my Ativ-S/GS3. Not sure if it will fair better if the noise reduction issues been fixed.
But Snap Camera seem to do the best job out of the apps I've tried, for my shaky hand of course. Not compared the HDR mode yet but stock camera do that quite well.

any comparison between s3?^

t-bon3 said:
The Motorola camera app was updated today, has this improved the noise reduction?
Nuthin' but a 'Moto G' thang
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Camera apps rarely make any significant difference in quality, unless they start passing different parameters/settings to the camera HAL.
Usually, if you see major changes in camera performance, it's HAL changes, which require a system firmware update.

Entropy512 said:
Usually, if you see major changes in camera performance, it's HAL changes, which require a system firmware update.
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Click to collapse
I'm guessing that we'll get the Camera HAL v3 with Kit Kat 4.5. I mean, that's the kind of feature that would justify a version bump. Hopefully the hardware will be compliant enough that it won't have to run in the Limited Semantics mode.

Which camera app?

Just got the phone today and I'm really enjoying it. Camera seems to take pretty decent photos, I'm just not liking the UI of the stock app itself. What are you guys using?

cas239 said:
Just got the phone today and I'm really enjoying it. Camera seems to take pretty decent photos, I'm just not liking the UI of the stock app itself. What are you guys using?
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Stock.
If you use another camera, it won't work with the Moto wrist flick action.

Darnell_Chat_TN said:
Stock.
If you use another camera, it won't work with the Moto wrist flick action.
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Click to collapse
Yea, I figured as much. I can almost live without that though. Coming from a Note 4 and i'm used to touch to focus.

cas239 said:
Yea, I figured as much. I can almost live without that though. Coming from a Note 4 and i'm used to touch to focus.
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Click to collapse
The Moto camera app has touch to focus. You just have to turn off the auto focus..

I'm trying to live with the Moto camera app....I also like it for the barcode scanner...... But, I found the HTC One camera app here on XDA. I've used that app for the last 3 years and have always wished it was available for other phones. It's in the Android apps and games section (here's the link to the thread): http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/themes-apps/mod-htc-one-m9-camera-gallery-t3143538 I like the gallery too.
I've also tried MANY other cameras and the one I like the best so far, and it's new, is: ProShot
I also like Camera FV-5..... I just purchased it today. The 3.0 update that's coming out looks pretty good, that's why I got it now. I don't like the 21mp ratio aspect and if you change it, it takes off 5mp, but we'll see what happens?
Also like: A Better Camera - pretty good, but don't like the UI
AZ Camera - Manual Pro Cam - Just tried it this week, seems ok for a freebie
Open Camera - This one really impressed me for a free camera
Snap Camera - Looks like an upgrade to Open Camera, but I have some "touch" issues with it from time to time
Cameringo+ Effects camera - It has great reviews and 4.6 stars, but I just didn't like the UI either.
CameraMX - Pretty good for a freebie too
Google Camera - It's Google Camera Not much more to say
I plan on messing around with Camera FV-5 tonight to get a better feel for it......But I'll probably always use the Moto camera for the ease of access to it.

Thanks for the suggestions. Do any one of the cemera apps you mentioned allow users to manually set e.g. ISO? (I don't own a MXPE yet so I can't test this myself)
tele_jas said:
I'm trying to live with the Moto camera app....I also like it for the barcode scanner...... But, I found the HTC One camera app here on XDA. I've used that app for the last 3 years and have always wished it was available for other phones. It's in the Android apps and games section (here's the link to the thread): http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/themes-apps/mod-htc-one-m9-camera-gallery-t3143538 I like the gallery too.
I've also tried MANY other cameras and the one I like the best so far, and it's new, is: ProShot
I also like Camera FV-5..... I just purchased it today. The 3.0 update that's coming out looks pretty good, that's why I got it now. I don't like the 21mp ratio aspect and if you change it, it takes off 5mp, but we'll see what happens?
Also like: A Better Camera - pretty good, but don't like the UI
AZ Camera - Manual Pro Cam - Just tried it this week, seems ok for a freebie
Open Camera - This one really impressed me for a free camera
Snap Camera - Looks like an upgrade to Open Camera, but I have some "touch" issues with it from time to time
Cameringo+ Effects camera - It has great reviews and 4.6 stars, but I just didn't like the UI either.
CameraMX - Pretty good for a freebie too
Google Camera - It's Google Camera Not much more to say
I plan on messing around with Camera FV-5 tonight to get a better feel for it......But I'll probably always use the Moto camera for the ease of access to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

case-sensitive said:
Thanks for the suggestions. Do any one of the cemera apps you mentioned allow users to manually set e.g. ISO? (I don't own a MXPE yet so I can't test this myself)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, most of those do.
The Camera FV-5 and Cameringo+ are capable of being almost fully manual. The ProShot has several of those too and the HTC camera even has several manual settings. Not sure about the others, I didn't explore them that much? Pretty sure they'll say in the description? If you get it narrowed down or need more specific info, I can *try* to help by downloading (one I own) and trying something with it? I'm a little restricted on time later this week, headed to St Louis for a business meeting (and Cardinal's game).

Are any of these apps able to shoot 720p in 120 fps? In the other cameras I have tried, I get a pop-up saying fps over thirty isn't supported even on 720p

tele_jas said:
Yeah, most of those do.
The Camera FV-5 and Cameringo+ are capable of being almost fully manual. The ProShot has several of those too and the HTC camera even has several manual settings. Not sure about the others, I didn't explore them that much? Pretty sure they'll say in the description? If you get it narrowed down or need more specific info, I can *try* to help by downloading (one I own) and trying something with it? I'm a little restricted on time later this week, headed to St Louis for a business meeting (and Cardinal's game).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! When you get a chance, could you use one of these apps to take a couple of photos in low light setting, and see if manually setting the ISO and/or (probably and?!) extending the exposure time would improve the camera's low light performance (without flash)? You probably need a (very?) steady hand
THANKS!

case-sensitive said:
Thanks! When you get a chance, could you use one of these apps to take a couple of photos in low light setting, and see if manually setting the ISO and/or (probably and?!) extending the exposure time would improve the camera's low light performance (without flash)? You probably need a (very?) steady hand
THANKS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I had a few minuted today, so here's the setup..... I play in a band (just a weekend thing), so I went into my music room (aka, my bedroom) and turned off the light, but left the door half-way open and the hall light on... I then took some pics of my gear.
I snapped several pictures using 4 different apps.... There was almost no difference with any of the apps vs the Moto camera as far as quality goes. One disappointing thing, when I tried to change the ISO, 3 of the 4 apps crashed and the 4th didn't allow me to click on the different speeds?? It's almost like the ISO is locked to auto? They all offered a "night mode" which made it brighter, but added quite a bit of noise. There was also an exposure compensation that brightened up the image, but basically did the same thing as night mode and added noise.
I didn't post any of the images, since there was no difference and it wasn't the best of settings. I'll try to get some better testing this evening and see if I get anything worth posting?

The stock camera sucks, because it doesn't have different pic sizes. Only 16m for 4:3 or 21m on 16:9. Witch results in huge file sizes. I take a lot of pics for work and 2m is big enough. The lack of options is weird.

I have tried a bunch of camera apps with this phone.
Stock camera .....very poor quality compared to other apps.
These are the best (not in order):
Snap camera ...takes great pictures, probably the best of the three with the right settings ..... but currently buggy though with this phone ...auto-focus is not that sharp in low light, touch to capture works great and takes sharp focused pictures but is buggy (you often have to double tap to capture, but if you can live with that until it's fixed..) and also the video mode doesn't currently work
Camera FV-5 ....very good quality pics, sharp, detailed, on par with snap, no bugs found
Open Camera ....Very good quality pics, auto focus works best of all the apps, or on par with Camera FV-5 ...no bugs found ....video mode works ....and it's free

Does this app like snap camera or open camera drain more battery than stock caméra ?

Took this one last night at the St Louis Cardinals game.. The post game fireworks.. Not too bad for stock, set on automatic.

Darnell_Chat_TN said:
Stock.
If you use another camera, it won't work with the Moto wrist flick action.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock is ok but wow does the files really have to be so large. Kinda stupid. You don't have enough control to change picture size before taking a pic. Most of the time I am just emailing and texting pics you don't need a 7MB pic for that.

Is it just me - or does the Stock Camera app Suck?

The touch to take a photo is frustrating as hell when i'm used to tap-to-focus on targets rather than it immediately take a pic.
I've tried fiddling around but still no joy. Anyone know of a secret-squirrel setting someplace to turn that crap off?

m2geek said:
The touch to take a photo is frustrating as hell when i'm used to tap-to-focus on targets rather than it immediately take a pic.
I've tried fiddling around but still no joy. Anyone know of a secret-squirrel setting someplace to turn that crap off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem with my moto g. An easy fix is to get the google camera app, which is very similar to the stock camera app, but it has tap to focus.

fleet75 said:
I had the same problem with my moto g. An easy fix is to get the google camera app, which is very similar to the stock camera app, but it has tap to focus.
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Click to collapse
But no slomo or 4k, I hope with the release of the 6p they will add those features to the google camera app, I hate switching between camera apps.

mabru2001 said:
But no slomo or 4k, I hope with the release of the 6p they will add those features to the google camera app, I hate switching between camera apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess you could just use the stock app when you need to film slow-mo or 4K? Alternatively, you could look around for other camera apps on the forums or on the play store; I found one called open camera, not the nicest looking interface but looks pretty functional...
Edit: I've heard that the moto x style doesn't support the camera api which is a bit of a bummer...

I've used Open Camera previously, may have to give it a go. Google Camera is ok but it is a bit Basic?
I wonder if the Oppo camera app will work >.>

I think many people do not know that you can use the volume up/down buttons to snap a photo. Then it feels very much like a traditional point and shoot camera when you hold it. I literally just found this out today. I really wish Moto included that tidbit in their initial tutorial animations.

This might help http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=63117312
Sent from my Moto XPE

JoeNeckbone said:
This might help http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=63117312
Sent from my Moto XPE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed this Xposed module on the stock rom and changed almost all the options in it and also installed Camera 360 and Camera FV 5 Pro (I changed the extension from .jpeg to .png in FV5).
Now I'm not sure if this app it's really better or is just a impression because I can't see any difference between the stock image quality (and Google Camera) and the Camera FV5, I can see just the difference in the image size.
Attached sample images - https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B9AGQuLtWUjVUS1lbkF1MTh5MlE&usp=sharing
Camera 360 ≈ 3,6 - 3,8MB
Camera FV5 ≈ 20 - 22MB
Google Camera ≈ 5,0 - 6,0MB
Stock Camera ≈ 5,5 - 6,0MB
Obs.: HDR turned ON in all cameras
.
.

what is the Best camera app?

Im wondering what guys are using for a camera app, the stock moto app, google camera?
Being new to moto and pure android, Im still trying to figure out what is best to use with a lot of apps.
I take a lot of inside pic's where the light may not be as bright as outside shots.
What would you guys recommend?
Thanks

Try out Open Camera. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sourceforge.opencamera&hl=en

Hitch_Itch said:
Im wondering what guys are using for a camera app, the stock moto app, google camera?
Being new to moto and pure android, Im still trying to figure out what is best to use with a lot of apps.
I take a lot of inside pic's where the light may not be as bright as outside shots.
What would you guys recommend?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got an update of Motorola Camera from the play store, they claim it has some improvements. I wonder if it will have any impact on photo quality but I doubt.

I use the Google Camera app. I like it's layout the best as I haven't completely gotten used to the Moto camera app's focusing method. It's just easier to take pictures on the Google app, although you miss the integrated double twist to launch the camera.

nv2k said:
I use the Google Camera app. I like it's layout the best as I haven't completely gotten used to the Moto camera app's focusing method. It's just easier to take pictures on the Google app, although you miss the integrated double twist to launch the camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not found a way to reduce the image size from say 22 meg to 3 meg. Sometime I take site survey photos and need to email them. I can fit a lot more 3 meg pictures in one email.
I hope that was not just a Samsung option.

camera app

So everyone is complaining about the camera app. What am I missing? Can't you just install the Google camera app?

I was wondering the same but thought maybe that it could possibly not be used due to the two camera setup.

I've read people say you can just install the Google camera app, and that it works fine (but no more detail than that - I imagine it might not use the monochrome camera, will be surprised if it tries to use both together).

The OnePlus 5 camera was ported to the honor 8. Maybe the same could be done for the essential phone
Sent from my Xperia X (AOSPA) using Tapatalk

I installed the APK for the Google Pixel Camera ... pretty sure it was from this site. Didn't work. Crashes the instant you open it. Kinda wondering if I did something wrong??
PS: The camera really is beyond awful. The results are on par with a 20 year old disposable camera. Really need to get something better ASAP.

BonkersTheClown said:
I installed the APK for the Google Pixel Camera ... pretty sure it was from this site. Didn't work. Crashes the instant you open it. Kinda wondering if I did something wrong??
PS: The camera really is beyond awful. The results are on par with a 20 year old disposable camera. Really need to get something better ASAP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Camera link: https://goo.gl/YMKJsC
Essential Camera apk link:
a) https://goo.gl/LhfjAo or
b) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.essential.klik
Attached picture taken with Essential Camera Apps (no editing on the photo)

BonkersTheClown said:
I installed the APK for the Google Pixel Camera ... pretty sure it was from this site. Didn't work. Crashes the instant you open it. Kinda wondering if I did something wrong??
PS: The camera really is beyond awful. The results are on par with a 20 year old disposable camera. Really need to get something better ASAP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no issues taking pictures, all mine turn out fantastic. Especially when just using the monochrome sensor by itself.

Settings
Guys am I missing something? Is there any way to change from a 4:3 aspect ratio to a 16:9 one for the rear cameras using the default camera app? I am able to do it of course using the Google camera app.

I use the "Open Camera" app. Seem to work well

I haven't seen anyone mention that the stock camera app is compressing the pics. Stock pics come out at 1.6 mbs or so while Gcsm is 3+ mbs.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

mhajii210 said:
Guys am I missing something? Is there any way to change from a 4:3 aspect ratio to a 16:9 one for the rear cameras using the default camera app? I am able to do it of course using the Google camera app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't have the phone on me now but I'd imagine it's the resolution that sets the aspect ratio so choose one that is 16:9 like 4032x2268 (9.1M) or 2560:1440 (3.7M). At least those are my options on my S8's stock camera app... lol

Just got the phone and seeing the resolution as 4160x3120 but the file is only 1mb vs 5.5mb on the Google camera. Too much compression, no wonder the photos look so grainy.