[Q] Google camera and HDR+ on LG G2 - G2 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I just downloaded the latest Google camera 2.4 on an LG G2 with android 4.4.2 and the HDR is not working (it does on the stock camera). When I take a pic, it looks pretty much the same regardless if HDR it's on or off. In the pics with the Google Camera app (the two first ones) the difference is minimal, probably caused due framing and angle (more light from the screen or natural light reflecting on the door). The third pic is stock, which has the kind of contrast I would expect from an HDR picture.
I also noticed that the HDR+ option is not available, just the regular HDR. Is it only for the nexus 5/6? just lollipop? Our it's there an apk that can be installed? I'm using the stock Rom on an AT&T rooted device.

Related

Help, why I can't get quality image files with S4.

Hi.
My previous phone was a huawei p1. I bought the camera fv5 app and the images were great. The phone started to behave strange and I started to look for a better phone. Decided on the s4. I read that it's camera was great and I thought that the fv5 app will remove the plastic of the images as it did on my p1. But it didn't. I'm so disappointed.
Here are the examples:
huawei
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8kmedFmWBvwSHp6TTBpQjllcHMyejJ3eldYMm45X2VoSmpR/view?usp=sharing
samsung
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8kmedFmWBvwcUg5dXhTX0M2ZnppeEFCU2dMR1lNem5weFBn/view?usp=sharing
Why can't s4 shoot the same and how to fix it?
It looks like the p1 shoots raw which is impossible.
Thanks.
You might want to explain with some added information, because based upon what I've seen in the two pictures I'm having a difficult time understanding what the problem actually is. Claiming the P1 picture is better than the S4 is a major stretch. It doesn't help when your Huawei's image is blurry and indistinct, while the S4 image is razor sharp.
P. S. Unless you use Androslide's Camera Zoom FX Pro you're not shooting in RAW.
But the p1 is better, there s more detail if you pay attention (look at the tree needles), there s more highlight detail with better color and no overexposure, the shadows are smooth and there s no huge contrast, there s no oversharpning and overprocessing of the details (no plastic look), there s actually nice noise that makes for a real image, it looks as a raw image.
Both images were made with camera fv5 app on andr 6 and andr 4.4.1
It is strange why can't the s4 take the same quality picture, why is there that layer of postprocessing on s4 that an old phone like p1 misses?
Have you tried taking pictures with the s4 running stock 5.01 with the stock Samsung camera app?
No, i haven t. Have you? Is it any different?
Is it possible to see a 100% crop?
I don't have the phone at the moment but people I know that habe the phone the pictures are pretty good. These are people that run everything stock.
I have, and the picture quality is excellent. I didn't notice any sharpening issues using the S4 camera and stock firmware. In fact, the pictures it took are comparable to the ones coming from my Nexus 6, and this is despite not having OIS or exposure bracketing HDR; the stock Samsung firmware uses software filters to emulate HDR.
I can't test the stock firmware now because I'm running Android 7.0 on the device and have Camera Zoom FX Pro installed, but I'm still not seeing the OP's issues he claims are in the S4 image. I have a good eye for composition and a decent eye for picture quality, and to me that S4 image is perfectly fine. It could have been improved using HDR, but for a sample shot it's well framed and the colors accurate compared to the P1.

LG G6 Camera App

Just wondering if you guys have seen any 3rd party camera apps that utilities the wide angle lens.
Hi, I am interested in too I was searching deeply and haven't found nothing but we can hope some dev tune up LG Camera app which is quite good already. At least less postprocess like washing details as intend to noise reduction (jpeg) is for me priority n1.
TRY: https://forum.xda-developers.com/go...ps/app-32mp-rear-camera-4-9mp-camera-t3322562
Camera Super Pixel from dev Mobileillusion doesn't support dual lens but works with G6. Latest version is older BUT shots are incredibly CLEAN and no washed in low light. Best results in terms of picture tech quality.
My comparsion of stock LG camera app vs Camera Super Pixel
https://ibb.co/drBc7v

Google Camera with HDR+ comparison and thoughts

All credits goes to B-S-G
His original thread
and Thanks to XDA Headlines!
Link for GC
U11 Camera for still photos is (probably?) the best in class right now, but not without flaw that is overexposure.
As soon as the Modded HDR+ GC has become available I have decided to compare some shots with Stock camera w/HDR and Google Camera w/HDR+ enabled.
Here are some comparisons and my opinions.
Lowlight
http://imgur.com/2ziArQB
With Google Cam overexposure and blown out highlights are no longer an issue. However, the details in the shadow area of the low light image will get smudged out thanks to the noise reduction and/or become too dark.
on Stock HTC Sharpening is harsher than GC when 100% zoomed in but not as much as Sammy. The color on stock app is much more vibrant as well, but that comes with noisy image.
As a photographer I'd prefer lower noise image, but for smartphone camera that is not a very important thing comparing to, say, details in the dark area.
Overall Exposure and Details
http://imgur.com/Rqjk2hL
GC did a great job keeping all the details in highlight areas while stock app blown them to bits.
Colors, yet again HTC stock is punchy and vibrant on shadow areas while GC is a tad bit duller.
Close up
http://imgur.com/D7HEkbR
HTC, as usual, produce much more vibrant colors and more sharpened image while highlight areas are blown out.
It all comes down to your taste, people who like "Natural" tone will prefer GC while snap and go type better stick to HTCs'.
for me I prefer GC by the day and HTC stock by night as GC will give more room in image editing.
Basically, short squeeze for stock app, long squeez for Google Cam for me!
----
Current working Gcam with Portrait mode
https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/GoogleCamera-Pixel2Mod-Arnova8G2-V5.apk
Preferred Setting
Config for HDR+: Pixel 2017 ZSL HDR+
HDR+ Parameters: Default or higher (not much difference but longer process time)
Final jpg quality HDR+: default(95) or higher, little differences
For me, Google does a better job in low-light, my bathroom.
Clearer and more details, look at the spay can on the right at the back.
But I do like the greens produced by HTC Cam, Google pink/reds are better, all comes down to personal preference.
http://imgur.com/a/l3oTm
Google's HDR+ does great job in extreme HDR situations , but for my eyes HTC's HDR boost does greater job keeping everything sharp , Google just destroyes every detail with noise reduction
Check the link for comparison
https://goo.gl/photos/NYTaPRsEMVoxjoEc8
I know Pixel camera better but I've read all reviews on net and youtube and found that it always got over saturation during at low light or indoor environment like the sample provided from #2 if you view it carefully, you see a yellow cast in the whole photo with Pixel.
Indeed, U11 offers a natural tone overall, not Pixel in my opinions though HTC color might be a bit vibrant. If Pixel white balance isn't going wrong, yes it always perform better result. Good to know there is a modded google HDR+ now, donno if the yellow tone problem fixed or not.
U11 still got some advantages like OIS and dual pixel focus which is important to me too. Wish we'll have modded U11 camera in the future.
EDIT:
https://www.xda-developers.com/google-camera-hdr-ported/
It's glad that we can use Pixel HDR+ now on all SD820/821/835 devices without root. It's Google camera 4.4 apk and I've installed it on my U11(no root atm) and it works both HDR+ photo and 4K recording, no crash no FC. So if you prefer the style on Google HDR+ this is your way to go together with the benefit of OIS and dual pixel focus over Pixel phone.
Will OIS and pixel focus work on the google camera?
sallam5010 said:
Google's HDR+ does great job in extreme HDR situations , but for my eyes HTC's HDR boost does greater job keeping everything sharp , Google just destroyes every detail with noise reduction
Check the link for comparison
https://goo.gl/photos/NYTaPRsEMVoxjoEc8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In some way i agree with u,but i am also using g cam on htc 10 ane phone must be still while taking photo,i see on ur picture some blurriness like when phone is movng wjen taking photo.
Boskoel03 said:
In some way i agree with u,but i am also using g cam on htc 10 ane phone must be still while taking photo,i see on ur picture some blurriness like when phone is movng wjen taking photo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some samples,i am not professional photographer but u can see for ur self,more lighter photo is htc stock camera,other G cam
Edit: focus is left oriented...
No edit,no flash,pure hdr..
zeke125 said:
Will OIS and pixel focus work on the google camera?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OIS does work and Pixel focus I assume you mean the "lens blur" function? if so, it also works.
The only thing that is not working in GC is slow motion.
Boskoel03 said:
In some way i agree with u,but i am also using g cam on htc 10 ane phone must be still while taking photo,i see on ur picture some blurriness like when phone is movng wjen taking photo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm I was really steady , I have very steady hands and I can take 1s shutter , and I really tried it multiple times to make sure if it's really does reduce the noise and smudge the details or if it's just one bad shot , but actually all of them are the same
I really like it in extreme HDR situations though , so if HTC's upcoming camera update didn't boost the camera even more then maybe I will use gcam for really extreme HDR situations
I have tried it in broad day light and the dynamic range is really improved.
I will try it tonight but if it fixes the overexposure, it will really be the ultimate camera phone.
stock app
Pixel app
Edit : Now tried in the night, the difference is even greater. With the HTC U11 camera app, all the details are burnt near light sources, while it is not the case with the Pixel camera app.
stock app
Pixel app
For me it is clear, the Pixel app will replace the stock app for my pictures. The HTC U11 camera module with the Google Pixel software, I think we have the best possible camera on a phone.
Stock camera is much better in every scenario...
foxy4270 said:
Stock camera is much better in every scenario...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I strongly disagree.
Look at this window which is aproximately 150 meters far from me. With the Pixel app, I can clearly see he is watching TV. I am impressed. With the stock app, I see... nothing.
And with the Pixel, I don't find any detail loss.
stock app
HDR+ app
For me stock camera is better on daylight situations.
For nightshots GC wins.
So i will use them both.
*justintime* said:
For me stock camera is better on daylight situations.
For nightshots GC wins.
So i will use them both.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, I disagree, look at these crops in daylight (they are not mine but from the original poster of this thread). A lot of data are lost with the stock app due to the lower dynamic range. The difference is huge.
Stock
HDR+
For me, the HDR+ app wins in every situations.
Indoor night time
Gcam color rendering really off..
First one gcam
2ND stock
Hdr + is a disaster....worst camera ever
Google hdr +
google by foxy4270, on Flickr
Stock hdr
stock by foxy4270, on Flickr
foxy4270 said:
Hdr + is a disaster....worst camera ever
Google hdr +
google by foxy4270, on Flickr
Stock hdr
google by foxy4270, on Flickr
Stock hdr
stock by foxy4270, on Flickr
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think u are wrong,bit i am using it on 10 and can not be sure if u are on 11,but in ur post thoose two pictures are the same,and i know difference between g cam hdr+ and stock one,but again on htc 10,that is reason i am not sure for 11 but when something is good it's good,g cam is good for good light conditions,and in low light must bee some wb manually settings...
Sorry,in a hurry ,only light is different on ur pictures,when I compare that red sigh will be more red with g cam i am sure....
Boskoel03 said:
I think u are wrong,bit i am using it on 10 and can not be sure if u are on 11,but in ur post thoose two pictures are the same,and i know difference between g cam hdr+ and stock one,but again on htc 10,that is reason i am not sure for 11 but when something is good it's good,g cam is good for good light conditions,and in low light must bee some wb manually settings...
Sorry,in a hurry ,only light is different on ur pictures,when I compare that red sigh will be more red with g cam i am sure....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is an htc u11 forum
foxy4270 said:
this is an htc u11 forum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Clear case...
To me both apps got pros and cons. Stock cam tend to over exposure and in the opposite way google cam like to under exposure.
It really depends the atmosphere you're shooting and maybe your matter of personal preferences. In general, I like stock a bit over exposure to make the photo brighter except in some cases the high light area got washed out. Noise reduction in google camera is better, stock cam got many noise.

OP5 camera s/w - available in custom ROMs?

On my Note3 previously, it shot decent pics on the samsung ROM, but when I flashed custom ROMs (AOSP) and used the non-samsung camera app pics looked horrible.
Currently on a Nexus 6p, and I like the fact that irregardless of the ROM I use, the default camera app (e.g. Google Camera) can always shoot nice pics.
Contemplating the OP5 - is this the same with OP5? If I move from the stock ROM to any of the custom ROMs, will the camera app consistently be able to shoot the same quality pics/videos?
I stand to be corrected here..
Currently the OP camera isn't available on non-oxygen stock roms.
The quality of photos using Google Camera (or other non-OP camera apps) is generally as good as the OP camera app, and some people would say better, as the OP camera app has aggressive smoothing which is noticeable when you zoom in on a photo. The watercolour effect.
The downside of non-OP camera apps is that there isn't support for the second lens. This rules out the 2X optical zoom, and also the OP Portrait mode.
There is also a lack of support for 1080p 60fps video, and I *think* EIS for 1080p and 4k videos.
There is OOS camera in RR unofficial

Google Pixel Camera with HDR+

Please note: I'm just sharing information here. All credit goes to the amazing devs who made this possible (links below). My very small contribution is at the end of this post.
Long story short, after trying out the Pixel 2 XL for two weeks and then returning it, I must say that the Note 8 camera(s) are meh by comparison. I'm not saying they are bad---I certainly got some nice shots out of the rear camera (the front camera is garbage). However, there is just no comparison with the Pixel 2 / 2 XL. Most reviews agree with this, BTW.
Now, the specs for the Note 8 and Pixel 2 / 2 XL rear cameras are actually pretty similar (F1.7 aperture, 12MP sensor), and I'm sure Samsung used excellent glass in their flagship. (I'm disregarding the zoom lens; that's a very nice plus, and I enjoy having the option.) What changes is the software in the Google Pixel camera vs. the Samsung camera app.
It turns out that talented devs were able to extract the Pixel 2 camera and make it work on any device with an Snapdragon 835 processor---including the AT&T Note 8! The following URL is an up-to-date repository:
https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/
Additional information in this thread.
Please note: I make no representation as to the safety or security of these APKs. I've been using them with apparently no adverse effects, but that's it. Use at your own risk.
My very small contribution: I took a number of pictures in a variety of challenging situations with both the stock camera and the ported Google camera. You can see the results here:
Camera comparisons
I added a comment to each picture, indicating which camera app was used and what to look for in a given specific shot.
The tl;dr version is that the Google Camera does not exhibit the (admittedly slight) yellow/green tint that affects most photos taken with the stock camera. Moreover, it captures a lot more detail in HDR shots. Finally, skin tone and texture is more pleasant and realistic, without being overly sharp. I think noise is slightly lower, too. The improvements are mostly visible using the rear camera. The selfie camera is so bad that there is very little Google's AI can do
Obviously, these are to some extent subjective judgments. You may like the stock camera captures better, and that's fine by me! I'm just sharing the information.
Of course, the Google Camera does not use the 2x zoom, and cannot do portrait mode / live focus shots. For those, you need the stock camera.
I got the Note 8 mainly for the use of the second telephoto lens.. I can see the use for certain shots too though. But I do love me that live focus mode haha
Beauty is, you can have them both... I did it and I've got them both on my desktop now to use depending on what I want to do! Thank you for the Post and Links! Merry Christmas MarcianoS!
Hi all,
I'm the OP. I thought it would be a good idea to help the developer by providing useful info on our devices and how the modified GCam works for us.
@Arnova8G2
Here is the Camera2 test data for the Galaxy Note 8 ATT (which most likely applies to all US devices). All stock Nougat, with the latest December patches.
Using your GCam mod, version 1.4, with the following settings:
Config Camera HDR+: Nexus 6p
Model: Pixel 2XL
HDR+ Parameters: Super High
Advanced->Portrait,ZSL
Note: non-Nexus settings for the Config Camera parameter crash the app. Odd, as Pixel 2017 ZSL used to work on version 1.2.
The following work:
HDR+ rear camera
Portrait rear camera (yes!)
Not working:
Portrait front camera (sometimes it works, sometimes it crashes the app)
Video
ZSL (probably due to having to select Nexus 6p as Config Camera parameter)
Hope this helps! I will provide logcats in a separate post later.
@Arnova8G2
This is a logcats of GCMod5 v. 1.4 crashing when switching to video. Captured using Logcats Extreme, per-app log (which filters the logcat using com.google.android.GCMods5 as key). Please let me know if this is useful, or if you need the full logcat.
Update: using @Arnova8G2's version 1.5 beta 2,
- rear and front HDR+ works
- rear and front portrait mode works
- video now works
The above is with the Pixel 2016 Testing setting for Camera HDR+. This also gets rid of the lag present with the Nexus settings.
I am using Arnova8G2's version 1.5 beta 2
Settings:
Config camera HDR+
Pixel 2016 Tuning
Model
Pixel 2XL
HDR Parameters
Super High
And I dont seem to have the portrait mode option when I wipe from the left. I see Slow Motion, Panorama, Photo Sphere, Lens Blur and Settings. Under Advanced I checked "Use ZSL" but no option for portrait here. I am on Verizons Note 8, Android version 7.1.1
Am I doing something wrong?
Himmad said:
I am using Arnova8G2's version 1.5 beta 2
Settings:
Config camera HDR+
Pixel 2016 Tuning
Model
Pixel 2XL
HDR Parameters
Super High
And I dont seem to have the portrait mode option when I wipe from the left. I see Slow Motion, Panorama, Photo Sphere, Lens Blur and Settings. Under Advanced I checked "Use ZSL" but no option for portrait here. I am on Verizons Note 8, Android version 7.1.1
Am I doing something wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Recent versions allow you to toggle between Lens Blur and Portrait. Go to Settings, Advanced, and turn on Portrait Mode. Then you need to "completely close" the app (bring up the task list and close the Google camera app, which is called GCMod5). When you relaunch the app, you should see Portrait where you now see Lens Blur.
I realized I didn't have the newest version which is in his thread. Just need to search for it
Hey @Arnova8G2,
Just tried version 1.5, and unfortunately there is a reversion relative to 1.5beta2. Portrait mode ok no the front camera yields a greenish picture. This is with the same settings in both versions: Pixel 2016 tuning / Pixel 2XL / Super High.
Not sure if I should provide a log, as there is no crash.
@Arnova8G2
The latest version (uploaded on January 15) does not work at all on the Note 8. Black screen, and I can't even bring up the menu. Logcat attached.
The last known good version for the Note 8 is 1.5beta2.
Update: @Arnova8G2 version 1.6 is out
Tl;Dr: same functionality and issues as 1.5. Green tint in portrait mode using the front camera (see attached pictures), slow motion crashes. Also I think HDR+ does not work with the front camera.
Rear camera works great, including portrait mode.
Video works fine too.
@Arnova8G2, please let me know how I can help debug the front camera.
Update: @Arnova8G2 version 1.7beta is out.
Good news: the green tint in portrair-mode shots using the front camera is gone!!!
The front camera works great in portrait mode in good lighting.
You can make it work in low light by choosing Nexus 6p model but that makes the back camera not work.
Evolved326 said:
The front camera works great in portrait mode in good lighting.
You can make it work in low light by choosing Nexus 6p model but that makes the back camera not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hm.... Both cameras work well for me with the Nexus 6p setting. The only issue is that there is a delay when taking a photo (using HDR+, which is the whole point of using this camera app).
MarcianoS said:
Hm.... Both cameras work well for me with the Nexus 6p setting. The only issue is that there is a delay when taking a photo (using HDR+, which is the whole point of using this camera app).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On my note8, when I choose Nexus 6p, the back camera would kind of start snapping the picture but would then pause. Then the screen gets dark for like 2 seconds then is back to normal.
The picture is not recorded.
Once this happens for the first time, the "HDR+" would no longer show the ✓ indicating it's ready to shoot HDR anymore until I close the app and reopen.
Evolved326 said:
On my note8, when I choose Nexus 6p, the back camera would kind of start snapping the picture but would then pause. Then the screen gets dark for like 2 seconds then is back to normal. Once this happens for the first time, the "HDR+" would no longer show the ✓ indicating it's ready to shoot HDR anymore until I close the app and reopen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm... I just tried switching to Nexus6p and I was able to snap two pictures with HDR+ on (and the tick mark showing). This on Arnova8G2's v1.7beta, AT&T Note 8 running stock Nougat 7.1.
MarcianoS said:
Hmmm... I just tried switching to Nexus6p and I was able to snap two pictures with HDR+ on (and the tick mark showing). This on Arnova8G2's v1.7beta, AT&T Note 8 running stock Nougat 7.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have 6p set for both model and config camera her?
Evolved326 said:
Do you have 6p set for both model and config camera her?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only Config Camera HDR. I set Model to Pixel 2XL.
MarcianoS said:
Only Config Camera HDR. I set Model to Pixel 2XL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BTW the tick mark only shows when the app thinks that HDR+ is needed. Sometimes you just need to point the camera somewhere else for it to reappear. (This s with the Nexus 6p setting; with Pixel 2016 tuning there never is a check mark.)

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