Database Users

Camera Tests Z3 - Post your pics here -

in theory Sony Xperia Z3 has the same sensor of Z1, Z1 Compact and Z2, but with the new lens, camera firmware and a revised hardware support Sony promises great improvements
Actually new lens are 25mm for a good wide-angle, firmware seems to work better than previous Z2 and hardware should work better in low light conditions. Now you can raise the ISO to 12800, too. Autofocus is faster
Then we could use this thread to collect our shots taken from Sony Z3..It would be great to compare photos with the other devices
I will do once I get my Z3
Let's go!

Here is some pictures
Sent from my D6603 using XDA Free mobile app

Nice pics from West Brom

Hmm.. They seem to be OK but not excellent.. Not sure if worth changing from my m8 (sure it's better camera on z3 but not THAT much)

I think it's a tapatalk resizing problem...it isn't good to upload high quality photos

TheHand said:
Here is some pictures
Sent from my D6603 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please upload to flickr, photobucket, or google+

Here is some pictures from another user
All shots are taken by Superior Auto mode (and we know 8mpx Manual mode, ISO 50, exposure -0,3 and a good sun light in the sky is much better)
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B23J_aHn-BJhaDVNWjdMa252VWM&usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B23J_aHn-BJhNU9uYThUT0tnbnM&usp=sharing

guybrush2099 said:
Here is some pictures from another user
All shots are taken by Superior Auto mode (and we know 8mpx Manual mode, ISO 50, exposure -0,3 and a good sun light in the sky is much better)
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B23J_aHn-BJhaDVNWjdMa252VWM&usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B23J_aHn-BJhNU9uYThUT0tnbnM&usp=sharing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks good to me

guybrush2099 said:
Here is some pictures from another user
All shots are taken by Superior Auto mode (and we know 8mpx Manual mode, ISO 50, exposure -0,3 and a good sun light in the sky is much better)
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B23J_aHn-BJhaDVNWjdMa252VWM&usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B23J_aHn-BJhNU9uYThUT0tnbnM&usp=sharing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those look superb. I need to go someplace nice to test the cam on my Z3

I don't want to start any war or anything and my z3 is already in the post waiting for me but looking at these pictures I am really not sure if I should get it. I am compering side by side to m8 pictures and I could say that 55% of the time m8 makes better pictures..

CandyAndy said:
I don't want to start any war or anything and my z3 is already in the post waiting for me but looking at these pictures I am really not sure if I should get it. I am compering side by side to m8 pictures and I could say that 55% of the time m8 makes better pictures..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait and do side by side. Then zoom and crop. The results will be very revealing to you. I had the M8 for 5 months. Great phone....great build quality....great UI....very fast and the boom sound is amazing. But the camera was very disappointing. Sorry but 4MP is still 4MP even if they are Ultra pixels.

I learned since getting this phone just how irrelevant mega pixels are .Is this better then my htc one? I imagine so,I cant do a comparison as i no longer have my htc but iam pretty sure this camera is better but is it ALOT better? I would have to say no.I expected the camera to be alot better then it is personally but i saw mentioned that it may improve after a firmware update so fingers crossed because if this is supposed to be one of the best camera's on a smartphone then the competition must be lacking

Blaalad12 said:
I learned since getting this phone just how irrelevant mega pixels are .Is this better then my htc one? I imagine so,I cant do a comparison as i no longer have my htc but iam pretty sure this camera is better but is it ALOT better? I would have to say no.I expected the camera to be alot better then it is personally but i saw mentioned that it may improve after a firmware update so fingers crossed because if this is supposed to be one of the best camera's on a smartphone then the competition must be lacking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the specs atleast the sensor size on z3 is bigger than htc one m8. So it should make a difference in low light photography

jamezr said:
Wait and do side by side. Then zoom and crop. The results will be very revealing to you. I had the M8 for 5 months. Great phone....great build quality....great UI....very fast and the boom sound is amazing. But the camera was very disappointing. Sorry but 4MP is still 4MP even if they are Ultra pixels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah must agree. I have now taken some comparison shots with both of them and z3 is quite a lot better. Yet it also leaves something to improve.
Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 09:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 PM ----------
But a lot of force closes already! What's going on. And camera says can't start recording since others program already using. Well factory reset now. But doesn't look too good

CandyAndy said:
Yeah must agree. I have now taken some comparison shots with both of them and z3 is quite a lot better. Yet it also leaves something to improve.
You can check the pictures here
https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0B0MUVjq_igOMZHpjODJTNkRDZmc/edit
I took these on purpose in very demanding conditions so both of them have hard times.
Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 09:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 PM ----------
But a lot of force closes already! What's going on. And camera says can't start recording since others program already using. Well factory reset now. But doesn't look too good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The error in the camera app is because you have "Ok Google" enabled on any screen in Google now, I had this same issue and turned it off until Sony release a fix for it.
Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

can someone do a high iso (12800) shot?

CandyAndy said:
Yeah must agree. I have now taken some comparison shots with both of them and z3 is quite a lot better. Yet it also leaves something to improve.
You can check the pictures here
https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0B0MUVjq_igOMZHpjODJTNkRDZmc/edit
I took these on purpose in very demanding conditions so both of them have hard times.
Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 09:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 PM ----------
But a lot of force closes already! What's going on. And camera says can't start recording since others program already using. Well factory reset now. But doesn't look too good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the comparison pictures. I own a Z2 myself and the picture quality seems very similar to the Z3's.
Maybe it's just me, but I personally preferred the M8's pictures! They looked sharper and less noise, even if it can't zoom as much as the Z3's pics

ipmanwck said:
Nice pics from West Brom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
any 800x600 pictures will look good these days.
---------- Post added at 12:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:33 PM ----------
guybrush2099 said:
Here is some pictures from another user
All shots are taken by Superior Auto mode (and we know 8mpx Manual mode, ISO 50, exposure -0,3 and a good sun light in the sky is much better)
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B23J_aHn-BJhaDVNWjdMa252VWM&usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B23J_aHn-BJhNU9uYThUT0tnbnM&usp=sharing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
most of these are average at best.

There's no way the M8 camera is better. It is one of the lowest rated cameras of any current smartphone. Many professional tests have been conducted, check multiple websites if you don't believe me.
It's possible you either have a faulty unit, unlocked your bootloader which broke the sensor software (read about it in another thread) or Sony need to release a firmware update to fix this.

ssj_jaypee said:
There's no way the M8 camera is better. It is one of the lowest rated cameras of any current smartphone. Many professional tests have been conducted, check multiple websites if you don't believe me.
It's possible you either have a faulty unit, unlocked your bootloader which broke the sensor software (read about it in another thread) or Sony need to release a firmware update to fix this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Iam guessing a firmware update will improve things because i too am underwhelmed with the camera on this phone and i surprisingly thought the m8 pictures looked better in this thread which is kinda embarrassing for sony if you ask me! I havent played around much with the camera if iam honest but with the few pics i have taken i have found sharpness to be lacking ALOT and the flash is way too bright and ruining night time pics

Stock Camera or Google Camera?

I honestly can't figure out which is better for the life of me.
Stock camera is awesome. But if only I am taking photos with shutter button. On screen button makes the camera focus again after initially locking focus with touch, although it remembers where to focus.
This may cause some lost moments due to delay in shutter speed.
Now, Google Camera, on the other hand, takes photos instantaneously. Much faster than stock camera from my observation. Lock focus with touch, then either on-screen or shutter button takes photos instantly. This makes me a very happy photographer.
But this might mean that I am losing out on Sony-powered enhancements they made for the stock camera, so I am doing various of tests to see which camera is superior.
As for now, both camera takes exceptional photos, but I can noticing differences in color, where Stock makes colors colder where Google makes it bit warmer.
Which camera do you guys prefer?

rickyoon.vegas said:
I honestly can't figure out which is better for the life of me.
Stock camera is awesome. But if only I am taking photos with shutter button. On screen button makes the camera focus again after initially locking focus with touch, although it remembers where to focus.
This may cause some lost moments due to delay in shutter speed.
Now, Google Camera, on the other hand, takes photos instantaneously. Much faster than stock camera from my observation. Lock focus with touch, then either on-screen or shutter button takes photos instantly. This makes me a very happy photographer.
But this might mean that I am losing out on Sony-powered enhancements they made for the stock camera, so I am doing various of tests to see which camera is superior.
As for now, both camera takes exceptional photos, but I can noticing differences in color, where Stock makes colors colder where Google makes it bit warmer.
Which camera do you guys prefer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you post some samples from both apps

For me stock all the way. I had a phone with very Shutter speed without focus before. Problem was half of my pictures came out blurry. I'd rather wait a milisec for the focus and have a sharp picture than hammering that button and hope for the best plus for me it's always really hard to keep the cam steady when pressing the touch button. As I said half my pictures came out blurry and out of focus with my sgs3. With the z3 every picture is perfect so far. Never had so much fun with a smartphone camera. And that because of the ergonomics and not because of megapixlz.
But why not have both apps side by side and use the one better suited for the situation?

clouds5 said:
For me stock all the way. I had a phone with very Shutter speed without focus before. Problem was half of my pictures came out blurry. I'd rather wait a milisec for the focus and have a sharp picture than hammering that button and hope for the best plus for me it's always really hard to keep the cam steady when pressing the touch button. As I said half my pictures came out blurry and out of focus with my sgs3. With the z3 every picture is perfect so far. Never had so much fun with a smartphone camera. And that because of the ergonomics and not because of megapixlz.
But why not have both apps side by side and use the one better suited for the situation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Galaxy phones are the same i guess. I have an s5, previously moto x and iphone 5 user. Never had blur in my photos, but with galaxy s5 out of 10 i take 7 will be blurry but camera quality is really good if its not blurry on the s5 especially day light

Speaking of cameras, can you turn off the shutter sound in either of these camera apps?
I could turn it off on my old xperia acro s, but apparently Sony has decided this feature was too powerful for the z3 compact.

Sony stock cam offers "no sound" option in settings

Bäcker said:
Sony stock cam offers no sound option in settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Sony camera on my Z3C has an option to disable sound.

mattdm said:
The Sony camera on my Z3C has an option to disable sound.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, actually I was trying to say the same, just should have added the quotation marks or a dash right away

What settings are you guys using for the stock sony cam? I cant seem to get photos that are as sharp as I'd like. They look great on the z3c display, then i look at them on my laptop and am disappointed. Tried SA, manual, 8mp, 15mp, and all sorts of other settings.

Bäcker said:
yes, actually I was trying to say the same, just should have added the quotation marks or a dash right away
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha ok. Sometimes it's hard to figure tone on the internet. :silly:

Last time I tried the Google Camera it didn't like the 2 stage shutter. I think Sony did a decent number on the Camera app, so will be using it for the time being.

I am also using the default camera app. Its awesome!
I think the google camera needs a overhaul. Its good for just point and shoot but it lacks features. Lets hope Android L apis can help with this.

I figure I'll keep the stock camera as well as Google camera installed for different purposes. Stock camera for everything else, and Google camera for panoramas and photo spheres. Have not compared the difference in panorama shots between stock and google camera yet though.

I found google camera to be worse in low light situations. However the app Camera jb+, gave me better results allround compared to the stock camera.

Sorry to dig up that rather old thread...but something is bugging me! I can't seem to find the setting to turn out ff the sound
Can someone help me?
Sorry, the menu is in German but you guys will probably understand what it means...there is no SOUND ...
Sent from my D5803 using XDA Free mobile app

oTToToTenTanz said:
Sorry to dig up that rather old thread...but something is bugging me! I can't seem to find the setting to turn out ff the sound
Can someone help me?
Sorry, the menu is in German but you guys will probably understand what it means...there is no SOUND ...
Sent from my D5803 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is quite weird since I have a "sound" option in the same menu as you posted.. What firmware are you on?

Crazy...then I'd think its based on what country's firmware is installed...I'm from Germany and some users report (on older Sony xperia z's) that they can't disable the shutter sound.
What coutry are you from? Is there a way to get the camera app from another software? I heard there are also complications with DRM

oTToToTenTanz said:
Crazy...then I'd think its based on what country's firmware is installed...I'm from Germany and some users report (on older Sony xperia z's) that they can't disable the shutter sound.
What coutry are you from? Is there a way to get the camera app from another software? I heard there are also complications with DRM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweden :good:
Maybe with the google camera app you can switch off the sound
The DRM complications might relate to unlock/root where some lowlight functions get lost for good - but if rooting/unlocking isn't a matter of life and death I wouldn't do it until a safe method is found.

I'm from germany (german stock .77 ROM, no branding etc.) and I have this option.

I'm a Google camera fanboy now. The stock app isn't consistent enough and too much time consuming. I like simplicity above the ultimate shot. Also like the photosphere ability. This way I can relive the moment in VR.

Improving front and back camera performance

Hey guys,
Recently got my z2 and I am not entirely pleased with camera performance,especially in low light.
What kind of camera improvements are there? How different is the camera performance on let's say, CM rom?
I've used HTC m7, iPhone 5, galaxy s3 and s5 and now z2 but the cameras never matched up to my iPhone 5.
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app

What settings do you use for low light
---------- Post added at 09:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 PM ----------
I did a fast compare with my daughter's iphone5s and my colleagues iphone 6 and my z2 was fare better in low light

I use auto because I usually don't have time to fiddle around with manual when I need to take a quick picture.

At thread setter would you mind gave us a proof with z2 and iPhone 5 picture comparison. Especially low light?
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app

matase said:
I use auto because I usually don't have time to fiddle around with manual when I need to take a quick picture.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Auto mod isn't something you should take to compare with other devices.
I agree, Sony could write better camera code but they didn't...
Auto mod is similar to taking pictures with idiot camera.
Find someone who is professional photographer or he/she knows a bit of that topic and ask him/her to shoot few pictures with your device using manual settings...
You'll be surprised how good camera is on Z1/Z2...
As I said, it would be great to have good auto mod and be able to take a picture with a single button pressed but if we don't have that that doesn't mean we have awful camera...
And comparation to iPhone 5 is kinda funny...
I tried iPhone 4 and 5 camera and it cannot be compared to Z2...
Picts are grainy and they aren't even close with colors on Z2 pictures.
Z2 has rich colors and better contrast, you just have to find someone who can show you how to set up camera...

Alright so if I am out at a bar with friends am I supposed go to manual settings and adjust them while everyone waits idk 20-40 seconds? I guess if you get good at it you can change manual settings in less than 10 seconds. If I am on a trip somewhere and I am taking still objects, perhaps I can take my time to adjust the settings.
I wish I still had my iPhone 5 to take comparison pictures in auto modes of each phone. No phone matched the auto picture quality in low light ( speed of shutter, or quality).
I am not bashing z2 camera, and especially since I am in a z2 forum, of course most of the time people will say that z2 is a better phone. It just seems that auto mode on z2 is lacking and Sony could just update the software to remedy this.

You can set your manual mode and open camera from app drawe, that way you'll go to manual mode and your settings.
If you open camera with camera button it'll go straight to auto mode.
As I said...
It would be better to have great auto mode but we don't have it...
If you want to use this device you'll have to accept that.
Who knows, maybe Sony rewrite camera drivers and software for Android 5.0..

funky0308 said:
<SNIP>
Who knows, maybe Sony rewrite camera drivers and software for Android 5.0..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this we can confirm on camera quality being ALOT better because of android LP alowing RAW data writing(dont remember the spesifics)

matase said:
Alright so if I am out at a bar with friends am I supposed go to manual settings and adjust them while everyone waits idk 20-40 seconds? I guess if you get good at it you can change manual settings in less than 10 seconds. If I am on a trip somewhere and I am taking still objects, perhaps I can take my time to adjust the settings.
I wish I still had my iPhone 5 to take comparison pictures in auto modes of each phone. No phone matched the auto picture quality in low light ( speed of shutter, or quality).
I am not bashing z2 camera, and especially since I am in a z2 forum, of course most of the time people will say that z2 is a better phone. It just seems that auto mode on z2 is lacking and Sony could just update the software to remedy this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its really hard to convince that you're iphone 5 is better than z2 cause my wife is a iphone fanatic since 4s so I can used her iPhone everytime and as I can recall that iphone 5s is way better than 5 in terms of photo quality. I can agree that front of z2 is not good at low light but in terms of back camera, a sample photo with same condition and environment is a good way for photo comparison.
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app

matase said:
Hey guys,
Recently got my z2 and I am not entirely pleased with camera performance,especially in low light.
What kind of camera improvements are there? How different is the camera performance on let's say, CM rom?
I've used HTC m7, iPhone 5, galaxy s3 and s5 and now z2 but the cameras never matched up to my iPhone 5.
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately the auto mode on the Sony cameraphones are piss poor! It gets the white balance wrong particularly under natural lighting resulting in washed looking colours.
It tends to over expose everything and cranks up the iso too high to avoid blurring but increasing the luminescent noise in the process.
There's no way around this unfortunately, not right now anyway. You'll have to set the camera up manually.
I'd say use auto white balance under artificial lighting or at night but always choose the daylight setting under natural light.
When you press the two stage shutter down, it locks focus and exposure so you can see if it's over or under exposed and then adjust accordingly.
For ISO, I'd say don't go above 400 even at night. 50 for very good and daylight conditions. 100 to 200 for okay lighting and 400 when shooting under low lighting.
It's a fiddly camera! No escaping that.
Agreed Sony needs to sort out the poor auto mode or scrap it completely. It's hopeless!
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app

Is it just my Z2 or is camera focus a problem.

I love the camera on the Z2... when it focuses properly.
I've never had such a bad phone at focussing!
I also get the odd shot that's over processed into a mush but that's another story and something all mobile cameras can do on occasions.
Went to my eldest's first nativity play today and tried to film it, end result the back of people's heads in front of us were in focus but the kids on stage?
Nah they were a blurry mess.
It's not just the constant focus seeking for no reason in videos that annoys me either.
With stills, generally it's 50/50 if I get a focussed shot or not.
When I do the results are fantastic (as long as you use manual white balance)
Half the time the camera doesn't focus properly with touch focus or doesn't focus where you want it.
If I just try infinity focus and let the camera sort itself out I get a few pictures that the camera focuses on nothing, the entire shot is out of focus.
Never had these problems with the M8, Note2, GS2 that preceded my Z2 so I don't think it's me.
I know that the Z2 has focus problems in less than brilliant light which doesn't help (unlike the M8) but it's making my mobile photography pretty hit and miss.
Unfortunately the shot often looks fine on the phone but when viewed on a large PC monitor it's obvious the shot is useless.
It's seriously making me consider leaving the Sony stable in the next generation next year which would be a real shame because the phone itself is the best Android out there for me at the moment.
Sony really have to sort out their camera processing, if Apple can do it with a Sony lens there should be no excuse for Sony.
Either it's just a Sony thing or my phone is faulty but like I said some of the pictures I take have stellar focus and colour balance but on the whole... not.
Sorry just needed to vent some frustration!

First of all this must be moved to Q & A threat,second - After the 4.4.4 update the Superior auto mode is even crappier then 4.4.2,so if you make your photos that way...its normal.Try playing with the Manual mode with 20mpxls and if you want a full focused picture - go with Multifocus mode and Multi metering,and ofcourse this is just the beginning.If you still experience those kind of focus problems see if ur camera glass antireflection coating is not removed. / scratched/ (the glass itself is not scratched.) If so - give it to sony centre for repair. You can check when putting the glass on bright light.

effective said:
First of all this must be moved to Q & A threat,second - After the 4.4.4 update the Superior auto mode is even crappier then 4.4.2,so if you make your photos that way...its normal.Try playing with the Manual mode with 20mpxls and if you want a full focused picture - go with Multifocus mode and Multi metering,and ofcourse this is just the beginning.If you still experience those kind of focus problems see if ur camera glass antireflection coating is not removed. / scratched/ (the glass itself is not scratched.) If so - give it to sony centre for repair. You can check when putting the glass on bright light.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, for the advice.
I must admit I have started using Manual mode more often than Auto now because under artificial light all the auto shots turn out orange and over processed.
I'll try Multifocus and metering now.

kibbster said:
Thanks, for the advice.
I must admit I have started using Manual mode more often than Auto now because under artificial light all the auto shots turn out orange and over processed.
I'll try Multifocus and metering now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to configure the focus tô touch or center,may solve you problems .

FrosteezBR said:
Try to configure the focus tô touch or center,may solve you problems .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, touch focus is ropy as hell on this phone, often it won't actually focus where I want it to, and if it does often it'll focus on a pin point area and blur everything else.

kibbster said:
I love the camera on the Z2... when it focuses properly.
I've never had such a bad phone at focussing!
I also get the odd shot that's over processed into a mush but that's another story and something all mobile cameras can do on occasions.
Went to my eldest's first nativity play today and tried to film it, end result the back of people's heads in front of us were in focus but the kids on stage?
Nah they were a blurry mess.
It's not just the constant focus seeking for no reason in videos that annoys me either.
With stills, generally it's 50/50 if I get a focussed shot or not.
When I do the results are fantastic (as long as you use manual white balance)
Half the time the camera doesn't focus properly with touch focus or doesn't focus where you want it.
If I just try infinity focus and let the camera sort itself out I get a few pictures that the camera focuses on nothing, the entire shot is out of focus.
Never had these problems with the M8, Note2, GS2 that preceded my Z2 so I don't think it's me.
I know that the Z2 has focus problems in less than brilliant light which doesn't help (unlike the M8) but it's making my mobile photography pretty hit and miss.
Unfortunately the shot often looks fine on the phone but when viewed on a large PC monitor it's obvious the shot is useless.
It's seriously making me consider leaving the Sony stable in the next generation next year which would be a real shame because the phone itself is the best Android out there for me at the moment.
Sony really have to sort out their camera processing, if Apple can do it with a Sony lens there should be no excuse for Sony.
Either it's just a Sony thing or my phone is faulty but like I said some of the pictures I take have stellar focus and colour balance but on the whole... not.
Sorry just needed to vent some frustration!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same issue. Touch focus for video is useless and it takes forever to track into focus even when looking at sharp edges and keeping still. Google Camera does MUCH better but no 4K video or 60 fps.

sam_conrad said:
I have the same issue. Touch focus for video is useless and it takes forever to track into focus even when looking at sharp edges and keeping still. Google Camera does MUCH better but no 4K video or 60 fps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I may try a different camera then.
I don't use 4k or 60fps usually so probably no loss there.
Thanks.

sam_conrad said:
I have the same issue. Touch focus for video is useless and it takes forever to track into focus even when looking at sharp edges and keeping still. Google Camera does MUCH better but no 4K video or 60 fps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip!
Been playing with Google camera today and I've got to say it's far more accurate for focus than the stock app!
HDR in Google camera works better than stock as well, although it's slow.
Shame I can't override the default camera button behaviour because the hardware button is a handy way to get into the camera quickly.

kibbster said:
Thanks for the tip!
Been playing with Google camera today and I've got to say it's far more accurate for focus than the stock app!
HDR in Google camera works better than stock as well, although it's slow.
Shame I can't override the default camera button behaviour because the hardware button is a handy way to get into the camera quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HDR in Google Camera used to be exclusive to Nexus devices but Google opened it up in the last few updates. It also does HDR at 20.7 MP but Google Camera lacks extended options like ISO speed control and such.
I switch between manual mode in the Sony app and Google Camera depending on the situation. For videos, the Google Camera app definitely wins in focus speed and accuracy. The software developers and engineers at Sony really need to get on the same page!

sam_conrad said:
HDR in Google Camera used to be exclusive to Nexus devices but Google opened it up in the last few updates. It also does HDR at 20.7 MP but Google Camera lacks extended options like ISO speed control and such.
I switch between manual mode in the Sony app and Google Camera depending on the situation. For videos, the Google Camera app definitely wins in focus speed and accuracy. The software developers and engineers at Sony really need to get on the same page!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only shame with Google cam video is it doesn't have the steady shot that Sony camera does.
I guess the lack of constant focus shifting makes up for that though.
Oh and there's no doubt Sony's software engineers are the cause of most of the camera issues and need to sort it out!

I give up on this camera...

No matter what I do I can't seem to get a clear picture. Everything is blurry. I can't figure out if my expectations are just too high.....I came from an LG G4 but still. How are you guys getting good pictures? I'm talking 5% of the pictures I take are passable. Maybe I have a faulty camera? Anyone else find the camera to be garbage? I've looked through the camera threads and people seem happy overall. It can't just be me.
Sent from my XT1575 using XDA Free mobile app

Moto camera app sucks...did you try a different app?
Sent from my XT1572 using XDA Free mobile app

I tried Open Camera and am using Google camera currently. And I'm no Ansel Adams but I takes lot of pictures and have always been able to figure out how to take a decent shot on every device I've owned until this one.
Sent from my XT1575 using XDA Free mobile app

Are the pictures blurry or noisy?

They're blurry. That the thing, that's new to me. Good lighting with as steady a hand as I can muster still results in a blurry shot. I'll take one now and post if I can.
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This is probably a stupid suggestion, but have you tried just wiping the lens and making sure it's clean and clear? Honestly I've had that problem before where it's been smudged without my noticing and it obviously makes every picture screwed up. I know it's not likely, but something that's worth a shot I've found! Other than that I know nothing about cameras and coming from an HTC One I know nothing of a quality photo...

No, I agree with @jiggyb21, I just bought the Moxo X and came from the Galaxy S6. The camera on the Moto seems like pure garbage to me, and I think it's because we are coming from phones with superior cameras. People who came from phones with worse cameras will obviously think the Moto X camera is great right?

I don't have the steadiest of hands, but I haven't run into a problem like what you are describing. Have you given some thought that you might have a faulty device? It uses phase detection for focus, so if every picture is blurry you may have an issue with the actual camera module.

I've tried a few camera apps, and though pics come out good, man do I really have to keep a steady hand. Move it a hair and any text blurs. Why not lean it up against something to take your handling out of equation and voice command take pic and see what comes up.
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It would be nice if you could post some samples. I'm not in love with the camera but I have consistently been able to snap photos that are good enough quickly

I don't even know if I uploaded the pics correctly and if not I'll fix it later while I'm watching the Giants beat on the Eagles. Something interesting happened while taking these pictures. I am in 100% optimal lighting conditions and these are basically the best 4 shots I could possibly get out of this camera. I asked around to the people here on the jobsite with me and everyone thought the pictures were just fine. Yes, they aren't blurry to the point of being unreadable by any means but they are quite blurry. I guess it could just be me but I would still argue it's not. Before anyone says anything about how this is just a smartphone and it's only a $400 smartphone at that and it's good enough, I know that and maybe people who haven't used a good smartphone camera don't know what they're missing. If that's the case, fine, and that's why I started this thread was to find out. My last 4 phones were Xperia ZL, Z2, Z3 and LG G4. We all know the G4 and S6, to name two, have incredible cameras and have OIS. The first 3 I named weren't and don't. They were all rated as average cameras and they don't have OIS. I have hundreds of pictures taken in similar conditions with the Sonys and they didn't suffer from blur. Like I said these 4 pictures were surprisingly good IMO. Most I take are MUCH more blurred and most of the pictures I take aren't in this perfect a light. So I'll have to post more pictures from my collection at home to really show off the bad ones.
If you zoom in a little on the pics its almost a 3D art poster kind of eye strain. Again, I'm not talking about level of detail, just the blurriness.

I think part of the pictures of blurry because of shallow depth of field due to lower aperture setting in the software algorithm. It seems the software is trying to compress too much noise. Although I have not personally used it, try the following link for the alternative camera and report back the results. Hope this works out for you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g/themes-apps/app-camera-galery-t3216944

trace1er said:
No, I agree with @jiggyb21, I just bought the Moxo X and came from the Galaxy S6. The camera on the Moto seems like pure garbage to me, and I think it's because we are coming from phones with superior cameras. People who came from phones with worse cameras will obviously think the Moto X camera is great right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really. I have a DSLR so that's my standard on PQ. In daylight, nothing should be blurry at 100% zoom on even a $200 phone. You don't need flagship to take a good photo at 1/125 second shutter speed. It's either defective camera unit or something is wrong with the setting. Just look at all the photos people have posted on this forum.
---------- Post added at 10:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:25 PM ----------
jiggyb21 said:
I don't even know if I uploaded the pics correctly and if not I'll fix it later while I'm watching the Giants beat on the Eagles. Something interesting happened while taking these pictures. I am in 100% optimal lighting conditions and these are basically the best 4 shots I could possibly get out of this camera. I asked around to the people here on the jobsite with me and everyone thought the pictures were just fine. Yes, they aren't blurry to the point of being unreadable by any means but they are quite blurry. I guess it could just be me but I would still argue it's not. Before anyone says anything about how this is just a smartphone and it's only a $400 smartphone at that and it's good enough, I know that and maybe people who haven't used a good smartphone camera don't know what they're missing. If that's the case, fine, and that's why I started this thread was to find out. My last 4 phones were Xperia ZL, Z2, Z3 and LG G4. We all know the G4 and S6, to name two, have incredible cameras and have OIS. The first 3 I named weren't and don't. They were all rated as average cameras and they don't have OIS. I have hundreds of pictures taken in similar conditions with the Sonys and they didn't suffer from blur. Like I said these 4 pictures were surprisingly good IMO. Most I take are MUCH more blurred and most of the pictures I take aren't in this perfect a light. So I'll have to post more pictures from my collection at home to really show off the bad ones.
If you zoom in a little on the pics its almost a 3D art poster kind of eye strain. Again, I'm not talking about level of detail, just the blurriness.
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Click to collapse
It's a f 2.0 lens. You gonna have blurriness around the edge of photo if you are taking it that close. It has nothing to do with OIS.
In any case, you can read the professional review of the XPE here.
http://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles/Moto-X-Style-Mobile-review-Style-and-Substance

If you're in good light, this is arguably one of the best phone cameras out there. Your pictures should be nice and crisp. Try this: take your camera outside during the day and take a few shots of the horizon or something. Then post the pictures here and we'll tell you (hopefully) if you've got a faulty unit. It sounds like your phone is not performing as mine is. I'm even satisfied with some indoor shots with this camera. I have done professional photography, so I am well-versed in cameras (color, WB, ISO, exposure, f-stop, etc.).
Even from reading reviews and comparisons from the web and tech reviewers, this camera performs with, and sometimes beats the other current flagship models out there. I happen to agree with them. From reading this thread though, maybe your camera isn't the only one with this problem.
Anyway, try to post a couple of pictures up. A link to an external host like photobucket or something like that would probably be better than uploading straight to XDA, due to compression and size limits.
---------- Post added at 04:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:42 PM ----------
Edit: looks like I missed a page
Those photos don't look that bad. What sort of blurriness are you talking about? The bokeh from taking close up pictures? Bokeh is a natural blurring effect you get from a larger aperature lens not being able to capture the entire depth of field. That's normal. The focused part of those pictures don't look blurry to me.
As an aside, any indoor shot will not be optimal lighting, unless you have a lighting kit or something to really brighten up the scene. Optimal lighting would be outside, and when the sun is not directly overhead. This is a very quick summation of optimal light, but you get the point.

Gr8man001 said:
I think part of the pictures of blurry because of shallow depth of field due to lower aperture setting in the software algorithm. It seems the software is trying to compress too much noise. Although I have not personally used it, try the following link for the alternative camera and report back the results. Hope this works out for you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g/themes-apps/app-camera-galery-t3216944
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, thanks, that camera works great, I always enjoy having the face detection feature it makes focusing on faces much faster.

Gr8man001 said:
I think part of the pictures of blurry because of shallow depth of field due to lower aperture setting in the software algorithm. It seems the software is trying to compress too much noise. Although I have not personally used it, try the following link for the alternative camera and report back the results. Hope this works out for you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g/themes-apps/app-camera-galery-t3216944
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your tip. After turning off NR in advanced setting, I tried a couple of indoor shots of some writings on my note book. Please excuse the terrible lighting and my bad handwriting, but it's very easy to tell which shot had the NR off. Yes the one with NR off has a dirtier background, but the pen strokes has much better contrast from the paper. That's probably one of the reasons why the default setting produces blurry photos.

Yea when taking photos of dogs in low light I only managed to have 1 or 2 come out bad and that was from me moving the phone. But then again I am used to shooting 50asa film freehand.

lack of optical image stabilization rearing it's ugly head.. who knows why the hell they couldn't use a sensor with it, but it's quite disappointing. but turning off nr helps a lot.. we need a dev to come in and work on a true camera mod for this phone only. I tried to get my bud xdabbeb to make a mod (as anyone who had the g2 knows his xcam mod was killer!) but he isn't planning on buying this phone. ugh.
Sent from my Moto X Pure Edition

jonathanbailie said:
If you're in good light, this is arguably one of the best phone cameras out there. Your pictures should be nice and crisp. Try this: take your camera outside during the day and take a few shots of the horizon or something. Then post the pictures here and we'll tell you (hopefully) if you've got a faulty unit. It sounds like your phone is not performing as mine is. I'm even satisfied with some indoor shots with this camera. I have done professional photography, so I am well-versed in cameras (color, WB, ISO, exposure, f-stop, etc.).
Even from reading reviews and comparisons from the web and tech reviewers, this camera performs with, and sometimes beats the other current flagship models out there. I happen to agree with them. From reading this thread though, maybe your camera isn't the only one with this problem.
Anyway, try to post a couple of pictures up. A link to an external host like photobucket or something like that would probably be better than uploading straight to XDA, due to compression and size limits.
---------- Post added at 04:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:42 PM ----------
Edit: looks like I missed a page
Those photos don't look that bad. What sort of blurriness are you talking about? The bokeh from taking close up pictures? Bokeh is a natural blurring effect you get from a larger aperature lens not being able to capture the entire depth of field. That's normal. The focused part of those pictures don't look blurry to me.
As an aside, any indoor shot will not be optimal lighting, unless you have a lighting kit or something to really brighten up the scene. Optimal lighting would be outside, and when the sun is not directly overhead. This is a very quick summation of optimal light, but you get the point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you and this is why I wanted feedback. I posted the pictures I did (close-up), because, to me, they were the most objectifiable shots I could take while at work. The text just isn't as clear as other shots I've taken with other phones. I called it optimal lighting because I was in a 6x6 room with three windows and a skylight on a sunny day with no direct sunlight. The lighting felt like the kind any decent camera would take advantage of. To me, that's optimal..but I understand that's a strong word and not scientific. The fact that it scores so highly in professional reviews is what has me frustrated. The only thing I can deduce is that a professional, lab environment is more controlled and repeatable than my layman's point and shoot approach. They must be using a tripod, right? This phone has everything else I want and I just want to like the camera. So believe me, I want to figure out how to enjoy the camera. I will take more shots tomorrow and post them and I hope you and others with knowledge will chime in. I just know that with the other smartphone cameras I mentioned earlier, 8 out of 10 shots were keepers and with this one it's more like 1 out of 10 and that's not jiving with everyone else. Thanks again.
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looking at the pictures, they seem just fine to me. the blurred part (glue) at the bottom of the bottle is just from it using a wide aperture. the images are not tack sharp but this is a cellphone camera and small dof. I dont see motion blur.
problem with auto cameras is that you dont know what priority it has. to use a wide aperture to get a decent shutter speed and not have to use high iso or the opposite.
for proper exposure you have to adjust and juggle the 3 parameters (iso/aperture/shutter) to get a proper image.
wish the phone had controls like the LG G4 which has aperture iso shutter WB and EC.