Database Users

Note 3 camera blur/post processing

Well, hello there,
as you Note 3 owners probably noticed, the Samsung Camera Stock app applies a heavy (!!) blur filter on every picture. Why? Don't know, because it's the Samsung way. My Note 1 made far better and sharper pictures.
But fear not, there is a solution. There is an App called "FV5" in the store which has far less agressive post processing and is much sharper. Here is a comparison.
You should really get rid of the stock-app, I suggest. It's horrible and there is much more in the Note 3 camera when we thought so far. It's pretty ok in combination with the right app.
Stock:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/g1g4kxw65e8gkzf/20140106_092845.jpg
FV5:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1rb0qp0qzxs09ck/DSC_0089.JPG

I have FV5 and Snap camera, but I rarely use my camera unless it's for a drunken pic of something stupid. - Haven't really tested the differences in any of them either. But I will later today

I've had mine little over a week and have to say I have been far from impressed with the pictures it takes.

descb600f said:
I've had mine little over a week and have to say I have been far from impressed with the pictures it takes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The hardware itself is pretty good. It just needs the right software to drive it. Without the blur of the stock app you can make nice pictures.

Sephi said:
Well, hello there,
as you Note 3 owners probably noticed, the Samsung Camera Stock app applies a heavy (!!) blur filter on every picture. Why? Don't know, because it's the Samsung way. My Note 1 made far better and sharper pictures.
But fear not, there is a solution. There is an App called "FV5" in the store which has far less agressive post processing and is much sharper. Here is a comparison.
You should really get rid of the stock-app, I suggest. It's horrible and there is much more in the Note 3 camera when we thought so far. It's pretty ok in combination with the right app.
Stock:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/g1g4kxw65e8gkzf/20140106_092845.jpg
FV5:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1rb0qp0qzxs09ck/DSC_0089.JPG
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have noticed that the first image is 9.6 Mp whilst the second is full 13mp
The default setting is 16:9 aspect ratio
Try setting 13mp in standard camera app then repeat your test.
Certainly FV5 has a lot of flexibility if you're familiar with photography settings
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app

I know that was a mistake I made. But fear not, that is not the issue here. In fact it does barely make a difference. It's the Stock-Apps post processing that kills all image quality. FV5 is far superior.

Sephi said:
I know that was a mistake I made. But fear not, that is not the issue here. In fact it does barely make a difference. It's the Stock-Apps post processing that kills all image quality. FV5 is far superior.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've also noticed a slight blur with the AOSP Camera app under CM 11. But at least there is no annoying post-processing. I would say the stock camera app does provide the best image quality results, due to the post-processing, since the hardware by itself is nothing incredible (the sensor is rather small compared to the sensors used in the latest Sony and Nokia phones). A bigger sensor not only enables greater detail, but when combined with OIS (like in the aforementioned phones), minimizes blur as well. I tried the FV app, and while it has a lot of added functionality, I did not like the layout in which they were implemented, and the picture quality was similar to the stock Samsung app. If the Lenovo Super Camera app worked on my ROM, that would probably be the best alternative.

semendemon said:
I've also noticed a slight blur with the AOSP Camera app under CM 11. But at least there is no annoying post-processing. I would say the stock camera app does provide the best image quality results, due to the post-processing, since the hardware by itself is nothing incredible (the sensor is rather small compared to the sensors used in the latest Sony and Nokia phones). A bigger sensor not only enables greater detail, but when combined with OIS (like in the aforementioned phones), minimizes blur as well. I tried the FV app, and while it has a lot of added functionality, I did not like the layout in which they were implemented, and the picture quality was similar to the stock Samsung app. If the Lenovo Super Camera app worked on my ROM, that would probably be the best alternative.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but the Stock Camera App from Samsung applies HEAVY post processing. It basically blurs the whole image, all sharpness is gone. It's horrible. FV5 does take much better pictures.

Sephi said:
You should really get rid of the stock-app, I suggest. It's horrible and there is much more in the Note 3 camera when we thought so far. It's pretty ok in combination with the right app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good find, seems like a nice app, the stock camera app really is garbage.

Kinda funny, i come from a z1 and i take better pics with my note 3 in low light i just play with ev and iso

Lexrg said:
Kinda funny, i come from a z1 and i take better pics with my note 3 in low light i just play with ev and iso
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will take even better pictures with FV5. The stock apps noise filter is so heavy that it blurs everything, imo it's impossible to shoot a really sharp picture. It's always kinda blurry.
Take some photos and compare, it's super obvious.

Post Front Camera Pictures

Hey,
Can I get some full quality pictures posted from the Note 4 Front Camera? Good & Bad lighting, With and Without Beautyface.
They don't need to be selfies, but I would like a few to be.
I noticed my Note 4 when taking front camera pictures and selfies suck compared to my Note 3.
I tried recreating the same pictures (same room, same lighting, same angle) I took with the Note 3 and the White Balance is way off, there are more artifacts, and distortion, and the pictures really are not in focus, especially at a minor distance on the Note 4. Even lights in pictures have an starburst/halo effect that others don't seem to get on the same shot.
I contacted Samsung and they had me pretty much clear app cache and data and factory reset the mobile. Not much help.
I wanted to see if this is just the norm for the Note 4 or if I have a bad cmos sensor or whatever before I send it for repair or exchange.
With full spectrum daylight led and cfl bulbs, all front pictures are yellow hueued. Adjusting the white balance helps, but shows more artifacts and can't be done in apps like snapchat, skype, google hangouts... pretty much anything you would use a front camera for that's not a camera app selfie. I even have a softbox setup with proper professional lighting and images show up with lots of artifacts and halos.
It's almost as if it's ever slightly out of focus and when the system API jpeg compresses it, it shows sloppy artifacts.

My cat took a selfie the other day! Lol! Not sure if this will get alot of replies. Most of us are too ugly for front camera shots

sino8r said:
My cat took a selfie the other day! Lol! Not sure if this will get alot of replies. Most of us are too ugly for front camera shots
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, they don't have to be face shots. Like point it at a bottle of something with text on it or pictures.

htmltag said:
Thanks, they don't have to be face shots. Like point it at a bottle of something with text on it or pictures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I know. Couldn't resist though. Hehehehe! I'll play around with it some and see if I notice what you mentioned. What rom are you using? Have you tried the camera mod and talked to the guy who's been modifying the camera apk? Here's the link...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4/themes-apps/mod-camera-quality-mod-t2917502

sino8r said:
Yeah I know. Couldn't resist though. Hehehehe! I'll play around with it some and see if I notice what you mentioned. What rom are you using? Have you tried the camera mod and talked to the guy who's been modifying the camera apk? Here's the link...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4/themes-apps/mod-camera-quality-mod-t2917502
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on Stock Rooted Rom.
I have used multiple apps with the same result.
Apps that allow you to adjust the exposure and white balance can compensate a little.
I have a feeling when Android 5.x is released for our phones, if Samsung updates the driver to allow raw images, things would get a lot better.
It would be nice if you could adjust camera variable defaults in the OS for applications that don't provide an interface to them.
I am definitely going to check out that modded camera app. Thanks for pointing me at it.
Even if it doesn't make a difference, "No audio interruption if listening to music" alone is worth it.

htmltag said:
I'm on Stock Rooted Rom.
I have used multiple apps with the same result.
Apps that allow you to adjust the exposure and white balance can compensate a little.
I have a feeling when Android 5.x is released for our phones, if Samsung updates the driver to allow raw images, things would get a lot better.
It would be nice if you could adjust camera variable defaults in the OS for applications that don't provide an interface to them.
I am definitely going to check out that modded camera app. Thanks for pointing me at it.
Even if it doesn't make a difference, "No audio interruption if listening to music" alone is worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah mine seems a little like that with the modded camera. I noticed the yellowed tint a little but it seems to be related to the lack of flash and it seems like it's being processed like it's in low light mode to make up for lack of a flash. Have you tried in day outside with alot of light? Might help a little. Not a fan of those low light/night modes. They are alway pixeled up and blurry. Look like sh!t most of the time. I've never used the front facing camera much on my phone or even on my computer. All my friends, family, and gf live here in town so I haven't had much need for it much. Sucks, I know, for those who need it. But!... Like you said, the lack of timer, audio interruptions and now that the camera works while on a phone call makes the camera mod worth it. Maybe the driver could be modded or at least the software related to it could be cleaned up by a dev or future updates might improve stuff some. You never know... Let us know if you think the camera mod helped any with the FFC at all. I just don't use it enough to know for sure. Thanks!

Selfie
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

Thanks donnyp1, it appears you have Christmas spirits in there. You're in the spirit, you have spirits (drinks), and it looks like there is a Christmas Spirit hovering behind you guys.

All over it. This phone takes great selfies. This wasnt one of my better ones. Merry Christmas
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

Representin'
I thought this might be appropriate...

The AT&T version never took sloppy shots. I'm experiencing a poor performing front facing camera on the T-Mobile Note 4 as well. Solution is, use the rear facing camera.
htmltag said:
Hey,
Can I get some full quality pictures posted from the Note 4 Front Camera? Good & Bad lighting, With and Without Beautyface.
They don't need to be selfies, but I would like a few to be.
I noticed my Note 4 when taking front camera pictures and selfies suck compared to my Note 3.
I tried recreating the same pictures (same room, same lighting, same angle) I took with the Note 3 and the White Balance is way off, there are more artifacts, and distortion, and the pictures really are not in focus, especially at a minor distance on the Note 4. Even lights in pictures have an starburst/halo effect that others don't seem to get on the same shot.
I contacted Samsung and they had me pretty much clear app cache and data and factory reset the mobile. Not much help.
I wanted to see if this is just the norm for the Note 4 or if I have a bad cmos sensor or whatever before I send it for repair or exchange.
With full spectrum daylight led and cfl bulbs, all front pictures are yellow hueued. Adjusting the white balance helps, but shows more artifacts and can't be done in apps like snapchat, skype, google hangouts... pretty much anything you would use a front camera for that's not a camera app selfie. I even have a softbox setup with proper professional lighting and images show up with lots of artifacts and halos.
It's almost as if it's ever slightly out of focus and when the system API jpeg compresses it, it shows sloppy artifacts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

That's an unfortunate answer.

I notice with face beauty set to 4 and up it creates a blur effect so I slide all the way off and my images are sharper but I haven't noticed and yellow tint that some of you are reporting.

Why you shouldn't use the new panorama UI (gcam6.1)

Currently I am on vacation and used the new panorama function a lot.
Sadly when editing the images I noticed that they have a very low resolution compared to the "old" photo sphere modes.
So if you care for high amount of detail in your panoramas never ever use the new panorama UI.
It just creates VR shots.
Since I learned the hard way, by wasting my time and a lot of beautiful shots, I wanted others to be aware of that.
Kind regards,
Reawo

reawo said:
Currently I am on vacation and used the new panorama function a lot.
Sadly when editing the images I noticed that they have a very low resolution compared to the "old" photo sphere modes.
So if you care for high amount of detail in your panoramas never ever use the new panorama UI.
It just creates VR shots.
Since I learned the hard way, by wasting my time and a lot of beautiful shots, I wanted others to be aware of that.
Kind regards,
Reawo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. You're totally right! Super low resolution and there's no option to adjust like before. Hope they add a toggle or something to choose VR photo or Panorama.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

It's not only the Panorama it's most pictures taken are less quality compared to the old app, I went back to the stock app after updating

Sab3elbromba said:
It's not only the Panorama it's most pictures taken are less quality compared to the old app, I went back to the stock app after updating
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about that. Regular pics look good to me and Max even points out some ever so slightly less grain in low light shots:
https://youtu.be/dYc4liPOYeQ
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

EeZeEpEe said:
I don't know about that. Regular pics look good to me and Max even points out some ever so slightly less grain in low light shots:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup i can see the difference i took a pic in low light with pixel 2 xl and pixel 2 running pixel 3 camera i could notice the difference
Plus portrait mode in low light was way better on pixel 3 camera
Cheers ?
Sent from my Google Pixel 2 XL using XDA Labs

OnePlus 6T Camera Application vs. Pixel Camera Application

I can 100% say it makes a difference. I'll try it out when it gets dark later but just a quick office shot of my Rockstar can and I can easily see the difference. The OnePlus 6T camera application makes the can "pop" more but it loses detail in the process. The GCam (Pixel) camera application makes it much more natural looking and restoring detail. Only con is it shoots 4K at 30 FPS so I'll toggle back to stock software for 4K 60 FPS.
I highly recommend it. It's posted elsewhere but for those who don't snoop around the threads...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6t/themes/app-oneplus-6-google-camera-port-t3862849
Stock Camera (left) vs Pixel on 6T (right)
I'm a believer!

I agree with this general statement. Get the one with Night Sight and then you have magical night mode as well!

Waiting for the TMo fix so I can give this a test.

CHH2 said:
Waiting for the TMo fix so I can give this a test.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's fixed with latest update

Just wait till @Arnova8G2 adds the ability to control the jpg quality. I have a feeling this is just scratching the surface in terms of image quality. The OnePlus camera software makes images look oily up close. Severe detail loss. Google Camera pretty much reproduces what you see in the viewfinder. OnePlus needs to stop compressing the images so much. These phones have enough space for 100% quality .jpgs.

ram4ufriends said:
It's fixed with latest update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, still crashes on me. Just in a different part of the process for me.

CHH2 said:
Nope, still crashes on me. Just in a different part of the process for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does for me sometimes when using the front camera. Clearing the cache sometimes helps

vimto25 said:
It does for me sometimes when using the front camera. Clearing the cache sometimes helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We're not talking sometimes. We're talking every single time I try to take a photo, it crashes right after I press the shutter button. Tried uninstalling and reinstalling. Still the same. Even if it's just a matter of clearing the cache every so often, that's way more work than necessary for a camera to work that should "just be there". If I'm going to have to fuss about, I'll just take out my real camera and set it to full manual. It will still be faster and better. Until the app is stable, I see no point in using it. I'm not getting paid to beta test. (I do get paid to test new development software though.)

CHH2 said:
We're not talking sometimes. We're talking every single time I try to take a photo, it crashes right after I press the shutter button. Tried uninstalling and reinstalling. Still the same. Even if it's just a matter of clearing the cache every so often, that's way more work than necessary for a camera to work that should "just be there". If I'm going to have to fuss about, I'll just take out my real camera and set it to full manual. It will still be faster and better. Until the app is stable, I see no point in using it. I'm not getting paid to beta test. (I do get paid to test new development software though.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oryte I didn't think it was everyone.
I'm on 9.0.4 what are you on? No update for mine yet to 9.0.5.
Maybe this is why I'm getting a few crash's and also no blur effect on the Google front camera.

vimto25 said:
Oryte I didn't think it was everyone.
I'm on 9.0.4 what are you on? No update for mine yet to 9.0.5.
Maybe this is why I'm getting a few crash's and also no blur effect on the Google front camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For some reason on this port you only get blur effect when taking a portrait of a person.

bp328i said:
For some reason on this port you only get blur effect when taking a portrait of a person.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oryte prob why then.
Is this port more stable on 9.0.5?

vimto25 said:
Oryte prob why then.
Is this port more stable on 9.0.5?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really sure, I've only used it a handful of times. I normally use my Pixel 3 XL for pictures. I've had my unlocked OnePlus version for four days and besides the photos I tested the portrait mode on that have been deleted I have four pictures in my gallery...lol
I will say this about 9.0.5, screen unlock is now almost instantaneous. The fingerprint reader is now as fast as a hardware one.

bp328i said:
Not really sure, I've only used it a handful of times. I normally use my Pixel 3 XL for pictures. I've had my unlocked OnePlus version for four days and besides the photos I tested the portrait mode on that have been deleted I have four pictures in my gallery...lol
I will say this about 9.0.5, screen unlock is now almost instantaneous. The fingerprint reader is now as fast as a hardware one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha I was going to get a pixel 3 XL but for the extra 4-£500 I can't justify it.
I've noticed the picture quality is better with the pixel port I'm happy with the results.
Well I hope to receive the 9.0.5 update soon. The fingerprint scanner on 9.0.4 seems about sketchy it works great sometimes for me but sometimes it doesn't recognize.

Here is a comparison of night modes on stock and pixel camera app on OP6T. the first photo is the pixel camera app and the second one is the stock OnePlus camera app. The stock camera app seems to really wash out the colors. I can definitely say that with my own eyes the Google pixel camera app took a much more true to life image of what I'm seeing out my window.

Mikes30000 said:
Here is a comparison of night modes on stock and pixel camera app on OP6T. the first photo is the pixel camera app and the second one is the stock OnePlus camera app. The stock camera app seems to really wash out the colors. I can definitely say that with my own eyes the Google pixel camera app took a much more true to life image of what I'm seeing out my window.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I agree also abit more detail

I have been using gcam and it looks so much better, and of course that night mode is magical!

I still think a lot if detail is being left out as the file sizes are way too small compared to using past gcams with the 6p or even the other devices using the higher file size options/details that were in advanced options in the previous gcam ports. It's especially showing once you zoom in on the pics.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Mikes30000 said:
Here is a comparison of night modes on stock and pixel camera app on OP6T. the first photo is the pixel camera app and the second one is the stock OnePlus camera app. The stock camera app seems to really wash out the colors. I can definitely say that with my own eyes the Google pixel camera app took a much more true to life image of what I'm seeing out my window.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why the difference in crop?
Still waiting for a version of GCAM that doesn't break in some way. So far, I'm not impressed with the 6T's camera. Tried taking a shot this morning that's a cakewalk for my LG V30 and the 6T just couldn't pull it off. Ended up having to get out my real camera to get the photo.

CHH2 said:
Why the difference in crop?
Still waiting for a version of GCAM that doesn't break in some way. So far, I'm not impressed with the 6T's camera. Tried taking a shot this morning that's a cakewalk for my LG V30 and the 6T just couldn't pull it off. Ended up having to get out my real camera to get the photo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to each his own, but I had a v30 and the 6T camera is much better.... Even with the stock app

mpetruzz said:
to each his own, but I had a v30 and the 6T camera is much better.... Even with the stock app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, so far the evidence is quite to the contrary. The V30 can nail the shot every single time, the 6T couldn't nail it even once. Not once. Something tells me you all need to do some wider ranging testing.

Question for those running the Android 10 Open Beta

I read that the Open Beta updated the OOS Camera app
Some of you may know that the Camera app has an issue with an excessively strong noise filter that gives pictures a watercolor effect which destroys detail. Using GCam fixes that if you're rooted but I'd like to go back to stock for Android 10
So my question is have you noticed if the watercolor effect has been fixed? If possible, post sample photos! (comparing with GCam as well if you can!)
The effect is specially noticable in things with many tiny details like grass

revelbytes said:
I read that the Open Beta updated the OOS Camera app
Some of you may know that the Camera app has an issue with an excessively strong noise filter that gives pictures a watercolor effect which destroys detail. Using GCam fixes that if you're rooted but I'd like to go back to stock for Android 10
So my question is have you noticed if the watercolor effect has been fixed? If possible, post sample photos! (comparing with GCam as well if you can!)
The effect is specially noticable in things with many tiny details like grass
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if my standards are lower than yours, but here are some quick shots I took since the update to OB2.

The images are a little compressed so I can't tell with some of the finer details. However, the effect is so bad that it would be immediately noticeable and I don't see it in any of the pictures, so it must have been fixed.
Thank you very much!

revelbytes said:
The images are a little compressed so I can't tell with some of the finer details. However, the effect is so bad that it would be immediately noticeable and I don't see it in any of the pictures, so it must have been fixed.
Thank you very much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. It looks pretty good to me, and I had a pixel XL in between my first OnePlus 5 that got drowned and the one I have now. The pixel was better but not by a huge amount imo.