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.
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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.
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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
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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.

How bad is the camera..... really?

I've read around that people don't like the shutter speed or possible focus problems with the camera.
After the KitKat update, how is it? Faster/better? Manageable?
I have 2 kids and I need camera speed.
My wife has the Nexus 5 and it too has some focus problems, but the potential to take some great shots. Same here?
Anyone who can compare their camera experience with the nexus 5?
Thank you
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

The g2 and most other smartphone cameras aren't very good except for the Nokia's bit they run windows phone 8 so that's a huge disadvantage but it has a great camera you would be better off getting a nice digital camera or a Samsung camera
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

spinninbsod said:
The g2 and most other smartphone cameras aren't very good except for the Nokia's bit they run windows phone 8 so that's a huge disadvantage but it has a great camera you would be better off getting a nice digital camera or a Samsung camera
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We all know that good quality digital cameras and naturally DSLRs are better than smartphone cameras but that doesn't change the fact that a phone is the one device that people will always have with them. And because of this camera quality does matter for many. So your answer doesn't really help mate - WP8 is a minority platform so if one was to choose an Android phone, is the G2 worth it camerawise?

pnut22r said:
I've read around that people don't like the shutter speed or possible focus problems with the camera.
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I simply cannot get this camera to focus properly. Nothing is completely sharp. I did not have this problem on my SGS II, III and Note II. But if you don't need pictures of sharp text etc., the lighting is pretty good. Even in pretty dark situations, the pictures come out brighter and than you expect. But I miss my Note II camera which was rich in contrast, had fast and precise focus and did just as well in dark situations. This by the way is what you will also find in most reviews.
If you come from a cheaper phone, you will be impressed. If you come from a SGS III/Note II plus or iPhone 4 plus, you will be disappointed.
Edit: I have tried multiple ROMs, both AOSP and Stock and also multiple camera apps like the stock app, lenovo, CMs cam app, Open Camera, modified stock camera apps from this forum and more that I cannot remember. Same thing.
Oh and yeah, the focus is very slow compared to some of the competition. You need to prepare your shot a little in advance. Unlike Samsungs cameras that are almost instant.
All said, I would prefer this phone to any other at the moment if you look at the phone as a whole.

Camera is quite capable, the MIUI camera is the weak link.

Here's some shots taken with a 3rd party app called Snap Camera. Enjoy!

Hmm limited file size attachments. Here are links to the originals!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx_9X4Ugo_yaUWZvek1BM1R0TUU/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx_9X4Ugo_yaMkx3VnFDYkoyYXM/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx_9X4Ugo_yaTGgxTVU4QXVGWjA/view?usp=drivesdk

I put Google camera and open camera on mine and while they seem better both are somewhat slow to auto focus and snap oic. For a camera on phone to me that quick snap is important. May try the one you mentioned to see if better.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T817A using XDA Free mobile app

SWBgHz said:
I put Google camera and open camera on mine and while they seem better both are somewhat slow to auto focus and snap oic. For a camera on phone to me that quick snap is important. May try the one you mentioned to see if better.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T817A using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has zero shutter lag, instant photos, really recommend it. Let me know if you want my settings! I'm not 100% sure but It may be a paid app, i think i'd purchased it sometime in the past.
Edit - Tried Open Camera - not very good output, couldn't get Google Camera to work for some reason.. Snap Camera is definitely the best I've seen so far.

Paulrgod,
Thank you so much for this post. What a difference snap makes. No focus breathing and stabilization built in. Huge win as the camera is so important to me as it is my daily picture taker for my family and the biggest concern for this phone...but not any more.
Thanks again!

No problem, happy to help.
I took some photos of my son playing in the living room the other day and it was awful, unacceptable quality really.
So I decided to see if any other apps would make a difference. The quality of the photos I posted above were better quality than comparison shots I took on my Note 5!
Still struggling in low light a bit though, but I've found keeping the ISO in check, set at 400 / 800 the shots are acceptable, but can be difficult getting it to take the shot.

Those shots are extremely noisy, lacking detail and soft ... they just feature heavy post processing (by the app) to make it more attractive to the average punter - saturation, contrast and smoothing. The camera absolutely isn't capable. In fact, many phones of similar price have better selfie sensors than this phone does main camera ...

Well someone's a bit grumpy. Did you click the links to see the full versions? The attachments in the first post are poor due to size rrestrictions. I'm quite happy with them actually.
They came out better than compatible shots taken at the same time on my Note 5.

Kinda hilarious that an app can do a better job than the phone manufacturer's own software.

I tried Snap camera too, but A Better Camera does better in terms of instant focus, or just it seemed to me
3rd party cams also do better in WB and details.

The camera is absolutely horrendous.
I felt like I went back in time to 2009
I've been using the Samsung Note since it first launched.
The note 5 camera is excellent
The mi mix is profusely bad

CorruptedSanity said:
The camera is absolutely horrendous.
I felt like I went back in time to 2009
I've been using the Samsung Note since it first launched.
The note 5 camera is excellent
The mi mix is profusely bad
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Click to collapse
It's a matter of perspective. I too ha a note 5 and yes, it's one of the best phone camera's, as well documented through the year the note 5 has been on the market. So, by that logic, nearly every other phone camera will be disappointing.
However, from my unscientific observation of the note 5, Mi Max (not Mi Mix) and Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, the Mix is better than the Max or Phab 2 Pro. Focus and processing is faster and moving targets can be captured with some resemblance to the image photographed.
Could be the SOC (Max and P2P are SD 652 while Mix is SD 821).
I am enjoying the phone, even though the camera is less than really good. I'm willing to trade the 6.4 inch screen and condensed body for the lesser camera.
Just one man's perspective.

audscott said:
It's a matter of perspective. I too ha a note 5 and yes, it's one of the best phone camera's, as well documented through the year the note 5 has been on the market. So, by that logic, nearly every other phone camera will be disappointing.
However, from my unscientific observation of the note 5, Mi Max (not Mi Mix) and Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, the Mix is better than the Max or Phab 2 Pro. Focus and processing is faster and moving targets can be captured with some resemblance to the image photographed.
Could be the SOC (Max and P2P are SD 652 while Mix is SD 821).
I am enjoying the phone, even though the camera is less than really good. I'm willing to trade the 6.4 inch screen and condensed body for the lesser camera.
Just one man's perspective.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't agree more on the bolded part as an owner of the Note 5 and returned the Phab 2 Pro after less than a week of ownership. Phab 2 Pro could of been a nice phone if they didn't cut corners in certain areas. Then again its all subjective to ones opinion.
Regarding the camera, wished it was as good as Samsung phones but I've used the 6.4" screen more than I've taken pictures so I'm ok with the traded of.

Do you know if this 3rd parry camera is actually capturing a photo and processing it? Or just basically screenshoting the image on the screen like SnapChat does...
Also does it have HDR?

VeryCoolAlan said:
Do you know if this 3rd parry camera is actually capturing a photo and processing it? Or just basically screenshoting the image on the screen like SnapChat does...
Also does it have HDR?
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Click to collapse
Definitely Capturing and processing the image. Yes it does HDR - of which you can customise a hell of a lot - exposure values, delays between shots etc..
I've never seen a camera app with as many settings as this actually.

I do photography as a serious hobby.
Mix camera has its strength and weakness. (Native app)
The colour balance is quite accurate most of the time but it definitely love to over saturate.
The auto focus is snappy enough.
The auto exposure is surprisingly good as well.
The low light is terrible but ALL phone sucks at it.
HDR works and they keep the effect to the lower end which I like. While pixel has super good HDR results, sometimes the effect is way over used.
I really like the sharpening level they choose. It feel just right (More on the soft side)
Overall I would say the biggest flaw is that it's unreliable. Occasionally the colours are just way over saturated, but hey that's why I have a camera

To anyone that is rooted and has enabled the Camera2 API (adding persist.camera.HAL3.enabled=1 to build.prop), give ProShot by Rise Up Games a try. Manual Camera by Geeky Devs Studio doesn't work when I mess with the shutter speed or ISO setting but ProShot does. Now both of these are paid but I'm sure you have Play Reward credit spare

I waited for MIUI 9 to see if it would bring an improvement in the camera application but now that I have it, I don't see any improvement. So I decided for now to use Snap Camera. Can someone tell me what would be the best settings to use Snap Camera in the MIX?

Is the Snap Camera app, better then the Google Camera app downloaded from the Oneplus 5 thread?

Photo quality

Say "cheese", then rate this thread to express how photos taken with the Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite come out. A higher rating indicates that photos offer rich color (without over-saturating), sharp detail (with all subjects in-focus), and appropriate exposure (with even lighting).
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!

Hello, I'm creating an account in order to give my real-life review of this phone. The previous phones I had were HTC One M8, LG G6.
To my eyes, camera quality is very good. I enjoy the portrait mode.
Obviously, it can't compare to a shot taken with a Pixel 3.
I would say that it takes pictures as good as the LG G6 I had before.
For an everyday user, nothing to complain about.
I very rarely take pictures with this phone, though and I probably have taken only one or two pictures with the front facing camera.
For the price, nothing to complain about.

Camera is just shockingly bad. I can`t get my head around how on earth its so crap, even in daytime. Pictures seems to be like on 10 year old smartphone.

rbs_uk said:
Camera is just shockingly bad. I can`t get my head around how on earth its so crap, even in daytime. Pictures seems to be like on 10 year old smartphone.
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Are you using Gcam?

What is gcam? I`m using stock, whats built in the phone.

I also believe the camera quality is shockingly bad!

saggel said:
I also believe the camera quality is shockingly bad!
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Dito that! With or without GCAM my old Moto G4 did far better pictures.

Very disappointed with this phone camera...

saggel said:
I also believe the camera quality is shockingly bad!
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Click to collapse
You are totally wrong, the camera itself is very good, the apps you have used are bad. Learn to make a distinction between the hardware and software. I'm not gonna advise on this or that app but I've tested the camera itself for possibilities and they are there. It also depends a lot on what you think a good camera is, of course. I'm sure a lot of people are gonna be flamed but trust me, I'm a photographer and I can tell good hardware, one of the reasons I bought this phone. Sorry for the intermezzo.

Celrau,
I`m comparing to Galaxy s8. A2 has crap camera. Advise me on decent app then please.

rbs_uk said:
Celrau,
I`m comparing to Galaxy s8. A2 has crap camera. Advise me on decent app then please.
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Click to collapse
Oh boy... So you're comparing a flagship S8 to a budget A2 and expecting A2 to win that contest? Seriously?
That's partially why A2 is 3-4x cheaper, don't you think?

DonAndress said:
Oh boy... So you're comparing a flagship S8 to a budget A2 and expecting A2 to win that contest? Seriously?
That's partially why A2 is 3-4x cheaper, don't you think?
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S8 probably has the same or similar Sony sensor so the raw material is about the same, it's the app that makes pictures look "pretty" to some. Basically those apps reinvent reality. I found Xiaomi camera app to be pretty good by comparison to others. If people want quality pictures they should learn to post-process them, even the most expansive cameras don't do "picture-perfect" and all pros do post-processing to enhance whatever they see fit. Get SnapSeed, it's excellent, free and can really enhance pictures. It's not gonna make you look young and beautiful but it can bring out that punch and the satisfaction that you actually contributed to having a good photo.

celrau said:
S8 probably has the same or similar Sony sensor so the raw material is about the same
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Click to collapse
Yeah, probably. Except it doesn't. S8 has Samsung S5K2L2 camera module.
Besides, Sony offers more than one sensor...
But why are we even discussing this in depth? Do you expect Fiat to have so refined interior as Mercedes has? Come on...
celrau said:
If people want quality pictures they should learn to post-process them, even the most expansive cameras don't do "picture-perfect" and all pros do post-processing to enhance whatever they see fit. Get SnapSeed, it's excellent, free and can really enhance pictures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you for real, man?
You want casual amateur photographers to work on pictures like pros? People expect acceptable quality out of the box. Casual photographers don't even know what gcam is, I assure you. No offense, man but you need to get out of your cave (xda) once in a while
Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

The stock camera is pretty **** to be honest. The magic does gcam. It's like a blast and the pictures are so much better. I'd be very unhappy with the stock camera itself but try out gcam. Insane difference

MI A2 Lite camera is very bad. I'm very disappointed.

Camera is definitely not the strongest on A2L, and if you actually do care for quality cameras I suggest you to avoid buying A2L.
If you're like me and simply are a tech enthusiast I say you go for it, it's extremely easy to root and you get the best of both worlds: MiFlashTool support and an easy-to-unlock bootloader (since it has Android One, you don't have to apply for bootloader unlock).
Overall, if you're looking for a good camera, don't buy this phone. The reason why this phone has great specs for its price is because they put an average camera, it does it's job but it's no biggy.

I got a Mi A2 Lite to replace my crushed Galaxy S4. The camera is decent for daily non-professional needs. Yet, I am using it to document important office and family events. In broad daylight photos are sharp and detailed. However, in low-light particularly at night time, one should not expect lesser details and instead a soft image and it can be noisy. Yet, there is a low-light scene settings as a remedy for this, which I assume a digital enhancement (photo stacking?). In well-lit environment (i.e. outdoor or high lumen lighting), I found both portrait mode and the selfies are acceptable for prints. For the 1080p video, as a replacement of my S4, it is excellent in term of the additional (gyro?) stabilisation feature, which I always set on; and the natural contrast and ton . Someone said that you can crank it up to 4K resolution with a particular app. Back on photos again, the auto-focus is excellent in well-lit environment, however; if you keen on taking photos of moving objects like children or pets; sometimes it is not reliable.

rbs_uk said:
Celrau,
I`m comparing to Galaxy s8. A2 has crap camera. Advise me on decent app then please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jesus dude comparing th S8 with the A2 lite is like comparing an Audi A3 with an Audi R8 , damn.

According to my tests, It's better for a daylight and extremely bright environment (especially at noon) yet it's not good at low-light environment. The 'bokeh' effect is also there (if desired), but not that deep. Note that I'm still using stock and no modifications made for my test.
And I'm not expecting for 'greater' camera for this device considering with the price range it offers. And yet there are other phones within this device's price range that can take photos even worse.

HMMDR27D53-3002 said:
And I'm not expecting for 'greater' camera for this device considering with the price range it offers. And yet there are other phones within this device's price range that can take photos even worse.
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Click to collapse
Neither do I, but there are budget phones which can do much better pictures, my old Moto G4 for example.

Gcam?

Just wondering if there is a version of gcam that can be installed? And where do you check for development and updates these days? Had a Pixel for so long I've no idea where to go!!

https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/
considering the fact that the 8 Pro is one of the two phones in the world that uses the IMX 689 sensor, it'll take some time for developers to make a proper port for this phone.

Any luck?

I'm using GCam_7.3.018_Urnyx05-v1.7-fix.apk from https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/dev-urnyx05/#apk1475 and it works well so far.

voltiger said:
I'm using GCam_7.3.018_Urnyx05-v1.7-fix.apk from https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/dev-urnyx05/#apk1475 and it works well so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't get the other cameras to work, they just crash the app after you enable and select.

Mr Paul said:
I can't get the other cameras to work, they just crash the app after you enable and select.
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Click to collapse
You mean the telephoto & wide ?

Mr Paul said:
I can't get the other cameras to work, they just crash the app after you enable and select.
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Click to collapse
Yep, This version of GCAM cannot support the UltraWide and Tele cam yet.

says it need root access to work..

That means I have no luck using ultrawide and tele lens with GCAM apps...
Use stock apps instead

Indeeed

...
I really hope we will see a stable version of GCam working with all Oneplus 8 Pro cameras.
I personally think there is a lot of potential in that IMX 689 sensor.
I am still thinking there should be some real use of this strange photochrom camera as well.
And may be a nice manual PRO VIDEO mode as well :fingers-crossed:
Most probably I will get the Filmic Pro anyway soon.

I only just installed GCam yesterday after reading this thread .. lol.
So far played with the different modes (not lenses/cameras) but the night mode seems really good. The downside (if I can call it that), is that it appears that Gcams ability to take HDR photos vs stock app's ability, Gcam's takes much longer to process before storing? Like as you take the shot, there is noticeable processing time, vs. the stock app which seems to effectively point-shoot-store fairly quickly.

happiboi said:
I only just installed GCam yesterday after reading this thread .. lol.
So far played with the different modes (not lenses/cameras) but the night mode seems really good. The downside (if I can call it that), is that it appears that Gcams ability to take HDR photos vs stock app's ability, Gcam's takes much longer to process before storing? Like as you take the shot, there is noticeable processing time, vs. the stock app which seems to effectively point-shoot-store fairly quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to have GCAM on my OnePlus 6 before and yes, the GCAM HDR takes much longer than the stock HDR but the quality is faaaaaaar better on GCAM so the processing time has whatever reason but it's definitely worth it

happiboi said:
... Gcam's takes much longer to process before storing? Like as you take the shot, there is noticeable processing time, vs. the stock app which seems to effectively point-shoot-store fairly quickly.
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Click to collapse
voltiger said:
I used to have GCAM on my OnePlus 6 before and yes, the GCAM HDR takes much longer than the stock HDR but the quality is faaaaaaar better on GCAM so the processing time has whatever reason but it's definitely worth it
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GCam has a different algorithm which processes many frames. In Pixel devices, there is a dedicated chip (pixel visual core) which performs the necessary computations. In other devices, it is the main processor that has to do all the job

I played around with the GCam_7.3.018_Urnyx05-v1.8, which delivers nice results. but I noticed that the maximum resolution is 4000x3000. the stock camera goes up to 8000x6000. is there a way to activate the full resolution? in the settings it is already set to full resolution.
other than that, can anyone recommend any of the configs for this gcam? https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/configs-urnyx-02/

How does the night mode compare to the pixel 4? I imagine it would be better because of the larger sensor