Database Users

Galaxy Camera review and samples

This is a review I made for the Galaxy Camera after a week's use. It's stunning and completely incomparable to other high end compacts.
A few features that I love: the smart modes (especially rich tones, light trace and burst shot), the slow motion video recording and of course, the Android 4.1.1 which is perfect for such a device.
Here's my Dropbox folder for the camera photo and video samples: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1ocgbtdcra4zm8q/LjNTonk7PR
What you should check out: the difference between normal shots and rich tones (taken at the same time by the camera, the second one is HDR) to see just how much better it is than anything else, the slo-mo shots of seagulls on Dambovita river in Bucharest, the light trace pictures (some are taken without using a tripod) and the macros.
I'm available for any type of question, don't hesitate to ask! Enjoy

I will check out the review later.
But, since you have played with the camera more than me, I have a question:
Is there a way to set manual focus? I wanted to record some equipment at work and as the equipment moves, the camera keeps refocusing. And it often focuses on part of the robot, not the part of the system I want to record. With other cameras you can set the focus and turn off auto focus.
floiancu said:
This is a review I made for the Galaxy Camera after a week's use. It's stunning and completely incomparable to other high end compacts.
A few features that I love: the smart modes (especially rich tones, light trace and burst shot), the slow motion video recording and of course, the Android 4.1.1 which is perfect for such a device.
Here's my Dropbox folder for the camera photo and video samples: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1ocgbtdcra4zm8q/LjNTonk7PR
What you should check out: the difference between normal shots and rich tones (taken at the same time by the camera, the second one is HDR) to see just how much better it is than anything else, the slo-mo shots of seagulls on Dambovita river in Bucharest, the light trace pictures (some are taken without using a tripod) and the macros.
I'm available for any type of question, don't hesitate to ask! Enjoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

You can always click on the screen on the part of the image you want focused or you can set it in expert mode and change the settings there manually (f, ISO, exposure, shutter speed etc)

I am recording videos, so I don't want to have to keep refocusing.
And the robot is moving while recording.
floiancu said:
You can always click on the screen on the part of the image you want focused or you can set it in expert mode and change the settings there manually (f, ISO, exposure, shutter speed etc)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

floiancu said:
I'm available for any type of question, don't hesitate to ask! Enjoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be great to see how it behaves in low-light and with/without using the flash. Samsung cameras are notorious to fail in their operations (focus, video etc) at Low Light levels.

To be fair I haven't taken any indoor low light photos, but you can see the exterior night shots in the shared Dropbox folder. I no longer have the camera, but I can ensure you the flash does a hell of a job and I can't see why you wouldn't use it.

Well... This guy is not very happy with the horrible cracking noise when zooming in/out, and another guy says he can't use the flash as a light while shooting video... So I don't know what to think about this $500+ "thing"...

My zooming was smooth and pretty silent, although you could notice it in the videos. You can't use the flash when filming because it's a discharge flash as opposed to LED flashes on mobile phones.

This is a really good review! I especially like the way you have incorporated the sample clips in the video with good examples also of the different settings.
---------- Post added at 03:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 PM ----------
floiancu said:
I no longer have the camera, but I can ensure you the flash does a hell of a job and I can't see why you wouldn't use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How come you no longer have the camera??!

apprentice said:
How come you no longer have the camera??!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had it from Samsung for reviewing. You can check my Youtube account and my other posts on XDA to see other devices I've tested for them.

E:V:A said:
Well... This guy is not very happy with the horrible cracking noise when zooming in/out, and another guy says he can't use the flash as a light while shooting video... So I don't know what to think about this $500+ "thing"...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... this is a photo camera which is also able to take video clips. If you want a video camera, get one.
If you want a touchscreen and Android on a point & shoot camera this is the one to buy. If you can live without them you can buy much cheaper cameras with the same picture quality.

Before buying the Galaxy Camera or even commenting on it you need to understand its purpose and specs / advantages.
It's NOT a DSLR. It doesn't aim to be a professional camera (although it gives you plenty of manual settings) and it certainly won't take pictures as good. It does offer the smart modes such as rich tones (for which you need filters on a DSLR), macro and light trace (which takes tweaking and setting on a DSLR as opposed to two clicks), 21x zoom without buying extra lenses etc.
It's NOT a regular compact camera. The price tag, build quality, specs and features stress that out pretty well.
The main purpose of the Galaxy Camera is the Android OS which means fast sharing, cloud integration, picture editting on the spot, not to mention all apps available for regular smartphones.
If you judge it on these terms and actually find out it's what you need, it's the perfect camera. Otherwise get a DSLR or a compact camera. Nobody will be upset

floiancu said:
Before buying the Galaxy Camera or even commenting on it you need to understand its purpose and specs / advantages.
It's NOT a DSLR. It doesn't aim to be a professional camera (although it gives you plenty of manual settings) and it certainly won't take pictures as good. It does offer the smart modes such as rich tones (for which you need filters on a DSLR), macro and light trace (which takes tweaking and setting on a DSLR as opposed to two clicks), 21x zoom without buying extra lenses etc.
It's NOT a regular compact camera. The price tag, build quality, specs and features stress that out pretty well.
The main purpose of the Galaxy Camera is the Android OS which means fast sharing, cloud integration, picture editting on the spot, not to mention all apps available for regular smartphones.
If you judge it on these terms and actually find out it's what you need, it's the perfect camera. Otherwise get a DSLR or a compact camera. Nobody will be upset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 Well Said. I love my camera!!

floiancu said:
This is a review I made for the Galaxy Camera after a week's use. It's stunning and completely incomparable to other high end compacts.
A few features that I love: the smart modes (especially rich tones, light trace and burst shot), the slow motion video recording and of course, the Android 4.1.1 which is perfect for such a device.
Here's my Dropbox folder for the camera photo and video samples: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1ocgbtdcra4zm8q/LjNTonk7PR
What you should check out: the difference between normal shots and rich tones (taken at the same time by the camera, the second one is HDR) to see just how much better it is than anything else, the slo-mo shots of seagulls on Dambovita river in Bucharest, the light trace pictures (some are taken without using a tripod) and the macros.
I'm available for any type of question, don't hesitate to ask! Enjoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice review.
On your drop box photos, one of them shows the white, black and red versions, where is the red version available please for customers to buy. I don't mean demo versions.
Does a 64 GB card work in ex fat or does it need to be in fat32.
Is there a video editor and can it edit the videos shot on the camera itself. Can't seem to find an official case. On amazon uk there is a deal for this camera to get a discount on the short manfrotto tripod. Do you think that tripod would be fine for video as well as photos or would one need a different head for that tripod. Just looking for tips on that count.
On amazon different people say sgs2 or sgs3 battery works. Any idea which one actually works. Guessing its the sgs2.
Does it have USB OTG functions. If so does it need sgs2 or sgs3 USB OTG cable. I know you don't have the camera but since you seem to be a Samsung mobiler I am hoping you know about this.
My Samsung note can shoot videos longer than 30 mins. I read on other posts on XDA that this camera can't record more than 29mins 59secs. Is there a setting to increase this limit?
Did any of the Samsung remote apps work from your phone to control the camera like mobile link or remote view finder etc. Does the DSLR controller or any similar app work with this camera by wifi or USB.

I don't know about the red (I would say pink) version, in Romania none are available yet.
I don't exactly know about the filesystem type required for 64 GB microSDs, but I'm sure it's the same as the SIII, whatever that is.
There is Video Wizard, an app similar to Photo Wizard for editing videos shot on it, it's pretty cool and has more than the functionality you need on a camera, but I would rather use my PC for that so I didn't cover it... Maybe I will do an extra video specifically for that.
The tripod hole is standard, I used mine without any problems.
The battery has the same capacity with the S II, however I don't know if it's exactly the same. I will ask.
Yes, USB OTG is supported.
I never tried to shoot videos longer than a couple of minutes, but being a dedicated camera I'd be surprised if it had a time limit (besides the storage space).
The remote viewfinder option was available in the menu of the camera app, but after an update to the latest firmware it's gone. I haven't tested any remote shooting modes besides voice commands (which works like a charm, but you need silence and you can't see what you're shooting). If there are dedicated remotes for Android (not necessarily made by Samsung), then they should work on the Galaxy Camera without issues.

Thanks. On the engadget post about covers for this they show covers in white black red pink and orange. So i assume those are the proposed colors to be released. But can only find white and black online for now.

Camera Blur

I'm having trouble taking non-blurry pictures on with default camera app. Is there a setting I can change to make it better? Is the auto-focus on the Galaxy S4 really that poor? It seems like even the slightest movement or hand tremble results in blur. By contrast, I downloaded Camera Zoom and the pictures with that app are much clearer. I also never had this much trouble on my Nexus S.
I'd rather use the Samsung camera with the better layout and additional features, but it's practically impossible for me to take a non-blurry picture. Anyone having this issue or have any tips?
(I took the plastic off of the back camera already)

Double check and make sure anti shake is turned on. With it on it helps prevents blurring.
I love the 90s. Good times.

Not currently having any issues with the camera. I'm able to take perfect shots almost every time unless I'm extremely close to the subject. Are you using camera auto mode? What are you trying to take a picture of? Light conditions? How close are you? Try backing up from subject a bit and using the zoom feature.

Camera: DSLR Focus/ Depth of Field?

Hi
I'm not sure if the Galaxy S8 is able to do this but how can you get DSLR style focus where a subject/ person is in focus and background blurry? Can the rear camera do this as well as selfie cam? I haven't seen any options for it.
Seems only the Note 8 has this (or iPhone X, Google Pixel 2)?

Note 8 has second cam, which is x2 telephoto lens, so already has shallower focus depth and rest is done with software. S8 does not have second cam.
And here is the problem: blurred background, called bokeh, is mostly used in portrait photography. Wide angle cams so commonly used on phones should not be used for portrait photography, because due to wide field of view being projected on flat surface you get big distortions and wrong proportion, like big nose for example. Check fish eye lens pictures to see this distortion effect fully. So while you could distort background and make portrait photo with standard phone lens like s8 have, it would look silly. Outside of portrait photos I don't see much use for shallow depth of field, but if you're so inclined you could experiment with photo editing software like photoshop and create same effect. Expect S9 to have dual lens and portrait capability in about 6 months or get Note 8 now if you really want it.

MXS801 said:
Hi
I'm not sure if the Galaxy S8 is able to do this but how can you get DSLR style focus where a subject/ person is in focus and background blurry? Can the rear camera do this as well as selfie cam? I haven't seen any options for it.
Seems only the Note 8 has this (or iPhone X, Google Pixel 2)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there's an app that does this function very well. AfterFocus. the pro version lets you save in original quality. It only takes a few minutes to get the same result from dual camera devices.

Selective Focus is one of the camera modes out of the box. That is what you are looking for.

I have an S8 and have tried the selective focus mode, which works relatively well as long as the object stays still long enough, however I was reading an article about the Pixel 2 this morning and this extract made me hope that Samsung can also follow Google
"The single-lens portrait mode photos were made possible by its adoption of a dual-pixel sensor - meaning each pixel can be used to both record the image and determine focus rather than just one or the other.
Some of Samsung's handsets already feature the technology, but Google has built on it with proprietary software to make it possible to create a depth map for photos, which can be used to add special effects."
I hope that Samsung can improve the selective mode for the rear camera as the S8 also has a dual-pixel set up, unfortunately the front camera doesn't have dual-pixels
Another thing is I'm hoping that the Google Camera app, which I have running on my S8, should get an update to support this....fingers crossed.

[Q] EIS Video Stabilization Sucks?

I am really considering pulling the trigger on buying this phone. The photo quality seems to be okay now but the video stabilization just sucks.
Is this really how bad and jerky the video is?
Here are a few youtube links.
https://youtu.be/DhohsgddVQg
https://youtu.be/wzvvijuACvU?t=5m19s
and
1080p seems a bit better but the focus doesn't work quickly.
https://youtu.be/cZLClyWcGe4

choder said:
I am really considering pulling the trigger on buying this phone. The photo quality seems to be okay now but the video stabilization just sucks.
Is this really how bad and jerky the video is?
Here are a few youtube links.
https://youtu.be/DhohsgddVQg
and
1080p seems a bit better but the focus doesn't work quickly.
https://youtu.be/cZLClyWcGe4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the stock camera app has horrible EIS
Some say opencamera has better software for video stabilization, but have not tried it myself

Can anyone confirm if the Google camera port makes the video stabilization usable?
If anyone has video from another app besides the stock camera I would like to see EIS actually working.

From the lack of responses, the video stability is just terrible. That's just too bad, I really wanted to purchase this phone, but I can't justify purchasing it with this poor video. I thought about the option of always uploading to YouTube and stabilizing it, but that's just too much of a hassle.
Maybe in the next software update it will fix the stability problems.
I guess using google photos app to stabilize the video might be a solution. https://goo.gl/Lt5oRu

I tried three camera apps--the stock (v 0.1.082), Google's camera app from the app store and Google's stock camera app posted here. The highest acuity was achieved with the stock Essential phone app. The two Google apps were about the same.
I'm not a camera guy so I won't recommend on app over the other for color or vibrancy or bokeh. I checked hand-held stability by photographing pictures on a wall 10' away, framed together with objects 2 to 7 feet away. I selected the framed art 10' away for focus. Later, for photos taken with each of the three apps, I zoomed in on the wall-hanging pictures. The three apps all had some artifacting of the framed images.
But in the photo taken with the Essential app I noticed a light switch below the paintings. Clear above that switch holding it to the wall was a screw, bisected by a dark groove that was angled about 10 degrees off horizontal.
Although the switch and screw was noticeable in shots of all three apps, only in the photo taken with the Essential stock app was the screwdriver groove so clear.

roebling said:
I tried three camera apps--the stock (v 0.1.082), Google's camera app from the app store and Google's stock camera app posted here. The highest acuity was achieved with the stock Essential phone app. The two Google apps were about the same.
I'm not a camera guy so I won't recommend on app over the other for color or vibrancy or bokeh. I checked hand-held stability by photographing pictures on a wall 10' away, framed together with objects 2 to 7 feet away. I selected the framed art 10' away for focus. Later, for photos taken with each of the three apps, I zoomed in on the wall-hanging pictures. The three apps all had some artifacting of the framed images.
But in the photo taken with the Essential app I noticed a light switch below the paintings. Clear above that switch holding it to the wall was a screw, bisected by a dark groove that was angled about 10 degrees off horizontal.
Although the switch and screw was noticeable in shots of all three apps, only in the photo taken with the Essential stock app was the screwdriver groove so clear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am interested in the EIS of the video and if the google camera port improves the terrible shaky video. Its hard to believe the video from this phone is so bad.

I understand but I can't help much. It may be that stock Google camera apps and/or Essential's latest camera app includes EIS but my 'testing' wasn't structured to reveal anything except its adequacy for my uses--recording mechanical details of projects, before and after, and the occasional happy grandchild.

Time to take picture (camera launch speed)

There! Something just happened! Did you take a picture of it? Rate this thread to express how fast the Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite can go from "zero to picture". A higher rating indicates that launching the camera app and taking a photo is extremely fast such that you never miss an important moment, like when your cat attacks the couch again.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!

Sometimes it is superfast, sometimes superslow and sometimes camera opens into all white blank screen and nothing happens

camera is soooo bad, I barely used it,yuck

The camera is pretty fast. Super fast, actually. The app opens immediately, and taking the first picture takes no time at all. And it's pretty well focused. If you want to manually focus a specific point, it takes a lettle more time. But still, pretty fast.
However, the camera sucks. At least the app. I've tried other camera app and thew work a little better, but still... I expected a better camera. I don't know why it has 2 rear cameras. Do they actually do something? Improve light, focusing time, whatever? I cannot see any diference between pictures taken with the secondary camera fisically covered.
Also, did anyone manage to get any good macro picture? You have to shoot really far away from the object in order for the camera to focus it.

[ =adriakus;77672445]The camera is pretty fast. Super fast, actually. The app opens immediately, and taking the first picture takes no time at all. And it's pretty well focused. If you want to manually focus a specific point, it takes a lettle more time. But still, pretty fast.
However, the camera sucks. At least the app. I've tried other camera app and thew work a little better, but still... I expected a better camera. I don't know why it has 2 rear cameras. Do they actually do something? Improve light, focusing time, whatever? I cannot see any diference between pictures taken with the secondary camera fisically covered.
Also, did anyone manage to get any good macro picture? You have to shoot really far away from the object in order for the camera to focus it.[/QUOTE]

adriakus said:
The camera is pretty fast. Super fast, actually. The app opens immediately, and taking the first picture takes no time at all. And it's pretty well focused. If you want to manually focus a specific point, it takes a lettle more time. But still, pretty fast.
However, the camera sucks. At least the app. I've tried other camera app and thew work a little better, but still... I expected a better camera. I don't know why it has 2 rear cameras. Do they actually do something? Improve light, focusing time, whatever? I cannot see any diference between pictures taken with the secondary camera fisically covered.
Also, did anyone manage to get any good macro picture? You have to shoot really far away from the object in order for the camera to focus it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which camera app gave you the best results?

Batmany said:
Which camera app gave you the best results?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For macro pictures, none. It sucks.
For default settings (auto) and fast photos, the stock app.
For extra functionality, I like the Camera MX app.
And I find interesting the lighting treatment of the camera zoom fx app (under the name of hdr, it combines 3 pictures for normal, max and min exposure). It also gives you tons of customization.
I'll give a try to open camera. Haven't tested it, yet.
I'll say neither of them is the "best" . They all use the same camera hardware. It's personal preference on the image treatment or personalization of the camera settings.
I'll set up magiks asap and I'll give a try with camera2api enabled (camera zoom fx let's you shoot on real manual mode).
I can post a picture of each to compare if you want to.

adriakus said:
I can post a picture of each to compare if you want to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes please, that would be helpful. Thank you.

adriakus said:
For macro pictures, none. It sucks.
For default settings (auto) and fast photos, the stock app.
For extra functionality, I like the Camera MX app.
And I find interesting the lighting treatment of the camera zoom fx app (under the name of hdr, it combines 3 pictures for normal, max and min exposure). It also gives you tons of customization.
I'll give a try to open camera. Haven't tested it, yet.
I'll say neither of them is the "best" . They all use the same camera hardware. It's personal preference on the image treatment or personalization of the camera settings.
I'll set up magiks asap and I'll give a try with camera2api enabled (camera zoom fx let's you shoot on real manual mode).
I can post a picture of each to compare if you want to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
waiting for the results

I'll take the pictures today and I'll try to post them today, too. If not, tomorrow max.
I'll shoot in default settings and HDR. Outdoors, indoors and low-light (all default settings).
Of you want to see something else, let me know.

I've just installed magisk and enabled camera2API to try gcam and Mi A1 and Mi A2 apps. But the pictures I've taken are with regular apps before doing so. Here the go.
https://postimg.cc/gallery/2xord8elu/
1st column --> Camera MX
2nd column --> Camera Zoom FX
3rd column --> Open Camera
4th column --> Stock camera app
As I said. Not major differences. Except in low light situations where ISO must be well adjusted by the app. I'd choose an app for the user experience more than for picture quality, since they all are pretty similar.

did you find any improvement with gcam?
(that can't use the second camera on the back - correct?)

It's a very generic camera, and with the 2.2 aperture, expecting good results on low lights..well, a stretch. But it does okay for the price. Front camera is rather good and it's probably the only phone in this price range to provide EIS in video which works really well.

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.
Camera launching speed from the lockscreen and from the drawer is very good, to me. Especially since the Android Pie update.