[Q] Snapchat camera is grainy? Yet Z1 camera is fantastic? - Xperia Z1 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi,
The camera on the Xperia Z1 is fantastic, in low light its removes grain and pictures look quite nice!!!
In snapchat the front facing camera is ridiculously grainy!
The facebook Slingshot app (snapchat copy) it seems to be using the software of the sony camera?
Has anyone made a modification or an alternative app or fix to this? I remember there was the Holo version of snapchat someone made?
Thanks,
Marcel

marcelrees said:
Hi,
The camera on the Xperia Z1 is fantastic, in low light its removes grain and pictures look quite nice!!!
In snapchat the front facing camera is ridiculously grainy!
The facebook Slingshot app (snapchat copy) it seems to be using the software of the sony camera?
Has anyone made a modification or an alternative app or fix to this? I remember there was the Holo version of snapchat someone made?
Thanks,
Marcel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've personally never used Slingshot, but if it looks like it's using the Sony camera app, the Slingshot application asks Android for all the camera applications that are installed so you can take a photo with them.
Now, most camera applications don't just take photo's and give them to you, but they do some processing with the photo afterwards (Sony's superior auto does this for example) which can give you much less noise in photo's and such.
Since Snapchat uses it's own build-in camera application, it doesn't benefit from the processing the Sony camera application does when taking a photo, thus giving a different result; which in this case ends up in a more noisy picture.
A way to circumvent this is by taking your photo using the Sony camera application and then sharing this photo with Snapchat, which then allows you to send the picture without all the noise to said contacts. Also note that Snapchat does some heavy compression on photo's that it sends.

B1nny said:
I've personally never used Slingshot, but if it looks like it's using the Sony camera app, the Slingshot application asks Android for all the camera applications that are installed so you can take a photo with them.
Now, most camera applications don't just take photo's and give them to you, but they do some processing with the photo afterwards (Sony's superior auto does this for example) which can give you much less noise in photo's and such.
Since Snapchat uses it's own build-in camera application, it doesn't benefit from the processing the Sony camera application does when taking a photo, thus giving a different result; which in this case ends up in a more noisy picture.
A way to circumvent this is by taking your photo using the Sony camera application and then sharing this photo with Snapchat, which then allows you to send the picture without all the noise to said contacts. Also note that Snapchat does some heavy compression on photo's that it sends.
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Click to collapse
i remember someone made a holo version of snapchat, is it possible to make a client that uses the devices camera software to process?

marcelrees said:
i remember someone made a holo version of snapchat, is it possible to make a client that uses the devices camera software to process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Only the Sony camera can take advantage of Sony's post-processing.

Related

Camera Zoom FX App

I noticed a dramatic difference between the Google Camera and the 3rd party Camera Zoom FX application. The Google Camera brings in a good amount of light into the lens even in marginal situations. Camera Zoom FX is pulls in so much less light. There's no setting I can figure out. Could Lollypop restrict camera access in some funky way that is preventing the 3rd party app from taking full advantage of the lens?
i have noticed this in pretty much all 3rd party camera apps. people have reported that video conferencing in hangouts is also very dark
i have spent all day looking at different camera apps. i cant get "a better camera" to auto focus (but it has better in app lighting), camera zoom fx is much darker than "a better camera" but has good focus. the google camera app from banks gapps seems really gimped (no panorama, no 360, no hdr) and wont let me install the play store google camera (i got 504 errors with banks installed, and 505 when i moved thew camera2 folder from system/apps).
i am now looking into flashing a moto camera app, or trying to flash a closer to stock google camera app (preferably one that doesnt share signitures)
dipstik said:
i have noticed this in pretty much all 3rd party camera apps. people have reported that video conferencing in hangouts is also very dark
i have spent all day looking at different camera apps. i cant get "a better camera" to auto focus (but it has better in app lighting), camera zoom fx is much darker than "a better camera" but has good focus. the google camera app from banks gapps seems really gimped (no panorama, no 360, no hdr) and wont let me install the play store google camera (i got 504 errors with banks installed, and 505 when i moved thew camera2 folder from system/apps).
i am now looking into flashing a moto camera app, or trying to flash a closer to stock google camera app (preferably one that doesnt share signitures)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out Camera FV-5. They have a paid version and a lite (free). I spent the $3.99 and it works really well. It also has a lot of controls.
Google Play Store - Camera FV-5
nhpctech said:
Check out Camera FV-5. They have a paid version and a lite (free). I spent the $3.99 and it works really well. It also has a lot of controls.
Google Play Store - Camera FV-5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what rom/kernal are u on? you are not experiencing low light viewfinding?
dipstik said:
what rom/kernal are u on? you are not experiencing low light viewfinding?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't had any issues yet. I have used it on Stock unrooted and minimus 12/6/14 build with LeanKernel 1.0
nhpctech said:
Haven't had any issues yet. I have used it on Stock unrooted and minimus 12/6/14 build with LeanKernel 1.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can get good photos if you remove from recents, but the viewfinder is always dark. see attached. pure shamu b3.1/senseiR20.5, rooted.
i can almost get the moto camera app to work... it takes 1080p soundless video consistently, but photos crash the app, and hdr doesnt work
dipstik said:
you can get good photos if you remove from recents, but the viewfinder is always dark. see attached. pure shamu b3.1/senseiR20.5, rooted.
i can almost get the moto camera app to work... it takes 1080p soundless video consistently, but photos crash the app, and hdr doesnt work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, so I tried to take some pictures in a room with no lights on and only some natural light coming through the blinds. They look dark like your sample photos. Opened the slimGAPPS camera and everything works, including HDR, correct brightness, etc. I haven't tried recording video. As soon as I turn a light on, it seems to work normally.
In the camera fv5 app, I went and adjusted some of the exposure settings and shutter, the photo brightened right up.
Not sure what is going on. I will try a few more things and report back.
nhpctech said:
Alright, so I tried to take some pictures in a room with no lights on and only some natural light coming through the blinds. They look dark like your sample photos. Opened the slimGAPPS camera and everything works, including HDR, correct brightness, etc. I haven't tried recording video. As soon as I turn a light on, it seems to work normally.
In the camera fv5 app, I went and adjusted some of the exposure settings and shutter, the photo brightened right up.
Not sure what is going on. I will try a few more things and report back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's funny, it doesn't look like the photos themselves are too bad, just the display on the preview on the screen (i.e., the screen viewfinder). I am wondering if there is some Lollypop function that is not being taken advantage of fully by the 3rd party apps.

[Q] Can I assign a different camera app to the physical camera button?

As the title states, I'm wondering if I can assign the Google camera app to the physical camera button on my Xperia Z3C.
I find the stock camera app is very poor at keeping focus and takes sub-par images when compared to other camera apps available on Google Play.
Also, anyone have any tips for taking better pictures with the Z3C? I'm finding that despite the camera's high number of pixels, it's not the best for taking pictures, even when compared to my old iPhone 4!
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
AS far as I know, it is possible only when you are rooted. Since rooting (with unlocking bootloader) affects the camera quality, which you want to change, i'd go for it.
I am using Camera FV-5 for taking pictures and that is much better than the auto/manual mode on the stock camera and Lapse-it Pro for Timelapse videos.
Anyway, the biggest improvement should be seen, when Android 5.0+ is released with RAW DNG (and Long Exposure), and then we will see the advantage of a 20MP sensor - but probably only with a different camera app than the stock one
Info
conzar2 said:
As the title states, I'm wondering if I can assign the Google camera app to the physical camera button on my Xperia Z3C.
I find the stock camera app is very poor at keeping focus and takes sub-par images when compared to other camera apps available on Google Play.
Also, anyone have any tips for taking better pictures with the Z3C? I'm finding that despite the camera's high number of pixels, it's not the best for taking pictures, even when compared to my old iPhone 4!
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Test ur Camera with this app
CameraW
this app will capture the exact view that ur phone lens can detect (without any effect or compressions)
if u get better pic by this app then thr s problem in software if not you check the lens itself
try it and inform me about results
:good:

Front Camera Video P20 Overexposed / Soft

Hi
Will Huawei fix the overexposed soft image quality of the selfie camera on this phone.
I am still on 8.1.0.103 and wondering if its been fixed in one of the newer updates as it is really disappointing
Not sure they think it's broken, it was obviously designed to do this on purpose. I know a lot of people that use beauty mode. It is rather annoying though as it can't be disabled for those that don't want to be enhanced to Ken doll like proportions lol
If you hit the photo mode rather than the default portrait mode for front camera it does help a bit. Definitely better than portrait mode. I do hope that a future update will add more control over the processing, but I won't bank on it.
I've tried many different camera apps, and the overexposure and softening occur as soon as the camera detects a face. Haven't been able to find a solution yet.
prowsterz said:
I've tried many different camera apps, and the overexposure and softening occur as soon as the camera detects a face. Haven't been able to find a solution yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im 99% sure it can be disabled with root - its got to be a setting that detects faces.
we;d need someone to go through the source (if they ever release it)
once i root my p20 ill stalk around to try and find a property.
Sorry, i dont have phone yet. But, if you use some other camera application, will it be the same problem?
Its definitely a setting built into the kernel/source code because using another camera app will not override the setting. It only focuses on the subject (face) and blurs out the background which should not be the case
I have rooted P20 pro, and there is a ton of properties and definitions xml files for different modes and effects in odm/camera folder. For example there is something called "casiobeauty" among others But, to mess with those parameters someone has to have knowledge. So, i guess effects can be modified, if there ever will be someone of knowledge and will to do it
You all may want to install CameraMX from PlayStore.
It gives out high resolution and high qualoty images. Selfies taken by it are noticeably sharper than the p20 pro stock camera. Also, there is a slider to adjust exposure for the front cam (something that is missing from the stock). In addition, the app also supports HDR for the selfie cam as well.
You can give it a try...
mulkman said:
Hi
Will Huawei fix the overexposed soft image quality of the selfie camera on this phone.
I am still on 8.1.0.103 and wondering if its been fixed in one of the newer updates as it is really disappointing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it was fixed in .120
Kusznier said:
it was fixed in .120
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What region? I am currently using the .120 for C636 but there is still the annoying overexposure and lack of details esp in groufies
You all might want to use the CameraMX app... I use it on all my selfies now. Ive compared it with the stock front cam and it's way way way better. See for yourself...
Archer Casio said:
You all might want to use the CameraMX app... I use it on all my selfies now. Ive compared it with the stock front cam and it's way way way better. See for yourself...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
very cheap quality sorry bro!
I hope overexpo fixed in next update!
Kusznier said:
it was fixed in .120
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's better in 120 but definitely not fixed.
kabirjedi said:
very cheap quality sorry bro!
I hope overexpo fixed in next update!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uploaded the wrong photos the last time sorry..
For the photos below, the washed out one is taken with the front camera native app. The better one is with cameraMX app.
Note: No editing done, same lighting condition, almost the same hand position, same angle.
It is very evident that the native camera app is washed out/overexposed.
Well, the CameraMX photo isnt perfect but for me, it is 80% better than the stock camera.
Archer Casio said:
Uploaded the wrong photos the last time sorry..
For the photos below, the washed out one is taken with the front camera native app. The better one is with cameraMX app.
Note: No editing done, same lighting condition, almost the same hand position, same angle.
It is very evident that the native camera app is washed out/overexposed.
Well, the CameraMX photo isnt perfect but for me, it is 80% better than the stock camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi - Is everyone certain this is a SW issue? I don't know a ton about cameras but is it possible there are defective front facing cameras on a bunch of these devices?
Hobartwash said:
Hi - Is everyone certain this is a SW issue? I don't know a ton about cameras but is it possible there are defective front facing cameras on a bunch of these devices?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I'm pretty much sure it's a software issue as the original photo can look so much better when you edit it. And, you can also use other camera apps
There is a workaround on the overexposed p20 front camera images using the Google Photos Editor App
(I've read it from another XDA thread).
The results are stunning! It's almost as if the photos were taken using an actual Google Pixel front camera! (In my opinion)
I suppose the image enhancement algorithm for the Google Photos app is similar to the image post-processing of Google Pixel phones.
Note: Google Photos is commonly preinstalled along with Gmail, Hangouts, GMaps.
Step 1 - Snap a selfie using the native app
Step 2 - Preview the photo and click the (...) at the bottom right
Step 3 - Click Advanced Edit ---> Select Google Photos
Step 4 - Select the second icon next to the filters menu.
You will find 3 sliders (Light, Color, and Pop)
Step 5 - Slide Pop all the way up, as well as Color.
You may tweak the settings more for Color and Light too!
(There are more options when you expand it)
Step 6 - Click Save.
Find sample photos below:
Just got a P20 Pro and this is seriously my biggest hate with this phone! The rest is great (except my google pay not working) but the front camera makes me look like a ghost on any image!
I'm on update 128 and the front camera still overexposed.
srgank said:
I'm on update 128 and the front camera still overexposed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I second that.

Problem with snapchat app

I've just bought k20 pro and I noticed the snapchat camera is always zoomed in compared to stock or google camera, is there a way to fix that or am I missing something, because I use snapchat camera way more than stock one and the picture quality in that suffers due to zoom issue
Snapchat does not works well in an android because of lots of other android phones with different screen sizes, chipsets, cameras, etc and the its is not actually zoomed it is stretched due to full screen aspect ratio and quality is **** than stock camera all you can do is use filters or buy an iphone
amar1548 said:
I've just bought k20 pro and I noticed the snapchat camera is always zoomed in compared to stock or google camera, is there a way to fix that or am I missing something, because I use snapchat camera way more than stock one and the picture quality in that suffers due to zoom issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's all because external apps in android don't use hardware camera implementation, instead they are using preview from recording view. There is no way for you to fix it, but app developers can just change implementation. Hovewer they won't probably do it, as there are too much different devices running android.
It's not zoomed in. Keep in mind that you're comparing 4:3 to something like 16:9 to 18:9. It cuts off the sides, which makes it look like it's zoomed in, but it's not.
Nothing can be done. Snapchat, Instagram etc uses the screen capture of the view finder,so the quality of the pics will be trash. To get optimized and good results go for iPhone.(any variant)

Front camera quality (and with video calls)

So we are hearing anecdotal evidence that the front camera has the classic softening, and this is causing video calls to look awful. Your picture will have no detail.
Anyone is able to test and post some screenshots?
kasiopc said:
So we are hearing anecdotal evidence that the front camera has the classic softening, and this is causing video calls to look awful. Your picture will have no detail.
Anyone is able to test and post some screenshots?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had the phone since yesterday and the issue with front cam is limited to video calls and not photos or videos taken by the camera app or even 3rd party apps. I took photo using Camera app with front camera and compared to my Note 10 Plus and they are comparable (Note is slightly better):
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmNZfibB
I suspect the videocall issue has something to do with Sony not enabling some standard API that apps can use to access full camera features so they default to basic camera quality. I hope they fix in software updates! This is the only issue I found about the phone otherwise pretty solid flagship and I'm so glad I'm out of Samsung world.
My video chats with Facebook Messenger look nice sharp, according to the other party and from what I can see.

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