So I got the XZ1C recently, it's on Android 9, came like that out of the box. I think it was an ex display model from Russia.
The thing is, the camera seems absolutely awful. I've attached a picture I took of a simple grey carpet in OK light conditions. As you can see if you zoom in, there's loads of yellow and blue dots that appear on the picture. Most pictures also come out really noisy, making details a blur.
I have an XZ3 Compact here and it takes better pictures than this, and has never had the coloured dots issue. Is my XZ1C faulty, or is this normal?
Appreciate any help on this!
Oh and my bad for having 2 threads up. I just figured this was quite a different topic but if a mod wants to merge it with the other one that's fine :good:
Hm yeah something doesn't look right at all. How zoomed in is that photo? I just took an up close shot in medium lighting and this is how it came out. Granted I'm running LOS 16 but I think the stock camera should be just as good if not better.
betacrypt said:
Hm yeah something doesn't look right at all. How zoomed in is that photo? I just took an up close shot in medium lighting and this is how it came out. Granted I'm running LOS 16 but I think the stock camera should be just as good if not better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not even zoomed in much. Here's a standard picture I just took. I've not got as good lighting, it's just with a dull light on but it's not exactly bad lighting.
When you zoom in slightly it's pretty easy to see the dots everywhere. A lot of my pictures are also immensely noisy, the detail is just completely lost on anything far away. It's like some sort of awful compression.
I tried messing around with some settings, It improved a little but it's still pretty bad. Even the pictures that come out better than my Z3C have the horrible dots everywhere.
Yours looks good though and more along the lines of what I'd expect from the Camera. What do you think it could be?
UndisputedGuy said:
I have an XZ3 Compact here and it takes better pictures than this, and has never had the coloured dots issue. Is my XZ1C faulty, or is this normal?
Appreciate any help on this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you looked in the service menu to see if the phone has been unlocked? An unlocked phone with no DRM would give you bad grainy pictures.
There's achance that it's been rooted and just had android 9 put back on it, which leaves the camera working, sort of.
Didgesteve said:
Have you looked in the service menu to see if the phone has been unlocked? An unlocked phone with no DRM would give you bad grainy pictures.
There's achance that it's been rooted and just had android 9 put back on it, which leaves the camera working, sort of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought it might be that, but I'd be very surprised if it has been rooted. When I checked the service tests on 9, it said "Bootloader Unlock allowed: Yes", but I'm not sure how to see if it has actually been unlocked
I flashed an Oreo .ftf with Newflasher though, and my camera doesn't work on Oreo. The service menu here states rooting status is unknown and mentions nothing about the bootloader. I'm not sure if I just made a mistake somewhere though and that's why that's happened, It'd be very odd if it was rooted before
If you have Oreo installed, just flash DRM fix, if this gets the camera working properly then problem solved.
UndisputedGuy said:
It's not even zoomed in much. Here's a standard picture I just took. I've not got as good lighting, it's just with a dull light on but it's not exactly bad lighting.
When you zoom in slightly it's pretty easy to see the dots everywhere. A lot of my pictures are also immensely noisy, the detail is just completely lost on anything far away. It's like some sort of awful compression.
I tried messing around with some settings, It improved a little but it's still pretty bad. Even the pictures that come out better than my Z3C have the horrible dots everywhere.
Yours looks good though and more along the lines of what I'd expect from the Camera. What do you think it could be?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah there's definitely something wrong. You'd know the bootloader was unlocked if when booting the device you get the screen this device cannot be trusted warning.
FWIW my device is rooted with no DRM keys and the photos are still coming out great. What I would do first is factory reset the device. If still no improvement, flash different Pie firmware using the flash tool, like Customized EU or Customized UK. Lastly see if the results vary with other camera apps.
Didgesteve said:
If you have Oreo installed, just flash DRM fix, if this gets the camera working properly then problem solved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...lopment/oreo-xz1c-drmfix-root-ricoff-t3727029
Is this the fix? Unfortunately I'm not rooted, not sure I really want to do it just yet with Google updating SafetyNet to block people with unlocked bootloaders from apps.
betacrypt said:
Yeah there's definitely something wrong. You'd know the bootloader was unlocked if when booting the device you get the screen this device cannot be trusted warning.
FWIW my device is rooted with no DRM keys and the photos are still coming out great. What I would do first is factory reset the device. If still no improvement, flash different Pie firmware using the flash tool, like Customized EU or Customized UK. Lastly see if the results vary with other camera apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah I've not seen that screen, I assume it's still locked then. I tried 2 Oreo firmwares, one was a German one, the other a UK one. The camera worked on neither.
I then tried a Global one (couldn't find one on the latest version of Oreo so it was a few versions back) and the camera worked. The same issues are still present though, maybe a slight bit better. I'm pretty baffled by what it could be.
UndisputedGuy said:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...lopment/oreo-xz1c-drmfix-root-ricoff-t3727029
Is this the fix? Unfortunately I'm not rooted, not sure I really want to do it just yet with Google updating SafetyNet to block people with unlocked bootloaders from apps.
Oh yeah I've not seen that screen, I assume it's still locked then. I tried 2 Oreo firmwares, one was a German one, the other a UK one. The camera worked on neither.
I then tried a Global one (couldn't find one on the latest version of Oreo so it was a few versions back) and the camera worked. The same issues are still present though, maybe a slight bit better. I'm pretty baffled by what it could be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you not tried any pie firmware? I would flash one to see if any difference. If still no change I can only assume there being a hardware defect. Maybe you ended up with refurbished device.
betacrypt said:
Have you not tried any pie firmware? I would flash one to see if any difference. If still no change I can only assume there being a hardware defect. Maybe you ended up with refurbished device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On one of the firmwares, I think it was a UK one, I updated manually through the phone to Pie. No improvements unfortunately. I may try another one just for testing sake, good idea.
I did find something interesting though. I was looking online and saw a techradar review of the XZ1C. I've attached a picture that they took with the camera. It has the same coloured dots issue I'm experiencing with the phone.
I also tested my Z3C some more. When I'm in camera mode and I zoom in, I can see a similar issue with coloured marks, but once I take the picture itself, the post processing fixes everything and I get a nice clean image. The post processing on my XZ1C doesn't seem to do the same. It's a much faster camera but doesn't seem as clean. I took a screen recording showing this, not sure if it'd really help if I uploaded it for you to see though.
Okay - I see what you mean but I don't think you'll get a better picture than that to be honest, the camera software is just not great at post-processing to begin with. It's great in medium to high lighting, but anything in low light comes out grainy. My images look about the same if I view them on a large screen and zoom in. I had vastly superior results running GCam on my Xperia X Compact but unfortunately GCam on the XZ1C is not possible currently, if at all.
Also, if you still want to try, there's bunch of firmware here to download:
https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=235027
betacrypt said:
Okay - I see what you mean but I don't think you'll get a better picture than that to be honest, the camera software is just not great at post-processing to begin with. It's great in medium to high lighting, but anything in low light comes out grainy. My images look about the same if I view them on a large screen and zoom in. I had vastly superior results running GCam on my Xperia X Compact but unfortunately GCam on the XZ1C is not possible currently, if at all.
Also, if you still want to try, there's bunch of firmware here to download:
https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=235027
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, so this is probably pretty normal for this phone then. I was worried my model was faulty honestly, I suppose it is a little relieving though disappointing to see. I flashed another Android 9 firmware, no difference. Thanks for all the help with this, appreciate the prompt responses and help!
[Delete]
@betacrypt Last note about the camera. All my pictures from the front facing camera come out mirrored. I can't seem to find an option to turn this off. Any ideas?
UndisputedGuy said:
@betacrypt Last note about the camera. All my pictures from the front facing camera come out mirrored. I can't seem to find an option to turn this off. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No option that I know of in the stock camera app. Best bet would be to use a different camera app. I know Footej supports flipping the image.
betacrypt said:
No option that I know of in the stock camera app. Best bet would be to use a different camera app. I know Footej supports flipping the image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, appreciate that! Seems bizarre that there isn't native support for it. Seems like a basic feature.
Related
Hello! First of all, sorry that I posted this thread in the wrong forum before coming here. I will make the thread again here and ask for the old one to be deleted.
Here is the problem: My Z1 camera can no longer focus at very close distance, since the 4.4 update. In order to show you what I am talking about, here are two photos:
i.imgur.com/5pu42ki.jpg
i.imgur.com/OfON30j.jpg
Both taken in 4.4 FW, in Superior auto mode. I also tried in Manual, but the results are also very bad and out of focus.
To show that this is absolutely not normal, here is a photo taken with the same phone in 4.3:
i.imgur.com/cinWn3o.jpg
Here is a photo taken with ASUS Memo Pad HD 7, with a relatively cheap camera that it has built-in:
i.imgur.com/Wqn3nkU.jpg
It would probably do even better in good lighting conditions. I've encountered one more user in the Sony forums with this issue and I presume either it's rare, or people just haven't found out about it yet. Can you guys do a quick test with your Z1s (assuming you are on 4.4) and see if you can get it to focus at very close distance?
Thank you for your time!
Regards
Bump, please. Not a single answer? I'm pretty sure this problem is not just with my device, it cant' be...
guy4 said:
Bump, please. Not a single answer? I'm pretty sure this problem is not just with my device, it cant' be...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BUMP. Seriously, no one has tried this?
Which ROM? Which FTF? Which version of the Z1? Are you rooted? Have you unlocked the boot? Have you flashed any mods?
Also, that picture you say is fine from the 4.3 rom seems to be taken from further away than the similar one on the 4.4 Rom.
Try clearing data from ALL camera apps in settings.
gregbradley said:
Which ROM? Which FTF? Which version of the Z1? Are you rooted? Have you unlocked the boot? Have you flashed any mods?
Also, that picture you say is fine from the 4.3 rom seems to be taken from further away than the similar one on the 4.4 Rom.
Try clearing data from ALL camera apps in settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
The phone is not rooted, and has the 4.4 FW (14.3.A.0.681). I know the 4.3 pic is from further away, but the other photos are taken with a tablet at quite a similar distance. I have not flashed anything, just updated to 4.4. It doesn't seem normal to me that it can not focus at this distance.
Here is another picture from today. You can see the Windows key is not focused. I do not believe this distance is too small, this does not seem normal to me.
i.imgur.com/6fv2lsm.jpg
guy4 said:
Hello,
The phone is not rooted, and has the 4.4 FW (14.3.A.0.681). I know the 4.3 pic is from further away, but the other photos are taken with a tablet at quite a similar distance. I have not flashed anything, just updated to 4.4. It doesn't seem normal to me that it can not focus at this distance.
Here is another picture from today. You can see the Windows key is not focused. I do not believe this distance is too small, this does not seem normal to me.
i.imgur.com/6fv2lsm.jpg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if u haven't found the solution for better macro photography, pm me as we are not allowed to give out personal suff here
So I was looking through all the current GCam builds, by that I mean all those modded ones, and I think I found the best one for Snapdragon phones. https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/cstark27_GCam_5.1.018_24_v3.6.apk
The Pixel2Mod one is the best, but requires a device whitelist to work. So, you know, it takes time.
@Arnova8G2 could you please add starqlte, starlte, star2qlte and star2lte
I think those are correct.
The one you posted crashes completely on my S9 Snapdragon. It works on yours? It won't go anywhere past accepting permissions.
The one I have that works is named gcam_5.1.018.177470874.41362666_SG7Exy_V8.2.apk. Looks like it's for an Exynos, but at least it runs.
waylo said:
The one you posted crashes completely on my S9 Snapdragon. It works on yours? It won't go anywhere past accepting permissions.
The one I have that works is named gcam_5.1.018.177470874.41362666_SG7Exy_V8.2.apk. Looks like it's for an Exynos, but at least it runs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link?
I did a quick spin around looking for Gcam.... man, there are a lot of options! (and opinions)
This thread here has a 'stable' one with HDR+. And an additional one which is the 'best' for portrait.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/pixel-cam-hdr-s8-exynos-nougat-t3729169
The v8.2 one I referred to specifically is from the S7 forums, here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7/themes/google-camera-portrait-mode-t3736859
I just installed a few but haven't had any opportunity to really test them out much. Phone is not my daily driver (yet?).
I installed one that is working but makes the phone very hot. Uninstalled it with away.
mweinbach said:
So I was looking through all the current GCam builds, by that I mean all those modded ones, and I think I found the best one for Snapdragon phones. https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/cstark27_GCam_5.1.018_24_v3.6.apk
The Pixel2Mod one is the best, but requires a device whitelist to work. So, you know, it takes time.
@Arnova8G2 could you please add starqlte, starlte, star2qlte and star2lte
I think those are correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odd this doesn't work on my S9+. Wonder if the telephoto lens is screwing it up? Is everything working for you including portrait? So far the only thing I see wrong with Samsung's stock app is in low light, it gives off reddish tint.
xterminater07 said:
Odd this doesn't work on my S9+. Wonder if the telephoto lens is screwing it up? Is everything working for you including portrait? So far the only thing I see wrong with Samsung's stock app is in low light, it gives off reddish tint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this INSTANT crashes on the S9+. It also crashes my phone. I am not sure why.
So it works on s9 but not s9+ for you too? @mweinbach. Check my gcam thread for s9+... also pm me your google hangouts ID if you have one
Hope someone ports it soon. I loved the GCAM on my note8. Sold it and bought the S9 thinking that the GCAM port would work on this too. Samsung stock camera is nowhere near the colors and the dynamic range of the GCAM.
mweinbach said:
this INSTANT crashes on the S9+. It also crashes my phone. I am not sure why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mem leak. The app is highly alpha.
iamnotkurtcobain said:
Mem leak. The app is highly alpha.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think its a mem leak as it shouldn't instantly crash both the app and phone
mweinbach said:
I don't think its a mem leak as it shouldn't instantly crash both the app and phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did u get my message? The miniuser work but is heavily tinted in various condition, especially day light it goes blue. I was able to fix white balance settings to take great pictures in low ambient lighting.
I will try it
Hi guys,
I just fastboot flashed my MI A2 to the latest September update because somehow I wasn't receiving OTAs since I purchased the phone.
However, after updating it, I noticed considerably more grainy videos and its also visible in daylight. I am not sure if it's just my imagination or anyone else facing the same issues? The photos are OK though.
Is this kinda issue possible after an update? Thanks in advance.
Menace66 said:
Hi guys,
I just fastboot flashed my MI A2 to the latest September update because somehow I wasn't receiving OTAs since I purchased the phone.
However, after updating it, I noticed considerably more grainy videos and its also visible in daylight. I am not sure if it's just my imagination or anyone else facing the same issues? The photos are OK though.
Is this kinda issue possible after an update? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quality control seems to be bar at xiaomi. Guess that's why they pulled the update. Other people are also reporting problems with the camera
Benjamin_L said:
Quality control seems to be bar at xiaomi. Guess that's why they pulled the update. Other people are also reporting problems with the camera
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OH. They pulled the update? Means I should pull mine back to version 9 as well?
Menace66 said:
OH. They pulled the update? Means I should pull mine back to version 9 as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least no one o the August update is seeing it anymore. It's just a speculation on my side.
Benjamin_L said:
Quality control seems to be bar at xiaomi. Guess that's why they pulled the update. Other people are also reporting problems with the camera
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So we should see an update ti this update then, or are we now waiting for the October update?
ILA said:
So we should see an update ti this update then, or are we now waiting for the October update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's wait and see
Menace66 said:
OH. They pulled the update? Means I should pull mine back to version 9 as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can you pull it back?
I just checked video (with the update), pretty sure there are 2 differences, but 'grainy' isn't necessarily one of them.
Did video resolutions change? I don't remember 4k30fps being there or even 1080p60fps? The other thing I *think* is different is the PDAF was working before and now AF doesn't happen (that's for sure). You can touch a focus point and that works, during the video, but pretty sure it was doing that itself before.
Once it's focused, for me anyway, it's very clear.
Harald.T said:
How can you pull it back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By fastboot flash version 9 sir
AsItLies said:
I just checked video (with the update), pretty sure there are 2 differences, but 'grainy' isn't necessarily one of them.
Did video resolutions change? I don't remember 4k30fps being there or even 1080p60fps? The other thing I *think* is different is the PDAF was working before and now AF doesn't happen (that's for sure). You can touch a focus point and that works, during the video, but pretty sure it was doing that itself before.
Once it's focused, for me anyway, it's very clear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess the only way for me to find out is to directly compare the vidz btw my mom's phone and the problem phone when I see her over the weekend. This bugs me so much.
AsItLies said:
I just checked video (with the update), pretty sure there are 2 differences, but 'grainy' isn't necessarily one of them.
Did video resolutions change? I don't remember 4k30fps being there or even 1080p60fps? The other thing I *think* is different is the PDAF was working before and now AF doesn't happen (that's for sure). You can touch a focus point and that works, during the video, but pretty sure it was doing that itself before.
Once it's focused, for me anyway, it's very clear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had [email protected] before. [email protected] came with the August update. AF during recording works for me with the September update.
ILA said:
Had [email protected] before. [email protected] came with the August update. AF during recording works for me with the September update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm, so just tested again, AF is working! How bizarre. Guess it goes to show one should always close app, maybe even reboot, and test again, just to be sure.
So I have finally compared the video of my phone to my mom's which is not updated. Apparently it was just my imagination. Been too used to the vastly superior video quality of the OP6. LOL.
Sorry guys for the false alarm.
Hi. I am interested in getting this phone.. But most of the camera tests I see online, the images are too dark. Also, strangely, although images are generally underexposed, they still somehow manage to blow out highlights sometimes.
I am very impressed with the camera quality apart from the issues stated above, but surely they are software issues and can be fixed with a patch or alternative camera app?
Thanks
theVenerable said:
Hi. I am interested in getting this phone.. But most of the camera tests I see online, the images are too dark. Also, strangely, although images are generally underexposed, they still somehow manage to blow out highlights sometimes.
I am very impressed with the camera quality apart from the issues stated above, but surely they are software issues and can be fixed with a patch or alternative camera app?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything can be fixed and by far improved using the GCam. Search the thread for examples.
Thanks
I saw some pictures but they didn't seem hugely better to me.
Plus most apps need a root to install?
I wouldnt wan't to buy a phone and risk installing an app and then can't send it back if I'm not happy.
Do you know a link for some good picture and video samples?
Thanks
theVenerable said:
Thanks
I saw some pictures but they didn't seem hugely better to me.
Plus most apps need a root to install?
I wouldnt wan't to buy a phone and risk installing an app and then can't send it back if I'm not happy.
Do you know a link for some good picture and video samples?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here are some of mine https://pandainthecloud.de/nextcloud/index.php/apps/gallery/s/mW2GqLcFXEa84ds#
Benjamin_L said:
Here are some of mine https://pandainthecloud.de/nextcloud/index.php/apps/gallery/s/mW2GqLcFXEa84ds#
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice images thanks.
There was one where the Stock camera was better I think.
But all the others the Gcam looked quite a lot better.
And does the Gcam also give better video recording?
Benjamin_L said:
Here are some of mine https://pandainthecloud.de/nextcloud/index.php/apps/gallery/s/mW2GqLcFXEa84ds#
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please sir, any word on the video with gcam?
I am very tempted to get this phone.
Hi!
I am trying to understand how the S21 Ultra works.
I can tell which is the x3 camera on the back but the moment I install the moment lens on that camera, then it switches to using the main camera instead. My goal was to use the x3 telephoto with the moment lens for more focal length without using the x10 camera.
Would be nice also to have access to the 3x camera in pro mode.
Thanks for any insights on how all this works.
It's pretty dumb but there's a distance limit to the cameras as well. Meaning if the cameras (and I'm assuming it is the laser focus module) detects the subject you're trying to focus on is too close, it'll switch to a different camera. I'm assuming your lens is somewhat blocking that laser focus module. If you have the Snapdragon version, install GCam instead to use the 3x.
beserker15 said:
It's pretty dumb but there's a distance limit to the cameras as well. Meaning if the cameras (and I'm assuming it is the laser focus module) detects the subject you're trying to focus on is too close, it'll switch to a different camera. I'm assuming your lens is somewhat blocking that laser focus module. If you have the Snapdragon version, install GCam instead to use the 3x.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I am going to try to figure out that GCAm thing to try it.
Yeah it is indeed a pretty dumb move.
Any preference on GCam? It seems to have more than one version. I was reading over it but kind of got lost LOL
PS Looks like I need root
shaolin95 said:
OK I am going to try to figure out that GCAm thing to try it.
Yeah it is indeed a pretty dumb move.
Any preference on GCam? It seems to have more than one version. I was reading over it but kind of got lost LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get why they did it, an attempt to make it easier for novice users to treat all 4 cameras like one rather than having 4 different cameras. So things can just randomly switch back and forth depending on what they think is best. Problem is it doesn't always work well and with no options to override it, it ends up being a hindrance.
Check out my GCAM Thread, I would suggest Wichaya's build since it is the simplest to setup and actually works right from the start without even needing to configure anything. https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/gcam-for-snapdragon-s21-ultra.4253809/
beserker15 said:
I get why they did it, an attempt to make it easier for novice users to treat all 4 cameras like one rather than having 4 different cameras. So things can just randomly switch back and forth depending on what they think is best. Problem is it doesn't always work well and with no options to override it, it ends up being a hindrance.
Check out my GCAM Thread, I would suggest Wichaya's build since it is the simplest to setup and actually works right from the start without even needing to configure anything. https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/gcam-for-snapdragon-s21-ultra.4253809/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like I need root, right?
shaolin95 said:
Looks like I need root, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No root, but it's only for snapdragon. If you have Exynos, then yes you'll need root but also a specific firmware and a whole different XML setup since mine won't work.
beserker15 said:
No root, but it's only for snapdragon. If you have Exynos, then yes you'll need root but also a specific firmware and a whole different XML setup since mine won't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome then I will start working on it and report back.
Thanks a ton!