Front camera quality (and with video calls) - Sony Xperia 1 II Questions & Answers

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.

Related

[Q] Snapchat camera is grainy? Yet Z1 camera is fantastic?

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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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.

Better camera app to make better photos and especially better video stabilization?

Hi,
on my oneplus x i used the "Open Camera" app to make noticable better pictures.
Anyone found a camera app which makes better pictures especially better software video stabilization would be great.
Why does the P9 need it.
Camera is great except for stabilization in video.
No big deal
Sent from my EVA-L19 using XDA-Developers mobile app
This - the camera app is amazing.
Sure the video isn't great, but it's worth checking that you have video stabilisation turned on. I had to go into the app and turn it on, it fixed a bunch of issues for me!
Since the phone utilizes dual camera setup, i doubt that there is 3rd party app that can make use of both sensors at the moment.
This what...? Can't see any useful information or links....
I've tried almost all and the native camera app is the best and the fastest. For video, indeed you need to turn on stabilization in the settings.
The only app that comes close for me is Snap Camera HDR. It's the only one that gives the same results in low light (auto low light mode on) and it actually gives you more control over HDR shots. The HDR shots are actually a bit better in this app. Only thing is the shutter is a bit slower, because it auto-focuses when you hit the shutter button.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hvt.horizon
Sorry do not found such setting where do i turn the video stabilization on can you share a screenshot, please?
ahh found it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-6o_erfmoA

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
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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...
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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!
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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.
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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?
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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.
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Click to collapse
Yes, I second that.

A better camera quality for apps like - Skype, Instagram , Whatsapp etc

Since I have succesfully activated HAL3 on our device, I started getting amazing pictures with the help Google Camera. The noise reduction is off, the quality is crystal-clear, which means that we haveamazing sensors on both our cameras, the rear and front one.
But even with this feature turned on, the quality of the built-in cameras of Instagram, Skype, Google Duo , Whatsapp and Viber offer a very low quality of the image even when taking photos but most important - when making a video call. The quality is awfull, just like the stock camera with it's noise reduction on. Blury image and very low FPS while in a videocall. We have great camera modules on our phone, so how to find in the ROMs a way to make these apps use the best quality available of our cameras? Is it related to HAL1 or HAL3 or is there a code in the kernel that can be modified? Or what is the key to make it work better?
When opening the video camera of the stock camera app - the image is clear and the noise-reduction is off...so it is amazing, even the fps is high, no glicthes. As soon as I switch the camera back to the photo, I get a blury image and low fps in of the viewfinder.... exaclty the same is within any of the above meantioned apps. How to make a better camera quality when using them? I haven't found any solution anywhere on the XDA forum not even on the 4pda forum.
Am I the only one concerned about this fact?
The front camera of this device is OV5675 Sensore and read on their page, it says it can handle video recording of Full HD at 60FPS
Than why did the MIUI limit it's capabilities so low? To make it look like a cheap sensor and sell the phone as budget?
Anyone?

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)

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