How to: Greatly improve picture quality!

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As a lot of you know, I'm very dissatisfied with the nexus camera. I've bashed it a lot. Sure, there are times when you can get a decent shot, but it seems like it's very hard with this camera.

I believe the issue is with the zero shutter lag and stock camera app. You see, when you focus on the subject, THE TINIEST MOVEMENT before snapping the picture will cause the subject to come out of focus and make the image look like total crap. This was never present on previous smartphones I've owned; I could always focus, and it would keep the focus before taking the pic even if I moved the phone a little. Not with the nexus, nope.

The result of this problem is out of focus pictures, which in turn (somehow) makes the colors look washed out, which in turn makes the result piss you off. I don't know exactly what it is, but I've narrowed it down to that. It's just very touchy and very hard to keep anything in focus.

And no...I'm not talking about a slower shutter speed where movement DURING the picture will cause a blurry photo. Even with fast shutter speeds, the slightest movement with this camera before or during the shot will cause out of focus subjects.

Now, what I've found is not something that will completely make the nexus seem like a point and shoot camera, but something that will make you feel a little less frustrated. Keep in mind, this is NOT my app, and I am not advertising it for any other reason than it works. I used to be the type of person that hated camera apps besides stock, but nope, not after using the nexus. It's almost needed.

Now here's the thing with this app. You open it (it opens as quick as stock BTW), don't even mess with any of the special effects or anything (unless you want to of course). Just use it as a stock replacement. Now here's the good part....

Once you have the app open, all you do is tap anywhere on the screen and it will focus in on where you tapped and automatically take the picture. What does this mean? No having to tap to focus and THEN move over and his the shutter button like on stock. This reduces the amount of movement after focusing and before the picture is taken.

Now, if you don't want to tap to focus, simply hit the shutter button and it will do an auto focus on the entire picture and then automatically take the picture! No need to press and hold to focus, and then release to take the picture like the stock app. Again, this basically reduces the amount of movement and gets rid of a step, which in turn equals clearer pictures.

On top of that, this app seems to keep it's focus better than the stock app. If you happen to move the phone just after you focus and right before it takes the picture, it does a better job of keeping focus. With the stock app, any movement and your picture is screwed.

In conclusion, this isn't a fix to the sensor (which is considered low quality by some). It just makes your picture taking on the nexus much more easier and enjoyable. Sorry for the long post, but this app has made the camera experience a lot better.

Here is an example I took. My phone was held in the exact same spot for both photos. Touch to focus what used directly on the water bottle label. Notice how the picture from the stock app is blurry (and the kleenex box), and notice how the image from the other app is sharp (even look at the difference on the kleenex box). Open up both pictures, and then keep switching between them and you will see what I mean.

Differences might look minor to some, but the small differences really change the entire quality of the photo. It's a huge difference overall.


Stock app:

http://i.imgur.com/c5FGZ.jpg


Other app:

http://i.imgur.com/CBigb.jpg


Name of app? Camera Zoom FX ($2.99 from the market, worth every penny)

No need to change anything in the app settings, everything comes on auto. I don't even use any of the special effects or anything in the app; I just use it as a replacement for stock.


I hope this post has helped some of you.

Agreed. Also camera 360 (free at the moment on the market) does the same.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by klobkelosh

Agreed. Also camera 360 (free at the moment on the market) does the same.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

To be honest, no. Camera zoom FX is far far superior and I still get blurry photos with 360. It's also not as easy to use as zoom fx.

Originally Posted by brian85

Stock app:

http://i.imgur.com/c5FGZ.jpg


Other app:

http://i.imgur.com/CBigb.jpg

Stock app picture is not sharp (camera shake).

i believe there is a software issue as well. i remember someone did an EXIF on some of their GNexus and the ISO was at like 1/6000 or something lol. ideally on my dslr i try to go for ISO 80.

I bought Camera Zoom FX when google had that 10 cent deal a few weeks back.

I will have to download and try it. To be honest I never even used it before just bought 90% of apps in case i ever needed it

Originally Posted by Valynor

Stock app picture is not sharp (camera shake).

Exactly my point. You have to be extremely careful and put in a lot of effort to get an in focus picture in the stock app.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Originally Posted by tannor

I bought Camera Zoom FX when google had that 10 cent deal a few weeks back.

I will have to download and try it. To be honest I never even used it before just bought 90% of apps in case i ever needed it

Danger it. I knew I should have gotten it.

Just did the same test.. The OP is 100% right. The camera zoom fx shot IS better...

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Originally Posted by GinoSylum

Just did the same test.. The OP is 100% right. The camera zoom fx shot IS better...

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Yes. There are times when the difference won't be much noticeable (depends on how careful you were with the stock app), but overall camera fx with so much better.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App