Disappointed in Lollipop implementation by Samsung ( CameraV2 API, RAW support etc )

[marleyb]

After a day playing with LP on the Note 4 I'm a bit disappointed in Samsung's implementation. For me, the wait for LP was actually only for core feature (as I was perfectly happy with KitKat); Better camera support with LP !! The Note 4 has pretty amazing camera hardware for a phone, which was under KitKat limited by the OS.

Well things have NOT changed with Lollipop. Still no shutter speed control, no support for RAW. It's not LP Camerav2 API compatible Not even with thirdparty camera apps, who do support this on lollipop on other devices. According some developers I spoke (for instance from Camera FV-5) this is because Samsung has been cutting corners (again?) with result that these enhanced options probably will never be available on the Note 4 devices. If they manage to work around it, it will be probably by the time I already have my S6 and Note 5. Yes I know its only a phone camera, but with more (manual) control you can create amazing effects and with RAW support touching up a picture is so flexible and easy in light-room or Photoshop.

Another annoying thing in KK was the recent app button lag. Its a little better but still it lags (I rather think this is touchwiz UI related and not Android related). Finally a crazy move of Google, is to remove the silent mode and replace it with a "partly" broken notification priority schema and Samsung made this even worse by removing scheduled priories from this new feature.

So yes, the phone feels a little snappier in use then when I was running KK, but this limited LP implementation is a bummer for everyone who uses the Note camera regularly. For me it's for sure not what I expected nor I had hoped for. Some other things that are not implemented in the Samsung's lollipop release is the Multi-user option and Ambient light option. Honestly I would have rather waited for a month (or two) to receive a proper (more complete and less bugs) Lollipop then what it is now

EDIT: FIX for recent apps button lag in TouchWiz props to @2000Hugo works on kk and lp
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4/help/fix-recent-apps-button-lag-touchwiz-lp-t3033000

my 2 cents

 

[iridaki]

I was wondering when such a thread would show up, it was long overdue. ?

 

[bala_gamer]

You already have an app in general section which can capture raw pics in kitkat itself, check it out if you want. This is the very first release it's not fair to talk about recent lag, hope they tweak it in subsequent releases

Texted from Note 4

 

[fredphoesh]

recent app button lag. Its a little better but still it lags.

Yep, that is exactly and ALL I am disappointed in... Samsung seem incapable of making a phone that is as smooth as a Nexus 5, despite faster processor and more ram.

Mark.

 

[marleyb]

I was wondering when such a thread would show up, it was long overdue.

Lol @iridaki Well its my point of view based on feedback from camera app developers I received today. But yes I'm quick on the money for sure

 

[marleyb]

You already have an app in general section which can capture raw pics in kitkat itself, check it out if you want. This is the very first release it's not fair to talk about recent lag, hope they tweak it in subsequent releases

Texted from Note 4

@bala_gamer I'm aware of that, but the the beauty is (or in case of the Note 4 rather was) that with LP this could be done straight from within the stock camera app (shutter speed too). The recent apps lag was already a problem in KK so honestly I think its more TW UI then android OS related. So yes I think it would be fair if they would have fixed this by now. (But I'm perfectly happy with a lagging recent app button too) Limited camera driver implementation is a whole other story. I think that ship is sailed already for the Note4

 

[TheEndHK]

You already have an app in general section which can capture raw pics in kitkat itself, check it out if you want. This is the very first release it's not fair to talk about recent lag, hope they tweak it in subsequent releases

Texted from Note 4

Can you share the link or tell me the name?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g2/general/app-mi2raw-enables-capturing-real-raw-t2837089
I know mi2raw but only works with Sony IMX135 sensor.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2753946
Freedcam seems supported Samsung but the result may not good as OP stated and it is only for Qualcomm model, no Exynos.

 

[mih3y]

Samsung not pushing updates? people unhappy. Samsung pushes updates? people unhappy.
Raw support? on a phone? if you know how to use raw and what its for, you most likely have a DSLR.

Complaints! Complaints everywhere ! :laugh:

 

[TheEndHK]

Well things have NOT changed with Lollipop. Still no shutter speed control, no support for RAW. Not even with thirdparty camera apps, who do support this on lollipop on other devices. According some developers I spoke (for instance from Camera FV-5) this is because Samsung has been cutting corners (again?) with result that these enhanced options probably will never be available on the Note 4 devices. If they manage to work around it, it will be probably by the time I already have my S6 and Note 5 (still a big IF) Yes I know its a phone camera, but with more control you can create amazing effects and with RAW support touching up a picture is so flexible and easy in light-room or Photoshop.

my 2 cents

I'm thinking to buy Note4 but no RAW and manual shutter really hurt me. Can you tell me is there night mode and portrait night available there in Lollipop? Because since 4.4 Samsung removed them(note2/note3) in the scene menu and only leave auto mode.

---------- Post added at 01:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:48 AM ----------

Samsung not pushing updates? people unhappy. Samsung pushes updates? people unhappy.
Raw support? on a phone? if you know how to use raw and what its for, you most likely have a DSLR.

Complaints! Complaints everywhere ! :laugh:

That's not about complaints because RAW and manual shutter will be included on Galaxy S6 but considered Note4 is still very new and no reason to not implement it for us.

RAW is even a bit more important on camera phone because the white balance, exposure and jpg compression is just too bad implemented.

 

[iridaki]

I'm thinking to buy Note4 but no RAW and manual shutter really hurt me. Can you tell me is there night mode and portrait night available there in Lollipop? Because since 4.4 Samsung removed them(note2/note3) in the scene menu and only leave auto mode.

To be fair, auto mode detects low light situations very accurately and the results aren't half bad, especially for a phone.

 

[TheEndHK]

To be fair, auto mode detects low light situations very accurately and the results aren't half bad, especially for a phone.

Really I don't think so, it may be good for you and some other guys but not me. I've tested the Note4 today in a phone store and portrait night mode will only enabled in extreme low light environment and there is even still no pure night mode available.

 

[marleyb]

Samsung not pushing updates? people unhappy. Samsung pushes updates? people unhappy.
Raw support? on a phone? if you know how to use raw and what its for, you most likely have a DSLR.

Complaints! Complaints everywhere ! :laugh:

Partly true, I don't have a DSLR but know my way in Adobe products. Shutter speed and f-stop control can be found on a 40 dollar camera and is basic photo making knowledge (don't have to be a rocket scientist to use it for great effects) In previous Android versions this was "as we all know" not possible due to limited hardware support from the camera API. One of the major improvements in LP is that this is now possible . Well it is on other LP devices, but not on the Note 4 and if my information is right (I'm no developer) it will not happen .

 

[marleyb]

Really I don't think so, it may be good for you and some other guys but not me. I've tested the Note4 today in a phone store and portrait night mode will only enabled in extreme low light environment and there is even still no pure night mode available.

I have to agree totally on this

 

[sefrcoko]

Partly true, I don't have a DSLR but know my way in Adobe products. Shutter speed and diaphragm control can be found on a 40 dollar camera and is basic photo making knowledge (don't have to be a rocket scientist to use it for great effects) In previous Android versions this was "as we all know" not possible due to limited hardware support from the camera API. One of the major improvements in LP is that this is now possible . Well it is on other LP devices, but not on the Note 4 and if my information is right (I'm no developer) it will not happen .

While it may now be possible in LP, I'm not surprised Samsung hasn't implemented these changes yet. These are great features but also very niche. Most users wouldn't care about them or even use them in everyday situations. As such, Samsung may very well implement them down the line (which would be great), but again for most people no one would notice them being there or not...so Samsung focuses instead on other priorities (like ensuring full functionality with Gear VR, which has the potential to make them a ton of money if it gets more mainstream, etc).

 

[iridaki]

Really I don't think so, it may be good for you and some other guys but not me. I've tested the Note4 today in a phone store and portrait night mode will only enabled in extreme low light environment and there is even still no pure night mode available.

OK, I see the need for more control over camera modes.
However, I did not quite get what you're trying to say here. Do you own the Note 4 or you just tried a display model in a store? And if you do own the device, did you try it in a store environment? It's no surprise that night mode didn't kick in, stores tend to have lights on and whatnot. ?
I'm not arguing about how the lack of Night mode may be a drawback for some, I'm just not entirely sure you have tested the device properly enough to form such a strong opinion.

 

[NitrogenX2]

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk

 

[TheEndHK]

OK, I see the need for more control over camera modes.
However, I did not quite get what you're trying to say here. Do you own the Note 4 or you just tried a display model in a store? And if you do own the device, did you try it in a store environment? It's no surprise that night mode didn't kick in, stores tend to have lights on and whatnot. ?
I'm not arguing about how the lack of Night mode may be a drawback for some, I'm just not entirely sure you have tested the device properly enough to form such a strong opinion.

Nope, you exactly get what I meant. Yes, I don't really have the device but I like to shoot photo with night mode to have the best quality during at indoor environment(most people would not do that so auto mode don't turn on but this is my personal preference). And Note4 seems to lack of pure night mode, even though the screen is completely dark, there is still only portrait night mode on.

I"m started to thinking about Galaxy S6 because RAW and manual shutter speed is implemented(so I can create a night mode myself) but it is just way over priced and excess my budget.

 

[marleyb]

OK, I see the need for more control over camera modes.
However, I did not quite get what you're trying to say here. Do you own the Note 4 or you just tried a display model in a store? And if you do own the device, did you try it in a store environment? It's no surprise that night mode didn't kick in, stores tend to have lights on and whatnot.
I'm not arguing about how the lack of Night mode may be a drawback for some, I'm just not entirely sure you have tested the device properly enough to form such a strong opinion.

I don't think he has the Note 4 @iridaki and I agree a store environment is not the best place to test a phones camera. But I do own the Note 4 since release and I have to agree on the night mode. Also it's not only night shots that benefit amazingly from shutter and f-stop control. You can create more dept in landscape shots and nice effects with moving objects against a steady background too. They could do it with the Nexus devices with the LP upgrade (not fair to compare I guess) but also the One plus and LG could do it. So then I'm disappointed that Samsung left a (for me at least) major LP feature on the drawingboard instead of implementing it.

Oh this a pretty good article on what it should have been (and is on other LP devices)
http://www.anandtech.com/show/8274/understanding-androids-camera-hal3

 

[iridaki]

Nope, you exactly get what I meant. Yes, I don't really have the device but I like to shoot photo with night mode to have the best quality during at indoor environment(most people would not do that so auto mode don't turn on but this is my personal preference). And Note4 seems to lack of pure night mode, even though the screen is completely dark, there is still only portrait night mode on.

I"m started to thinking about Galaxy S6 because RAW and manual shutter speed is implemented(so I can create a night mode myself) but it is just way over priced and excess my budget.

OK, so you don't own the device, therefore you cannot dismiss my personal opinion, because I have been using this phone for 3 months now and I've taken hundreds of photos with it in a variety of places and situations.
I understand you need Night mode and that is perfectly reasonable but posting in the forums of a device you do not own to say that its camera is not good enough for you, is a bit provoking.

I believe the S6 will indeed have an improved camera but I'm sure other devices available now and later will too. And I hope you'll be able to get one of them and be happy with it.

I don't think he has the Note 4 @iridaki and I agree a store environment is not the best place to test a phones camera. But I do own the Note 4 since release and I have to agree on the night mode. Also it's not only night shots that benefit amazingly from shutter and f-stop control. You can create more dept in landscape shots and nice effects with moving objects against a steady background too. They could do it with the Nexus devices with the LP upgrade (not fair to compare I guess) but also the One plus and LG could do it. So then I'm disappointed that Samsung left a (for me at least) major LP feature on the drawingboard instead of implementing it.

I am not saying that the lack of Night mode and shutter speed control couldn't be construed as drawbacks, I'm with you on that. It was more his attitude "It may work for you but not for me" which was very arrogant for someone who hasn't actually tried the device in everyday circumstances.
Anyway, I see the source of frustration and I agree that it'd be nice if Samsung had taken advantage of the new LP APIs.

 

[Ashatar]

I think that they've done a good job with Lollipop, everything works nice and smooth, the recent apps works perfectly fine for me...the only thing I dislike is that there is no animation when clicking the recent apps button while in an app...also camera works good, it's a shame there is no night mode but image stabilisation does the job pretty good(they should have added an option to turn it off or on though).