[GCam] Camera PX for Google Pixel 1 / 2 / 3 / 3a / 4
- Thread starter cstark27
- Start date
It is shocking what Google is doing with the Pixel 6 Pro. Multiple people already noticed that the Pixel 6 Pro often chooses digital zoom instead of the periscope camera. Here's an example that someone posted:
Pixel 6 Pro: camera app chooses digital zoom
Pixel 6 Pro: camera app chooses periscope camera
Version: HDR+ 1.0.403259735zd according to the exif data
The light conditions are not bad at all and the periscope image is much, much better. Also note that the periscope camera captures more light per time from objects than the main camera (see below).
Google really needs to give us a setting that forces the periscope camera. This behaviour is ridiculous.
Other sample images from other people also strongly indicate that Google ignores the 50 megapixel or 48 megapixel mode of the sensors. This means that the 4.3x periscope camera is replaced with a 4.3x crop from the 12.5 megapixel mode, if the camera app refuses to use the periscope camera. This leads to an effective resolution of 12.5/4.3² = 0.68 megapixels! This is also the reason why the maximum zoom setting of the Pixel 6 (not Pro) is only 7x (like the Pixel 3), it crops the sensor in its 12.5 megapixel mode.
Note that the periscope camera captures more than twice as much light per time from distant objects as the main camera (when you don't adjust the distance) because the effective diameter (entrance pupil diameter) is 19mm /3.5 = 5.43mm , whereas the main camera only has 3.68mm.
(Don't confuse the effective diameter with the f-number, which is related to light per time per unit area of the sensor. The Hubble telescope has a 57600mm f/24 objective.)
The only problem is read noise because the periscope camera delivers 17.5 times as many pixels per object as the main camera. This causes more read noise per object, but read noise is only relevant in low light conditions (for example completely dark room) or in very dark shadows. In decent light conditions, read noise isn't relevant and the periscope images would look less noisy than a crop of the main camera sensor because the periscope camera captures more light per time from an object than the main camera. Indeed, the periscope image isn't noisy at all.
Pixel 6 Pro: camera app chooses digital zoom
Pixel 6 Pro: camera app chooses periscope camera
Version: HDR+ 1.0.403259735zd according to the exif data
The light conditions are not bad at all and the periscope image is much, much better. Also note that the periscope camera captures more light per time from objects than the main camera (see below).
Google really needs to give us a setting that forces the periscope camera. This behaviour is ridiculous.
Other sample images from other people also strongly indicate that Google ignores the 50 megapixel or 48 megapixel mode of the sensors. This means that the 4.3x periscope camera is replaced with a 4.3x crop from the 12.5 megapixel mode, if the camera app refuses to use the periscope camera. This leads to an effective resolution of 12.5/4.3² = 0.68 megapixels! This is also the reason why the maximum zoom setting of the Pixel 6 (not Pro) is only 7x (like the Pixel 3), it crops the sensor in its 12.5 megapixel mode.
Note that the periscope camera captures more than twice as much light per time from distant objects as the main camera (when you don't adjust the distance) because the effective diameter (entrance pupil diameter) is 19mm /3.5 = 5.43mm , whereas the main camera only has 3.68mm.
(Don't confuse the effective diameter with the f-number, which is related to light per time per unit area of the sensor. The Hubble telescope has a 57600mm f/24 objective.)
The only problem is read noise because the periscope camera delivers 17.5 times as many pixels per object as the main camera. This causes more read noise per object, but read noise is only relevant in low light conditions (for example completely dark room) or in very dark shadows. In decent light conditions, read noise isn't relevant and the periscope images would look less noisy than a crop of the main camera sensor because the periscope camera captures more light per time from an object than the main camera. Indeed, the periscope image isn't noisy at all.
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See
It's also disappointing that Google still hasn't fixed the issue that Night Sight takes slightly blurry photos due to a too long exposure time per frame (often 1/3s-1s on my Pixel 3a in low-light conditions, I much prefer Pixel 3a's HDR+ enhanced, which is a fast Night Sight mode and chooses 1/5s per frame), even though the Pixel 6 captures 2.5 times as much light per time as the Pixel 5. For example see
or
The Night Sight mode of the Pixel 6 even takes longer than the Night Sight mode of the Pixel 5, see
So, one can only hope that Google brings back HDR+ enhanced.
It would be also nice, if the camera app didn't reset the timer whenever you open it. A timer is quite important for sharper handheld photos, I'd use it all the time. Obviously, it is not ideal, when the camera captures the frames while you press the shutter button. This causes more blur. That's why HDR+ enhanced always used a timer secretly.
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I have a OG Pixel XL, and had to experiment to find a build that worked with it. The ones I found worked the best were NGCam_8.2.300-v1.4 and GCam8.2.204_Greatness.210927.2010Release_Cameight .
Hi yes, download this version and install it via APK mirror installer.
Pixel Camera 8.4.167.404335983.10 (arm64-v8a) (nodpi) (Android 12+) APK Download by Google LLC - APKMirror
Pixel Camera 8.4.167.404335983.10 (arm64-v8a) (nodpi) (Android 12+) APK Download by Google LLC - APKMirror Free and safe Android APK downloads
www.apkmirror.com
Hello, I've installed this on my Pixel 4.Hi yes, download this version and install it via APK mirror installer.
Pixel Camera 8.4.167.404335983.10 (arm64-v8a) (nodpi) (Android 12+) APK Download by Google LLC - APKMirror
Pixel Camera 8.4.167.404335983.10 (arm64-v8a) (nodpi) (Android 12+) APK Download by Google LLC - APKMirror Free and safe Android APK downloads
This is my first time installing this way! So I am not sure about 2 things, it'll be great if you (or anyone here) clear my doubts.
1. Pixel 4 uses Neural Core to process photos after capturing, so if I install this way, does it still use Neural Core to process?
2. When gcam updates arrive in the play store later, can I still update via play store? Will there be any issues?
TIA
Techradar's full resolution sample images indicate that the Pixel 6 Pro occasionally even crops the ultra wide angle camera sensor instead of using the main camera sensor! See https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/google-pixel-6-pro-review#cameras
According to the exif data of the "Main camera" image (image 2 of 10), it has used a crop from the ultra wide angle camera! That's why the "2x" image (image 3 of 10), which did use the main camera, has far more detail.
And again there is also a "4x" image (image 4 of 10) that used a crop of the main camera sensor, this really must be a bug.
According to the exif data of the "Main camera" image (image 2 of 10), it has used a crop from the ultra wide angle camera! That's why the "2x" image (image 3 of 10), which did use the main camera, has far more detail.
And again there is also a "4x" image (image 4 of 10) that used a crop of the main camera sensor, this really must be a bug.
The Google camera app software of the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6 seems to have a huge issue regarding noise reduction. See the full resolution wide angle and ultra wide angle comparisons between Pixel 5a and Pixel 6 , Pixel 6 Pro at https://www.techradar.com/uk/featur...-stack-up-against-apple-and-samsung-flagships
Pixel 6 Pro main camera: https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Pyy9dzh8CcfvFyBodFKZER.jpg
Pixel 5a main camera:
The 6 Pro applies an extremely aggressive and patchy amount of noise reduction to the lawn. The 5a looks much better here, even though the exif exposure time of the 5a is much shorter. Even the Pixel 6 performed better than the Pixel 6 Pro (main camera comparison) despite the same HDR+ version in the exif data. Probably just coincidence.
In the second comparison (ultra wide angle), both the 6 Pro and the 6 perform much worse than the 5a. Also look at the roof!
It's unexplainable. The Pixel 6/6 Pro main camera should capture much more light than the 5a. Maybe, the Pixel 6/6 Pro trigger HDR+ with bracketing less frequently, but the noise reduction is patchy, so you can see in the areas that are sharp that there is no need to apply an aggressive amount of noise reduction. Also, Google phones without HDR+ with bracketing don't apply a patchy, aggressive noise reduction either, even though the hardware captures even less light.
Pixel 6 Pro main camera: https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Pyy9dzh8CcfvFyBodFKZER.jpg
Pixel 5a main camera:
The 6 Pro applies an extremely aggressive and patchy amount of noise reduction to the lawn. The 5a looks much better here, even though the exif exposure time of the 5a is much shorter. Even the Pixel 6 performed better than the Pixel 6 Pro (main camera comparison) despite the same HDR+ version in the exif data. Probably just coincidence.
In the second comparison (ultra wide angle), both the 6 Pro and the 6 perform much worse than the 5a. Also look at the roof!
It's unexplainable. The Pixel 6/6 Pro main camera should capture much more light than the 5a. Maybe, the Pixel 6/6 Pro trigger HDR+ with bracketing less frequently, but the noise reduction is patchy, so you can see in the areas that are sharp that there is no need to apply an aggressive amount of noise reduction. Also, Google phones without HDR+ with bracketing don't apply a patchy, aggressive noise reduction either, even though the hardware captures even less light.
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I tried all versions of cstark especially 7.2.014 mod 4.3
but faced Muted colour(no saturation almost b/w) issue on poco x3 Nfc. Is there any mod of camera px 7.2.014 where saturation issue is solved please suggest me or share the link
but faced Muted colour(no saturation almost b/w) issue on poco x3 Nfc. Is there any mod of camera px 7.2.014 where saturation issue is solved please suggest me or share the link
Hi, this mode is not designed for your device, try from B.S.G https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/dev-bsg/
Too bad this is dead. Loved it on my Pixel 3 and would now love it even more on my Pixel 6. When I checked the DNGs vs the jpegs, I was flabbergasted. The noise reduction and sharpening are way too aggressive again. I would love to tone them down, as I did on my 3.
Just take the attached example. Left is a quick Lightroom mobile edit of the DNG, right is the out of cam jpeg. The fur is way too harsh and the jpeg engine even lost part of the whiskers!
Just take the attached example. Left is a quick Lightroom mobile edit of the DNG, right is the out of cam jpeg. The fur is way too harsh and the jpeg engine even lost part of the whiskers!
Attachments
I have the 6 Pro. Note that in most cases, the raw files help, but in some cases even the raw files are ruined. In some cases, the aggressive noise reduction is also applied to the raw files and in some cases, blurry spots from the jpg appear as extremely noisy, colorful, unusable spots in the raw file despite perfect (!) light conditions.
The jpgs also apply far more color noise reduction in extreme low light conditions. In extreme low-light conditions, a Pixel 3a in HDR+ enhanced mode + high brightness slider setting can deliver much better colors than the Pixel 6 Pro in its HDR+ mode + high brightness setting. The result can look as if one uses the maximum color noise reduction setting from Lightroom, but when I look at the raw file, it is totally unnecessary to apply so much noise reduction.
And Google's "super resolution" zoom is rather an anti-resolution zoom. It ignores the 48 megapixel mode of the tele camera and will still apply a huge amount of noise reduction, so occasionally, you can actually get better tele results with certain dedicated cameras that even don't capture more light per object than the periscope camera and don't have more pixels per object than the periscope camera in the 12 megapixel mode of the sensor.
And regarding the 4x zoom issue: Indeed, the 6 Pro often chooses digital zoom from the main camera instead. In nearly all cases, the digital zoom result is worse than the periscope result (I have compared the results). Only in extreme low-light conditions without bright light sources, the periscope result can be worse.
The best feature of the 6 Pro camera are the sliders, so you can expose for the highlights without getting a dark photo and also adjust the white balance. Sadly, they haven't fixed the issue that exposing for the highlights will often reduce the exposure time instead of the analog gain. Then you can get very noisy shadows, especially with the periscope camera. The exposure time is often too short (for example 1/100s) for this purpose. The only solution is Night Sight, but Night Sight often chooses a too long exposure time per frame in low-light conditions (for example 1/2s, that's too long), so the best solution would be the old HDR+ enhanced mode, which was a fast Night Sight mode, but Pixel 4/5/6 don't have HDR+ enhanced.
The lack of an HDR+ enhanced mode also removes Google's biggest advantage: multi frame noise reduction
The HDR+ mode (not Night Sight) works so fast that there is simply no time to capture multiple exposures in low-light conditions, if the exposure time per frame is 1/3s. Therefore, HDR+ raw files don't necessarily have a better noise performance in low-light conditions than single frame dng files from a 3rd party app (I compared them).
The jpgs also apply far more color noise reduction in extreme low light conditions. In extreme low-light conditions, a Pixel 3a in HDR+ enhanced mode + high brightness slider setting can deliver much better colors than the Pixel 6 Pro in its HDR+ mode + high brightness setting. The result can look as if one uses the maximum color noise reduction setting from Lightroom, but when I look at the raw file, it is totally unnecessary to apply so much noise reduction.
And Google's "super resolution" zoom is rather an anti-resolution zoom. It ignores the 48 megapixel mode of the tele camera and will still apply a huge amount of noise reduction, so occasionally, you can actually get better tele results with certain dedicated cameras that even don't capture more light per object than the periscope camera and don't have more pixels per object than the periscope camera in the 12 megapixel mode of the sensor.
And regarding the 4x zoom issue: Indeed, the 6 Pro often chooses digital zoom from the main camera instead. In nearly all cases, the digital zoom result is worse than the periscope result (I have compared the results). Only in extreme low-light conditions without bright light sources, the periscope result can be worse.
The best feature of the 6 Pro camera are the sliders, so you can expose for the highlights without getting a dark photo and also adjust the white balance. Sadly, they haven't fixed the issue that exposing for the highlights will often reduce the exposure time instead of the analog gain. Then you can get very noisy shadows, especially with the periscope camera. The exposure time is often too short (for example 1/100s) for this purpose. The only solution is Night Sight, but Night Sight often chooses a too long exposure time per frame in low-light conditions (for example 1/2s, that's too long), so the best solution would be the old HDR+ enhanced mode, which was a fast Night Sight mode, but Pixel 4/5/6 don't have HDR+ enhanced.
The lack of an HDR+ enhanced mode also removes Google's biggest advantage: multi frame noise reduction
The HDR+ mode (not Night Sight) works so fast that there is simply no time to capture multiple exposures in low-light conditions, if the exposure time per frame is 1/3s. Therefore, HDR+ raw files don't necessarily have a better noise performance in low-light conditions than single frame dng files from a 3rd party app (I compared them).
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Could you perhaps share your settings that you used on the pixel 3 to reduce noise reduction and sharpening?
Sorry. I do not own it anymore and do not recall the setting. I had to play around quite a bit to find the right one. Sadly I do not know of a good documentation explaining what each setting does.
I just took some selfies with the Pixel 6 Pro (Night Sight turned off) and Google Nexus 5x (HDR+ On mode) in average/low light conditions. The Nexus 5x selfie camera performed much, much better because the 6 Pro applies a huge and unnecessary amount of color noise reduction, which removes nearly all colours. Also note that the Nexus 5x selfie camera doesn't really have better hardware.
I also compared the auto white balance of the 6 Pro and Nexus 5x main cameras indoors. My Pixel 3a has a terrible auto white balance (outdoors as well as indoors), much worse than the Nexus. The 6 Pro definitely has a much better auto white balance than the 3a, but the auto white balance is still less realistic than the Nexus 5x, but using the white balance slider helps.
I also compared the auto white balance of the 6 Pro and Nexus 5x main cameras indoors. My Pixel 3a has a terrible auto white balance (outdoors as well as indoors), much worse than the Nexus. The 6 Pro definitely has a much better auto white balance than the 3a, but the auto white balance is still less realistic than the Nexus 5x, but using the white balance slider helps.
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152PXv3.0
PXv3.0_GoogleCamera_7.2.010.apk
Mirror: https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/dev-cstark27/
As tested on a Pixel 2 (but mods were applied in a universal manner):
* Enable Astro mode for Pixel 1 & 2 (instructions (thanks @ins0mniac): https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=80678229&postcount=1507)
* Enable Focus options in Night Sight (along with "infinity" - may be same as far)
* Modded lib for Learned Depth in Portrait Mode (Pixel 2)
* Enable Super Res Zoom while zoomed or in Night Sight (no zoom required) - this is like Pixel 3 stock
* Enable auto timer (photobooth), it's in the selfie camera in the Timer options
* Enable synthetic fill flash for Pixel 2 and enable SFF in Camera mode for 3a
More advanced options/features to come later, please don't ask about them...For now it's a quick mod for those who want an "upgraded stock"-like app for their Pixel 1 or 2.137PXv4.0
Attention Pixel 2 users (and maybe Pixel 1, 3, 3a): it has been discovered that the Super Res Zoom Always On toggle that is enabled by default can cause undesirable effects in shadows and high contrast areas. It is advised to disable this option until an adjustment comes with a newer APK to separate the (2) included functions.
Hello guys. So this one is a bit exciting because @back.rider555, @johngalt1, and I were able to collaborate on this and deliver a mod with almost all previous features, some new ones, and as much support as we could muster and test for.
- Requirements:
- OS: Android 9 or 10
- Device: Google Pixel series (some other devices may work, but are not supported in the traditional sense - please do not post in this thread about non Pixel devices)
- Download: PXv4.0_GoogleCamera_7.2.014.apk
- Bug report template: https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=79951569&postcount=3
Astrophotography instructions: https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=80678229&postcount=1507
Changelog: Initial release based off Google Camera 7.2.014. Supported features are shown in the image below. "Default" means your stock app already has this feature; "Y"/"OK" means this was added to the listed device; "N/A"/"Disabled" means the feature could not be enabled for the listed device, either because of unsolved crashes, missing hardware, or messing up a fundamental function.
An extra shout out to marcello for the initial Lib Patcher, further implemented and tweaked by johngalt1, and Urnyx05 for some Android 9 fixes.
Some notable features:
Hold the camera switch icon for quick access to settings.
Lib Patcher: this can be used to modify certain parameters like sharpness and noise removal amount. The settings here will depend on what you like, there is no "best" setting. Please read the info in "Learn More" within the app under the enable button.
The max exposure setting can be adjusted but does not mean it will always choose this shutter speed. GCam will automatically detect certain parameters and choose the most optimal shutter speed. A stock Pixel 1 supports up to 2s, Pixel 2 up to 4s, Pixel 3/3a up to 12s, Pixel 4 up to 30s. Using Magisk Modules in post #2 can make this longer, but Google decided on 16s due to star trails and the perception of blur being about the limit around 16s. By default, this APK selects 12s for Pixel 3 and 3a as those devices support higher exposure times than the stock APK allows for Astro.
There are 2 buttons that can be added to Night Sight. Forced Astro mode, and Light Painting Mode. Use a tripod or tripod-like structure for Light Painting Mode or if the scene is really dark. Handheld will not be good.99PXv4.3
An update from @back.rider555, @johngalt1, and myself.
- Requirements:
- OS: Android 9 or 10
- Device: Google Pixel series (please do not post in this thread about non Pixel devices)
- Download: PXv4.3_GoogleCamera_7.2.014.apk
- Bug report template: https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=80974289&postcount=2
Astrophotography instructions: https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=80678229&postcount=1507
Changelog:
- Add "PX" to EXIF software tag to help differentiate photos from PX Mod
- Enable HDR+ Enhanced on Pixel 4 (turn on in Settings>Advanced)
- Add manual exposure slider which will hide when appropriate. You must enable the slider in PX Mod Settings>Manual Exposure Control near the bottom. You must use Night Sight, Portrait Mode (with PX Mod Settings>Portrait HDR+ Enhanced), or Camera Mode (use HDR+ Enhanced).
73PXv4.1
An update from @back.rider555, @johngalt1, and myself.
- Requirements:
- OS: Android 9 or 10
- Device: Google Pixel series (some other devices may work, but are not supported in the traditional sense - please do not post in this thread about non Pixel devices)
- Download: PXv4.1_GoogleCamera_7.2.014.apk
- Bug report template: https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=79951569&postcount=3
Astrophotography instructions: https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=80678229&postcount=1507
Changelog:
- Adjusted SRZ Always On toggle and added Forced Merge Method option, to fix quality issues with certain devices. Forced Merge Method is not recommended and may degrade quality on some devices in certain high contrast scenes.
- Enabled horizon level
- Manipulate Non-ZSL Frame Count setting to allow up to 45 frames (more is not always better though)
- "Tone Curve" added to Lib Patcher settings to adjust contrast/highlights/shadows (click Tap Here to Learn More for help)
- Fix face warping bug on rear camera
- Code cleanup and preferences cleanup
