Question GCam for Snapdragon S22 Ultra

[racypdx]

I'm having a tough time seeing the upside to using GCam ports on Samsung flagship models given the enhanced capabilities of stock options when you include Camera Assistant Good Lock module and Expert Raw. While Samsung's camera may lack the customization approach that GCam brings, GCam is still too hit or miss with it's features to be considered the better choice. Samsung has come a long way with their camera..

I was at the zoo yesterday and I wanted so badly to believe GCam was worth it so I tried every camera in this thread vs stock hoping one would stand out and my conclusion after weeks of testing and a round robin test of all yesterday, is that Samsung Camera is the most reliable option. GCam can arguably take some very good pictures depending on the port/config/etc but there isn't one that can take good pictures with any lens in any condition.. Samsung takes good pictures in any situation.

Conclusion, given Samsung's recent enhancements to their stock camera options vs GCams, Using GCam on flagship models is more of a hobby than anything. The image comparisons you see are usually the best image that GCam port can take, switch up lens or lighting and it's doubtful you'll have similar quality.

I'm sure everybody has a different opinion, that's just mine on why it's unnecessary on S22 Ultra. It might be more useful on models that don't have as many options available or especially older phones.

I'm trying to see I can remember ever disagreeing with a post as much as this one....

Nope. Can't think of any.

 

[beserker15]

@beserker15 AGC 8.6 has been out for a week, but I cannot find config & lib files for it. So hopefully you're in the telegram groups or know how to get it for us:

BigKaka GCam APKs - Google Camera Port

Modified Google Camera app by BigKaka.

www.celsoazevedo.com

Would appreciate an update.

The first AGC 8.6 release didn't support configs or lib files. Updated links for the newer one.

3x


10x


4K60 with Arnova:

 

[gernerttl]

I'm trying to see I can remember ever disagreeing with a post as much as this one....

Nope. Can't think of any.

OK. Now explain why you disagree.

 

[Oso Polar]

OK. Now explain why you disagree.

Well, I'm not the one who posted the disagreement but I also disagree, so I'll also answer. Basically, Samsung Camera app in its normal automatic mode always produces relatively bad images, namely significantly oversharped. And Samsung ExpertRAW, on the contrary, always produces very blurry images. I actually like Samsung Camera photo quality in Pro mode which doesn't seem to have this sharpness but then I must tweak the settings manually sometimes or the things can go south very fast (in my experience in Pro mode even with everything set to auto camera often gets exposure wrong and produces underexposed photos). On the other hand GCam just works and reliably produces excellent photos each and every time with the exception of some special modes (e.g. panorama) which may or may not work properly.
Try a very simple test: just take a photo of a large surface with some texture to it, e.g. a pavement, concrete wall etc. with stock camera and GCam. And then compare the results with your own eyes, difference will be striking.

 

[gernerttl]

Well, I'm not the one who posted the disagreement but I also disagree, so I'll also answer. Basically, Samsung Camera app in its normal automatic mode always produces relatively bad images, namely significantly oversharped. And Samsung ExpertRAW, on the contrary, always produces very blurry images. I actually like Samsung Camera photo quality in Pro mode which doesn't seem to have this sharpness but then I must tweak the settings manually sometimes or the things can go south very fast (in my experience in Pro mode even with everything set to auto camera often gets exposure wrong and produces underexposed photos). On the other hand GCam just works and reliably produces excellent photos each and every time with the exception of some special modes (e.g. panorama) which may or may not work properly.
Try a very simple test: just take a photo of a large surface with some texture to it, e.g. a pavement, concrete wall etc. with stock camera and GCam. And then compare the results with your own eyes, difference will be striking.

Other than the over sharpening, I haven't experienced those problems with the Samsung stock or Expert RAW apps. I have the Snap Dragon version, the Exynos version does have many of the issues you mentioned.

 

[bingblop]

Using BSG 8.6 stable version with s22 ultra snapdragon config and lib (downloaded and taken from GCam Port page, not this post) produces beautiful images. However, I'm having some issues when zooming above 2x on Main lense. See screenshots. The image with grid is how it's lined up for the shot, and the other image is the result. Ignore the quality, this image was just to highlight the problem with zoom not picture quality.

It seems to capture a little left and down from center. Is there a way I can tweak this or fix it without changing the entire config? I don't know what the culprit would be.

 

[dudefy33]

S23 Ultra compatibility:

Tried several gcam AGC 8.4 and LMC 8.4 with loaded configs and libraries.

Viewfinder was either black on photo shooting or the app would crash. Perhaps the new snapdragon processor or the HP2 sensor is causing issues with the gcam versions?

 

[Oso Polar]

Other than the over sharpening, I haven't experienced those problems with the Samsung stock or Expert RAW apps. I have the Snap Dragon version, the Exynos version does have many of the issues you mentioned.

I've no idea about Exynos version, I have Snapdragon S22 Ultra and this thread is about this version.

It is very easy to observe issues with exposure calculations in Pro mode of stock camera - just take some shots in less then ideal light, e.g. around sunset time. With regular photo mode and pro. Results of pro mode are unreliable - sometimes the same as regular photo mode and sometimes way off. Even if everything is set to auto. If not for this, I'd just always use stock camera in pro mode - it applies much less sharpening. Unfortunately, it looks like that together with sharpening some "smarts" are also disabled. :-/

As for ExpertRAW, I think this is just a bad joke. It always produces photos that are too soft (may be except for the cases of ideal light). And Samsung pushes a special version of Adobe Lightroom for Samsung for editing RAW files - but Lightroom is not able to open RAW files from ExpertRAW.

IMHO it is a shameful state of affairs for a flagship phone. Stock camera in Photo mode - always reliable but sharpens WAY too much. Stock camera in Pro mode - mostly reliable and much less sharpening but tends to get exposure wrong in more complex lighting conditions. Google Camera - mostly reliable, usually the best quality but some modes don't work properly and it can't be properly integrated with the lock screen (requires unlock). So, I tend to use stock camera in Pro mode and repeat the same shots with Google Camera. And then select best photos.

 

[dudefy33]

@Oso Polar

I was able to launch google camera on the lock screen (without unlocking) by installing SideActions and mapping the hold power button to launch "Shortcut Action" -> "Activity" -> Gcam's SecureCameraActivity.

Works on OneUI 3, 4 and 5. Albeit I can't get double tap power button to work on OneUI 5

 

[Oso Polar]

I was able to launch google camera on the lock screen (without unlocking) by installing SideActions and mapping the hold power button to launch "Shortcut Action" -> "Activity" -> Gcam's SecureCameraActivity.

Works on OneUI 3, 4 and 5. Albeit I can't get double tap power button to work on OneUI 5

Wow, this sounds very interesting! But what app is this? Google finds this for SideActions and Google Play says it is not compatible with S22 Ultra?

 

[bingblop]

Wow, this sounds very interesting! But what app is this? Google finds this for SideActions and Google Play says it is not compatible with S22 Ultra?

Just confirmed it works on lock screen. sideActions is amazing by the way. OneUI 5.0 required a workaround now though for sideActions to work. Check out my thread for getting sideActions up and running and where to get it.

sideActions OneUI 5.0 Thread

 

[Raiyan23]

Well, I'm not the one who posted the disagreement but I also disagree, so I'll also answer. Basically, Samsung Camera app in its normal automatic mode always produces relatively bad images, namely significantly oversharped. And Samsung ExpertRAW, on the contrary, always produces very blurry images. I actually like Samsung Camera photo quality in Pro mode which doesn't seem to have this sharpness but then I must tweak the settings manually sometimes or the things can go south very fast (in my experience in Pro mode even with everything set to auto camera often gets exposure wrong and produces underexposed photos). On the other hand GCam just works and reliably produces excellent photos each and every time with the exception of some special modes (e.g. panorama) which may or may not work properly.
Try a very simple test: just take a photo of a large surface with some texture to it, e.g. a pavement, concrete wall etc. with stock camera and GCam. And then compare the results with your own eyes, difference will be striking.

I don't have any problem with Samsung's sharpening as I used the softening setting in the Camera Assistant app which results in very natural looking photos in terms of sharpness. What I do have a problem with is the absolutely ugly noise and artifacts which come up when the image gets even slightly dark or let's say in a challenging dynamic range situation. Add to that, Samsung's over compressed photos in the stock app and extremely high shutter lag and I'm just super disappointed by the results I mean come on, if it takes this long to take a photo I need to get a very good photo at least right? I'd have stuck with pro mode if there was a way to have HDR in it. Somehow the highest iso in pro mode produces better looking noise than samsung's stock camera at similar brightness levels, which is why I'm complaining about the compression of the photos. The pro photos are 1 mb bigger.

On the other hand, Gcam has very sexy noise like it's pleasing to the eyes. I forgot which version I'm using but damn man, when it works it's absolutely fantastic. Before using gcam on this phone I used to think phones could never come close to replacing DSLRs but after trying it I'm having second thoughts. I think I'm using BSG's 8.6 one which has broken hdr+ enhanced and night mode, resulting in kinda bad low light photos and clipped highlights in most photos. But I'm still fine with that because not only does this have better exposure, detail and even noise but also better colours. The colours are more natural and contrast-ey which I love. I don't mind a little saturation here and there but what Samsung's stock camera does can not be considered oversaturated it's just a disgrace, the white balance is off, there's a wrong tint to the photos and add saturation to that and it's like adding fuel to the fire Lmao

 

[ultimatdan]

I'm having some trouble with BSG MGC_8.6.263_A11_V14.

I previous had it installed but noticed after one of the recent system updates pushed to my S22 Ultra the app missing from my app drawer. So I go to reinstall and it asks me "Do you want to update this app?" So I hit OK and then get this message "App not installed as package appears to be invalid." Not sure whats going on but I had it installed before and it had been working great until this. Not sure if it was an Android or One UI update. Its almost as if Samsung is blocking the app or something but I cant even find it anywhere to uninstall.

Any thoughts on how to remedy this and have it install? I tried BSD MGC 8.7 and got the same messages. Other Gcam variants seem to install fine but just preferred this one.

 

[Vordx]

After all this time, what's your personal favorite? Or maybe your top 2 choices for everyday use? For me, I liked the LMC r15 APK. Wonder if there's better one.

 

[ZephyrBlaze]

I tried using LMC 8.4 however it's crashing even afer applying the config file.

Oneui 5.0
S22 Ultra Snapdragon

 

[Jostian]

I'm using AGC 8.4 v9.5 and it's working really well, maybe give it a try and see.

 

[bingblop]

Camera Assistant now supports turning off softening of images. Has anyone tried it compared to GCam? Curious to hear thoughts on how it measures up universally compared to BSG's 8.6, which I've found is the best S22 Ultra Snapdragon port to date.

 

[Jostian]

Camera Assistant now supports turning off softening of images. Has anyone tried it compared to GCam? Curious to hear thoughts on how it measures up universally compared to BSG's 8.6, which I've found is the best S22 Ultra Snapdragon port to date.

Even with Camera assistant GCam (I use AGC 8.4 V9.5) is still way ahead, see 100% crop (stock on left, GCam on right). Stock is still very processed, water painting effect etc. GCam is way more natural looking.

 

[racypdx]

Csn

I'm using AGC 8.4 v9.5 and it's working really well, maybe give it a try and see.

Can you please point me to the config/lib files you are using for this version?

I've tried using several with no success. I only get the ".6" lens option and it doesn't even work.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jostian]

Here are the lib and config files i use with v9.5, I also use the lens files attached.

Csn

Can you please point me to the config/lib files you are using for this version?

I've tried using several with no success. I only get the ".6" lens option and it doesn't even work.

Thanks in advance!

Hi, for v9.5 use the scan3d apk from here https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/dev-BigKaka/f/dl15/ I use the lib and config files (and noise model files for the lenses) from here https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/configs-bigkaka-01/

See the instructions for the lib and config files here https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/p/f/2023/01/S22U-SD-AGCv9.2-ArcideLMCv5.1rev.png hope this helps.