I mentioned it briefly in another post and searched the forum - but found nothing.
I am talking about the Sweep Panorama mode of the Xperia-S camera. Not the '3D' versions, the 'normal' (2D) sweep panorama - the last icon in the first ('Shooting mode') menu. I tend to experience problems with it and am not sure if everyone has observed the same.
In Sweep Panorama mode, whatever direction of sweeping I choose, I tend to get error messages that either:
- I am sweeping too fast, or
- I am sweeping too slow, or
- just 'Picture could not be taken' with no explanation why.
I need to mention that I have plenty of sweeping experience on my previous Xperia X10 and on a Sony Nex camera - so I am sweeping really smoothly and at medium speed. Are the phone position sensors and accelerometers too sensitive? (And the camera software inadequately set to interpret them?).
This is happening in roughly 3 out of 4 attempts (or even 4 out of 5) making the function hardly usable and very annoying.
Ironically, while the X10 had no such function, I was using a 'beta' version (called Panorama Beta) as a standalone app, offered by Sony Ericsson on the Android Market (now Play Shop). Despite being a beta, that app worked flawlessly and never gave me such problems. I have many excellent panoramas from that, and some have even won photographic awards. I particularly like the 'vertorama' mode, i.e. vertical sweeping. With the camera in 'landscape' mode, this captures a square-ish rectangle - with a wider field of view and more scene detail, at highest possible resolution. To capture a square (or 4:3 'portrait') vertorama, you need to stop sweeping early - and the Beta app had a 'Stop' button.
The new version integrated within the Xperia camera has no 'Stop' and expects you to make very long sweeps. I tried to stop by pressing the on-screen or physical shutter button, but that produces the above errors - or a very long and narrow rectangle, half of it greyed and the other half a blurry, low resolution panorama.
Disappointed with the function, I wanted to use the standalone Panorama Beta app, but it doesn't appear in the Market. Is it withdrawn by Sony? (As no longer beta and included with newer firmware)? Or is it only not appearing for the Xperia-S - presuming you already have it?
I tried taking a backed-up .APK from the X10 and 'restoring' (installing) it on the X-S, but it does not install. The install process starts normally, but when the blue 'thermometer' finishes, the message is: 'The app did not install' - with no further explanation. I imagine it discovers the newer version already installed and avoids a conflict with it?
All other 'panorama' apps on the market are much worse, from primitive to utter rubbish. They are either not 'sweep' and ask you to take multiple separate shots, asking you to manually align them to on-screen guide marks, before running a 'stitch' operation (resulting in very poor blends with obvious fault lines). Or they shoot relatively smoothly, but the end image is very lo-res, small in size and out of focus. Among all of them the Photaf app was closest to 'working' but it's only horizontal and stitches are a hit-and-miss (most of the time a miss - too obvious).
Can others, please, share experiences with the Sweep Panorama mode in the Xperia-S camera? Does it work for you or have you got similar problems? Has anyone found solutions?
Any suggestions how to make the Beta standalone app install and work? (The new one isn't standalone, so I am not sure I'll be able to uninstall it, even when I root the phone).
Thanks for any info!
The new Sweep Panorama sucks big time indeed. There's a modified APK of the beta floating around, I've been using it on my Arc S/Neo for ages, works just fine!
Don't have my S yet, so can't try it, but you can give it a go:
http://www.box.com/s/182e205dc19cbba235f7
Ambroos said:
The new Sweep Panorama sucks big time indeed. There's a modified APK of the beta floating around, I've been using it on my Arc S/Neo for ages, works just fine!
Don't have my S yet, so can't try it, but you can give it a go:
http://www.box.com/s/182e205dc19cbba235f7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot - this is the same Panorama 'Beta' I loved on my X10, works well on the X-S. I'll now use it as main pano tool and hope Sony will fix their in-camera version with one of the firmware updates.
Not sure if they read (or at least scour with spider-bots) this and similar sites for insight what needs fixing - if I knew a contact point I'd write to them but won't spend time researching their feedback channels...
The S camera rocks otherwise, wish you to get yours soon!
I'll let them know whenever I get the chance
Related
Below is a list of apps which allow you to create a widget which when clicked instantly take a picture with your camera without making any noise.
- Uva Silent Widget Camera
- Camera Widget
- DeSpy Camera
- SPYoid
Whereas I know for a fact the first 3 have free versions which impose no limits. You can get them all from the market.
The problem: Any software offering this feature does not take the picture successfully and hangs the camera function until process is killed.
Tested all the above apps on a few other phones (non Motorola) and they all work perfectly fine.
How do I know that this is a D2G issue? I have tested this on a variety of different roms versions 2.1 through 2.3 and the problem is consistent.
This is an amazing feature. Does anyone know what's causing it to break?
Thanks ahead of time everyone!!
A few people have asked me which camera based apps work well with this camera. So I thought I would share some findings here.
Essentially any Android app that makes use of a phone's camera will work with the Galaxy Camera, ie will allow access to the camera module and take the picture. The compatibility issues to be wary of are interface issues. This I find is either an app that only allows portrait mode, an app that uses an on screen slider for zooming (the zoom button on the camera controls the volume level in the app), an app that keeps the lens extended making the camera awkward to hold whilst using the editing features within the app and finally some storage location issues.
The following camera and editing apps are the ones I have tested so far:
HDR Camera+
Takes the picture with the shutter button or a screen tap and applies colour processing as desired, but uses an on screen zoom slider which zooms correctly but is awkward to use when holding the camera.
Camera Zoom FX
As above. The horizon level and shake detection work as designed too. However the camera shutter button sometimes takes the picture at the halfway point. Because of the weight of the camera and slightly awkward positioning of the on screen controls, I found myself accidently taking pictures.
Lapse it Pro
Again uses an on screen zoom but otherwise works as expected.
Pics Play Pro editor
An excellent editor but sadly only works in portrait mode. Does not have its own camera, will ask you to choose including the default camera.
Instagram
Comes pre-installed but interface only shows portrait mode, you can take a shot in landscape but the interface doesn't rotate with the viewfinder. I believe this is the same when used on a phone.
PicSay Pro
This is probably the best photo editor out there, it works in landscape mode but the feature that's missing oddly is a capture function. Why this is missing is beyond me. So you will have to take a picture normally then open it up in the app.
I would be quite happy to try out any other camera specific apps if anyone wants me to and will add to my list.
apprentice said:
I would be quite happy to try out any other camera specific apps if anyone wants me to and will add to my list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thnx for post!
Can you please try from play google com
com.flavionet.android.camera.lite
rubberbigpepper.lgCamera
com.tequnique.cameraxfree
And one more question - can any of photo applications control Optical Zoom by its on-screen-slider (not by hardware buttons)? Or only built-in?
Can you get any app to record slow motion video ( or does it work only in samsung's app ) ?
And maybe little OT: if you could please check little of USB OTG functionality ?
I can confirm that, on a rooted SGC, the OTG works, if Stick Mount is installed. I didn't try it without Stick Mount installed.
The default file manager opens automatically, I switched to the USB drive and could read all contents and open images using default Gallery.
---------- Post added at 06:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:24 AM ----------
The paid for Pro Capture Camera + Panarama app works with the Zoom button, albeit in a less smooth fashion than the default camera app. It doesn't automatically display the volume slider on the display, as most other camera apps from Play. I'll be checking this app out further so will let you know if there's anything else significant.
adask said:
Can you get any app to record slow motion video ( or does it work only in samsung's app ) ?
And maybe little OT: if you could please check little of USB OTG functionality ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It records in slow motion in the native camera
Sent from my GT-I8190 using xda premium
Paper Camera (paid)
Lets you apply some quirky effects to pictures and movies. Zoom does work in about 3 or 4 stages though (emailed devs, they're looking into it).
IP WebCam
Get to use your cam as a very high resolution IP webcam. Produces some very nice video. More for fiddling around than any serious purpose
The best panorama app in my opinion is ProCapture. You guys should definitely try it out. It produces some amazing hires shots and the algorithm seems very smart.
For HDR, IMO nothing beats HDR Camera+ with 'Pure' setting and noise reduction set to None.
kingarold said:
Thnx for post!
Can you please try from play google com
com.flavionet.android.camera.lite
rubberbigpepper.lgCamera
com.tequnique.cameraxfree
And one more question - can any of photo applications control Optical Zoom by its on-screen-slider (not by hardware buttons)? Or only built-in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly the on-screen zoom slider does operate the optical zoom in these apps, it's not a digital zoom
Camera FV5 Lite
As far as I can tell this is working as designed, there are a lot of features in the app but as they are processing options they should work fine. Zooming once again isn't available on the hardware button.
LG Camera
The on screen button that has a flower icon... not sure what this is supposed to do, but all that happens when you tap it, is the whole screen turns white. It restores when tapping again. Auto flash is selectable when flash is raised but you cannot turn it off. Lowering the flash light will allow you to select off, but obviously it won't fire anyway in the lowered position.
Camera X Free
This has compatibility problems due to the screen size/resolution. Some of the icons merge together, are not selectable as touching them causes a picture to be taken. Adverts cover top part of screen and saved shots don't seem to appear in the gallery. I would give this a wide berth for now.
My conclusion, is that the camera's own set of utilities and effects are far better than any of these third party camera apps.
I use HDR Camera+ as it's more customisable than the built in Rich Colours setting. I use Camera Zoom FX for the props and frame overlays etc, all other apps I have tried so far I deleted as they just don't add any real value to the camera's own settings.
apprentice said:
..all other apps I have tried so far I deleted as they just don't add any real value to the camera's own settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Procapture's panorama mode.
apprentice said:
...
My conclusion, is that the camera's own set of utilities and effects are far better than any of these third party camera apps.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just out of curiosity ..... have you tried running the app from the Galaxy Camera on an android phone?
gjc said:
Just out of curiosity ..... have you tried running the app from the Galaxy Camera on an android phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which app do you mean?
The built in camera App.
I imagine there might be a couple of libs that are needed like when you use JB4.2 camera App, but just wondered if it would run a phone camera.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda app-developers app
The s suggest app seemed to have a few camera apps. Camera 360 seems to have a lot of features. One problem I found though was the hardware zoom button doesn't work in the app and instead changes volume. You have to zoom though the touchscreen in the app
Hi,
I'm trying the recommended apps on my GC.
However, I'd like to have some other Camera features:
- 3D still photo (don't say it's impossible with a one-lens camera, Samsung WB850F smart camera can do it with a similar(or same ?) lens of Galaxy Camera)
- 3D panorama (this is another great feature of Samsung WB850F - captures panorama with 3D feature)
- Action panorama (this is another great feature of Samsung WB850F - captures panorama and a moving object on the still background)
Are there any 3rd party apps which could do these 3 features ?
thx.
mrmrmrmr said:
Hi,
I'm trying the recommended apps on my GC.
However, I'd like to have some other Camera features:
- 3D still photo (don't say it's impossible with a one-lens camera, Samsung WB850F smart camera can do it with a similar(or same ?) lens of Galaxy Camera)
- 3D panorama (this is another great feature of Samsung WB850F - captures panorama with 3D feature)
- Action panorama (this is another great feature of Samsung WB850F - captures panorama and a moving object on the still background)
Are there any 3rd party apps which could do these 3 features ?
thx.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no ideas ?
I've tried the following apps on Galaxy camera. Some of them are really useful apps. Some of them are not working, crashing.
HD Panorama+
Nice app for panorama photos.
Camera 3D
Manual 3D photo app. There are tons of this kind of 3D photo apps. This one is pretty good.
3D Photo Cam
The description of this app is tempting but it crashed on my Galaxy Camera. HAs anyone tried it successfully ?
FaceinHole
Great app for face in hole scenarios.
PIP Camera
Great PIP scenarios. Really nice.
Twin Me!
Crashed on my Galaxy Camera. But it seems to have uniq features like having 2 times same object in the photo on same background.
Does anyone have any idea why it crashes ?
MotionGraph
Nice one to have only some part of the photo moving.
Why do we have so many apps crashing ? (if they also crash on your GC)
abandoned thread ?
mrmrmrmr said:
abandoned thread ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't believe so, kept alive by yourself, thanks!
I have become frustrated at the amount of camera apps that only allow portrait view in both interface and on taking pictures. I guess this is down to the damn iPhone mentality again!
I have tended to just use what Samsung has provided and use some decent editing software (where necessary)
Another nice camera & gallery app for GC100 :
Snap Camera
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marginz.snap
mrmrmrmr said:
Another nice camera & gallery app for GC100 :
Snap Camera
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marginz.snap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just took a look and it is very impressive. Thanks for sharing.
I found this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2340993
And i gave it a try on my Samsung Galaxy Camera with really good results:
I did install this manually on my Samsung Galaxy Camera (rooted Stock 4.1.2) by placing the so's and apk in /system/lib and /system/app folders and setting permissions accordingly and it works almost perfectly:
- taking photospheres result in much better pictures than the JB 4.2 cam (less stitching errors)
- no crashes after stitching if GPS is ON! (sadly 4.2 cam always FCd on stitching GPS Photospheres)
- Also taking topmost and bottommost picture improves the overall quality a lot!
Definitive worth a try if you're into Photospheres!
But on the donwside. the whole Gallery app freezes for me as soon as i view a photosphere and tap either the pencil (i guess editing photo comments or something) OR tap on the TinyPlanet button. After this the whole camera app is slow and extremely sluggy and unusable. Rebooting cures it.
At least the tinyPlanet was working with JB 4.2 here from the forum.
Just to clarify: This is just my experience - i did not create the package or something. I'm just a user! All thanks belong to victorator for giving us this package!
I haven't seen any serious problems yet, and I installed it as a regular app.
it does seem to have a few odd issues.
the camera is limited to 8MP, and the scene mode names are shuffled(no scene says night mode, party mode says sunset, etc.)
thedicemaster said:
I haven't seen any serious problems yet, and I installed it as a regular app.
it does seem to have a few odd issues.
the camera is limited to 8MP, and the scene mode names are shuffled(no scene says night mode, party mode says sunset, etc.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, i can confirm this - removed the manually installed apps and libs and installed as normal app - works really nice.
Have the sam quirks you mention.
Thanks for your help!
@MaHoff you beat me to it
But for those wanting to install it with just the apk I have uploaded it here http://db.tt/L8DIRiHY
The file was originally available from the thread mentioned in the OP, but has since disappeared.
I have installed the APK on my camera, Note 2 and Note 10.1, all work with it fine, it will add another camera and gallery app to your app draw.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
hi just wondering if theres an option to make photo sphere as tiny planet. i took a surrond shot completing all unfortunately at gallery theres is no option to make it tiny planet. can some one help thanks
I was looking for this too -- I hear that it's no longer available and to use Google Camera. Unfortunately, I cannot create a tiny planet using Google Camera from photospheres I already took with my s6 camera. Still researching though...
edit: I take that back -- I just saw the "create tiny planet" within the Google Camera app, using an existing photosphere!
edit 2: I got 1 tiny planet, but now Google Camera keeps crashing when I try to create another one - even after reboot, un-install/install.
Guys, just seconds ago, I found, that there's the (from what I guess) new photo pro app from xperia 1 III is available here apkmirror.com
I tried to install and it worked!
Not able to take a screenshot as it's forbidden by system (not really necessary, sony). It has the new basic mode, that was shown on press release.
What are the differences with the mark II version? Difference in image quality or options?
From my guess, what sony is going to archive in future models, is to combine the normal and the pro-app, so there would be no need to develop and maintain two different apps - that saves money for them.
The linked app is already combined, some settings are slightly different insinde the pro-modes. You can switch to effects from basic-mode. I'm going to try to abandon the normal app and see, if the new one misses anything.
Thanks for posting that. I've tried it and it's great except that I normally open photo Pro in manual mode but this new app defaults to the basic camera app so you then have to change it to the camera pro app yourself. A small thing but just one more step that we didn't have previously when the two were separate apps. I see no setting to change how it opens by default so if anyone else does...
On a positive note, I may be imagining a slight thing but I think quality has maybe improved fractionally. To be specific, everyone has raved about this phone taking RAW files that you can develop yourself ( even though I think most flagship phones do now ) but I have always found that indoor shots with this phone in RAW always require a tripod which means you are just as well getting your real camera out. The ISO has to be low otherwise there is so much noise that even tools in lightroom struggle to fix it. But I think I see less noise now in handheld shutter speeds in low light.
But thanks to OP for spotting this app & bringing it to our attention.
BTW, how does anyone know this is the app from Xperia 1 iii when it's not released yet? Is there information on Sony website?
Many thanks.
dwj.mc said:
Thanks for posting that. I've tried it and it's great except that I normally open photo Pro in manual mode but this new app defaults to the basic camera app so you then have to change it to the camera pro app yourself. A small thing but just one more step that we didn't have previously when the two were separate apps. I see no setting to change how it opens by default so if anyone else does...
On a positive note, I may be imagining a slight thing but I think quality has maybe improved fractionally. To be specific, everyone has raved about this phone taking RAW files that you can develop yourself ( even though I think most flagship phones do now ) but I have always found that indoor shots with this phone in RAW always require a tripod which means you are just as well getting your real camera out. The ISO has to be low otherwise there is so much noise that even tools in lightroom struggle to fix it. But I think I see less noise now in handheld shutter speeds in low light.
But thanks to OP for spotting this app & bringing it to our attention.
BTW, how does anyone know this is the app from Xperia 1 iii when it's not released yet? Is there information on Sony website?
Many thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry. Just read that it was in the Sony press release. My bad for not reading properly.
dwj.mc said:
Thanks for posting that. I've tried it and it's great except that I normally open photo Pro in manual mode but this new app defaults to the basic camera app so you then have to change it to the camera pro app yourself. A small thing but just one more step that we didn't have previously when the two were separate apps. I see no setting to change how it opens by default so if anyone else does...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always open the Pro app with a push on the camera button. The new Pro app can be configured to open in Pro mode when pressing the camera button, so it works great for me.
Thanks very much. Ye, I saw you can choose the default in new settings too. I'm enjoying the new app.
Good find. Works well on the Xperia 5II as well.
dwj.mc said:
Thanks for posting that. I've tried it and it's great except that I normally open photo Pro in manual mode but this new app defaults to the basic camera app so you then have to change it to the camera pro app yourself. A small thing but just one more step that we didn't have previously when the two were separate apps. I see no setting to change how it opens by default so if anyone else does...
On a positive note, I may be imagining a slight thing but I think quality has maybe improved fractionally. To be specific, everyone has raved about this phone taking RAW files that you can develop yourself ( even though I think most flagship phones do now ) but I have always found that indoor shots with this phone in RAW always require a tripod which means you are just as well getting your real camera out. The ISO has to be low otherwise there is so much noise that even tools in lightroom struggle to fix it. But I think I see less noise now in handheld shutter speeds in low light.
But thanks to OP for spotting this app & bringing it to our attention.
BTW, how does anyone know this is the app from Xperia 1 iii when it's not released yet? Is there information on Sony website?
Many thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The is a setting for "Open in last mode used". Since I always use the Pro Mode that works for me.
After installing the APK, can't choose the photo pro as option with camera key.
What I need to do to choose the photo pro as default?
Had to remap power button gesture to use the photo pro app. Camera button does not have photo pro option after installing this APK
josuema said:
Had to remap power button gesture to use the photo pro app. Camera button does not have photo pro option after installing this APK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I've done too, with button mapper app. Howerver, it does not work when screen is off for my non rooted device. Don't forget to set photopro bypass in button mapper when photopro is active.
Tap tap app is also an interesting option.
For now I removed the update and reverted to the original Pro app.
the_brad said:
From my guess, what sony is going to archive in future models, is to combine the normal and the pro-app, so there would be no need to develop and maintain two different apps - that saves money for them.
The linked app is already combined, some settings are slightly different insinde the pro-modes. You can switch to effects from basic-mode. I'm going to try to abandon the normal app and see, if the new one misses anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the old PRO app was not able to be used wiht the front camera, right?
Is there a way how to downgrade to original Photo Pro w/o root? I fear the answer is no.
It seems this upgrade broke eye AF at least on 70mm camera. All pictures of my wife and daughter focused on eye are out of focus. . Also manual object tracking seems not to work at all.
mbtathcx said:
Is there a way how to downgrade to original Photo Pro w/o root? I fear the answer is no.
It seems this upgrade broke eye AF at least on 70mm camera. All pictures of my wife and daughter focused on eye are out of focus. . Also manual object tracking seems not to work at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's easy. Go to settings, apps. Find the Photo Pro app in the list, click on it. From the menu, choose "remove updates". That's it.
mbtathcx said:
Is there a way how to downgrade to original Photo Pro w/o root? I fear the answer is no.
It seems this upgrade broke eye AF at least on 70mm camera. All pictures of my wife and daughter focused on eye are out of focus. . Also manual object tracking seems not to work at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really hope that Sony will provide the new photo pro app on our device with the Android 12 update...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/can-someone-dump-the-stock-camera-apk-pretty-please.4300387/ someone posted this IV used it on the 5ii works like if you hit camera button it opens the none pro version also has a wheel like basic mode this is from Xperia 1iii
If you want to open the new (Xperia 1/5 III) PhotoPro app with the camera button, even from locked screen, you can check my simple method here (since it's the same for Xperia 5II): https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/updated-camera-pro-app.4283199/post-85866439
chgr said:
If you want to open the new (Xperia 1/5 III) PhotoPro app with the camera button, even from locked screen, you can check my simple method here (since it's the same for Xperia 5II): https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/updated-camera-pro-app.4283199/post-85866439
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, on our device Xperia 1II, this new photopro app tends to take photos out of focus...