Help Can software fix Droid camera?

[Droidood]

I read somewhere that the Android equipped G1 wasn't capable of taking very good pictures out of the box, but later got an update that greatly improved the camera.

Even though we've already seen that the Droid is capable of taking excellent pictures, there seems to be a consensus that it's unnecessarily difficult to consistently get the results you want.

Is my hope that a software update will fix the camera justified, or just wishful thinking?

 

[King James]

Not sure on an exact answer, but some reviews made it seem like this is possible as long as its not the hardware that is having the issues

 

[digitard]

I believe there's another thread on this.

There's a 2 piece answer:
- Some have been found to be the camera. It's not mounted right on some units, which is characterized by a "clicking" when it tries to auto-focus. This indicates a bad camera. Simply test your purchase unit out, and listen for the clicking.

- The other side is they have found a software bug causing auto-focus issues, which is being corrected shortly via patch.

d.

 

[Droidood]

Not sure on an exact answer, but some reviews made it seem like this is possible as long as its not the hardware that is having the issues

Yeah, it's using the Kodak KAC-05020 sensor which is supposedly pretty decent even though it's over a year old... which means about 100 in technology years, or 7 in dog years

 

[QrafTee]

Yeah, it's using the Kodak KAC-05020 sensor which is supposedly pretty decent even though it's over a year old... which means about 100 in technology years

Kodak and "photos" hasn't really been associated well with one another in a few years... ever since things went digital if I remember correctly. Canon and Nikon, on the other hand, now those are good companies for cameras.

 

[Nimijneb]

I worked in Camera R&D for over two years at HP doing Image Quality.

As posted above, if the lens is actually having mechanical problems focusing then thats no good.

But, more then likely on most units the mechanics are fine. Software updates can absolutely fix this.

Im guessing that google pushed pretty hard to get 2.0 ready for the Droid ahead of their release date. A few things had to be put aside so that the bigger issues could be fixed. And the smaller things like a little lag in the home screens and camera issues will be fixed with software updates.

Thats my take on it.

 

[shaggymatt]

My BB Storm camera was almost unusable when first released. It has come a long way through the SW updates. If the mechanics are all there and the problem doesn't lie within the sensor itself, it should be resolvable by SW updates.

It was in another thread, but megapixel count doesn't equal a better camera. Both Canon and Nikon have "dropped out of the megapixel race."

 

[Droidood]

Awesome, the most disappointing part of every review I've seen has been the camera... I really think the dual LED flash would allow the Droid to replace an everyday point-and-shoot for very casual users like myself. I take a lot of pictures at bars and parties where it's dark but quality isn't of utmost importance, so up until now I've been dragging around a little Nikon Coolpix.

 

[quixand]

Considering the camera shoots amazing video, I can't believe software updates WOULDN'T fix this.

 

[shaggymatt]

There was some talk that getting a Class 6 card speeds things up. But one of the reviews I read said that it took ~10 seconds just to launch the camera application. A faster card wouldn't have anything to do with the launch of the app itself, perhaps flushing the buffer...

 

[iPhoneMilk]

There is actually a camera App on the Android Market and people have said that it shoots better pictures with the camera app.

 

[androidnewby]

ditto @ quixand...I can't imagine its a hardware issue if the camera shoots great video.

 

[ckgreenman]

I'm not sure if it's software related or not but one thing I noticed with my camera is that in low light situations that require flash, I typically get a halo effect that screws up the quality.

 

[gidget]

does anyone know where the thread about the camera clicking on autofocus issue can be found? i did a search and did not see anything that looked like that. my camera totally clicks when trying to focus. it's also excruciatingly difficult to get it to take a photo using the camera button on the side, and there's still a huge delay. if i have a bad camera, i'm still in my 30 day window, so i'd like to know if i should take this back for exchange. thanks.

 

[Verio]

does anyone know where the thread about the camera clicking on autofocus issue can be found? i did a search and did not see anything that looked like that. my camera totally clicks when trying to focus. it's also excruciatingly difficult to get it to take a photo using the camera button on the side, and there's still a huge delay. if i have a bad camera, i'm still in my 30 day window, so i'd like to know if i should take this back for exchange. thanks.

I'm in the same boat, as my Camera also clicks a ton, and does not take pictures very good at all. However, I am definitely outside the 30 day return window.

 

[ssantan2]

I'm in the same boat, as my Camera also clicks a ton, and does not take pictures very good at all. However, I am definitely outside the 30 day return window.

Ditto, my focus clicks a bunch and but since I am not very well versed in photography I cant tell if its that bad a picture.

 

[ckgreenman]

Mine clicks too but when taking daylight photos they're crystal clear. I think as long as the pics are in focus, the clicking isn't a problem I could be wrong though. My camera (even in dark) has no problem focusing.

 

[rdillz]

Camera Magic or Camera Zoom FX. Both apps In the market and Droid compatible.

 

[Droidophile]

Mine does a few rapid succession clicks and snaps a fantastic shot every time dim or bright. 10000% better than my Blackberry Curve. I don't have any issues except for the camera program is a little clunky, but not really slow at all. My only advice would be to hold the camera completely still if you can for the best results, esp. in dim light.

 

[ckgreenman]

Mine does a few rapid succession clicks and snaps a fantastic shot every time dim or bright. 10000% better than my Blackberry Curve. I don't have any issues except for the camera program is a little clunky, but not really slow at all. My only advice would be to hold the camera completely still if you can for the best results, esp. in dim light.

The more I think about the more I think my phone might have a problem then. I just took a pic with Pro Paint Camera and watched it focus with the flash on and low and behold the halo grew and shrank with the movement of the lens. I'm thinking the halo I see is the result of a reflection from the flash bouncing back into the lens somehow.

 

[magnus]

I thought all Droid cameras clicked when opening the application and possibly while focusing.

Is there anybody for whom the droid is completely silent??? I think not.....but if there are...please post here.

I don't think the clicking is an issue...especially considering I get good pictures in the light

 

[Droidophile]

The more I think about the more I think my phone might have a problem then. I just took a pic with Pro Paint Camera and watched it focus with the flash on and low and behold the halo grew and shrank with the movement of the lens. I'm thinking the halo I see is the result of a reflection from the flash bouncing back into the lens somehow.

I think you might have nailed it. Looking at how close the camera is to the dual LEDs, I could definitely see how you might experience a halo problem. Especially if LED light is bleeding into the camera area due to faulty factory camera assembly, etc. Perhaps consider a fast visit to Verizon for a comparison and possibly a replacement phone.

 

[ckgreenman]

I think you might have nailed it. Looking at how close the camera is to the dual LEDs, I could definitely see how you might experience a halo problem. Especially if LED light is bleeding into the camera area due to faulty factory camera assembly, etc. Perhaps consider a fast visit to Verizon for a comparison and possibly a replacement phone.

I think I might.

fyi, here's a couple quick pictures from under my desk at work to give you an idea what I'm seeing. Please note that in this orientation the flash is to the right of the lens as if looking through it.

 

[magnus]

Hmmmm......I see what you are saying. I see a halo in the first two pics. I do not see one in the third.

I do NOT have a halo. I'm guessing the third pic would be what mine would turn out like in similiar conditions.

 

[Droidophile]

I think I might.

fyi, here's a couple quick pictures from under my desk at work to give you an idea what I'm seeing. Please note that in this orientation the flash is to the right of the lens as if looking through it.

BINGO!!! Yep a definite light bleed problem if you ask me. The pictures tell all, you definitely rawk with a SUN workstation/server under your desk. ;-)