I have noticed it too, I think they went cheap on the image sensor for the camera so thus it is taking crappy pictures. I have taken some nice photos for this but they have been in optimal conditions.

 

I noticed my pics were pretty crappy over Thanksgiving as well.

 

Ummmm, there have been many topics on this. There will be updates that will fix this.

 

Totally sucks! My BB was a 3.2 and took way better photos than the Droid - The camera is actually the only thing I am really disappointed in.

 

The update fixes auto focus, not image quality. The image quality in low light situations will always be bad.

 

There will be a Software fix for this, it has nothing to do with the hardware on these devices.

 

Software can only do so much. It really come down to the image sensor used. Now if they let us control the ISO we would see better image quality. I seen pretty good pictures during good light conditions. Its better that the Touch Pro2.

 

When looking at the pictures on my pc that this thing took after transferring them, the phrase "it sucks donkey balls" comes to mind.

I did read the threads on the upcoming updates, and they do address some camera issues...we'll see if quality goes up or not. As long as the update comes before the next 'auto focus cycle bug' kicks in, I'll be happy.

I posted a thread somewhere, I think on pdaphonehome.com about the low light pictures ( or pointing the camera at something black and being relatively close to it). They are horrible.

-Joe

 

the camera sucks at detecing light in basically any situation where you aren't surrounded or bathed in light. i tried taking some pics today in my room and while the flash is somewhat decent and brightens up dark spots, the sensor itself isn't able to pick up low light at all.

i pointed the camera at a spot in my room where the sunlight from my window was hitting, it was actually pretty bright but not completely bright, and the camera showed it as pitch black on the screen. i mean what the hell is that about? my old camera with a 2MP sensor did better than that.

 

My pictures actually look pretty good on the phone but then I try to print them out via bluetooth to my printer and they have a purple hue to them. I have tried to send them to the computer then to the printer and the same. All purple no one wants purple pictures. Other wise I love this phone.

 

the problems, as far as on my phone, are not the picture quality. When everything sets up right, the pictures are great. Its the focusing of it that causes it to suck.

From what ive read this has been acknowledged and like someone said above it should be fixed in the near future

 

Dec. 11th update resolves the focus issue.. hopefully some other ones also.

I hear some of the paid camera apps either already do or will in a short time make the camera take much better pictures.

 

Which apps because I did try Camera Magic and my printer said the file was corrupt. I'm going to a pretty fancy Christmas Party Tuesday and I don't want to take my camera and phone but if I have purple pictures when printed I will need to take my camera which defeats the purpose of a camera phone.

 

I've always looked at my camera phone as a quick way to catch a memory. Share it online or pass it around an mms... Maybe use it for caller id... Never printing them. If you want print quality pictures, use a stand alone camera.

That said. The Droid camera sucks. I hope they can make it more usable. Mostly faster! It's hard to predict a moment a second and a half in advance to capture.

 

I've always had pretty good luck with printing pictures from my phone not the world's best but not all purple. I just don't have a lot of room in my little clutch and my cocktail dress so when I have to make the choice my phone or my camera my phone wins out (haha) But I do LOVE this phone.

I just played with my settings a little bit more and they actually are coming out better. Generally I do find solutions, my type A personality.

 

what kind of settings changes are helping to make your pics come out better?

 

I changed scene mode to steady photo which made flash mode auto not sure if that's what did it I've been playing with a lot. That's my problem I never know what I do that actually works. Because after that I chage to Auto and flash on and it seemed to be better. I did take the battery out because I had to put in a replacement so it could have been low battery also.

 

I did not get my droid because it had a "great 5 mp camera", and knew going in it is what it is, a pretty good camera for a cell phone. Seriously, I take pics for fun, sometimes work purposes, have fun with my friends and whatnot, not to become a photographer and use it SOLELY as my one and only camera so I have zero complaints except the buggyness to it at times.
I have a really nice Sony mid-high end camera for my pics I will savor or want to print and share with friends.

It reminds me of when people choose to or not to purchase a car because the factory system installed. Of course it's not going to be good as a high end Alpine with all mods to it, one should base a decision like that on the factory deck it comes with.

I guess maybe that I am older and that I just don't think the camera is really all that bad as people make it out to be. It's a hell of alot better than what I came from on my old p.o.s shit LG clam shell phone but certainly not as nice as my Sony home digital camera.

So to me "suck" is a bit of an exaggeration.

 

The camera doesn't completely suck but it should be alot better than it is for a 5MP camera, I believe my old 2MP enV took comparable photos.

 

Let me try to help sway those who may still remain on the side that the phone is 'good enough'; and more importantly - let me try to further help those who are hopefully working right now to address this shockingly awful camera experience here on the eve of 2010 (gotta be a way to have avoided releasing this suckiness to those of us who shelled out top dollar).

In anything less than perfect lighting conditions, 9 out of 10 pictures I take with this camera cannot even be confused with pictures - maybe something from my abstract art books in college - but not a picture I can: a) text to someone b) email to someone c) show someone looking over my shoulder. There is option d): hit delete button (I CAN and HAVE done this almost every time I have taken pictures since I bought mine last month).

I was not sure if anyone already recounted as ducplicate to my use-case below or not - so here it is in all its glory:

step 1) the focused image on the phone looks pretty darn clear (very optimistic of what you're about to take a picture of)

step 2) you then press the shutter icon so as to take an actual image/picture of that focused image (again - everything is going great in steps 1 and 2).

step 3) the most horrifying thing occurs - once you have pressed the shutter button in step 2 - you watch in disbelief (again, about 9 out of 10 times) - as the image is brought immediately out of focus - and then, and only then, after the image is completely blurry beyond anything you would ever want to save - the camera clicks.

step 4) You now have an image reminiscent of someting you might have taken with a camera you won (~ 8 yrs old) at a country fair for knocking over milk bottles (3 balls for $1).

I was tying to be optimistic through November - have read and re-read settings ideas in the ether - and was especially upbeat after my phone was one that did just get the updated system treatment via OTA - alas - nothign different in the use case above and now just had to post to hopefully help get this clear int he minds of those who can help...if at all...and let off some steam.

bring on the upgrades - please so I dont have to ask for my money back!

 

Imagine my surprise when the update that multiple people in this thread have claimed would help image quality didn't actually help.

People are saying they get better pictures in Google Goggles...I call BS. I just tried that with 3 pictures and actually got WORSE photos. They went with a cheap camera to make it 5mp...that's all there is to it.

 

I have no problem with the camera. Works for my purposes. Then again I didn't buy the phone on the basis of how well it performed or what specs the camera has. I looked at it as my Droid has a better camera than my last phone. Works for me.

 

I had to take pictures of some things for a class my teacher didn't believe I took it with my phone. But the thing that bothers me even with the new update is the speed of the camera, its so ****ing slow, hit the record start then stop it takes likes 30 seconds to stop, people are like wtf man....same with taking a picture! Rediculous, take the damn picture already sometimes I feel like yelling!

 

Ya, camera sucks big time, but meh. What can ya do.