Ok, it's a 5MP camera, right? So why then, other than the focusing problems, does it take such crappy pictures? The Droid, when compared to my (also 5MP) Omnia, can't even come close to comparing in picture quality, even when the Droid decides to focus properly and take a "good" picture. The Omnia on the other hand, could be used as a professional camera, for as good as the standard daylight pictures are. I'm not actually running around the house with both phones right now, snapping pictures, but the pics I've taken with the Droid just plain pale in comparison. I really hope the update not only fixes the focus problem, but also fixes the actual photo quality issues we've been having. I'd REALLY like to see the Droid do much LESS photo processing, and just accept the image for what it is... without accenting shadows, without trying to reduce redeye on the fly, and without making everything gray...
I know the update will fix some things, but everyone is just waiting for the focus to be fixed, and the update report specifically states that the focus issue would be fixed... My question is about quality of the pictures when the Droid DOES focus properly. I have yet to see any sort of decent picture with the Droid, so I'm hoping and praying that the update will also fix some of the shot processing crap that the camera shouldn't need to do in the first place. The Omnia and Droid are about the same thickness total... granted I know the Droid's body is thinner where the lens is compared to the Omnia, but it's not THAT much of a difference, and both cameras have the same ability to travel for focus. Hoping its just because of the software, because the hardware is just as good as the Omnia.
the 5 mp camera, in proper light, takes as good of pics as my kodak 5 mp camera from a few years ago.
We're talking about optics here bucko... There is no such thing as "about the same thickness" in optics. We're in a tenths of a millimeter or smaller and thousandths of an inch type of numbers here... Not something you're going to be able to tell with out pulling out the calipers. Not to mention the materials and cut quality on the lenses.
There are a LOT of different factors that go into picture quality. Like someone said earlier, in proper lighting, the camera takes very decent pictures for a 5MP camera phone. That being said, a natural by-product of having 5MP on a very small sensor size is noise. Realize that the cameras that you're taking pictures with now, whether 2, 3, 5, 10 or 15MP all have on-board noise-reduction software. It is likely that the DROID (or any camera phone, for that matter) has NR on-board. Noise reduction will have to occur post-processing (i.e. Photoshop). The other situation going on with the camera is that camera-phones generally have a fixed iris (for various reasons). No two camera-phones will be alike across different manufacturers; so, you can't compare a Samsung Omnia to a MotoDROID. That being said, a pinned down iris will mean less light (i.e. information) reaching the sensor. Like I said, there are so many factors; these are just two. With that, it is a decent 5MP camera but don't expect to take award-winning photos with it.
I also just made the jump from the Omnia, and totally agree. Reviews of the Droid have also commented on the camera negatively. Improving focus is only part of the issue - I also think the camera app itself is pretty awful. The UI for setting options is very tedious and non-friendly for a touchscreen camera, and there's no reason it couldn't be just as nice as the Omnia or any of the dozens of standalone cameras. It's just way too slow when you're trying to setup for a shot. And why the decision not to use the volume buttons for zooming like most other phone cams? Even assuming that focus becomes perfect, I don't think the Droid will give me the photo quality I've come to expect, and that's unfortunate. Other than a lack of zoom, video quality on the Droid is great, even in standard room light. Since video is using the same lens and sensor, it makes me wonder if the problems really are more software than hardware-related? I've tried several of the 3rd-party camera apps, but none really work well with the Droid so still inconclusive. A good camera app replacement seems like a great market opportunity for a good software developer!
I've also noticed that cleaning the lens on the Droid is very important. It gets smudged easily, which causes a smearing effect on bright areas. It's really bad. Get into the habit of wiping off the lens before you take pics.
