yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] aledex:
After some shot comparisons between v4 and v 5.0.18 1.2 auto, I can say that the former is a little better in low-light conditions. Way less noisy and with colors more faithful.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ArtZ:
Hi guys,

After some additional tests this morning between BSG's MGC_5.1.018_A7.0H_AllAuto.apk and Arnova8G2's GCam5.1.018-Arnova8G2-V1.2 I have decided to use BSG version.

Arnova8G2's has a better AWB under artificial low light and noise ('grain') is just a bit better controlled. However, the pink/reddish cast on low light photography is still there. Grays are a bit blueish/violet. Until BSG latest version, Arnova8G2's was the best to solve this issue.

BSG's shows more natural colors (greys in particular), no pink/reddish cast. Pictures have (just a bit) more noise but details are somehow better preserved. On BSG's I appreciate the application name has not been changed opposite to Arnova8G2's

On the negative side, I find AWB not as good on artificial low light: Colors are warmer. Pictures are also slightly under exposed and you need to adjust EV +0,3 to correct exposition.

Actually LG's Photo apk is very good but unfortunately image noise treatment is VERY agressif. You lose a lot of detail (even in good light conditions) and pictures look a bit like 'plastic', especially human faces. All details are lost. If LG could correct that in upcoming Oreo version...

As another XDA member posted before, battery use is really important with Google Cam. HDR+ treatment uses a lot of resources.

Added:

A weird thing on BSG's I can read on EXIF

Maker: Huawei

when it should be expected to read

Maker: Google
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Mefiboshet:
I actually like the fact that Arnova8G2's version has a different name - makes it easier to compare the 2 directly.

Latest BSG does indeed have some AWB issues and more prominent "grain", but fine detail preservation and AF speed/accuracy are quite possibly the best I've seen from any GCam version yet.

Completely agree regarding the LG cam processing.

NR is super aggressive to the point of obliterating fine details.

They did however improve the sharpening algorithm in the latest update, so perhaps improved NR is next on their list.

Overall, this version of GCam makes LG cam output look downright amateurish.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] 5trong5ide:
Sorry for using default picture size, try zooming out of browser 50% for better view***

Using Version 3.8C

Only settings I changed were

Panorama level to HIGH

and Camera Config to Pixel 2017 Hardware ZSL Hdr+

Here I took pictures with the LG Camera app, and Google Camera v3.8c; both with HDR ON.

These pictures were taken first try to be completely fair.

I'm happy with the results, and ready to take some amazing Christmas photos with family.

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to everyone here at the LG G6 community.

LG

[IMG="G6"]http://i68.tinypic.com/289x5ip.jpg[/IMG]

Google

[IMG="Google"]http://i64.tinypic.com/2ljjoer.jpg[/IMG]

LG

Google

LG

Google

LG

Google

LG

Google
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ArtZ:
[MENTION=4321403]Kisakuku[/MENTION] Привет!

Could you please explain us each option in "Developers Settings" menu?

I try to find the settings searching on Goggle with no success. If you have explain them before, please the link.

I'm using your private version MGC_5.1.018_A7.0H_AllAuto.apk on the LG-H870 and I'm extremely happy with it. Fantastic work.

Best regards.

веселого Рождества и счастливого Нового года
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] jshames:
Nobody has addressed the elephant in the room: Low light photos with human subjects that move!

I understand that various HDR tricks can enhance low light or wide dynamic range photos. And its much easier to experiment (and post here) photos of various still scenes. But if the subject is moving its a whole different ball game.

No matter what HDR variation the camera is using, you will get blur, because the multiple exposures will have the same effect as a slow shutter speed. Perhaps I am wrong, but I can't imagine an HDR algorithm smart enough to automatically remove the blur from the moving part of the photo, especially since the camera has a small sensor with small pixels thus requiring a relatively long exposure and/or high ISO.

Does it make sense to turn off the HDR in these situations? How will the Gcam image look with that?

My simple experiment in this scenario is that LG cam does a better job, because the subject is sharp (which usually is the whole point of the photograph)
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Mefiboshet:
Was thinking the same thing, but I'm not finding that the LG cam is consistently doing any better than GCam in those scenarios.

This is not surprising considering that just like GCam, LG cam is also using multiple exposures in low light to reduce noise.

The reason that it even works at all without crazy amounts of blur, is that recent Sony IMX sensors are incredibly fast.

This allows them to capture multiple frames in the time that a normal sensor (even a DSLR one) would only capture a single frame.

The exposure time indicated in a G6 photo EXIF is actually the time it took to capture the multiple frames.

LG do not specify how many frames are captured for each shot.

There are times that LG cam will snap a sharper shot, but I suspect that this has more to do with the OIS, as GCam was designed to work with a different OIS system, stabilizing a lens with a different focal length.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] jshames:
Those are very interesting details, thank you :)

I will keep toying around with Gcam, I've left it installed on my phone.

Question-- I have not been able to have both Pixel auto HDR and ZSL on at the same time without getting a black screen.

Is that expected?
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] vitoski:
Kisakuku is not a developer of the Gcam mod, but the BSG user (on 4pda forum). He takes the BSG's builds and reupload them so we can easily download GCam mod without registering to 4pda. Kisakuku does it in the very nice way, so we also get what's new for each release.

That being said I doubt he'll be able to provide explanation you requested, not even sure if anyone else but BSG can.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ArtZ:
Thank you [MENTION=1606575]vitoski[/MENTION],

I didn't know that. I spend a few hours searching on Google the Developer Options but I couldn't find anything on the subject. If [MENTION=4321403]Kisakuku[/MENTION] can get any information from BSG will be great. Besides, BSG has left the Developer Options menu accessible. It would be great if he can explain us using them.

I'm very intrigued by some options. For instance, I do not see any difference enabling or disabling these two options:

camera.op.nes

camera.p3

I think I understand the following two options but an explanation when we can or cannot use them, it will be helpful

camera.diet_burst (reduced picture size on burst mode?)

camera.shot_tracking (keep focus on moving subjects?)

Same thing for the camera.advice options. I do not see any difference enabling or disabling these options.

camera.advice

camera.advice.dirtylens

camera.advice.distance

camera.advice.trace

Finally the micro options

camera.enable_micro_he

camera.micro_no_trim

camera.micro_audio

camera.micro_trimtoast

For the gouda options, I suppose they're related to the Gouda Processor on Google Pixel absent on LG-H870

It will be nice to know also the use of

camera.slowraw.RESTART

camera.tbinning.RESTART

PS: Я говорю по-русски, как испанская корова! ;)
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Bhawesh3313:
Does anyone have issue with the Front facing mode in Google camera App.. I found the pics turn out to be the worst kind especially in low light situations. Feels like Oil painting
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] andriman:
Turn off HDR and face beautification. I found out it doesn't really work for front camera.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ArtZ:
Best version for LG-H870

The best Google Cam for our LG-H870 is definitively MGC_5.1.018_7.0+C2API_min_3a_AllinOne.apk

AWB and noise are very good. No reddish/pink issues on low artificial light. No crashes.

Brilliant work.

On Android Application Settings for the Camera apk, I have changed on Advanced "Modify system settings" to "Yes" (Default "No").

Concerning the Camera settings, you'll find in the following images the settings I use.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Mefiboshet:
Thanks ArtZ,

I've also come to the same conclusion regarding this version.

Few things I've noticed:

1. Manual black level setting does very little (if anything).

2. Enable ZSL option also does nothing as far as I can tell.

3. Purple tint can still occur sometimes in HDR+ enhanced mode.

This happens randomly and can affect one shot of out of a few seemingly identical ones - weird.

4. I did get one crash that reset all my settings - not sure why, very stable other than that.

5. Auto-focus is still not as reliable as LG cam, but generally works well enough.

Couple of quick questions:

1. Why did you chose Taimen and not Shamu?

I'm finding that Taimen is much more prone to HDR+ enhanced purple tint.

2. Why are you allowing GCam to modify system settings?

Cheers!
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ArtZ:
To be honest, I haven't tried Shamu (Nexus 6) but I'll give a try. I thought the right option for the LG-H870 was Taimen (Pixel 2 XL)

I read somewhere on the Russian forum that enabling "Modify system settings" can avoid some crashes.

Regards.

Added text:

I've done some quick tests (about 10 pictures indoors with artificial light from LED bulbs) using Shamu and Taimen. I don't really see much difference. I find colors on Taimen are a bit more natural (reds in particular -carpet but also greys -sofa) and, maybe, noise is better (dark corner behind a large plant). No purple tint.

I cannot consider these quick tests concluants, so I will do some more this week.

Added text 2:

After some more tests, when I use Shamu, the images look a bit greenish (like German TV shows on the 70's and 80's suck as Derrick). This greenish veil is visible on our white walls. White walls look also better using Taimen.

Added text 3:

I've just done a couple of extra tests concerning colors. I have taken the same view with LG G6 original photo application and with Google Cam using Taimen setting: there's no difference in color.

When I repeat the same test with Google Cam using Shamu setting: I see the same greenish veil difference.

Personally, I will do some extra tests but I can say for the time being my choice goes to Taimen setting.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Mefiboshet:
Did some further testing.

Taimen gives 'HDR+ enhanced' shots taken in low light a purple tint every time (does not happen with 'HDR+ on').

Only way to remove the tint is to use Shamu.

Please note that you can only use the 'HDR+ enhanced' mode once you enable 'HDR+ control' in the Advanced menu.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ArtZ:
True!

I was using HDR+, not 'HDR+ enhanced'. In the past I tried 'HDR+ enhanced' but I didn't find a real advantage. That's the reason I left intentionally the setting on Advanced menu 'OFF'

I'll be this week in the country side, so I will test if there's a real advantage using 'HDR+ enhanced' on daylight (clouds, landscapes...). It's difficult to find an advantage indoors.

What I really dislike of LG Photo application is the aquarelle effect on low light and indoors use. As we agreed before, the sensor noise is treated in a VERY agressif way. Lots of details are lost.

Thank you for sharing.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] banesi:
I have just made a quick test of both AllAuto and AllInOne app's recently posted and I prefer more AllAuto version, more noise but also with more details preserved.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] markomil:
Im quite amazed by the BSG AllAuto (also quite disappointed in lg). The photos are incredible! Also, maybe worth notecing: the flash photos dont take so long to take anymore (i upgraded from v5.014 where it took some awkward posing from 40s - 1min approx) cheers guys!
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ArtZ:
I fully agree concerning noise and detail preservation however the AWB is often wrong in pictures taken under low light conditions. Pictures are too warm (par ex.emple, lights in streets and buildings are yellow). Besides, if you have a light point (for instance, a laptop screen or a table lamp) between the G6 and the subject, the light point will produce a wrong exposure. The picture will be underexposed. This may happen also sometimes with MGC_5.1.018_7.0+C2API_min_3a_AllinOne.apk but, even when that happens, exposition will be more accurate.

I became to the conclusion there's not a perfect application. Finally, the right choice depend on the use each person does.

I use a lot smartphone cameras indoors at night. For my personal use I think MGC_5.1.018_7.0+C2API_min_3a_AllinOne.apk is a better choice.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] spirosbond:
Thanks for this. Do you also have very low resolution with photosphere photos??
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Yoguko:
I'm still getting purple tinge to the photos in low light with recommended version... I keep going back to 5.0.16... Still the best for me. Low light photos are great, with no tinge, daylight are close to perfect. I need to stop trying new versions... [emoji849]
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] raff222:
Greetings where can I get the Google Camera 5.0.16 that you are talking about?
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] An Original Name:
HDR+ not working.

I just dowloaded the V4 on my LG G6, but the HDR+ does not do anything, even with it "enabled." Are there any special settings it needs to be on or am I just being stupid? Thanks.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Mefiboshet:
Try this version: https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/MGC_5.1.018_A7.0H_AllAuto.apk

No setup required.

---------- Post added at 11:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 AM ----------

All versions can be found here: https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] jshames:
I am wondering if anybody can explain why I consistently get a black screen on the G6 when using these settings, unless I turn off both HDR+ and ZSL
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Mefiboshet:
Non stock ROM?

Possibly missing support for certain C2API features?
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] jshames:
Nope, just stock 11d ROM, not unlocked
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Mefiboshet:
Hmm, weird..

Cleared cache and data?
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] vitoski:
Does any of you guys and gals know version of GCsm which allows taking good portraits?

Something is totally f***ed up with the focus. Today I was taking portraits of my 3 year old kid (believe it or not, but he sit steady for a moment) and of course focus was missed. Instead of having clear and sharp eyes (yes I set focus on face), everything else was sharp...

Made one interesting test... I followed an idea which one of you posted long time ago (apologies but don't remember who [emoji20]) and set focus on his t-shirt... and KA-BUM, my kid's face was in focus, not perfect, but still the best out of all tries.

That being said it looks like GCam on our phones (not sure about others) doesn't like human faces and makes them blurry on purpose [emoji34]
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Mefiboshet:
GCam was designed to work with a different sensor which uses dual pixel technology to acquire focus.

I've also noticed that my "hit rate" with GCam is much lower than with LG cam.

The reason that setting focus on the body rather than the face can sometimes work better, is simply that the body is larger, thus there is less chance that the (rather large) focusing circle will also cover a part of the background.

I've been using https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/MGC_5.1.018_7.0+C2API_min_3a_AllinOne.apk for the past few days, and with faceboxes enabled and PD blur disabled in the developer options, I'm getting mostly acceptable auto-focus results.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Vkboy:
Best gcam

In my usage i found out that gcam for pixel/pixel 2 is the best from the list of all gcams. I have used even allauto version too. But only issue in pixel cam is that front camera is useless. For that i am using another gcam that has hdr+ is front camera. Do let me know if you found better option than that.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] newbie386:
Hi All. New here.

So much to read but I did manage to read most of the last part of this thread.

Too much info in short time got me all disoriented though. I'm trying to decide among few versions:

GCam5.1.018-Arnova8G2-V1.2

MGC_5.1.018_7.0+C2API_min_3a_AllinOne

MGC_5.1.018_7.0+C2API_v.1.0_AllinOne_WITH_UPDATED_CONFIGS

MGC_5.1.018_A7.0H_AllAuto

Which one should I get and with what setting? My G6 is H873, android 7.0.

Thank you in advance!
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ArtZ:
Sorry guys, I was enjoying some days in the countryside. However I have tested MGC_5.1.016_7.0+C2API_v.1.3d_AllinOne.apk and I disagree.

I do admit MGC_5.1.018_7.0+C2API_min_3a_AllinOne.apk needs to be configured as Shamu (Nexus 6) to get better results when you use 'HDR+ Enhanced' but if you don't use it (like me), Taimen (Pixel 2 XL) is the best option for the LG-H870.

MGC 5.1.016 has a few inconsistances and weird behaviors (same ones you find in MGC_5.1.018_A7.0H_AllAuto.apk) like a wrong exposure when there's a light point between the camera and the objet you're shooting. In low light, AWB is not consistent on these two versions. You can get a wrong AWB with MGC_5.1.018_7.0+C2API_min_3a_AllinOne.apk but it doesn't happen as often as with the others versions. In terms of picture quality, the three versions are pretty close. With MGC_5.1.018_A7.0H_AllAuto.apk you can get under some circonstances images with more detail but chroma noise (the ugly one) is also higher. Only luminance noise can be smaller.

I find MGC_5.1.018_7.0+C2API_min_3a_AllinOne.apk has a bit more luminance noise but less chroma noise. Luminance noise corresponds to 'grain' in film photography and it 's not ugly as chroma noise.

Finally, I have also tested MGC-5.1.018_FullManual_v1.0_Android-7.0+-fix01.apk which is terrible with our LG-H870. Camera crashes very often and picture quality is not really good. It's a version for Xiaomi Mi5 and Mi5 Pro.

Conclusion: If you don't care about 'HDR+ Enhanced' (like me), the best version, IMHO, is MGC_5.1.018_7.0+C2API_min_3a_AllinOne.apk

PS: I don't use either other gimmicks such slow motion, photo sphere or effect focus. I'm just looking for a decent smartphone camera application for normal pictures (under normal and low light conditions).
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Mefiboshet:
This is pretty much spot on and corresponds with my own findings.

Only issue I find with non-enhanced HDR+ is a slight tendency to overexpose in low light.

This can sometimes lead to blown highlights (clipped to white) in light reflections on faces.

I often have to manually underexpose by about half a stop when using HDR+ auto/on.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Najner:
Well this was main reason I switched to Pixel 2. I used to try all versions of the port on my V20 and all had the same issue - it was very difficult to get focus on the object I wanted (dog, cat, human etc.). Shooting still objects like a car, building or sunset was awesome and it was even better than shots I took with Pixel 2 (I think it's just due to better optics used in LG devices, hardware used in Pixel 2 is just not as good). And that one thing I just couldn't accept - sometimes I missed awesome shot because Gcam port missed focus.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] vitoski:
Any how is it with Pixel now? I mean how photos look like when you have moving object? Are they sharp?
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ivan02891:
So what is the best version for selfies under lowlights?

Currently, i use MGC_5.1.018_7.0+C2API_min_3a_AllinOne.apk
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Najner:
Yup, they are sharper. Taking photo of an animal or human is much easier, you don't even need to "touch" to focus. I assume there are two reasons for that - first is dual pixel used in Pixel2 and second is just that gCam is optimised for Pixel device. It will automatically use "face" as a point that should be in focus.

On V20 ported camera I always needed to "touch" to focus and many times that wasn't enough either. Basically while using V20 I was taking pics with stock LG cam if I wanted to capture animal or human. The other scenarios I was using gCam.

All that said I still think that Pixel 2 is overpiced and V20 was much better in many ways (audio output, second screen, video recording, build quality) ;)
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Windforce0511:
So the best HDR+ Enhanced version of cam would be? And which one for ZSL and without pink cast at night?
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ArtZ:
IMHO MGC_5.1.018_7.0+C2API_min_3a_AllinOne.apk using 'Shamu' instead of 'Taimen'. The problem with this configuration is when you don't use HDR+ Enhanced setting because you'll get a greenish tint on HDR+ on low light shots. Personally, I don't see a great interest using HDR+ Enhanced but that's just a personal opinion.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ma678:
Maybe it has been asked before, or I am blind. Is there a way to save pictures on SD card? Thanks.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Hadi99:
Use xinternalsd Xposed module.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ma678:
I'm on a bootloader locked Canadian H873. Is there a way other than root my device? Thanks.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Hadi99:
Unless someone creates a modified apk that saves photos on SD Cards, I don't think there is another way for you.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ArtZ:
As Google does not support micro SD cards on their smartphones, Google Cam does not include this option.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] WWHDilyass:
Anyway to get the new portrait mode port from camera NX ?!
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] UKseagull:
Is anyone else occasionally getting broken image files? The camera appears to be taking a photo, but when looking in the gallery, I sometimes see a broken image file. I'm using 5.1.018.177470874
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ma678:
How can I reduce the lag when taking pictures continuously? I used the recommended allinone apk and followed [MENTION=235507]ArtZ[/MENTION] settings. When I shot the first picture for kids last night, the camera took long time to save it. You know kids only hold posture shortly. I had to switch to LG's camera to take the rest pictures.

Did I miss anything?

Any recommendations would be appreciated.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Vkboy:
Potrait pixel using camera nx

Please port nx camera that make nexus devices and older pixel devices to take potrait mode shots for working with lg g6 also. Please ???
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ArtZ:
Lag (time to save images) depends on the following settings :

HDR+ settings

JPG quality

ISO

If you use HDR+ Enhanced or 'HDR+ parameters' are set to High, Very High or Super High, images files will be bigger and with more details, so it takes longer to save the images. Same thing when you use very high quality JPG (more 95%)

When you take pictures on low light (camera uses higher ISO), images are bigger and it takes longer to save them.

You must find a compromise.

Regards,
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ma678:
I copied your settings exactly.

HDR+ on not Enhanced

JPEG 97. I guess I have to reduce it to default 95.

I check the picture. ISO 387. File size 6.05mb.

Do I have to tweak other settings?

Thanks.
[LG G6 Guides, News, & Discussion] ArtZ:
The fact that each picture takes a few seconds to be saved it's not really an issue. It happens on all digital cameras. Only bad cameras save pictures very quickly because quality and definition are not present. In fact, it's more a question of being a bit patient ;)

PS : To write 6.05 Mb takes some time... even in a computer. Don't worry and enjoy the quality ;)

Best regards,