[LG V30 Questions & Answers] ChazzMatt:
Samsung and LG compete with each other for best camera -- with Pixels and iPhones also. At least best rear camera. Long been noted the 2017 V30 selfie camera was not great -- but LG did improve it with software updates (portrait mode, etc) in latter Oreo updates compare to Nougat release.

However, the Samsung Galaxy S10e is a 2019 phone. It's probably going to be somewhat better, because better technology. But LG V30 camera is still good. If your pictures look horrible in comparison, maybe something is wrong with your phone?

Also, what firmware are you using? You want at least the latest Oreo firmware for the camera upgrades vs Nougat.

---------- Post added at 08:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:49 AM ----------

I use AI Auto mode, and I use Anxious V30 mod -- which ported features from G8/V40. So, my LG Camera is not fully stock. ;)

__________

PREFACE

I work professionally in broadcast video. I have been a video editor and producer. My job right now involves QC of video content from a variety of TV networks -- so I have seen a lot of video effects, processing. I understand cinematographers on films sometimes want a washed out, darker look if the script deals with depressing content. ("The Accidental Tourist" used muted color scheme because the protagonist shut down his emotions due to murder of his son and subsequent divorce. Yet an amazing movie.) I understand brighter, more vibrant colors are called for in adventure movies like "Romancing the Stone". Both of these are creative decisions.

Yet, I also know big box stores sell HD TVs under fluorescent lighting in "demo" mode where all colors are oversaturated because the the display with the most color is deemed the "winner". :rolleyes: When I get a new TV home or help a friend with a new TV, I have to calibrate the brightness, colors and chroma intensity to be "realistic" so content can be viewed how it was actually meant to be seen.

I worked for YEARS for a worldwide news organization, so when I see their news studios on TV I know exactly how they should look based upon seeing them in real life.

My point is, I'm an amateur photographer, but I have professional experience in a related field. ;)

__________

You noted the first series of photos don't have much difference, but that's the only ones I have had time to look at. I'm not ignoring the 2nd set, I will look at them later.

I'm only going to discuss GCam and the AI Cam, which is what I use.

On my desktop PC monitor with "full resolution" of the pictures chosen on that website, between the two:

The parked red car looks the same in both. The parked green car looks the same in both.

TIE.

The yellow building facade looks more "vibrant" yellow in GCam -- but without seeing in person, is it really that brighter shade or is it the slightly duller shade in real life? Plus, it is an overcast day.

Do you WANT the yellow facade to "POP" out like that compared to the surrounding buildings, if it doesn't naturally? If so, then that's a creative decision.

The green foliage on the left and right and on the bushes down the street look more "realistic" green, more "natural" with LG Camera. My opinion. The Gcam looks slightly off. But again, I did not see the scene in person. POSSIBLE WIN FOR LG CAM.

Since my tendency is toward realistic, you see what I'm getting at?

Now if these were "dusk" shots and you wanted to compensate for the lower light, the brighter facade would win and the off-color of the foliage wouldn't matter so much.

I will have to look at the other set of pictures later.

While I was intensely interested in GCam (I was there at the beginning here in V30 forum when cstark make his ports), the issues really bothered me: Green tint on front camera (aka perpetual "Matrix" mode), slow to process or crashing on quick successive shots. No seamless switching between lenses. Early editions needed three different shortcuts to launch which camera you wanted!

One of the most frequent questions besides how to get LG Camera on custom ROMs was how to find a good version of GCam with the least problems. I've actually helped people with that based on other users recommendations, but I also understood it was because those people were FORCED to use Gcam.

Due to all this I decided a long time ago when I needed to take a picture, I was going with the trusted stock camera.

In the meanwhile, LG kept improving the stock camera with Oreo updates (use at least the last Oreo) and then TotallyAnxious released her Magisk mod which included LG stock camera features/improvements based on G8/V40 updated camera. She kept improving that with updates through the months.

I understand most recent Gcam versions (last couple of months) have solved the early issues, but for me I don't see any reason to switch.