[Samsung Galaxy A20 Guides, News, & Discussion] PhillipVilla:
Hi to all, since I got this phone I was wondering why the camera was so terrible in specific scenarios (Mostly on low light) and then I started to experiment with an app called SnapCameraHDR, which is the ''basic'' alternative to Gcam since samsung blocked RAW on specific thrid party apps, and gave us a lib file with LIMITED CAMERA2 API, This thread is aimed to those who want tho get the most of the Sony ExmorRS 258 sensor (Which is capable of a really decent things but Samsung just blocked some features).

By now, RAW is barely working in SnapCameraHDR but for some reason every pic is taked with a blueish tint. There is no fix for it yet because it needs lib editing and that's something that is out of my reach. If someone knows how to handle this kind of libs (uses Hex) and could contribute to get RAW propertly working could be awesome.

Ok, let's start, what we would need to have at least almost full MANUAL CAMERA CONTROLS?

REQUIREMENTS

1.-A rooted A20 (Only working on A205X).

2.-A custom lib (Thanks to @YasirArafatShihab and @tbm13 who edited the libexynoscamera3.so lib to get almost all manual camera controls working).

3.-A ROM that has R/W permissions in /vendor partition (Ilusion OS v1.1, and maybe others, need testing).

4.-Latest TWRP avaible for our device properly installed.

After having verified that all the requirements are met, we begin with the installation.

INSTALLATION PROCESS

File Explorer method. Download any Root file explorer, Download libexynoscamera3.so from this thread, copy it and then paste it in: /root > /vendor > lib > and paste it here (You will wonder if you want to replace an existing file, we will say yes.) > give

chmod 0644 (Rw-r - r -)

(You can do this either in an Android file explorer or in TWRP file explorer)

CONFIGURATION PROCESS

After completing the installation process we need to Download SnapCameraHDR (The apk included in this thread is only a TRIAL VERSION, it wont work connected to internet, but it will work great if you disconnect the internet or if you add this app to a firewall block list)

After this, Open SnapCameraHDR and go to: three dot menu > Other > scroll down until your find USE CAMERA 2 API an set it to ON. and check USE OPENGLES 2.0

Presets camera modes and more

By default SnapCameraHDR comes with a basic configuration, Right now I'm using 2 personalizated profiles, one for good light conditions and other for low light conditions.

Good light SnapCameraHDR Config (HOLDABLE BY HAND)

Select in the lower dial the program preset you want to be the good light preset (P1, P2 OR P3) > open the three dot menu > set PICTURE Size to maximum avaible > keep focus mode on AUTO > scroll down to JPEG QUALITY and set it to BEST > keep POST PROCESSING OFF >keep METERING AREA, ISO AND SHUTTER SPEED on AUTO > enable Low Light Mode > set Low Light Frames to 9 > scroll down to PREVIEW SIZE and set it to maximum avaible > keep DENOISE OFF > keep SHARPNESS in 0

Low light SnapCameraHDR Config (TRIPOD OR SUPPORT NEEDED)

Select in the lower dial the program preset you want to be the low light preset (P1, P2 OR P3) > open the three dot menu > set PICTURE Size to maximum avaible > keep focus mode on AUTO > scroll down to JPEG QUALITY and set it to BEST > keep POST PROCESSING OFF >keep METERING AREA, ISO AND SHUTTER SPEED on AUTO > enable Low Light Mode > set Low Light Frames to 32 > scroll down to PREVIEW SIZE and set it to maximum avaible > keep DENOISE OFF > keep SHARPNESS in 0.

My recomendation is to use a Tripod or a Phone Holder in order to keep the phone as steady as you can, because every minimal movement could affect the sharper final processed photos using the 32 frames option.

HDR Tune (FOR BALANCED PHOTOS)

(Thanks to @PaperGreg who posted his config in A10 forums)

View attachment 5315819

Photo samples are down below, you can difference it because I've tagged SnapCameraHDR Samples, and they use IMG prefix at each picture.

(libexynoscamera3.so file is zipped in a .zip archive, you need to extract it because XDA format limitations)

FINAL VEREDICT

*Good light - Samsung Camera gives a great color palette, but it would be irreal because post processing, in the other hand, SnapCameraHDR gives accurrate colors, more closer to reality.

*Low light - SnapCameraHDR gives the best results with low noise and sharper details. Samsung Camera tends to use a high noise reduction, it's too aggressive that the photo loses too much detail.

UPDATE: NIGHT MODE SETTINGS (SAMPLES BELOW)

I've been working in a Night Mode update, and finally I can say that I've achieved a great goal, this config is v1, so maybe it can be upgraded. The next big step is to make something to improve video recording quality in low light and even in night.

Night SnapCameraHDR Config (TRIPOD NEEDEED)

Select in the lower dial the program preset you want to be the Night preset (P1, P2 OR P3) > open the three dot menu > set PICTURE Size to maximum avaible > keep focus mode on AUTO > scroll down to JPEG QUALITY and set it to BEST > keep POST PROCESSING OFF >keep METERING AREA on AUTO, set ISO to 6400 and SHUTTER SPEED to 1/2 > enable Low Light Mode > set Low Light Frames to 32 > scroll down to PREVIEW SIZE and set it to maximum avaible > keep DENOISE OFF > keep SHARPNESS in 0.

This config is aimed to offer the best luminosity, sharper details, and a high overall quality in night conditions,

IT'S MANDATORY TO USE A TRIPOD!!!