Perhaps you need to turn on the lights. I have a semi-pro Nikon D300S SLR with a Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 and a Sony HX100V f/2.8(this camera has one of Sony's latest BSI-type sensor). They also struggle to focus in low light conditions when I am moving the camera back and forth to track moving subjects. I certainly wouldn't expect the Bionic to do any better. Furthermore, low light conditions require the shutter to stay open longer which means that even when focused, blurry shots still occur if you don't keep the camera and/or subjects steady enough.
-
After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.
Apple picks at Bionic's slow camera speed
- Thread starter amageus
- Start date
Pro Nikon speed lights (flashes) actually have a focus assist that projects onto the subject in low light to enable the autofocus to properly focus.
To expect a phone to have focus lock without some help is asking a lot.
kingnut
Well-Known Member
they have a point. iphones camera is 500 times better than the bionics. im glad they are pointing it out... maybe but i highly doubt moto will fix it. i dont even use my camera on the bionic cause its so bad. but i dont take many photos anyway regardless.
Perhaps this explains it. Photography is an art. While quality equipment is also important of course, (to use your exaggeration) a photographer's competence is 500 times more important than the equipment he/she uses. A couple of ways to gain competence in photography is to do your homework and practice practice practice... You can't do it with just "a few shots". I have seen a fair amount of really horrible shots taken by 'superior equipment' but by sub-par photographers.
Not saying that the camera in the Bionic is perfect. But I don't think that it's as bad as many here think. There is certainly room for improvement. But I believe that most of the issues are software-related that can and will be fixed just like how the camera in my release day (Nov 7, 2009)Droid 1 got better and better after each firmware update.
One more point, all cameras have their own unique 'personality' that a photographer will have to learn to work with. There is a learning curve before you start taking as good shots as your previous camera. When I first got my Nikon D300S slr, my first shots for the first couple of weeks or so were actually worse than the ones I took in my Olympus C-3000 point and shooter that I had for many many years.
kingnut
Well-Known Member
that was no exaggeration. the iphones camera is literally 500 times better than the bionics. if they update firmware cool. right now the bionics camera is garbage compared to iphone. no more discussion needed.
dave1812
Android Enthusiast
[discussion reopened] no, it's not 500x better. just 2.2x...
drudometkin
Member
I'm actually quite happy with the camera. I noticed switching it to 8mp instead of the default of 6mp-wide makes it run faster.
dave1812
Android Enthusiast
hmmm... I set mine to 8 the first day. maybe that's why I don't see what all the fuss is about re slow performance? Someone on another site claimed it took them "3.7s" to focus. I immediately went to my phone and found that I could take a shot in 1/2 second. there has to be an explanation for such differences in performance and maybe your comment explains why....
AHA! I just tested that idea: I took a shot at 8MP and the response was nearly IMMEDIATE (less than 1/3 second). Then I went to widescreen mode (6MP) and the response (same subject, precisely) was about 4-5x slower.
I thought you were all about vignette?
Vihzel
Destroying Balls Everyday
I'm only on Vignette because Motorola hasn't fixed the focusing issue. It would be nice if they would fix it so I can use the camera app that was specially designed for the phone instead of a universal one that doesn't know how to not make a shutter sound. hehe
I was reading that a lot of the problems can be solved by choosing the shooting mode and it is the auto feature that takes the time to focus.
Vihzel
Destroying Balls Everyday
No problem! I haven't used it all that much and I very rarely take pics so I have yet to notice any problems myself.
Hope that the info I gave you helps somewhat...
sean76
Android Expert
After a few weeks with the Bionic...I'll say this,,, The phone is pretty good, its not the greatest thing since sliced bread, or a world beater, but its specs combined with LTE is to say the least...pretty good.
However, my huge gripe with the phone, Motorola, and vzw is this Awful, terrible, delayed Auto Focus! Seriously...WTF, its been weeks since the release, and 9 months that we all had to wait for this phone. Where is the update u clowns? Honestly, stuff like this makes me want to just throw in the towel. If no update is here within the next few weeks that fixes this plain stupid problem... I'm selling this phone, and moving along with the vow of never going back to a Motorola device...
However, my huge gripe with the phone, Motorola, and vzw is this Awful, terrible, delayed Auto Focus! Seriously...WTF, its been weeks since the release, and 9 months that we all had to wait for this phone. Where is the update u clowns? Honestly, stuff like this makes me want to just throw in the towel. If no update is here within the next few weeks that fixes this plain stupid problem... I'm selling this phone, and moving along with the vow of never going back to a Motorola device...
Over a camera?
Rather small thing to be so pissed off over I would say.
Ahh well, to each his own.
I highly doubt there will be a fix before November, and from what I can tell/see, the problem is with the auto focus, if you select the scene type it takes a second to snap just like an iPhone.
I don't use the camera all that much though, so I am a bad judge of such things.
sean76
Android Expert
All kidding aside, no way does it take a second with this phone with any of the scenes...I've tried them all! When u talk optics the phone is pretty good, however, the Autofocus is dreadful. The iphone is one of the best I've ever seen as far as a camera on a phone goes...my Charge, and Fascinate were pretty good too I might add.
However, no it wouldn't be just the Camera, it would be the Fact that I've never seen my 4G be so spotty with a phone before. I've had the Thunderbolt, and the Charge, which are both 4G phones, and while those phones had they're share of issues, the 4G signal was pretty much rock solid. Either way, as far as I can see, I would really like my next phone to be another Samsung, and hopefully it'll be the Prime within the next few weeks. And with ICS hopefully they'll stop dropping phones every 2 months..lol
dave1812
Android Enthusiast
re: camera focus speed -- So I guess my wife and I both got special bionics and you didn't?
The Storm (and Storm 2) have decent cameras, BTW. Video is far more useable than the Bionic's. the focus hunting on the Bionic's video mode makes video useless IMO.
Hmm, have you tried getting a replacement? I have had no issues keeping 4G connection when I am in city limits. When I am on the edges it will sometimes search for a signal but beyond that I have no issues...
I agree with you on the camera. I just got done trying out the Bionic as an upgrade for my Incredible.
In the end, I think it is a well built device, but just didnt quite get enough right for me to keep the next two years. The weak camera was part of that. The Incredible is a couple years old and has a better camera, just doesnt make sense.
Although, I used it fairly heavily and didnt have an issue with the battery. I also liked the screen ok, especially outside in the sunlight.
But in the end, I think I will be happier with one of the upcoming devices. I think the Bionic is a pretty good phone, and hopefully they will be able to improve the camera with OTA's for you guys who are sticking with the Bionic.
I tried experimenting with the camera a good bit on my Bionic, because I was truly surprised how poor it was. Usually, even I took a lot of time framing a shot, in perfect lighting conditions, the image quality was still very poor. But even if decent, that kind of process really defeats the purpose of what is supposed to be a quick and easy point and shoot. I may as well get out my Nikon D90 if I am going through that much trouble.
Low light? I didnt even see the point in trying. My guess is that the results would be horrible, given what I was getting in excellent light. I was kind of hoping it was just my particular device, but based on my reading around the web that is not the case.
Hopefully Moto can do some improvements via OTA's.
sean76
Android Expert
After a full day if using my camera yesterday. I'll say this, some pics are crystal clear, some of the best I've seem on a phone. However its a crap shoot with the Auto focus. Its a problem that as a Bionic owner u just have to deal with right now. For Motorola not to even pay attention to it, or even admit it exists at this point is pretty disappointing to say the least. Those screaming overlook it, or buy a camera, really need to stop drinking the kool aid...