GCAM is the best camera application on Android. However, it is available not only for the PIXEL line. You can install the tool almost on any modern device based on Android.
If we talk about a mobile photo, then absolutely any user will notice such a tendency: the software is really important and positively affects the quality of the pictures. The recognized leader in this area is the Google Camera application originally designed for the phones of the Pixel series from Google.
However, thanks to independent Android developers, Google Camera has become much more affordable. The application uses all the capabilities of your camera, as well as the most advanced image processing technologies on the smartphone.
Below we will tell you how to install the Google application to your phone based on Android OS.
What is Google camera?
Google Camera is an application for the camera created by the advanced study and Google Research and Development. Release took place in 2014, when the first telephone number of the Google Pixel series was released. Despite the lack of advanced equipment for the camera, which were equipped with other flagship smartphones, Pixel, as you know, are able to do one of the best photos.
This demonstrates the need for software that allows you to use all the features of the smartphone camera. Google camera adds many additional features, noticeably improving image quality.
Thus, google Camera or GCAM, as much as possible improves the camera of your smartphone, so that it works as never before.
What is good Google camera?
Is the Google Camera function developed enough to replace the standard camera application? Definite! You will notice not only an improvement in image quality, but also more parameters for shooting and image processing.
The following functions make the application such wonderful:
- slow motion : Record video in 120 or 240 frames per second (FPS) (depends on the capabilities of a particular smartphone). Ideal for creating videos where the main goal is to show detailed movements.
- Motion Photo : Similar to Live Photo (iOS). It combines the movements of a three-second video with optical image stabilization of a smartphone and a gyroscope, which adds a short low-resolution video to the photo.
- Background Blur : Primarily for portrait shots, this function blurs the background to emphasize and enhance the front and center of the subject.
- HDR+ : Allows you to take high-quality photos in low light or against a light source. When shooting a series of photos, HDR+ reduces blur, noise and increases dynamic range. In fact, the application selects the best image from the series and improves it by processing each pixel and choosing a color that matches the average value for a set of photos. Among the many advantages of HDR+, it is worth highlighting the quality of images in low light conditions.
- Great Shot : After installing Google Camera, your phone will be able to take about ten photos per second. To do this, you need to press and hold the “take a picture” button, and then the smartphone itself will help you choose the best photo from the series.
- Video stabilization: Using optical image stabilization and digital video stabilization, the application processes videos to remove various distortions and correct focus. As a result, you will be able to record smooth videos that will definitely not annoy people on social networks.
- Panorama : Most smartphones have panoramic shooting, but GCam is much better. That's because with this tool you can take panoramic shots vertically, horizontally and at a wide angle.
Yes, of course, many smartphones already have some of these features, but Google Camera delivers unbeatable results in almost every area. The app improves even basic low-light shots with HDR and high performance.
Comparing Google Camera with the built-in camera app
Considering all the features of Google Camera, let's see how they work in practice compared to the built-in camera application.
This way you get better exposure, more detail, and sharper pictures. Installing the Google Camera app is really worth it. Fortunately, this process is not so complicated.
How to set Google Camera
When switching from a built-in camera application to Google Camera, everything solves compatibility of a particular smartphone model.
Necessary characteristics
On the network there is a special website in which the list of all smartphones supporting Google Camera at the moment. Note that it is updated on an ongoing basis, and if your smartphone is not in the list, then do not be discouraged because it can appear there. The main condition is the support of the Camera2 API interface on the phone.
Camera2 API provides developers access to your phone camera to maximize the lens, flash, excerpt, autofocus, Raw Capture, HDR +, OIS and camera sensor.
For the first time Camera2 API appeared on Android 5.0 Lollipop. Thus, smartphones on Android 7.1.1 and higher, most likely, will be compatible with the application. But to make sure this is simply installing the free Camera2 API Probe from the Google Play Store.
This tool is very simple: you open the application, and the first menu is a list of compatibility of your smartphone with Camera2API:
The "Hardware Support Level" section (Hardware Support Level) is the most important. This includes compatibility with both rear and front cameras:
- Legacy : Support only Camera1 API. If this is the only green tick, you will not be able to use Google Camera on your phone.
- Limited : Support for a limited range of capabilities of the Camera2 API.
- FULL : Support for all important capabilities of the Camera2 API.
- Level_3 : Additional support for YUV processing, RAW Capture and additional parameters.
GCAM will be installed and will only work if the API is open. In this case, you have to edit a special file in the system, access to which can be obtained through the root right.
Installation process
Distinguishing with compatibility issues, the first thing you need to go to the list of supported smartphones and check whether Ported GCAM version for your device. It is quite simple, since all models are arranged there by the manufacturer in alphabetical order, from ASUS to Xiaomi.
To simplify the search, follow these steps:
- Press the "Ctrl + F" key combination in the browser.
- The search box opens.
- Enter the model of your Android smartphone.
An alternative to the above-mentioned site is GCAM HUB. When using any of the two tools, you will be presented with a list of APK files that need to download the phone. After clicking on the file, you will see a Warning:
Of course, you know what the file is for the file, so click on OK without any problems. Then go to "Settings"> Security and enable the installation of applications from unknown sources.
Finally, select the downloaded APK file using the file manager, and specify the installation file to continue. After that, you will be ready to start exploring all the delights of GCAM.
Conclusions
GCAM is a simple way to squeeze the maximum of the smartphone camera. If you do not like photos made with your native application, it is worth paying attention to Google software.
If your smartphone based on Android does not yet support the application or too old for the Camera2 API, then it is worth considering the transition to Pixel. In this case, you will probably win because you will get the maximum compatibility of equipment and software with all advanced features.
In addition, it is worth mentioning other cool applications for Android cameras, which are worth trying.
