Google Camera review: simple, yet very powerful

posted by Chris P. / May 22, 2014, 6:21 AM

Google Camera review: simple, yet very powerful

Developer: Google Inc.	Download: Android
Genre: Photography	Price: Free

If one would dial back a few months, and remember the excitement surrounding the latest Android update in KitKat, it is unlikely that the the term "decoupling" would find its way into one's head. Indeed, for most consumers, KitKat meant a few more features, and the promise of a smooth Android experience even on the lowest of hardware. But from Google's standpoint, KitKat meant putting in full motion its plan of decoupling the Google apps layer that has largely become synonymous with

Android. In simpler words, what Google did (and continues to do) is tear a line between the core Play services that ensure Android has the essentials to operate normally, and apps like YouTube, Google Maps, and others, which are now available for direct download off the Play Store.

The latest nail in the coffin of the monolithic Android of old comes in the form of the Google Camera app, which is now available as a stand-alone app. The imaging app brings the full power and simplicity of the native camera app you'll find on stock Android devices like the Nexus 5, and we've had quite some fun playing around with it on handsets hitherto ineligible for it. In fact, given how background de-focusing techniques (bokeh effects) have shot up in popularity with phones like the One M8, Xperia Z2, and Galaxy S5, it felt like it deserves a more in-depth review from us.

But Lens Blur, as Google calls the aforementioned technique, isn't the only great thing about the Google Camera. You also get the company's industry-leading 360 panorama mode (sometimes referred to as Photo Sphere), along with normal panoramas, and, indeed, the standard: stills and video capture. Obviously, for most devices that come with a dedicated and highly customized camera app (e.g. S5, M8, Z2), the Google Camera mostly serves to close a functional gap, though some may prefer its simplicity over their existing, built-in app.

As we've come to expect from Google, its camera app has a very rudimentary interface, though that's not necessarily a con. Opening the app introduces you to a very stripped-down UI, with a single icon that contains the few controls available (HDR, flash settings, grid lines). The available shooting modes also make a short appearance from the left side of the interface, in order to make their presence known, and then get out of your way. You can recall these with a single swipe from the left border, and take your pick. Doing so will also reveal a shortcut to the settings, which allow you to tweak away the resolution at which snaps and video is taken, and also control the image quality of panoramas and snaps taken with the Lens Blur option.

Speaking of Lens Blur, it's quite easy to use. Take a simple still, and then slowly move the device vertically when prompted, and let the software do the rest. In our experience, the feature is very well implemented, and delivers on its promise -- snaps get a pleasant background blur, while the object in focus remains sharp. The other stand-out feature of the app is, again, the ability to shoot immersive, 360 panoramas. Given how Google pioneered the feature for Android, it's without a doubt the best implementation of the shooting mode -- stitching has gotten very intelligent with the latest update. It's also somewhat easy to get the hang of it -- you basically start off by aiming your camera at the blue point in the center of the scene, and then just sweep around both horizontally and vertically, hunting down other 'dots' that indicate where the next shot is.

The only draw back with the Google Camera that we've seen is the fact that it doesn't necessarily play nice with every device, and crashes do happen every now and then. That said, those were isolated incidents on the whole. Nice job, Google!

Pros

Simplistic interface
Well-implemented and rare shooting modes, like Lens Blur and 360 panoramas
Works on a variety of devices

Cons

Crashes every now and then

PhoneArena rating:

Developer: Google Inc.	Download: Android
Genre: Photography	Price: Free

Google Camera

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19 Comments

1. surethom

Posts: 1698; Member since: Mar 04, 2009

Very nice but one Massive missing option is widescreen, the nexus 5 needs a 6 megapixel widescreen option.

posted on May 22, 2014, 6:28 AM 1

14. nexusdude

Posts: 151; Member since: Aug 22, 2013

Why? You just lose parts of the picture.

posted on May 22, 2014, 2:13 PM 1

2. vincelongman

Posts: 5696; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

I've never had it crash on me, but maybe that's because I have a Nexus 5 I think 9/10 is a bit too high, I'd rate it 7/10, it needs more options/features, such as more manual control and different resolutions (e.g. 16:9 resolutions), slo mo, timer, motion shot,..

posted on May 22, 2014, 6:37 AM 1

3. sbw44

Posts: 433; Member since: Dec 04, 2012

Why don't you review Nokia's Camera?

posted on May 22, 2014, 6:51 AM 4

4. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

I am actually quite surprised at PA why they never include a Lumia phone in a camera comparison battle.

posted on May 22, 2014, 6:55 AM 3

5. jibraihimi

Posts: 808; Member since: Nov 29, 2011

They included it once, and they were way ahead of the competition, so PA thought its better to not include them in blind camera comparison battle, instead of embarrassing all the flagship phones of other companies......

posted on May 22, 2014, 7:07 AM 4

7. tech2

It WAS I am sure if they are compared with today's top dogs it will get its run for the money.

posted on May 22, 2014, 8:25 AM 0

6. androiphone20

Posts: 1654; Member since: Jul 10, 2013

You don't have to cuz it won't even be a battle.

8. tech2

That's how fanboys speak not consumers.

posted on May 22, 2014, 8:40 AM 3

17. wilsong17 unregistered

the problem with nokia only camera bro is that all it got you think consumer only buy a phone for a camera my as well get a professional cannon

posted on May 22, 2014, 7:08 PM 0

18. mattkl

Posts: 255; Member since: Feb 01, 2010

This isn't a camera post, it's a post about an app. Has nothing to do with hardware.

posted on May 23, 2014, 8:03 PM 0

9. aayupanday

Posts: 582; Member since: Jun 28, 2012

Use this on the Moto G and found that it takes much better low light shots compared to the stock Motorola Camera.

posted on May 22, 2014, 9:01 AM 1

10. Totse2k15

Posts: 478; Member since: Feb 11, 2014

No HDR option for my Moto G. It's OK app. I like "A Better Camera Unlocked" the most for my Moto G.

posted on May 22, 2014, 11:23 AM 0

11. XperiaX

Posts: 66; Member since: Feb 20, 2014

how come its all 4:3 no matter which MP i choose? and it doesn't have HDR option on my Z1 compact...??

posted on May 22, 2014, 11:41 AM 0

12. lalalaman

Posts: 638; Member since: Aug 19, 2013

Why no hdr on my s4???...that app has no hdr

posted on May 22, 2014, 1:02 PM 0

13. Shangri-La

Posts: 76; Member since: Oct 04, 2011

How do you adjust white balance on this thing??

posted on May 22, 2014, 1:48 PM 0

15. SemperFiV12

Posts: 949; Member since: Nov 09, 2010

Well since having gone back to the Nexus 5 to keep everything updated... most especially THIS app/feature/function, I am left unimpressed. The camera function on my phone crashes... A very basic and integral function use of a smartphone does not run the way it should. And when it was working, the pictures were still inferior to those images captured from my Lumia 925. Which explains why I switched back to my Lumia sooner than anticipated.