I2K4
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Senior Member
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Posts: 1,441
Re: Best way to use an android hiking camera?
Don't own the phone, but this is a paste in from suggestions in another thread:
The particular joy of the Google Pixel camera app is its point / click simplicity, with the algorithm doing the thinking. Why not just try some "manual" style apps on the Pixel phone? There are several highly rated, the best cost a few bucks, and you can manually set shutter speed fast as the hardware can go. Open Camera (or I the spin-off with extras, Hedgecam2 that's stable on my Moto) are free and very capable. I bought Camera FV-5 years ago and very much like the new version 5.x of that for manual set ups. Snap Camera HDR is also very configurable with multiple presets out of the box.
There are several other comparably good and sophisticated apps but compatibility with devices varies in Android world - sad fact is many Android users are "stuck with" the manufacturer's preinstalled camera app because of unusual multiple lenses and sensors - most paid third party apps have free trial versions to test compatibility while limiting functionality in various ways.
If you want to define presets, Snap Camera HDR supports "zero shutter lag" comparable to Google Camera's HDR+ and deep customization that can be saved as dialed Custom presets - can't say if it works on the Pixel phones.
(Have to say, while I like shooting with Google GCam - ported on my Moto - and above third party apps I pack another camera if anticipating heavy use, mainly for battery life. The phone for me is foremost an emergency communication and geolocation tool, and heavy screen use with hi res photography drains the battery fast.)