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Can Google Pixel 3 picture colors be toned down? They are too saturated.

Started Sep 24, 2020 | Questions
jamesx521 Regular Member • Posts: 176
Can Google Pixel 3 picture colors be toned down? They are too saturated.

Can Google Pixel 3 picture colors be toned down? They are too saturated, and the HDR is turned off. I am not seeing much features on this phone for manual control. Didn't see ISO control either.

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I2K4
I2K4 Senior Member • Posts: 1,441
Re: Can Google Pixel 3 picture colors be toned down? They are too saturated.
1

jamesx521 wrote:

Can Google Pixel 3 picture colors be toned down? They are too saturated, and the HDR is turned off. I am not seeing much features on this phone for manual control. Didn't see ISO control either.

A Pixel owner may be of more help. The selling point and particular joy of Google's Pixel camera is sitting back and letting the algorithm drive the bus. A quick googling doesn't turn up much in the way of settings apart from varieties of HDR+. My two thoughts would be:

1) Try a third party manual app that supports fast HDR and detailed configuration. I use a paid app after a lot of trial and error on my phone, but something like the free Open Camera or an even more sophisticated spin on it, Hedgecam2 , might a place to start. There are several other highly rated "manual" style camera apps, but device compatibility can be an issue. The best require payment for full functionality, but they definitely put you in the driver's seat.

2) Try installing APKs for the incredibly configurable GCam ports, which add modifications and detailed settings to the basic Pixel camera, as well as supporting non-Pixel phones. They're very dicey as to which GCam will work right on which devices and many will not install over top of another Pixel Camera. I use UltraCVM , which is updated to GCam version 7.4 and has been designed to install side by side with other GCams. Again, no guarantees but under-hood settings are very rich.  (Strongly suggest installing a malware scanner before using APKs from any source.)

OP jamesx521 Regular Member • Posts: 176
Re: Can Google Pixel 3 picture colors be toned down? They are too saturated.

Thanks. I may try the Hedgecam 2.

I2K4
I2K4 Senior Member • Posts: 1,441
Re: Can Google Pixel 3 picture colors be toned down? They are too saturated.

jamesx521 wrote:

Thanks. I may try the Hedgecam 2.

I keep it on board, set to black and white monochrome, getting better output than I do with the dedicated b/w apps I've tried, plus DNG. In particular I like the "NR" mode as compared to its HDR, at least on my Moto phone. Hedgecam2 refers to the Open Camera documentation though it has additional features.  I hadn't noticed it before, but you'll see that on Pixel devices it should detect and actually enable real HDR+ - that is interesting. Hope it works for you.

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