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.)

Thanks for the input.  I may look into some of these Apps  but I actually got an "in person" suggestion from a young friend a couple hours after my post: lock the phone before pocketing it.  I verified this is easily done with the fingerprint sensor and it's easily unlocked the same way after I pull it out of my pocket.  If this works in the field that solves about 2/3 of my gripe.

Still need to find an improved way to work with the screen in the bright sun.  Unpolarized sunglasses, reading sunglasses, or...?

Thanks again.  That OKO idea is very cool though not pocketable enough for my purposes.  I think I just need to optimize my screen view in the field (turn up brightness, get the glasses right, etc.).  It's not so much a matter of making camera adjustments or reading the "fine print"...just want a vague idea whether my subject (a petroglyph for example) is in the frame!

It's hard to shoot blind - been there. Depending on terrain and conditions you might experimnt with the Super Res Zoom for some compositions - it's not up to optical telephoto but can do pretty well at lower reaches. I think it's been getting some work in recent versions of the app. On my ported GCam, combined with HDR+ it's noticeably better than standard digital zoom.  (One of my first vacations with a digetal cam was Phoenix / Sedona back in the 00s, envy the scenery and local culture.)

mfinley wrote:

steve_AZ wrote:

when I pull it out of my pocket it's often not in my desired "camera mode" and I can't easily tell. BTW I just take snapshots of the scenes - no pretense of being a photographer.

Is there a method (or App?) which will allow me to keep the phone is "standard" camera mode while being jostled in and out of my pocket?

Don't know if your Pixel 4 acts the same ways as my Pixel 3, but if it does, the way I do it is to use the double squeeze of the power button whenever I want to use the camera when I pull it out of my pocket. This simple method turns on the phone and activates the camera and you are ready to shoot.

My Samsung phones do this too. I assume it is a normal Android thing, but might need setting.

When not taking a camera I use the Adonit Photogrip for a shutter button and grip. Excellent semi-camera-like experience having a comfortable grip and shutter button on top. Tiny lag with the shutter as it is Bluetooth. When in pants pocket I let the handle stick out a bit. I think these grips make phones fairly close to a one handed camera like the Ricoh GRD. I can't take phones seriously without a grip. With a grip I spend a touch longer composing and feel more stable. Very easy to attach to any camera with or without your normal case on.