Android phone to function Only As A Camera

jazz camcorder wrote:

got brand new a cheap $18nzd free shipping android phone on black Friday last year running android go 8.1

only has a 5mp camera but it takes decent photos for the how low MP is also has a 2mp front camera and takes ok 720p video
im never going to use this as a phone but wanted to know if there was a way to have when i turn the phone it boots into the camera after android loads?

just want to use this as a camera when im just going to take random photos or video that is not very important or use it in places where i don't want to damage my $400 camera

Better to use that $400 camera instead of the phone!

-Martin P

You might look at Open Camera , which has both homescreen and lock screen widgets and will probably help pull the most out of an older phone's limited camera:

Widgets and tiles

Open Camera comes with a "Take Photo" widget. You can place this on your homescreen. When clicked on, it lauches Open Camera and takes a photo immediately.

Open Camera also comes with two widgets that can be displayed on the lock screen (requires Android 4.2 or later - but lock screen widgets are no longer available in Android 5 or later). The "Open Camera" widget launches the app; the "Take Photo" widget will also automatically take a photo. Note that if you have a PIN lock etc, you'll have to unlock even if "Show camera when locked" is enabled.

In the unlikely even the Android version is earlier than version 4, there are APKs for older versions of the app available from reliable download sites outside the Play Store. I can't recall the screen launch functionality of the older versions.  You might also look at Hedgecam2, a collaborative spin-off of Open Camera with a different user interface.

{By the way, these old phones, especially if they have microSD storage, can be very useful without sim cards as "MP3 players" for music or audiobooks, and for offline sat/nav using Open Streets Maps clients or similar, and wifi access to browsers or VOIP services.   Spares the battery on the regular phone, uses well beyond those of a pocket point&shooter.)

I think it's a great idea to have that phone instead of an expensive camera for photos that might not matter so much for you at the end. You can easily find also cheap lenses for mobile devices that will expand your capabilites greatly. The same goes for portable tripods for cellphones and many other different accessories that can aide you getting very good photos.

From a software perspective you should just make sure you have enough space in your memory for large amounts of storage, or if possible, link your new phone to a cloud service for better safe keeping.

I use my mobile phone as a camera a lot. It's just easier to transport when I am on my way to work or home, and there is always something worth capturing.

Please make sure to share the photos you make!

Best regards!

Lensmate wrote:

jazz camcorder wrote:

got brand new a cheap $18nzd free shipping android phone on black Friday last year running android go 8.1

only has a 5mp camera but it takes decent photos for the how low MP is also has a 2mp front camera and takes ok 720p video
im never going to use this as a phone but wanted to know if there was a way to have when i turn the phone it boots into the camera after android loads?

just want to use this as a camera when im just going to take random photos or video that is not very important or use it in places where i don't want to damage my $400 camera

Better to use that $400 camera instead of the phone!

-Martin P

Blanket statements DNA Martin P.    I carry my Pixel 3a (or my Pixel 2XL) everywhere - never make or receive calls.  I am not a suscriber to any cell provider.There are places/activities where cameras are not allowed or are very inconvenient.   I bought them both used on eBay.  A bargain compared to my Canon.

I just keep a camera icon in the favorites bar.

mangurian wrote:

Lensmate wrote:

jazz camcorder wrote:

got brand new a cheap $18nzd free shipping android phone on black Friday last year running android go 8.1

only has a 5mp camera but it takes decent photos for the how low MP is also has a 2mp front camera and takes ok 720p video
im never going to use this as a phone but wanted to know if there was a way to have when i turn the phone it boots into the camera after android loads?

just want to use this as a camera when im just going to take random photos or video that is not very important or use it in places where i don't want to damage my $400 camera

Better to use that $400 camera instead of the phone!

-Martin P

Blanket statements DNA Martin P. I carry my Pixel 3a (or my Pixel 2XL) everywhere - never make or receive calls. I am not a suscriber to any cell provider.There are places/activities where cameras are not allowed or are very inconvenient. I bought them both used on eBay. A bargain compared to my Canon.

I just keep a camera icon in the favorites bar.

Funny that, I do the exact opposite and carry this:

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII Review: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

beats the pants off of those pissy phones!

-Martin P

I'll stick with my $100 Pixel 2XL and my $150 Pixel 3a thanks. The SONY is too pricey. I can always bring a Canon for serious shooting.

The Sony looks really nice, but is too thick for my shirt pocket in hot NC summers.

mangurian wrote:

I'll stick with my $100 Pixel 2XL and my $150 Pixel 3a thanks. The SONY is too pricey. I can always bring a Canon for serious shooting.

The Sony looks really nice, but is too thick for my shirt pocket in hot NC summers.

Fits in shirt pocket no problem:

camera atop phone

-Martin P