[MI8 - dipper] MIUI Camera vs BSG *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* Port

[Hydro]

[MI8 - dipper] MIUI Camera vs BSG *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* Port​

My configuration :
- Hardware : Mi8
- Software : HavocOS (link)
- MIUI Camera : ANX MIUI Camera v7 (Magisk module) (01/25/2019) (link)
- Google Pixel Camera : BSG *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* Port (12/30/2018) (link) (BSG's config : link)

Personal favourite : BSG *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* Port​

My thoughts so far :

• Details : Google (on most shots)
• Night Mode : Google (by far)
• Portrait Mode : Google (details + blur + colors)
• Colors : None (customizable)
• HDR : Google (because MIUI's HDR also use a post-process effect that shrinks the dynamic range, and reduces the amount of details)
• Optical zoom : MIUI

Remarks :

• HDR+ Enhanced takes more time and requires to hold the phone steady when taking the picture, but it is very helpful in some particular cases
• You can adjust the smoothness of the picture on portrait mode, in both apps
• Don't be afraid to use the flash for indoor pictures, it gives a white lighting, and thus a better white balance
• MIUI's HDR seems to use a post-process effect that actually shrinks the dynamic range
• Use jpeg quality of 80% (medium), you will divide the weight of the image by 4, with no visible loss of quality
• Both apps have optical zoom. On *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum*, activate "add AUX to camera switch" (in BSG MOD Settings), then double tap on the camera switch button to activate the zoom
• Optical zoom is ineffective, or even worse when light is to lack

To the reader :

• Ask questions in the topic, not by private message
• I can post more pictures if you need
• I'm always happy to help

How HDR+ works : link

The Test

Night Shot

MIUI, HDR off	MIUI, HDR on	Google, HDR+
	Bad colors Makes dark areas less dark, but not more detailed (dynamic range shrink)	More details Effective HDR Natural colors

Portrait mode

MIUI, portrait mode (beautify = 0)	Google, portrait mode (smoothness = natural)
Colors too white Less details Hair blurred Over exposed background

Bright outdoor

MIUI, HDR off	MIUI, HDR on	Google, HDR+	Google, HDR+ Enhanced
	Blurred picture Faded colors	No big improvement over 1st picture	Perfectly controlled exposure Good colors

Night mode

MIUI, HDR off	MIUI, Night mode	Google, HDR+	Google, Night mode
Not so bad for a shot is the dark	Too noisy Not efficient	HDR+ better than MIUI night mode ! Still too noisy	Awesome !

Against the light (taken from behind a windows)

MIUI, HDR off	MIUI, HDR on	Google, HDR+
Over exposed sky	Still a bit over exposed	Efficient HDR Natural colours

HDR test

MIUI, HDR off	MIUI, HDR on	Google, HDR+	Google, HDR+ Enhanced
Exposure 3/5	Exposure 5/5 Blurry picture though	Exposure 1/5	Exposure 4/5 Really makes a difference with HDR+ Unatural colours

Optical Zoom Test (message on the sign : Interdiction de marcher sur les pelouses)

MIUI, zoom = 1	MIUI, zoom = 2	Google, zoom = 1	Google, 1 < zoom < 2
	Best zoom, I can read the sign		I can see the pixels Sharper image I can read the sign too

 

[Akd_es10]

I'm preparing a similar review for my chanel on youtube but my conclutions aren't the same. I find HDR more deep in Miui's cam and the portrait mode in rear camera is not working whit *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum*. The only one point i find better in pixel camera is the nigth mode.
Anyway Nice post! Thanks!

 

[Stoffl]

Yeah I agree, BSG V2B++ *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* with BSG settings generally makes better picture with less effort.
AI mode in MIUI camera is useless.

 

[Hydro]

I'm preparing a similar review for my chanel on youtube but my conclutions aren't the same. I find HDR more deep in Miui's cam and the portrait mode in rear camera is not working whit *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum*. The only one point i find better in pixel camera is the nigth mode.
Anyway Nice post! Thanks!

MIUI's HDR basically shrinks the dynamic range of the picture, which is effective, but is not what we want. It shouldn't be called "HDR" imho ;-)
Portrait mode should work on a not-MIUI ROM with the like I gave.

Sent from my MI 8 using Tapatalk

 

[Steller]

@Hydro
Such a nice review, thanks, I've linked to your threat at my post here, if it's not a problem

 

[Hydro]

@Hydro
Such a nice review, thanks, I've linked to your threat at my post here, if it's not a problem

Not at all ;-)

 

[Hydro]

UPDATE (01/31/2019) : added a fourth scene (outdoor, night)

 

[OmarD]

Great review mate.

I always carry both cameras, and in both the rear cameras work in a similar way, some case stock do a great work. Only when I'm going to use the front camera, they have a lot of advantage in *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum*.

 

[Hydro]

UPDATE (02/04/2019) : added a fifth scene (bright outdoor, taken from behind a window)

 

[00raq00]

@Hydro Could you add to your comparison Google Night Shift mode?

 

[Hydro]

@Hydro Could you add to your comparison Google Night Shift mode?

I will, soon ;-)

EDIT : It's hard to find a dark spot in a big city. I could do it at home but it might be less interesting.

Sent from my MI 8 using Tapatalk

 

[Hydro]

UPDATE (02/08/2019) : added a sixth scene (night mode)

 

[Hydro]

UPDATE (02/013/2019) : added two more scenes showing efficiency of HDR

 

[00raq00]

1. MIUI CAM AI
2. MIUI CAM AI HDR FORCE
3. MIUI CAM NIGHT MODE
4. *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* HDR+ E
5. *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* NIGHT SHIFT

Wysłane z mojego MI 8 przy użyciu Tapatalka

 

[betaHydri]

Very nice review. What I'm missing in all the *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* Ports for MI8, Poco, Mix2s etc. is that I can't use the 2x Zoom f2,4 2nd camera that I would like to use sometimes. Only for that I had to install the MIUI Port via Magisk.

 

[Hydro]

Very nice review. What I'm missing in all the *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* Ports for MI8, Poco, Mix2s etc. is that I can't use the 2x Zoom f2,4 2nd camera that I would like to use sometimes. Only for that I had to install the MIUI Port via Magisk.

Given the picture quality you already get, I don't think the 2x zoom is really useful. Anyway, I did the test some time ago, and I got better quality with *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* 2x zoom than ANX 2x zoom (I taped on 2x so I guess it's the optical zoom). Weird though ^^
EDIT : I was not aware that optical zoom was actually working on *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* too, I'll add some pictures to compare.

Sent from my MI 8 using Tapatalk

 

[betaHydri]

Given the picture quality you already get, I don't think the 2x zoom is really useful. Anyway, I did the test some time ago, and I got better quality with *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* 2x zoom than ANX 2x zoom (I taped on 2x so I guess it's the optical zoom). Weird though ^^

Sent from my MI 8 using Tapatalk

I don't think that it is optical, as you can see in the details/Info (Option in Google Fotos e.g.) afterwards that it is using f1,8 camera and not f2,4 camera.
EDIT: 2xzoom works in MGC_6.1.021_MI8_V2e+ !!! --> Settings / bsg mod settings / add aux to camera switch. Thanks @Stoffl

 

[Stoffl]

Very nice review. What I'm missing in all the *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* Ports for MI8, Poco, Mix2s etc. is that I can't use the 2x Zoom f2,4 2nd camera that I would like to use sometimes. Only for that I had to install the MIUI Port via Magisk.

Huh?
The Tele lens has been working for months in bsg *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* mods...
Settings / bsg mod settings / add aux to camera switch

Press twice in quick succession on camera flip, voila Tele lens

 

[betaHydri]

Huh?
The Tele lens has been working for months in bsg *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* mods...
Settings / bsg mod settings / add aux to camera switch

Press twice in quick succession on camera flip, voila Tele lens

I can't find such setting inside BSG mod settings. Which version do you use? I'm using MGC_6.1.021_F1_V1.7.apk on my Mi Mix 2s. Maybe it can't detect the Tele camera ony none MIUI ROMS.

EDIT: It works in MGC_6.1.021_MI8_V2e+ !!! Thanks BTW for that info! With that now I will stick with this *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* Version.

 

[Stoffl]

V2b(++) and I guess most versions after that?

 

[Hydro]

Regardless the app, I get f/1.8 on every picture, whatever the zoom
EDIT : Indeed optical zoom works on both apps. On *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum*, you just have to press twice and quickly the camera switch button (switch front and back camera).

Sent from my MI 8 using Tapatalk

 

[betaHydri]

Regardless the app, I get f/1.8 on every picture, whatever the zoom

Sent from my MI 8 using Tapatalk

On my MiMix 2s running with ROM PE and with the above mentioned *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum*, I get F1,8 with standard and f2,4 with the tele 2 x zoom kamera. I verified that with google fotos Info at each picture that I took.

Gesendet von meinem SM-G950F mit Tapatalk

 

[Kolobok737]

MIUI Cam was better in China Rom MIUI 10 on Android Oreo 8.1.
In Android 9 Pie, wtf, very-very bad!!!!
Now I'm using only *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* BSG Mod in Android 9.
And wtf??? Where is 4K@60fps &1080p@60fps in MIUI 10.2.2.0 ??? Even in Oreo 8.1 was 1080p@60fps !

 

[Stoffl]

You're crazy...MIUI camera quality vastly improved around end of december 2018 with android 9.
I can't speak about 1080p@60fps video because I never had it.

 

[Pezzo]

Hi, I'm on last Havoc for Mi8.
The best configuration for *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum* is still that of the first post?
Thanks!