<p>In Noise Reduction photo mode, Open Camera takes a burst of photos which are then automatically merged, to improve photo quality.
This is particularly useful in low light scenes to reduce noise.
</p>
<p>Some things to note about Open Camera's NR feature:</p>
<ul>
<li>In dark scenes, NR will also apply pixel binning, merging 4 pixels into 1 to reduce noise. Therefore in such cases , the
resultant photo resolution will be halved in width and height.</li>
<li>In bright scenes where there is a high dynamic range, NR mode will perform better than Standard at capturing the dynamic range.
This is similar to what Open Camera's <ahref="#hdr">HDR</a> mode can achieve. Also see <ahref="#nr_vs_hdr">NR vs HDR</a>.</li>
<li>Taking photos with NR is significantly slower than regular photos.</li>
<li>Although Open Camera applies auto-alignment to the images, it's still best to try to hold your device steady while the photo is
being taken.</li>
<li>If you have a Google Pixel (2), you should get Google's HDR+ photos when using Open Camera's Standard photo mode, so there
is generally little benefit to using Open Camera's NR mode on these devices. See "Does Open Camera support HDR+" in the
<ahref="#faq">FAQ</a> for more details.</li>
</ul>
<p><aname="dro"></a><b>DRO</b></p>
<p><aname="dro"></a><b>DRO</b></p>
<p>Dynamic Range Optimisation (DRO) is a technique that optimises the dynamic range available in the image. In particular, dark
<p>Dynamic Range Optimisation (DRO) is a technique that optimises the dynamic range available in the image. In particular, dark
@@ -350,6 +374,15 @@ is generally little benefit to using Open Camera's HDR mode on these devices. Se
three separate images, rather than reprocessing a single image.</li>
three separate images, rather than reprocessing a single image.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p><aname="nr_vs_hdr"></a><b>NR vs HDR</b></p>
<p>In scenes with high dynamic range, HDR should do better at capturing the high dynamic range (although NR should still be better
than Standard photo mode). Though NR still has the advantage that it is less prone to ghosting and misalignment. NR is also better
suited to working in a wide range of scenes.</p>
<p>In summary: NR is better if you just want a "works best in most cases" option. HDR may be a better choice specifically in
scenes with high dynamic range, that also don't have movement in the scene.</p>
<p><aname="settings"></a><b>Settings</b></p>
<p><aname="settings"></a><b>Settings</b></p>
<!--<p><b>Camera Effects:</b></p>-->
<!--<p><b>Camera Effects:</b></p>-->
@@ -602,6 +635,9 @@ to a particular aspect ratio. For photos, the crop-guide requires "Preview size"
<p><b>Show border when taking photo</b> - Whether to display a border effect when taking a photo.</p>
<p><b>Show border when taking photo</b> - Whether to display a border effect when taking a photo.</p>
<p><b>Show What's New dialog</b> - When updating to a major new version, Open Camera displays a dialog explaining the new
features and other options. You can disable this dialog from being displayed if you prefer.</p>
<p><b>Keep display on</b> - Whether to force keeping the screen display on, while the main Open Camera UI is active.</p>
<p><b>Keep display on</b> - Whether to force keeping the screen display on, while the main Open Camera UI is active.</p>
<p><b>Force maximum brightness</b> - Whether to force the screen display to maximum brightness.</p>
<p><b>Force maximum brightness</b> - Whether to force the screen display to maximum brightness.</p>
@@ -651,6 +687,15 @@ uncompressed and unprocessed information from your camera. Please note the follo
<li>RAW images will only be saved in the Standard or DRO photo modes.</li>
<li>RAW images will only be saved in the Standard or DRO photo modes.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p><b>Noise Reduction original images</b> - When using <ahref="#noise_reduction">Noise Reduction</a> mode, if
this option is enabled, then the input images from the burst of images taken will be saved, as well as the
final NR photo. You can choose to save either a single image from the burst, or all images. This may be useful
if you want to use external image stacking applications to merge the images. Note that these images will
typically be noisier than a typical photo from Standard mode, because the device's noise reduction algorithms
are disabled (this seems counter-intuitive, but in order to improve quality by merging multiple images, noise
reduction algorithms need to be applied after the merging, not before).
</p>
<p><b>Save all images for HDR mode</b> - When using <ahref="#hdr">HDR</a> mode, if this option is enabled,
<p><b>Save all images for HDR mode</b> - When using <ahref="#hdr">HDR</a> mode, if this option is enabled,
then the three base exposure images will be saved as well as the final HDR photo. This is useful if you want
then the three base exposure images will be saved as well as the final HDR photo. This is useful if you want
to use external HDR applications (such as my own
to use external HDR applications (such as my own
@@ -685,10 +730,13 @@ Similarly for "Store compass direction". Note that if this option is enabled, th
longer to save the photo. Also see "Video subtitles".</p>
longer to save the photo. Also see "Video subtitles".</p>
<p><b>Datestamp format, Timestamp format</b> - If "Stamp photos" is enabled, these options allow
<p><b>Datestamp format, Timestamp format</b> - If "Stamp photos" is enabled, these options allow
extra control over the date and time formatting.</p>
extra control over the date and time formatting. Also used for Video settings/"Video subtitles".</p>
<p><b>GPS stamp format</b> - If "Stamp photos" is enabled, this allows extra control over the GPS
<p><b>GPS stamp format</b> - If "Stamp photos" is enabled, this allows extra control over the GPS
formatting.</p>
formatting. Also used for Video settings/"Video subtitles".</p>
<p><b>Distance unit</b> - If "Stamp photos" is enabled, this controls whether to use metres (m) or
feet (ft) when recording the GPS altitude. Also used for Video settings/"Video subtitles".</p>
<p><b>Custom text</b> - Here you can enter some text to be stamped onto resultant photos (e.g.,
<p><b>Custom text</b> - Here you can enter some text to be stamped onto resultant photos (e.g.,
this could be used for a copyright image). Note that if this option is enabled, then it will take
this could be used for a copyright image). Note that if this option is enabled, then it will take
@@ -800,7 +848,7 @@ SRT files, and use them to display the information as subtitles (for Android,
does not seem to support subtitles). The subtitles will record the date and time. If "Store location data" is enabled (see
does not seem to support subtitles). The subtitles will record the date and time. If "Store location data" is enabled (see
"Location settings" below), then the current location latitude and longitude coordinates will also be recorded (if the location is
"Location settings" below), then the current location latitude and longitude coordinates will also be recorded (if the location is
known). Similarly for "Store compass direction". Note that you can control the formatting style for date, time and location using
known). Similarly for "Store compass direction". Note that you can control the formatting style for date, time and location using
the options under the "Photo settings" menu (Datestamp format, Timestamp format, GPS stamp format).</p>
the options under the "Photo settings" menu (Datestamp format, Timestamp format, GPS stamp format, Distance unit).</p>
<p><b>Force 4K UHD video (may not work on all devices)</b> - Enable recording in 4K UHD (3840x2160) on the back camera (if ticked,
<p><b>Force 4K UHD video (may not work on all devices)</b> - Enable recording in 4K UHD (3840x2160) on the back camera (if ticked,
this overrides the setting in "Video resolution"). This is provided for some phones that don't properly expose their 4K video resolution to 3rd party camera apps
this overrides the setting in "Video resolution"). This is provided for some phones that don't properly expose their 4K video resolution to 3rd party camera apps
@@ -1061,7 +1109,8 @@ to use methods that Google now discourage. The fault is with the device for not
Android's standard method for disabling the shutter sound. In particular, if under Settings/About
Android's standard method for disabling the shutter sound. In particular, if under Settings/About
you see that "Can disable shutter sound?" says No, it means the device's camera API is telling 3rd
you see that "Can disable shutter sound?" says No, it means the device's camera API is telling 3rd
party camera apps that shutter sound can't be disabled (so either it can't do it, or the API is lying
party camera apps that shutter sound can't be disabled (so either it can't do it, or the API is lying
- either way, this should be reported to your manufacturer).</p>
- either way, this should be reported to your manufacturer). Also note that this doesn't apply if using
Camera2 API - if Camera2 is enabled, then all devices should support disabling the shutter sound.</p>
<p><b>Why does Open Camera have ads?</b> - Open Camera does <i>not</i> have ads (there may be ads on the online
<p><b>Why does Open Camera have ads?</b> - Open Camera does <i>not</i> have ads (there may be ads on the online
webpage you're reading now, but not in the app). There are however some clones on Google Play with ads inserted.
webpage you're reading now, but not in the app). There are however some clones on Google Play with ads inserted.
