GoogleCam vs Native Camera App on Oneplus 6T: Which is better?
I remember using GCam (Google Camera) on my Oneplus 5T, but then Google stopped supporting other devices in its Google App. There is a reason behind it.
Even with single/Two cameras google manage to outdo its competitors' flagship devices with 3 or 4 cameras in the photography category. It is definitely not because of the hardware quality but purely the software behind in processing. So, It makes a lot of sense for Google to not support devices that are with superior hardware.
A few months back, I was researching for "Google cam for Oneplus 6T" and came across a GoogleCam patched version in the XDA forum. When started using, on the first look, the images look the same. I even uninstalled once, thinking the GoogleCam makes no difference in quality. The more you use and the more you analyze, you start noticed startling quality differences between GoogleCam and Oneplus 6T's Native app.
There are a few things I noticed which are very apparent when I compared images side by side.
Sharpness Control
In the daylight, Oneplus delivers contrast and colorful image. The sharpness of the frame depends on the subject location. However, GoogleCam manages to keep the sharpness based on the scene. When you are shooting close-ups both camera apps deliver good background blur with selective focus, but when shooting landscape Google gets the contrast, highlight control and overall sharpness to the spot. The command GoogleCam has on highlights and shadows processing brings the sharpness to the frame.
Google Cam maintains the contrast and sharpness when shot at close range however OP camera App maintains the color.
Dynamic Range
As a continuation of the previous point, another aspect of how GooglecCam excels above Oneplus 6T's native app is the dynamic range. GoogleCam's HDR processing enables the app to capture landscape images without compromising either highlight/shadows. So, even on a bright day, you will be able to capture the brightest and the shadows without losing many details compared to Oneplus's native app.
The Images on right has brighter highlights and at the same time, manages to handle the shadows. In the clouds, it is obvious that Google cam maintained the overexposure and saturation very well.
Noise Reductions
You would notice how GoogleCam handles noise in images when you are looking at the night images taken from both apps. In order to reduce the noise in the images (of low light images) Oneplus smoothens the pixels, however, GoogleCam does it through HDR processing and maintains the sharpness of the image even in the low light.
Refer to the CameraApp section:
Night Sight vs Nightscape
I wanted to capture an image with both natural & artificial lighting available, so I can use Night modes (Night Sight in GCam & Night Scape in Oneplus Camera App) in each App and compare. Hence, capture this frame and by the first look, it is obvious how good the Google cam App looks. But yes, it may look as just managing highlights and shadows. But if you look closer, GoogleCam App manages more then managing the light and shadows but manages in a way without losing the sharpness and clarity.
Google cam uses HDR & AI really good to maintain both the clarity and color dynamism even when shot at night, handheld. You can try it yourself. Check if GoogleCam is available for your device in Google Play else check-in XDA forum.
