The RAW power of the smartphone

LensBeginner · 07-29-2018, 12:53 AM

Originally posted by rsk

Amazing what this app can do and the improvements you made to your phone's camera performance by making use of it. I have a Huawei with a pretty good camera, but after installing FreeDCam and opening Settings I can't find Bayer format. Any idea how to check if my phone is capable of saving as RAW? It's rooted.

As UncleVanya said, if you can't find the option to select the Bayer pattern, it might just mean your phone can't shoot RAW... don't have experience with Huawei phones though, so it's just a guess.
What's the model?

Originally posted by UncleVanya

If it isn't showing I think that's the answer. I could get files but did not have a mapping to convert to raw.

In the case you chose Bayer over DNG and then tried to convert it with DCRaw, as suggested by the guide I followed, then conversion from bayer files didn't work for me either...
I choose DNG on the phone, and BTW I still get one file out of 3-4 that appears ok in RAWTherapee, but completely black or completely white in ACR. Probably a bit order issue, some screwed-up metadata or somesuch.

rsk · 07-29-2018, 01:44 AM

Originally posted by LensBeginner

What's the model?

Huawei Honor 4X. I know it's a bare-bones model, but from what I've heard the camera is the same as the higher end variants.

LensBeginner · 07-29-2018, 02:11 AM

Originally posted by rsk

Huawei Honor 4X. I know it's a bare-bones model, but from what I've heard the camera is the same as the higher end variants.

Yup, can't find much about it online I'm afraid...
I think 159-199€ is the sweetspot nowadays for an Android smartphone that is expected to last about 3 years.
It allows you to aim for 3-4 GB RAM and 4000 mAh battery, which are IMHO the two most important specs to look at, at the moment.
That's just my opinion, of course

**savoche** · 07-29-2018, 02:45 AM

I can't see any Bayer option in the settings for my Huawei P10 either, but can still shoot raw (by clicking the lower of the three icons on the left on the main screen). It's not the same raw format as I get from the native camera app, though. The files are not recognised by the gallery apps on the phone

**microlight** · 07-29-2018, 04:38 PM

My iPhone 6 Plus is not RAW-capable, but 645 PRO can output TIFFs, which is the next best thing.

**Mikesul** · 08-01-2018, 07:32 PM - **1 Like**

My phone does RAW but I never bother with it. I have cameras for that.

**microlight** · 08-03-2018, 05:04 AM

I hear you. I don't ever take cameras when I'm working overseas (which is unfortunately too often!) - too much to lug around already. So if I need to, I'll use the phone camera on the basis that 'the best camera in the world is the one you have with you'.

**savoche** · 08-08-2018, 12:45 AM

Originally posted by microlight

I hear you. I don't ever take cameras when I'm working overseas (which is unfortunately too often!) - too much to lug around already. So if I need to, I'll use the phone camera on the basis that 'the best camera in the world is the one you have with you'.

You need a Ricoh GR

Excalibor · 08-23-2018, 03:21 AM

Originally posted by savoche

You need a Ricoh GR

Well, considering the size and weight of a Ricoh GR II, and the quality of that APS-C size sensor, you will surely get better pictures cropping the images taken by that 28mm lens than using digital zoom on a mobile phone... And it's really tiny!

So, yeah, he needs a Ricoh GR!

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07-29-2018, 12:53 AM	#31
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696 Original Poster	Originally posted by rsk Amazing what this app can do and the improvements you made to your phone's camera performance by making use of it. I have a Huawei with a pretty good camera, but after installing FreeDCam and opening Settings I can't find Bayer format. Any idea how to check if my phone is capable of saving as RAW? It's rooted. As UncleVanya said, if you can't find the option to select the Bayer pattern, it might just mean your phone can't shoot RAW... don't have experience with Huawei phones though, so it's just a guess. What's the model? Originally posted by UncleVanya If it isn't showing I think that's the answer. I could get files but did not have a mapping to convert to raw. In the case you chose Bayer over DNG and then tried to convert it with DCRaw, as suggested by the guide I followed, then conversion from bayer files didn't work for me either... I choose DNG on the phone, and BTW I still get one file out of 3-4 that appears ok in RAWTherapee, but completely black or completely white in ACR. Probably a bit order issue, some screwed-up metadata or somesuch.

07-29-2018, 01:44 AM	#32
rsk New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tbilisi Photos: Gallery Posts: 19	Originally posted by LensBeginner What's the model? Huawei Honor 4X. I know it's a bare-bones model, but from what I've heard the camera is the same as the higher end variants.

07-29-2018, 02:11 AM	#33
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696 Original Poster	Originally posted by rsk Huawei Honor 4X. I know it's a bare-bones model, but from what I've heard the camera is the same as the higher end variants. Yup, can't find much about it online I'm afraid... I think 159-199€ is the sweetspot nowadays for an Android smartphone that is expected to last about 3 years. It allows you to aim for 3-4 GB RAM and 4000 mAh battery, which are IMHO the two most important specs to look at, at the moment. That's just my opinion, of course

07-29-2018, 02:45 AM	#34
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	I can't see any Bayer option in the settings for my Huawei P10 either, but can still shoot raw (by clicking the lower of the three icons on the left on the main screen). It's not the same raw format as I get from the native camera app, though. The files are not recognised by the gallery apps on the phone

07-29-2018, 04:38 PM	#35
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	My iPhone 6 Plus is not RAW-capable, but 645 PRO can output TIFFs, which is the next best thing.

08-01-2018, 07:32 PM - 1 Like	#36
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,591	My phone does RAW but I never bother with it. I have cameras for that.

08-03-2018, 05:04 AM	#37
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	I hear you. I don't ever take cameras when I'm working overseas (which is unfortunately too often!) - too much to lug around already. So if I need to, I'll use the phone camera on the basis that 'the best camera in the world is the one you have with you'.

08-08-2018, 12:45 AM	#38
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by microlight I hear you. I don't ever take cameras when I'm working overseas (which is unfortunately too often!) - too much to lug around already. So if I need to, I'll use the phone camera on the basis that 'the best camera in the world is the one you have with you'. You need a Ricoh GR

08-23-2018, 03:21 AM	#39
Excalibor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 353	Originally posted by savoche You need a Ricoh GR Well, considering the size and weight of a Ricoh GR II, and the quality of that APS-C size sensor, you will surely get better pictures cropping the images taken by that 28mm lens than using digital zoom on a mobile phone... And it's really tiny! So, yeah, he needs a Ricoh GR!

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