Want a Bionic...but the camera complaints worry me

**hazelgreen** · 09-23-2011, 02:09 PM

Right now I have a crapberry curve and have waited to upgrade to the Bionic since March. But now that it's out the complaints about the camera (and battery life) concern me. But more so the camera. The camera absolutely sucks on my bberry, so I really want to get something with a good camera that will take pictures in low light and of my kids, etc. Right now, I've hesitated to jump and get the Bionic because of the camera complaints (or are they blown out of proportion).

As an alternative to Bionic, I have been contemplating getting the Inc2 but really wanted 4G because it's all around me (work and home). (I don't think I can take this bberry much longer).

Do the camera apps mentioned here (Vignette, etc) really improve the camera? I guess at this point I can wait for the next phone, especially if the camera should/will be better. My husband has a OG and the pictures seem to be okay on it - - is the Bionic camera better/worse/same compared to the OG camera.

**Blaksmyth** · 09-23-2011, 02:20 PM

I believe the camera is way better then the OG droid, best bet is to go to a verizon store and try it for yourself some peoples reviews are really unfair and they are already waiting for the next "big thing." I enjoy the phone, nice upgrade from my dying droid x. Check out the camera pics thread for the bionic to see some great photos, that may help your decision.

**grn4frk** · 09-23-2011, 02:22 PM

The camera is Ok, only thing that it's bad at focusing. If you're in a car moving or something, it can take 15 seconds to take the picture. this might be fixed in a software update (maybe?)

**hazelgreen** · 09-23-2011, 02:22 PM

Well that's good to hear because I thought the pix on my husband's OG were pretty good. Although anything was better than my bberry. I will also have to test how quickly it takes pictures too cuz that's a big factor. I really wish that I could have the iphone camera on the droid phone. Will go back to store and check out.

**kilofoxtrot** · 09-23-2011, 02:22 PM

"a good camera that will take pictures in low light and of my kids".

Aint gonna happen with any cell camera that I am aware of.... you need a "fast" lens for good low light photography. Cell cameras can compensate by jacking up the ISO, but this introduces noise which puts you back at square one IMO.

The iPhone 4 arguably has the best camera out there still in my opinion, with others a close 2nd. My iPhone took great pictures with good light... not good in low light.

If you want good low-light photography, get a camera that can handle it.. there are some P&S cameras out there with 2.0f or 1.8f apertures that wont bust your budget like a DLSR with a fast prime or even more expensive fast zoom.

**kca2000** · 09-23-2011, 02:26 PM

The BIonic camera is ok. Its not the best. Ive been telling people in regard to the camera, If the camera is Top priority or if you take a ton of pictures you may want to wait. Biggest problem i had coming from my OG was the lack of an actual button. I didnt like not having it. Onscreen is ok, but a button is still better. This is where alot of phones are going though so i wouldnt consider it a deal breaker.

Also the auto focus was extremely touchy. Pictures were not always clear. I only took maybe 30 photos while i had the Bionic but when they came out well, quality seemed to be good. I did not use any programs to improve this though.

If you will be using it for mainly personal pictures i would still try the phone. Its an excellent overall 4g phone, and if thats something you want this is your best option as of right now. As far as waiting, thats completely up to you. Something better is always coming.

**hazelgreen** · 09-23-2011, 02:46 PM

Thanks everyone. I'm probably going to wait just because I don't have the $$ right now for the phone for a couple weeks. You guys were a great help!

**kca2000** · 09-23-2011, 02:52 PM

Probably a good decision. There are a lot of phones in the pipeline for the next 2 months, Im guessing something will peak your interest. If nothing does, the Bionic will probably be cheaper and updated by then.. Win - Win.

**nrk** · 09-23-2011, 03:16 PM

The camera's not great (though its WAY better than my Tour's old camera).

As everyone mentioned, auto-focus can be the most annoying thing. The more I've worked with it the better I've gotten at it. But if you're looking for quick pictures of your kids this could be an issue. I'd play with it in the store and see.

In fact, I've gotten some nice pictures recently. All cell phone cameras aren't great in low light (despite LED flashes) but this one is manageable.

I've toyed around with Vignette in demo mode and like and have considered investing, but haven't decided for sure. I'll pass on more if I do purchase.

**ninjataint** · 09-23-2011, 04:16 PM

Even the best cell phone cameras aren't really good cameras

**Pierpoint** · 09-23-2011, 04:20 PM

Pssht. Whatevs. I take great pics with the Bionic camera. If you know how to work the settings, and you keep your lens clean, you can take great pics too.

**cjsmoove** · 09-23-2011, 04:32 PM

Camera is NOT that bad.....FOR A PHONE.....The bionic is a great phone to have, very powerful fast and does what you need it to do.

**Syounger64** · 09-24-2011, 12:56 AM

Rolled eyes. Just buy a damn camera if u want a camera. I didnt buy my Bionic for the camera. I bought it for the box it came in so I can play with it.

**cjsmoove** · 09-24-2011, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Syounger64

Rolled eyes. Just buy a damn camera if u want a camera. I didnt buy my Bionic for the camera. I bought it for the box it came in so I can play with it.

LMAO....

**snowwy66** · 09-24-2011, 09:02 AM

pics look fine for me. and everyone of them has been rolling down the highway.

**estebancam** · 09-24-2011, 12:08 PM

HTC uses the worst camera sensors on the market. The true test of camera quality is to export the pictures taken into other devices. WIth the HTC devices I have tried, the pictures come out grainy and very low quality. Not to mention the video recording looked and sounded like it came out of a $2 camera. Remember that the device's screen can make the picture look better than it actually is.

The Bionic's camera takes great looking shots for a phone. Second only to Samsung's Galaxy Series and iPhone, which are the two best cameras on phones I have ever tried. The problem with the Bionic's camera is the focus. You can't tap to focus, and that wouldn't be a problem if the camera actually focused quickly. Unfortunately, it does not. It waits, and waits. In reality, it's about 3-4 seconds of waiting for the focus, which in camera time, is years. If you are worried about the quality, don't be. The pictures come out great.

**estebancam** · 09-24-2011, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

Pssht. Whatevs. I take great pics with the Bionic camera. If you know how to work the settings, and you keep your lens clean, you can take great pics too.

The majority of people don't want to "work the settings."

**corymcnutt** · 09-24-2011, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

Pssht. Whatevs. I take great pics with the Bionic camera. If you know how to work the settings, and you keep your lens clean, you can take great pics too.

I couldn't agree more...I took some fantastic shots at the baseball game; the lens seems to get smudged very easy so make sure you clean it good...all the difference in the world. It does focus slow and on Moto's Support Forum, they claim the camera will work better after the OTA upgrade.

**Johnly** · 09-24-2011, 01:01 PM

I am an *****. I took all. The negative camera remarks here (mostly by trolls that never used a bionic) and assumed the camera was sub par. I am so wrong, pics are gorgeous and it is fast. I mean one right after another, click click click within one second on manual. I can actually leave my point and shoot behind. I am not joking.

**corymcnutt** · 09-24-2011, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Johnly

I am an *****. I took all. The negative camera remarks here (mostly by trolls that never used a bionic) and assumed the camera was sub par. I am so wrong, pics are gorgeous and it is fast. I mean one right after another, click click click within one second on manual. I can actually leave my point and shoot behind. I am not joking.

Glad to hear that...I too read some bad reports about the camera (but that wasn't going to stop me from getting it), but I have found it to be very adequate.

**Johnly** · 09-24-2011, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by corymcnutt

Glad to hear that...I too read some bad reports about the camera (but that wasn't going to stop me from getting it), but I have found it to be very adequate.

Yeah man. I was outside, and conditions were nice. Everything was on factory presets.

**sabrinasylvester** · 09-27-2011, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by hazelgreen

Right now I have a crapberry curve and have waited to upgrade to the Bionic since March. But now that it's out the complaints about the camera (and battery life) concern me. But more so the camera. The camera absolutely sucks on my bberry, so I really want to get something with a good camera that will take pictures in low light and of my kids, etc. Right now, I've hesitated to jump and get the Bionic because of the camera complaints (or are they blown out of proportion).

As an alternative to Bionic, I have been contemplating getting the Inc2 but really wanted 4G because it's all around me (work and home). (I don't think I can take this bberry much longer).

Do the camera apps mentioned here (Vignette, etc) really improve the camera? I guess at this point I can wait for the next phone, especially if the camera should/will be better. My husband has a OG and the pictures seem to be okay on it - - is the Bionic camera better/worse/same compared to the OG camera.

Your complaints are well founded! I just got my Bionic and it is a fantastic phone . . . with a horrendous camera. I just posted a complaint on the forum somewhere (my first post, so ....) -- I am SO not a reviewer type of girl, but the DROID BIONIC CAMERA IS SO BAD, I HAD TO POST! I don't understand how so much work could have gone into creating this souped-up smartphone with a camera that is both blurry (the pictures it takes) and slow (its shutterspeed). If having a great camera is a dealbreaker for you, then don't get a Bionic. It's sad.

**Cvballa3g0** · 09-27-2011, 08:12 PM

My personal experience. the camera is better than the Droid x2 but not as good as the thunderbolt.
4G LTE is WORTH EVERY BIT OF IT. like what other people say, once you go 4g, you cant go back.

**Johnly** · 09-27-2011, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by hazelgreen

Right now I have a crapberry curve and have waited to upgrade to the Bionic since March. But now that it's out the complaints about the camera (and battery life) concern me. But more so the camera. The camera absolutely sucks on my bberry, so I really want to get something with a good camera that will take pictures in low light and of my kids, etc. Right now, I've hesitated to jump and get the Bionic because of the camera complaints (or are they blown out of proportion).

As an alternative to Bionic, I have been contemplating getting the Inc2 but really wanted 4G because it's all around me (work and home). (I don't think I can take this bberry much longer).

Do the camera apps mentioned here (Vignette, etc) really improve the camera? I guess at this point I can wait for the next phone, especially if the camera should/will be better. My husband has a OG and the pictures seem to be okay on it - - is the Bionic camera better/worse/same compared to the OG camera.

If you have 4g, then go for it. The camera is much better than the og or droid x. I found it helpful to take a "junk" picture first, then the rest seem to focus and shoot fast and well. I kinda liked the camera. That Bionic is one fast phone!

**greydarrah** · 09-27-2011, 10:12 PM

The camera on the Bionic is great. If you have any doubts, go through the pictures sticky thread. You'll find shots ranging from incredible to horrible. That means the camera is capable of great things, but if you don't want to take the time to understand how to use it best, your results will be spotty.