Google acknowledges lens flare on Pixel camera, plans software fix for hardware problem
Oct 27, 2016
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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It may be DXOMark’s highest scoring mobile device camera ever, but the Google Pixel is not without its photographic flaws. Quite a few users have reported getting flare or “halo effect” issues with their camera when it’s not even in the shot. The thing with lens flare, though, is that it’s a physical hardware issue. This is why DSLR and mirrorless lenses come with hoods. They block the light from entering the lens and reflecting inside the optics causing flare.
While Google acknowledge that the problem exists, and will be addressing it, they are combating this hardware problem with a software solution. The general idea will be that some algorithm will recognise the flare, and then mathematically subtract it from the image. So, it’s not really eliminating the flare, just faking its removal in software.
More Halo action pic.twitter.com/xXv4b3QUoV
— Danny Winget (@superscientific) October 22, 2016
A reddit user took to Google’s product forums to inform them of many reports of flare/halo issues. A Google employee known as “IsaacOnCamera” was quick to acknowledge it and respond.
It’s true that flare seems to have become popular again lately for creative effect, but it’s still mostly undesirable for general photos. So the fix will be very welcome. The only drawback is the fix is being incorporated into HDR+. You’ll be pretty much permanently stuck in HDR mode for the fix to be able to take effect.
As stated in IsaacOnCamera’s post, “all Pixel cameras have the same flare characteristics”. So this fix is going to have to be very good to prevent lost sales. Many have set their sighs on the Pixel due to the very positive reviews the camera has been getting. If the flare, however, becomes such a major issue, it will put people off.
There’s no mention of whether or not a fix will be coming for the potential flare issues with video, but I would imagine it unlikely.
Can a software solution really solve a physical hardware problem such as this? Have you been thinking about getting a Pixel for its mobile photographic possibilities? Has this flaring issue put you off? Or will you still get one anyway? Have you already gone with another phone lately, so your’e not too bothered? Let us know and tell us what you think in the comments.
[via GSM Arena]
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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7 responses to “Google acknowledges lens flare on Pixel camera, plans software fix for hardware problem”
Of course it does. Look at the design of the back of the phone around the camera lens. I’ll bet it’s a little worse on the white ones as well.
As soon as I saw a picture of the phone, I assumed this would be an issue with the camera lenses recessed behind the color coating on the back plate of the phone and the hole for the camera being as small as it is. I’m suprised they missed this, but then again, I’m guessing Google didn’t have the camera in the hands of any photographers before launch.
When I look at my g4 the design is similar.
Is it so difficult for people to stick their other hand out so as to block the flare?
You’re going to get flare in those conditions otherwise improvise some small lens hood and the problem is gone. Something like a grommet would do.
I’m sending mines back for a refund, I love the phone especially the software and the camera is really good until these flares keep popping up and its really annoying me, I appreciate that they trying to fix it but software is not the answer it’s the hardware and for what I’m paying I expect the hardware to have no big hardware defect
I have taken all sorts of indoor and outdoor pictures as any normal person would with my Pixel XL and have yet to see any Flare.
its kind of like this, if you see it it’s too late: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298130/
So it’s a hardware issue and the fix is wait for a software update and forced to use an HDR effect? Sounds like a pretty decent fix to me. Shit, I forgot to turn to HDR mode, again. #flaregate
Can’t wait to see all these people complaining about this adding it back in with instagram filters after Google ‘fixes’ it…