README.md
1
2# Jetpack Camera App
3
4Jetpack Camera App (JCA) is a camera app, focused on features used by app developers, and built
5entirely with CameraX, Kotlin and Jetpack Compose. It follows Android
6design and development best practices and it's intended to be a useful reference for developers and
7OEMs looking to validate their camera feature implementations.
8
9# Development Environment ⚒️
10
11This project uses the gradle build system, and can be imported directly into Android Studio.
12
13Currently, Jetpack Camera App is built using the Android Gradle Plugin 8.4, which is only compatible
14with Android Studio Jellyfish or newer.
15
16# Architecture
17
18JCA is built with [modern android development (MAD)](https://developer.android.com/modern-android-development) principles in mind,
19including [architecture and testing best practices](https://developer.android.com/topic/architecture).
20
21The app is split into multiple modules, with a clear separation between the UI and data layers.
22
23# Testing
24
25Thorough testing is a key directive of JCA. We use [Compose Test](https://developer.android.com/develop/ui/compose/testing) and
26[UI Automator](https://developer.android.com/training/testing/other-components/ui-automator) to write instrumentation
27tests that run on-device.
28
29These tests can be run on a connected device via Android Studio, or can be tested on an Android
30Emulator using built-in Gradle Managed Device tasks. Currently, we include Pixel 2 (API 28) and
31Pixel 8 (API 34) emulators which can be used to run instrumentation tests with:
32
33`$ ./gradlew pixel2Api28StableDebugAndroidTest` and
34`$ ./gradlew pixel8Api34StableDebugAndroidTest`
35
36# Features ✨✨
37
38This section provides a detailed overview of the camera app's features, highlighting its
39capabilities and functionalities. Each feature is described with its purpose, usage, and any
40relevant considerations to help you understand and utilize the app effectively.
41
42- [Standard Camera Features](#standard-camera-features)
43 * [Viewfinder](#viewfinder)
44 * [Aspect Ratio](#aspect-ratio)
45 * [Image Capture](#image-capture)
46 * [Tap to Focus](#tap-to-focus)
47 * [Flip Camera](#flip-camera)
48 * [Zoom](#zoom)
49 * [Scene Illumination / Flash](#scene-illumination---flash)
50- [Video Features](#video-features)
51 * [Video Capture](#video-capture)
52 * [Pause / Resume](#pause---resume)
53 * [Video Duration Limit](#video-duration-limit)
54 * [Video Quality](#video-quality)
55 * [Audio / Amplitude Visualization](#audio---amplitude-visualization)
56 * [Frame Rate](#frame-rate)
57 * [Video Stabilization](#video-stabilization)
58 * [Flip Camera While Recording](#flip-camera-while-recording)
59- [Advanced Camera Features](#advanced-camera-features)
60 * [Screen Flash](#screen-flash)
61 * [Dual Concurrent Camera](#dual-concurrent-camera)
62 * [HDR (High Dynamic Range)](#hdr--high-dynamic-range-)
63 * [LLB (Low Light Boost)](#llb--low-light-boost-)
64 * [Single / Multi-stream Mode](#single---multi-stream-mode)
65- [Special Application Features](#special-application-features)
66 * [Debug Mode](#debug-mode)
67 * [Intent Capture Modes](#intent-capture-modes)
68 * [Dark Mode](#dark-mode)
69
70## Standard Camera Features
71
72This section outlines the essential features of the camera app that enable you to capture photos and
73videos with ease. It covers fundamental aspects of camera operation, providing a solid starting
74point for utilizing the app's capabilities.
75
76### Viewfinder
77
78The viewfinder provides a real-time preview of the camera's sensor output, accurately displaying the
79scene with correct scaling and orientation. It functions as a "What You See Is What You Get" (
80WYSIWYG) display, showing only the pixels that will be captured in the final image or video, when
81hardware and processing capabilities allow (see limitations). This ensures that the displayed
82preview precisely reflects the captured content, allowing for accurate composition and framing.
83
84#### How to Enable / Use
85
86* This is a core function of the camera app. When the camera app is opened, the viewfinder is
87 active.
88
89#### Constraints / Limitations
90
91* The viewfinder's quality is limited by the screen's resolution and brightness. JCA is built on
92 CameraX, which will limit the viewfinder resolution to 1080p as a tradeoff of performance and
93 quality.
94* Due to the computational demands of high-quality video stabilization, the viewfinder may not be
95 strictly WYSIWYG when the video stabilization mode is set to “High Quality”, as the stabilization
96 algorithm applied to the recorded video stream might not be able to be replicated in real-time for
97 the viewfinder preview.
98
99---
100
101### Aspect Ratio
102
103Sets the proportions of the preview and the captured image or video.
104
105#### How to Enable / Use
106
1071. Open the camera app settings and select Set Aspect Ratio
1082. Or open the quick dropdown in the preview screen and look for the aspect ratio icon
1093. Select/toggle among the desired aspect ratios (e.g., 16:9, 4:3, 1:1).
110
111---
112
113### Image Capture
114
115Captures a still image from the camera. When the capture button is pressed, the camera captures a
116still image that accurately represents the scene currently displayed in the viewfinder. The captured
117image will incorporate any applicable image processing settings, such as Ultra HDR, based on the
118user's selected mode.
119
120#### How to Enable / Use
121
1221. Open the camera app.
1232. Tap the shutter button (white circle).
1243. The resulting image is saved to the device's media store, or, when the app is launched via the
125 `ACTION_IMAGE_CAPTURE` or `INTENT_ACTION_STILL_IMAGE_CAMERA` intents, to the URI(s) provided.
126
127#### Constraints / Limitations
128
129* The ability to capture an image may be limited by available device storage.
130* Image capture is disabled when the app is launched with the `ACTION_VIDEO_CAPTURE` intent.
131* Image capture is also disabled in concurrent camera mode and when HDR is enabled and the device
132 does not support Ultra HDR image capture.
133
134---
135
136### Tap to Focus
137
138Allows the user to manually select the focus point of the camera.
139
140#### How to Enable / Use
141
1421. Open the camera app.
1432. Tap on the desired area of the viewfinder.
1443. The camera will adjust the focus to the tapped area.
145
146#### Constraints / Limitations
147
148* May struggle in low-light conditions.
149* Can be affected by movement of the subject or camera.
150* Some devices may have limitations on how close or far the focus can be adjusted.
151
152---
153
154### Flip Camera
155
156This feature allows users to instantly switch between the device's primary front-facing and
157rear-facing cameras.
158
159#### How to Enable / Use
160
161There are several ways to flip camera lenses:
162
1631. Open the camera app.
1642. Tap the flip camera button.
165
166Alternatively,
167
1681. Open the camera app.
1692. Double tap on the viewfinder.
170
171Alternatively,
172
1731. Open the camera app.
1742. Open quick settings by tapping the downward facing arrow at the top of the screen.
1753. Tap the flip camera button which is displaying the currently visible camera.
176
177#### Constraints / Limitations
178
179* If the device does not have a front or a rear camera, the flip camera button will be disabled.
180
181---
182
183### Zoom
184
185This feature enables users to digitally or optically zoom in and out on the scene. On devices
186equipped with Camera2's `LOGICAL_MULTI_CAMERA` capability, the zoom functionality may automatically
187transition between available lenses, such as the main, telephoto, and wide-angle lenses, to provide
188seamless zoom transitions across the device's optical range.
189
190#### How to Enable / Use
191
1921. Open the camera app.
1932. Use pinch-to-zoom gestures. Text indicating the current magnification factor will appear above
194 the capture button. If the device supports the `LOGICAL_MULTI_CAMERA` capability, switching
195 between lenses will occur automatically as zoom increases or decreases.
196
197#### Constraints / Limitations
198
199* Digital zoom may reduce image quality.
200* In Dual Concurrent Camera mode, only the primary lens’ zoom can be changed. The secondary lens
201 will not react to pinch-to-zoom gestures.
202
203---
204
205### Scene Illumination / Flash
206
207This feature provides various options for illuminating the scene during capture of images and video,
208including:
209
210* **On:** Activates the device's built-in flash for a burst of light during image capture, and
211 constant illumination during video capture.
212* **Auto:** Automatically determines the need for illumination based on ambient light conditions for
213 image capture.
214* **Low-Light Boost:** Utilizes Camera2's `ON_LOW_LIGHT_BOOST_BRIGHTNESS_PRIORITY` auto-exposure (
215 AE) mode to enhance brightness in low-light conditions, if the device supports it.
216* **Off:** Disables all scene illumination.
217
218#### How to Enable / Use
219
2201. Open the camera app.
2212. Tap the flash icon to toggle between scene illumination modes (on, off, auto, LLB).
2223. Take a photo or video.
223
224Alternatively,
225
2261. Open the camera app.
2272. Open quick settings by tapping the downward facing arrow at the top of the screen.
2283. Tap the flash icon to toggle between scene illumination modes.
2294. Take a photo or video.
230
231#### Constraints / Limitations
232
233* Auto mode relies solely on ambient scene lighting for image capture and behaves as "On" for video
234 capture.
235* Dedicated front-facing flash units, if present, are not utilized; front-facing cameras exclusively
236 use screen flash for illumination.
237* Low-light boost may not be applied to image capture when the app is in multi-stream mode. To
238 guarantee low-light boost application in both image and video capture, utilize single-stream mode.
239
240## Video Features
241
242This section explores the camera app's comprehensive video recording capabilities, providing tools
243and settings to enhance your video capture experience. It covers various aspects of video
244functionality, from basic recording to advanced controls and customization.
245
246### Video Capture
247
248Records video that, in most cases (see limitations), represents the scene visible in the viewfinder.
249When HDR mode is enabled, the captured video can record 10-bit HDR content.
250
251#### How to Enable / Use
252
2531. Open the camera app.
2542. Press and hold the shutter button (white circle) until video recording starts, indicated by a
255 filled red circle in the shutter button and an incrementing duration timer above the shutter
256 button.
2573. Release the shutter button to finish recording. The resulting video is saved to the device's
258 media store, or, when the app is launched via the `ACTION_VIDEO_CAPTURE` intent, to the URI
259 provided.
260
261#### Constraints / Limitations
262
263* May be limited by device storage.
264* Due to the computational demands of high-quality video stabilization, the viewfinder may not be
265 strictly WYSIWYG when the video stabilization mode is set to “High Quality”. The stabilization
266 algorithm applied to the recorded video stream might not be able to be replicated in real-time for
267 the viewfinder preview.
268* Video capture is disabled when the app is launched with the `ACTION_IMAGE_CAPTURE` or
269 `INTENT_ACTION_STILL_IMAGE_CAMERA` intents.
270* Video capture is also disabled when HDR is enabled and the device does not support 10-bit HDR
271 video capture.
272
273---
274
275### Pause / Resume
276
277Temporarily stops and restarts video recording.
278
279#### How to Enable / Use
280
2811. While recording video, tap the pause button.
2822. Tap the resume button to continue recording.
283
284#### Constraints / Limitations
285
286* May not be available on all devices or in all recording modes.
287
288---
289
290### Video Duration Limit
291
292Sets a maximum length for video recordings.
293
294#### How to Enable / Use
295
2961. Open the camera app settings.
2972. Select Set Maximum Video Duration
2983. Choose the desired duration limit.
299
300---
301
302### Video Quality
303
304Sets the resolution and compression level of video recordings.
305
306#### How to Enable / Use
307
3081. Open the camera app settings.
3092. Select Set Video Quality.
3103. Choose the desired video quality (e.g., 720p, 1080p, 4K).
311
312#### Constraints / Limitations
313
314* Available quality settings depend on camera hardware.
315* Ultra High Definition may only be available under video/image-only mode
316
317---
318
319### Audio / Amplitude Visualization
320
321Controls the audio recording level and processing.
322
323#### How to Enable / Use
324
3251. Start video recording by holding down the capture button
3262. Audio visualization appears to the right of the button while recording
327
328---
329
330### Frame Rate
331
332Sets the number of frames recorded per second in a video.
333
334#### How to Enable / Use
335
3361. Open the camera app settings.
3372. Select Set Frame Rate
3383. Select the desired frame rate (e.g., 30fps, 60fps).
339
340#### Constraints / Limitations
341
342* Available frame rates depend on camera hardware.
343
344---
345
346### Video Stabilization
347
348This feature offers multiple stabilization modes to enhance video smoothness and clarity. The
349following stabilization modes are offered as options by JCA
350
351* **Auto:** Automatically enables stabilization based on the device's capabilities and current
352 recording settings.
353* **On:** Activates stabilization for both the preview and recorded video streams, providing a
354 smooth viewing experience during capture and playback.
355* **High Quality:** Applies a high-quality stabilization algorithm to the recorded video stream,
356 potentially resulting in superior stabilization. However, the preview stream may not be stabilized
357 in real-time due to computational limitations.
358* **Optical:** Utilizes the device's optical image stabilization (OIS) hardware to stabilize all
359 streams.
360* **Off:** Disables all stabilization features.
361
362#### How to Enable / Use
363
3641. Open the camera app settings from the settings icon in the upper left corner.
3652. Click the “Set Video Stabilization” setting if it is selectable. If it is not selectable, the
366 current lens does not support any video stabilization.
3673. Choose the desired stabilization mode and press “close”. The stabilization mode will be applied
368 when returning to the camera viewfinder. This selected stabilization mode will be persisted if
369 the app is closed, and will be applied the next time the app is opened.
370
371#### Constraints / Limitations
372
373* Some stabilization modes, such as “On” and “High Quality”, may crop the video and/or viewfinder
374 slightly.
375* Each lens may support different stabilization modes. Supported stabilization modes will be
376 selectable in settings, and unsupported stabilization modes will not be selectable. Swapping the
377 default lens in settings may change the available stabilization modes.
378* Some stabilization modes may not support every frame rate. To ensure best support for most
379 stabilization modes, select “Auto” frame rate.
380* If a stabilization mode is selected, and the camera switches settings via quick settings or by
381 flipping cameras, the stabilization may be disabled temporarily. This is indicated by a greyed out
382 stabilization icon at the top of the viewfinder screen. When settings and/or lens allow the
383 stabilization mode, it will be re-enabled.
384
385---
386
387### Flip Camera While Recording
388
389Switches between front and rear cameras during video recording.
390
391#### How to Enable / Use
392
3931. While recording video, tap the flip camera button.
394
395#### Constraints / Limitations
396
397* Uses Persistent Recording API which is experimental, and may not always function as expected
398* May be buggy with pause/resume. This is being addressed.
399* Does not work with concurrent cameras, stabilization, or single stream.
400
401## Advanced Camera Features
402
403This section delves into the advanced capabilities of the camera app, unlocking a new level of
404control and creativity for experienced users. It explores features that extend beyond basic camera
405operation, offering specialized functionalities and enhanced capture modes.
406
407### Screen Flash
408
409During image capture with a front-facing camera, this feature illuminates the subject by displaying
410a solid, bright overlay on the device's screen and maximizing screen brightness.
411
412#### How to Enable / Use
413
4141. Open the camera app.
4152. Ensure a front-facing camera is selected by tapping on the “flip camera” button.
4163. Tap the flash icon to toggle between scene illumination mode. Screen flash will be selected if
417 the “On” or “Auto” flash mode is selected.
4184. Take a photo.
419
420See the “Scene Illumination / Flash” feature for other methods of enabling screen flash.
421
422#### Constraints / Limitations
423
424* Screen flash will only be used for front-facing cameras.
425* Screen flash is currently limited to image capture only. There will be no additional illumination
426 for video capture.
427* In "Auto" mode, screen flash behaves equivalently to the "On" mode, regardless of ambient scene
428 lighting.
429
430---
431
432### Dual Concurrent Camera
433
434This feature enables simultaneous video capture from both the front and rear-facing cameras. It is
435built upon the CameraX concurrent camera APIs and is only available on devices that support the
436`PackageManager.FEATURE_CAMERA_CONCURRENT` feature. The interface displays two video streams: a "
437primary" stream and a "secondary" stream. The primary stream occupies the majority of the
438viewfinder, providing the main view, while the secondary stream is presented in a picture-in-picture
439format. The "Flip Camera" feature will swap the roles of the primary and secondary camera streams,
440effectively switching which camera provides the main view.
441
442#### How to Enable / Use
443
4441. Open the camera app.
4452. Open quick settings by tapping the downward facing arrow at the top of the screen.
4463. Tap the concurrent camera mode button to select the concurrent camera mode. It will display
447 “DUAL” underneath the button when Dual Concurrent Camera mode is enabled, and “SINGLE” for normal
448 single-camera operation.
4494. Both streams will be visible in the viewfinder. You may optionally record a video of what is
450 visible in the viewfinder. Both streams will be composited in the recorded video.
451
452#### Constraints / Limitations
453
454* Image capture is not supported in dual concurrent camera mode; only video capture is available.
455* Single-stream and multi-stream modes are unavailable; both camera streams are composited into a
456 single output stream.
457* HDR mode is not supported in dual concurrent camera mode.
458* Zoom and tap-to-focus functionality are limited to the primary camera stream. Tapping on the
459 secondary stream will interact with the corresponding area of the primary stream that is occluded
460 by the secondary stream's view.
461* Because two cameras are being used concurrently in Dual Concurrent Camera mode, additional power
462 and thermal load should be expected.
463
464---
465
466### HDR (High Dynamic Range)
467
468This multifaceted feature enhances the camera's ability to capture and display a wider range of
469colors and brightness levels. It comprises three key components:
470
471* **10-bit HDR Video Capture:** Record videos with enhanced color and dynamic range. This
472 functionality is built upon CameraX's `DynamicRange` APIs, including the associated APIs within
473 the `VideoCapture` class. 10-bit HDR allows for over a billion color possibilities, resulting in
474 smoother gradients and more realistic color reproduction. High Dynamic Range (HDR) captures a
475 wider range of light and dark tones, preserving detail in both highlights and shadows.
476* **Ultra HDR Image Capture:** Capture images with expanded dynamic range by embedding a gain map
477 within the standard JPEG file. This functionality is dependent on
478 `ImageCapture.OUTPUT_FORMAT_JPEG_ULTRA_HDR` being an available output format on the device. This
479 gain map stores supplemental luminance data, enabling compatible displays to render a wider range
480 of brightness levels. On non-HDR displays, the image is rendered as a standard SDR JPEG, ensuring
481 backward compatibility.
482* **HDR Viewfinder Preview:** When 10-bit HDR video mode is activated, the device's display
483 dynamically switches to HDR rendering for real-time preview, provided the current display supports
484 the `ActivityInfo.COLOR_MODE_HDR` color mode. This enables accurate monitoring of captured HDR
485 video content during recording, leveraging the display's extended dynamic range capabilities.
486
487#### How to Enable / Use
488
4891. Open the camera app.
4902. Open quick settings by tapping the downward facing arrow at the top of the screen.
4913. Tap the “HDR” button to select HDR mode, if it is enabled. Tapping again will toggle back to SDR
492 mode.
4934. Exit quick settings by tapping the upward facing arrow at the top of the screen.
4945. Toggle between 10-bit HDR video mode and Ultra HDR image capture mode using the toggle switch in
495 the lower right corner. If only one of these modes is available on the device, this switch will
496 be disabled, and tapping it will display a reason for why it is disabled.
4976. Take a photo or video as normal, depending on which mode is selected.
498
499#### Constraints / Limitations
500
501* Not every device supports HDR mode. Some devices may support only 10-bit HDR video or Ultra HDR,
502 but not both.
503* HDR mode supports either image capture or video capture, but not both simultaneously. Users must
504 select their desired capture mode using the mode selector switch.
505* HDR mode is not supported when using the dual concurrent camera feature.
506* Different lenses on the device may have varying HDR capabilities. Some lenses may support HDR
507 capture, while others may only support SDR capture.
508* In HDR mode, single-stream mode is exclusively used for video capture. Image capture is disabled
509 when single-stream mode is enabled.
510* The viewfinder utilizes HDR rendering during 10-bit HDR video capture. However, HDR rendering may
511 not be used in Ultra HDR image capture mode.
512* During HDR preview, standard dynamic range (SDR) assets, such as the app's user interface, may
513 appear dimmed.
514
515---
516
517### LLB (Low Light Boost)
518
519Enhances the brightness of the camera's preview and recorded videos. If the device supports it, this
520feature utilizes Camera2's `ON_LOW_LIGHT_BOOST_BRIGHTNESS_PRIORITY` auto-exposure (AE) mode to
521improve brightness in low-light conditions.
522
523#### How to Enable / Use
524
5251. Tap the flash icon to cycle through flash modes.
5262. The crescent moon icon indicates that LLB is enabled.
5273. LLB has two states:
528 1. Outlined Crescent Moon: LLB is inactive (the scene isn't dark enough).
529 2. Filled Crescent Moon: LLB is active (the scene is dark enough, and brightness is enhanced).
5304. To disable LLB, switch to a different flash mode.
531
532#### Constraints / Limitations
533
534* A reduced frame rate can introduce some motion blur.
535* It only works on Preview and Video Capture in multi-stream mode.
536* Images captured in single-stream mode will still be brightened.
537* Not all devices support Low Light Boost. Only lenses with `ON_LOW_LIGHT_BOOST_BRIGHTNESS_PRIORITY`
538 as an available `CONTROL_AE_AVAILABLE_MODES` support LLB.
539* LLB will override the frame rate setting.
540
541---
542
543### Single / Multi-stream Mode
544
545This setting controls whether the camera uses a single stream or multiple streams for preview,
546video, and image capture.
547
548* **Multi-stream mode:** Uses separate streams for preview, video recording, and still image
549 capture. The output of each stream may appear slightly different. In general, this mode can be
550 more efficient and have higher performance than single-stream mode.
551* **Single-stream mode:** Uses a single stream for all functions. In this mode, the preview
552 accurately reflects what will be captured in videos or images. This is a common mode that is used
553 in apps that want to apply effects to the camera stream and have them appear in captured images
554 and videos.
555
556#### How to Enable / Use
557
5581. Open quick settings by tapping the downward facing arrow at the top of the screen.
5592. Tap the single or multi stream button. This will toggle between single stream or multi stream
560 modes.
561
562#### Constraints / Limitations
563
564* Ultra HDR cannot be enabled in single stream mode.
565* Multi or single stream selectors are not available when using Dual Concurrent Cameras.
566
567## Special Application Features
568
569This section explores features that provide extended functionality and customization within the
570camera app, going beyond core image and video capture capabilities. These features cater to specific
571user preferences and developer needs.
572
573### Debug Mode
574
575Provides advanced camera information and controls for developers.
576
577#### How to Enable / Use
578
5791. Launch the app with extra KEY_DEBUG_MODE set to true
5802. Access the debug mode UI through the purple “Debug” button in the preview screen
581
582#### Constraints / Limitations
583
584* Intended for developers and may cause instability.
585
586---
587
588### Intent Capture Modes
589
590Launch the app into modes with specialized user flow. Also allows configuring content values for
591media to be captured
592
593#### How to Enable / Use
594
5951. In the launching intent for JCA, set intent action to ACTION_IMAGE_CAPTURE, ACTION_VIDEO_CAPTURE,
596 or INTENT_ACTION_STILL_IMAGE_CAMERA for single image capture, single video capture, or multiple
597 image capture mode.
5982. Configure content values and insert the url into the intent at MediaStore.EXTRA_OUTPUT
5993. Launch JCA
600
601---
602
603### Dark Mode
604
605This feature allows users to customize the app's appearance by selecting between three modes:
606
607* **On:** Enables dark mode, displaying UI elements with a darker color scheme.
608* **Off:** Enables light mode, displaying UI elements with a lighter color scheme.
609* **System:** Adopts the system-wide dark mode setting, dynamically adjusting the app's appearance
610 based on the user's device preferences.
611
612The appearance of UI elements will differ depending on the selected mode. This setting only affects
613the user interface and does not impact the captured images or videos.
614
615#### How to Enable / Use
616
6171. Open the camera app settings from the settings icon in the upper left corner.
6182. Tap the “Set Dark Mode” setting under “App Settings”.
6193. Select the desired mode.
620
621# Source Code Headers
622
623Every file containing source code must include copyright and license
624information. This includes any JS/CSS files that you might be serving out to
625browsers. (This is to help well-intentioned people avoid accidental copying that
626doesn't comply with the license.)
627
628Apache header:
629
630 Copyright (C) 2024 The Android Open Source Project
631
632 Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
633 you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
634 You may obtain a copy of the License at
635
636 https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
637
638 Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
639 distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
640 WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
641 See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
642 limitations under the License.
643