Google has taken its stock camera app and launched it separately onto the Play Store. The Google Camera application will run on any smartphone or tablet running Android 4.4 KitKat. Obviously Sony devices have a great stock camera app, but you may want to give Google’s new app a try if you’ve ever wanted to try Photo Spheres (for immersive 360º views), which was never ported to Sony models.
A new feature introduced in the app is Lens Blur mode which adds a bokeh depth-of-field effect to pictures, much like Sony’s Background Defocus mode. Other features include Panorama mode with high resolution and a 100% viewfinder. We tested the app on a Xperia Z1 Compact and was pleasantly surprised about the Lens Blur mode which created results with less trial-and-error than Sony’s solution. If you have upgraded your Sony Xperia to KitKat, then you can download the app here.
Google Camera Lens Blur mode
Google Camera app on Xperia Z1 Compact
Via Google Research Blog.
