How To: Add New & Improved Features to Your OnePlus One's Camera App

The camera in CyanogenMod, CameraNext, takes some pretty impressive shots when compared to those offered by HTC Sense and Sony Xperia, but it doesn't have many of the features that make it a real competitor. Even the Color OS version of the OnePlus One has received better reviews when comparing low-light shots, which implies that it's not the camera sensor that's lacking, but the software.

With that in mind, OPO owner adbi08638 sought out a way to make CameraNext a viable alternative to the big guys. His modified camera app contains all of the same features as the stock CameraNext, but with low-light improvements, better shutter controls, and more burst shot options. Unlike most mods, this will not require root permissions, but if you are rooted, you'll also have access to increased bitrates when recording video.

Step 1: Download Your Mod

If you have a stock device running CyanogenMod 11S, you will be fine with installing the APK version, but if you have TWRP installed on your device, you can flash the ZIP version of the mod to enable double bitrates for video recordings.

For those of you who have Android Lollipop installed on your OPO, you will need to flash the Lollipop ZIP through TWRP because it patches a bug preventing the camera from taking panorama shots.

• CameraNextMod.apk
• CyanogenMod11.zip (with increased video bitrate - KitKat only)
• CyanogenMod12.zip (with increased video bitrate - Lollipop only)

Step 2: Install or Flash Mod

If you decided to just install the APK, be sure to activate installation of apps from "Unknown sources" from your Security settings, but if you have a ZIP, you will have to boot into TWRP.

The easiest way to get there is to enable "Advanced reboot" from the "Developer options" menu, then select "Recovery" from the power menu's reboot options.

Once you are in TWRP, tap "Install," then select the ZIP you downloaded. Make sure that you are installing the mod ZIP that corresponds to your Android version, or else you will be stuck in a bootloop.

New Camera Features

After the CameraNextMod app is installed, open it up to begin tweaking your settings. All of the new features can be found by tapping the settings icon on the right-hand side of the app window. For those curious, here is a complete list of all the added features:

• ¼, 16, 24, and 32 second slow shutter times
• Disable extra shutter button
• Slow shutter set to the default scene mode
• 30 and 50 burst shots
• CyanogenMod 12 panorama fix
• New icon

Most of the new settings are integrated into their original sections like "Burst mode" and "Slow shutter," but others, like increased bitrate and the panorama mode fix, are always on. To increase low-light photos, you will need to increase the Slow shutter duration, but know that this requires a steady hand since the finished product will be blurry if you move.

Experimental Settings

The dev also included some experimental settings to the "Camera" section, like "Skin tone enhancement" and "Red eye reduction." There are also options to adjust the sharpness, contrast, and saturation levels, which should improve the overall appearance of your photos.

Since these are experimental, you should test these settings out before leaving them enabled.

Has this mod improved your photo quality? Let us know in the comment section below. Also, make sure to follow Gadget Hacks on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter to stay updated on new mods and hacks for your OnePlus One.