Google looks to enhance Android cameras with API for RAW support and burst mode

Only a few weeks ago it was revealed by developers looking around the Android source code that Google may have been preparing to add support for RAW photo capabilities to the OS. Now, Google has come out and confirmed the news.

Google Spokesperson Gina Scigliano told CNET that RAW and burst-mode photo support is now present in Android’s hardware abstract layer (HAL), the part of the OS that handles communications with the device’s hardware.

Camera improvements may come soon

“Android’s latest camera HAL and framework supports RAW and burst-mode photography,” Scigliano said. “We will expose a developer API in a future release to expose more of the HAL functionality.” Essentially, with the API, developers and programmers will be able to use the offerings in their own software as well.

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Google’s latest Nexus 5 smartphone, which was released last month, already makes use of the burst mode to capture multiple images in rapid succession, eventually putting them together in a single high-dynamic range photo.

However, a phone’s camera and sensor need to be good in order to produce top-notch photos and the Nexus 5’s camera is still a sore point with many reviewers. However, a software update aimed specifically at the camera could probably help Nexus 5 owners benefit from the changes being introduced by Google. It would bring along performance improvements and probably help users take better images from their phones.

Google is optimistic about software improvements. “The team is aware of the issues and is working on a software update that will be available shortly,” Scigliano said.