Best Custom ROMs for Camera Quality
Let's be honest: camera quality is often the weakest point of custom ROMs. But some ROMs do it better than others, and with the right setup, you can get excellent results.
Why Camera Quality Varies
OEM Optimization
Phone manufacturers spend millions optimizing:
- Image processing algorithms
- Color science
- HDR implementation
- Night mode
- Video stabilization
When you flash AOSP, you lose this.
What Survives
Hardware stays the same:
- Sensor
- Lenses
- OIS (hardware)
- Aperture
What changes:
- Processing software
- Feature availability
- Aux camera support
ROM Camera Quality Ranking
Based on extensive testing:
Tier 1: Best Camera Experience
1. Pixel Experience / PixelOS
Why they're best:
- Pixel Camera included
- Google HDR+ processing
- Night Sight works (usually)
- Photo Sphere, Portrait mode
- Magic Eraser (where supported)
Limitations:
- Aux cameras vary by device
- Some features depend on device
My experience: Closest to actual Pixel quality. Photos consistently good.
2. Stock/OEM ROM with Debloating
Why it's good:
- Full OEM camera optimization
- All features work
- Video features complete
- Aux cameras guaranteed
Options:
- Stock debloated with ADB
- Xiaomi.eu (for Xiaomi)
- Minimal mods to stock
My experience: If camera is priority, stock with bloat removed beats most custom ROMs.
Tier 2: Good Camera
3. Evolution X
Why:
- Well-maintained
- Good camera HAL integration
- GCam works well on most devices
- Community configs available
4. crDroid
Why:
- Active development
- Camera fixes often merged quickly
- GCam compatibility good
5. LineageOS
Why:
- Very stable base
- GCam works reliably
- Consistent processing
Tier 3: Camera Works But Basic
6. ArrowOS 7. Paranoid Android 8. Havoc OS
Camera works, but:
- AOSP camera is basic
- Need GCam for good results
- May have quirks
The GCam Solution
For most AOSP ROMs, Google Camera (GCam) ports are essential.
What GCam Brings
- Google's HDR+
- Night Sight
- Astrophotography
- Portrait mode AI
- Better color science
Finding Right GCam
-
Device-specific configs
- Check XDA for your device
- Telegram GCam groups
- celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/
-
Loading configs
1. Download .xml config file 2. Copy to /GCam/configs/ 3. Open GCam → double-tap empty area 4. Load config
GCam Limitations
- Aux cameras may not work
- Video features limited
- Need correct version for your device
- Night mode might not work on all devices
Device-Specific Reality
Google Pixel
Best camera on custom ROM:
- Pixel camera works perfectly
- All features function
- Any ROM will have great camera
Samsung
Most challenging:
- Heavy processing in One UI
- AOSP loses Samsung processing
- GCam helps but isn't same
- Exynos vs Snapdragon differences
Recommendation: Stock or One UI-based ROMs for camera.
Xiaomi/POCO
Mixed bag:
- GCam often works great
- MIUI camera can be ported (ANXCamera)
- Higher-end devices = better results
Recommendation: AOSP + GCam or Xiaomi.eu
OnePlus
Generally good:
- GCam works well
- Hasselblad processing lost on AOSP
- Stock camera can sometimes be ported
Optimizing Camera on Any ROM
Step 1: Find Best GCam Version
Research for your specific device:
"[Your device codename] GCam config"
Step 2: Get Device Config
Configs tune GCam for your sensor:
- Exposure settings
- HDR parameters
- AWB values
Step 3: Enable Aux Cameras (If Possible)
Some GCam versions support:
- config.xml settings for aux
- Developer-specific aux builds
Step 4: Camera2 API
Ensure full Camera2 API support:
Install Camera2 API Probe
Check for LEVEL_3 or FULL support
If not supported:
Magisk → Camera2 API enabler module
ROM Features That Help
Camera2 API Support
All good ROMs support this. Enables manual controls, RAW capture, and GCam.
HAL3 Support
Hardware Abstraction Layer 3 - needed for modern camera features.
Per-App Settings
Some ROMs let you force refresh rate, performance mode per app - useful for camera apps.
My Camera Setup
What I use for best quality:
ROM: Pixel Experience
Camera: Built-in Pixel Camera + GCam
For Xiaomi device:
ROM: Evolution X
Camera: GCam 8.6 with device config
Settings:
- HDR+ Enhanced ON
- Night Sight auto
- Save RAW for important shots
Video Quality
Video is harder to fix than photos:
What Affects Video
- Video encoder implementation
- EIS/OIS support
- Audio processing
- Bitrate handling
Video on Custom ROMs
- 4K: Usually works
- 60fps: Usually works
- EIS: Often degraded
- Slo-mo: May not work
For video priority: Stock ROM is usually better.
Comparison Table
| ROM | Photo Quality | Video Quality | Aux Cameras | GCam Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock OEM | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Varies |
| Pixel Experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Built-in |
| Evolution X | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| LineageOS | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| ArrowOS | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
FAQ
Q: Can I get OEM camera quality on AOSP?
A: Rarely 100%, but GCam can get close for photos.
Q: Which camera matters more - ROM or GCam?
A: GCam makes the bigger difference on most AOSP ROMs.
Q: Why do aux cameras often not work?
A: They need specific HAL implementations from OEM.
Q: Is Pixel Experience camera same as real Pixel?
A: Very close for photos, some features may differ for video.
Decision Framework
Camera is #1 priority:
→ Stay on stock (debloated)
→ Or use Pixel Experience
Camera is important but not essential:
→ Any good ROM + GCam
Camera is secondary to features/freedom:
→ Any ROM + GCam config
→ Accept some quality loss
Custom ROMs trade camera optimization for freedom. With the right setup, you can minimize this tradeoff. But if camera is paramount, consider whether the ROM benefits outweigh the camera compromises.
Keywords: best camera custom rom, gcam custom rom, custom rom photography, camera quality aosp, pixel experience camera