Many Chromebook users have noticed that pictures, especially those taken with the built-in camera, often turn out blurry and low quality. There are a few reasons why this happens.
Low Megapixel Camera
Most Chromebooks have very basic front and rear cameras built in. These cameras often have low megapixel counts like 0.9MP or 1.2MP. For comparison, most modern smartphones have 12MP, 16MP, or even higher resolution cameras. The higher the megapixels, the more detailed a photo can be.
With such a low resolution camera, Chromebook pictures are not able to capture fine details very well, resulting in blurry or pixelated photos, especially when you zoom in or crop the image.
Image Processing Limitations
In addition to lower resolution sensors, Chromebooks also have less processing power than a phone or dedicated camera. This means the built-in cameras are not able to utilize advanced image processing techniques to compensate for the lower resolution.
Smartphone cameras use image processing chips and advanced software to sharpen details and reduce noise in photos. Chromebooks lack some of this processing ability, so the images coming straight from the sensor are not enhanced to maximize clarity.
Lack of Optical Image Stabilization
Cameras on phones and standalone cameras often use optical image stabilization (OIS) to reduce blur from shaky hands. OIS allows the camera lens to move to counteract hand shake and stabilize the image.
Chromebook cameras do not have OIS. As a result, even slight movements while taking a photo can lead to blurring or loss of sharpness.
Small Sensor Size
In addition to low megapixel count, Chromebook cameras also have very small image sensors. The sensor is the part of the camera that actually captures the light to form the image.
Larger sensors are able to capture more light and produce less visual noise in images. Smartphone cameras have much bigger sensors, which contributes to their image quality improvements over Chromebook cameras.
Slow Shutter Speed
In order to compensate for the low light capture abilities of the small sensors, Chromebook cameras opt for slower shutter speeds. This allows more light to hit the sensor, but also increases blur from any movement during the exposure.
Smartphone cameras can use computational photography techniques like semantic segmentation and portrait modes to simulate the effects of large sensors and aperture sizes. Chromebooks do not have these same capabilities.
Limited Camera App Capabilities
The built-in camera app on Chromebooks is very basic with limited controls compared to smartphone camera apps. There are fewer options to adjust resolution, ISO, shutter speed, focus and other settings to customize the shot.
Smartphone camera apps also utilize the image signal processor and AI capabilities of the device to improve photo quality in real time. The Chromebook camera app lacks these computational enhancements.
No Manual Focus or Exposure
The lack of granular controls in the Chromebook camera app also means there is no way to manually adjust focus or exposure. Smartphone cameras allow tapping to set focus and adjust brightness for optimal photo quality.
Without these manual overrides, the Chromebook will determine focus and exposure automatically, which may not always result in the clearest, most detailed photos especially in tricky lighting conditions.
Workarounds and Solutions
While Chromebook cameras certainly have limitations leading to lower quality photos, there are some workaround solutions:
- Use maximum resolution – Change camera settings to highest megapixel option to capture more detail.
- Adjust lighting – Move subjects into bright, natural light for best results.
- Clean the camera lens – Smudges or debris on the lens can impact sharpness.
- Use a dedicated camera app – Install a third-party camera app for more controls.
- Edit photos afterwards – Post-processing in apps like Snapseed can help sharpen.
- Use an external webcam – Connect a higher resolution USB or Bluetooth webcam.
Why Chromebooks Have Lower Quality Cameras
Given the drawbacks and limitations outlined above, you may wonder why Chromebook manufacturers do not put better cameras in their devices. There are a few reasons for this:
- Cost – Higher resolution sensors, lenses and image processors add to the component cost.
- Battery life – More advanced cameras require more power draw which impacts battery runtime.
- Thermals – More processing generates more heat which needs to be managed.
- Target user – Schools purchasing fleets of Chromebooks may prioritize low cost over camera quality.
- Use cases – Chromebooks are less commonly used for photography compared to smartphones.
For these reasons, most Chromebook manufacturers opt for lower resolution, lower cost cameras that can meet the basic video conferencing and snapshot needs of the majority of Chromebook owners.
Chromebook Cameras vs. Smartphone Cameras
Here is a direct comparison of some of the key camera specification differences between the average Chromebook and a current model smartphone like the iPhone 14 Pro:
| Specification | Chromebook Camera | iPhone 14 Pro Camera |
|---|---|---|
| Megapixels | 1MP – 5MP | 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto |
| Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.5 main, f/ 2.2 ultrawide, f/2.8 telephoto |
| Sensor Size | Very small (few mm) | 1/1.28″ main sensor |
| Image Stabilization | Digital only | Sensor shift OIS |
| Camera App Controls | Very limited | Full manual controls |
| Image Processing | Basic | Proprietary Photonic Engine |
As seen above, there are major advantages to the iPhone 14 Pro camera hardware and software versus the average Chromebook’s built-in camera. The smartphone can capture more detail, stabilize images better, and provide more control over shooting settings.
Tips for Improving Chromebook Photo Quality
If you are unsatisfied with the blurry photos your Chromebook takes, here are some tips to improve quality:
Adjust Settings
Use the maximum resolution and size settings possible in the camera app. Although megapixels are limited, this will provide the most possible detail.
Clean the Lens
Wipe the Chromebook camera lens gently with a microfiber cloth to remove dust or smudges that could degrade image quality.
Update Chrome OS
Make sure your Chromebook is on the latest version of Chrome OS, as some updates may include camera improvements.
Use an External Webcam
Connect an external USB webcam with higher resolution and better optics than the built-in camera if photo quality is very important.
Adjust Lighting
Position subjects in bright, daylight or indirect window lighting for best results. Avoid fluorescent and harsh overhead lighting.
Use Photo Editing Apps
Post process images in apps like Snapseed, Adobe Lightroom or Pixlr to adjust color, sharpen details and reduce noise.
Use a Dedicated Camera App
Install an advanced camera app like Camera MX that provides additional controls and settings compared to the stock Chromebook camera.
Conclusion
Chromebook cameras suffer from low resolutions, small sensors and basic software processing which leads to lower quality, blurry photos compared to smartphone cameras. However, there are steps you can take to optimize the built-in camera by adjusting settings, lighting and using photo editing techniques. In cases where photo quality is critical, investing in an external webcam is recommended to drastically improve image clarity and detail.