Smart HDR

Smart HDR helps you capture better photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. When enabled, the camera captures multiple images and combines them into a single optimized photo. Using advanced image fusion techniques, Smart HDR increases the dynamic range and preserves more detail in both bright and dark areas. In many situations, this results in a more balanced image with improved highlight and shadow detail.

Smart HDR is available in Photo, LowLight, and Selfie camera modes and can be disabled if needed. In Portrait camera mode, it's always active.

Smart HDR is not available when the RAW file format is selected. When the RAW+JPG file format is selected, Smart HDR only applies to the JPG image. However, ProRAW supports Smart HDR processing.

When automatic A mode is enabled, Smart HDR is automatically turned on and the Smart HDR button is not displayed in the viewfinder. In this mode, Smart HDR cannot be turned off.

When manual M mode or semi-automatic SI mode is enabled, the Smart HDR button is displayed in the viewfinder and set to Automatic by default. You can use the button to switch between Automatic and Off. When set to Automatic, the camera determines whether to apply Smart HDR based on the scene and lighting conditions.

You can switch it off if you wish. When switched off (no blue coloring of the HDR button), image fusion is not applied.

In most situations, keeping Smart HDR enabled is recommended. However, when you want full manual control over the exposure, it may be preferable to turn it off. Disabling Smart HDR prevents automatic HDR processing from affecting the final image, allowing your manual exposure settings to determine the result more directly. For this reason, ProCamera provides the option to disable Smart HDR when using manual settings.

Selecting Image Quality for images taken with Smart HDR enabled:

You can adjust the amount of HDR processing and image fusion applied to a picture when using Smart HDR. In the ProCamera app, there is a special section in Settings where you can select the Capture Quality and the level of HDR processing. To access it, go to Settings > Capture Quality (a part of the Photo Mode Options section) and select one of the following Capture Quality options compatible with Smart HDR:

Highly Detailed - advanced image processing techniques to capture photos with exceptional sharpness and detail. Maximum image fusion applies (up to Deep Fusion).
Natural - applies less sharpening and image processing. It's for users who find the maximum processing too aggressive and want a more subtle image enhancement. Medium image fusion applies (Standard Fusion).

Note that when you switch to Unprocessed or Unprocessed (no OIS) Capture Quality in SI/M mode, Smart HDR is automatically disabled. If you select Unprocessed or Unprocessed (no OIS), no HDR processing is applied.

Enabling the Natural and Highly Detailed option will automatically activate Smart HDR.

To learn more about Image Quality options and settings, read this article.