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Sony’s Xperia M2 was just updated to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop (despite Android Marshmallow’s impending approach), but the new version of Android may have added some unwanted features. It seems Lollipop on the Xperia M2 has caused the device’s camera to underperform. The Sony device was previously limited to Android 4.4.4 KitKat and, despite outdated software, the 8-megapixel camera took pictures as it should. Now with Lollipop installed, some Sony Xperia M2 users are finding that their device is not shooting the same quality images as it did before. The issue is prevalent on XDA and Sony Mobile Talk forums. Judging by images posted on those sites and the concerns of Xperia owners, the camera app is producing pictures that look “over-sharpened” or blurry to the point where they look hand-drawn. With multiple users reporting dramatic inconsistencies with their cameras, likely due to the Lollipop update, it isn’t hard to imagine their concerns are valid.
It seems the camera app itself is not at fault. Downloading Google’s Camera app isn’t helping out any Xperia M2 users, suggesting the problem goes a little deeper. It may be possible that Sony altered the camera’s algorithms directly or messed with options in the API. The cause isn’t known yet, other than the firmware update having activated it. The next update for the Xperia M2 should resolve these issues, but a more time-conscious solution is probably in the works. The Sony Mobile support team has said they are in the midst of an inspection, meaning the company is at least aware of the issue.
The Xperia M2 initially arrives with only Android Jelly Bean installed, surprisingly dated even when it was launched. The device received KitKat and now Lollipop, but it seems the issues with having a modern operating system continue. Android Marshmallow has already launched on Nexus devices and some manufacturers have listed which devices they plan on developing the new Android 6.0 on, including Sony. The Xperia M2 is not listed for the update, meaning Lollipop might be its last hurrah. The new firmware has already been maligned thanks to its camera issues, but seeing as the device is not slated for another update, the problem will need to be patched as a standalone fix.
