There are many third-party camera apps that take the HTC EVO's 8-megapixel rear camera to the next level through the use of filters and features like image stabilization. While these apps can improve the quality of images captured by the EVO, most of them don't enhance the usability of the camera.
Enter Camera ZOOM FX by androidslide. Recommended to me by G&E reader John, it includes all the bells and whistles you'll find in other apps (e.g., effects, add-on packs, voice activation, burst mode, shutter skins) plus the ability to map various functions to screen gestures and the EVO's hardware volume buttons.
There are other options too (some aren't applicable to the EVO), but being able to use the physical volume buttons to zoom in and out is better than pressing the +/- icon in the stock camera app and then dragging your finger across the virtual slider.
Here's how to use the EVO's volume buttons to control the camera zoom:
- Download and install Camera ZOOM FX.
- Launch the app (you can make it your default camera app via the settings menu).
- Tap Menu -> Settings.
- Scroll down until you reach the "Custom Buttons" section near the bottom.
- Tap the "Change Action" buttons beside "Volume Up" and "Volume Down" and select "Zoom Out" and "Zoom in," respectively, from the list.
The volume buttons can also be used to take a picture, toggle certain modes, and browse different extras (e.g., borders, props, composites), but I think the zoom funtion is particularly useful.
Thanks, John!
