Ever since the release of the Google Camera app, everyone has been all googly eyed over the DSLR like blur effect that can be produced in images. I know you have seen a number of test shots from people with the Google Camera app, the Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8. Sony has had the same feature in their devices since the Xperia Z1, near as I can tell any ways, called Background Defocus. I know it wasn’t present in the T-Mobile Xperia Z but it  might have been in international variants. Anywho, Sony has now released that camera setting add-on to the Play Store for Sony device owners.
The Play Store listing says the Background Defocus app is compatible on Android 4.2+ devices. It will only work if you have the stock Sony camera app still. If you are rooted and stripped then it is pointless for you to get it unless you get the original camera installed first. It is interesting to note that the defocus app will only go to a 9MP resolution on the Xperia Z which contains a 13.1MP camera. Even more interesting is the Xperia Z1s only lets you push the same app to 8MP in 16:9 or 4:3 ratio.
I took a couple test shots with the Xperia Z to see how well it fared. I ran into a number of instances where it was unable to process the image correct and failed to blur the boackground. I would assume it was due to the various little suggestions made in the info box like the background object needing to be 5 meters away. I was able to snap one that didn’t fit that parameter though.
It seemed to work out just fine. Additionally, it seems the location of the defocused images are saved in a separate folder on your device. You will still look in your DCIM folder, but there will be a new folder called XPERIA and with in that one is where you will find the BACKGROUND_DEFOCUS images.
Feel free to go pick up the add-on Background Defocus app for your Sony device via the link below. If you find that your device is not compatible with it, and is should be, let us know.Â
