---
id: hdr
title: HDR
sidebar_label: HDR
---

import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs'
import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem'
import useBaseUrl from '@docusaurus/useBaseUrl'

## What is HDR?

HDR ("High Dynamic Range") is a capture mode that captures colors in a much wider range, allowing for much better details and brighter colors.

<div align="center">
  <img class="doc-image" src="/img/sdr_comparison.png" />
  <img class="doc-image" src="/img/hdr_comparison.png" />
</div>

### Photo HDR

Photo HDR is accomplished by running three captures instead of one, an underexposed photo, a normal photo, and an overexposed photo. Then, these images are fused together to create darker darks and brighter brights.

<div align="center">
  <img class="doc-image" src="/img/hdr_photo_demo.webp" />
</div>

### Video HDR

Video HDR is accomplished by using a 10-bit HDR pixel format with custom configuration on the hardware sensor that allows for capturing wider color ranges.

* On iOS, this uses the `kCVPixelFormatType_420YpCbCr10BiPlanarVideoRange` Pixel Format.
* On Android, this uses the Dynamic Range Format `HLG10`, `HDR10` or `DOLBY_VISION_10B_HDR_OEM`.

If true 10-bit Video HDR is not available, the OS will sometimes fall back to EDR ("Extended Dynamic Range"), which, similar to how Photo HDR works, just doubles the video frame rate to capture one longer-exposed frame and one shorter exposed frame.

## Using HDR

To enable HDR capture, you need to select a format (see ["Camera Formats"](formats)) that supports HDR capture:

<Tabs
  groupId="component-style"
  defaultValue="hooks"
  values={[
    {label: 'Hooks API', value: 'hooks'},
    {label: 'Imperative API', value: 'imperative'}
  ]}>
<TabItem value="hooks">

```ts
const format = useCameraFormat(device, [
  { photoHdr: true },
  { videoHdr: true },
])
```

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="imperative">

```ts
const format = getCameraFormat(device, [
  { photoHdr: true },
  { videoHdr: true },
])
```

</TabItem>
</Tabs>

Then, pass the `format` to the Camera and enable the `videoHdr`/`photoHdr` props if it is supported:

```tsx
const format = ...

return (
  <Camera
    {...props}
    format={format}
    videoHdr={format.supportsVideoHdr}
    photoHdr={format.supportsPhotoHdr}
  />
)
```

Now, all captures (`takePhoto(..)` and `startRecording(..)`) will be configured to use HDR.

<br />

#### 🚀 Next section: [Video Stabilization](stabilization)
