[vadimo]

A bit shocked at the quality in the darker scene, it's not getting enough light from license plate lights and reverse lights. Also adjusted picture settings.

Anyone else noticed this?

On F30 I had 3rd party Droid UK camera, that was amazing compared to G20.

Also now the camera is installed in the way that it protrude out and its exposed to rain even more.

[bmnut]

I have to admit I don't regularly use my reversing camera because I'm so used to just looking as I used to do for years so my camera is more for passenger amusement most of the time!
Having said that the picture quality isn't that good in the dark I'd have to say and you're right in that the F3x series cameras seemed to be slightly more protected than the G3x series ones now that they are mounted within the boot lid badge. I assume the best are arguably the ones that are 'hidden' within the badge like VW but I have no experience of using one so couldn't comment authoritatively.
Once the camera lens is covered in road sh*te, as is the case most of the time these days, then they're pretty useless anyway.
You could always do it the old fashioned way of course and look over your shoulder!

[Soul_Glo]

Even with the slightest traffic film it’s awful. To be honest I use my surround view cameras more i.e. the mirror cameras and front camera. As posted above once they are dirty it’s bad. These cameras are not as sharp as my Mercedes. Those are like HD. Having said that, BMW has the edge because when I back up it zooms in on the rear bumper. The Merc doesn’t do that. Also worth checking if there is any mist in your camera. Mist makes it display a poor image too. Keeping reverse lights clean helps as well.

[Talisman77]

I've found this too - as mentioned/implied you'll want to regularly clean the cameras, I've found that turning the display brightness up with the dial that controls the interior lightning (near right knee) can sometimes help me discern more stuff in the darkness beyond.

Other than that, try playing around with your setting options for the camera itself - you can boost the brightness and play with contrast a bit, I tried to optimize mine for extra visibility.

[vadimo]

Yeah I done the image settings and always clean camera

I guess I will get used to it

[Hofmeister Kink]

In fairness the camera quality in daylight is pretty good and the larger iDrive 8 screen helps. My wife noted the picture was much clearer than her MINI which also has a rear camera. Not really noticed at night but should be easy enough for BMW engineers to achieve a good picture when Apple and Samsung can do it!

[Seaford]

It’s the same in my 840 - the rear camera gets dirty very easily, I am in the habit of wiping it off quite often! It’s fine when the lens is clean.

[bmnut]

Same as above for me too!

[Charlie (Wessex)]

VW have the right idea. The reverse camera sits behind the badge and the badge pops out in reverse, meaning always a clean camera lens.

[Soul_Glo]

Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex)

VW have the right idea. The reverse camera sits behind the badge and the badge pops out in reverse, meaning always a clean camera lens.

Similar to Mercedes. Mine flips down from a cover. Can use the command menu to put it into cleaning mode so it is easier to clean it. Rather than having someone hold it in reverse with foot on brake. Anyhow keeps the camera super clean. I clean it may be once or twice a year. The BMW is weekly.

[danorman777]

My Range Rover Sport had a little washer jet pointing at the camera lens which activated with the rear washer which worked well. BMW could do more for theirs. I am in the habit of running my finger over them before I get in!

[Charlie (Wessex)]

Originally Posted by Soul_Glo

I clean it may be once or twice a year. The BMW is weekly.

Weekly? I cleaned mine the other day, drove 2 miles down country lanes and it was gunked up again.

This is something BMW really should be able to do if VW put it on a Golf for the past 10 years. Guess it's not a deal breaker, saves them money (which they don't pass on), so they don't do.

[paulockenden]

Let’s face it, if BMW had an option for a self cleaning camera then they’d have deleted the option in the past 18 months.

[Soul_Glo]

Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex)

Weekly? I cleaned mine the other day, drove 2 miles down country lanes and it was gunked up again.

This is something BMW really should be able to do if VW put it on a Golf for the past 10 years. Guess it's not a deal breaker, saves them money (which they don't pass on), so they don't do.

Oh the country lanes do a number on mine too. We live in a rural area. I have been working from home since the pandemic hence weekly.

[Hofmeister Kink]

Lazy design, BMW engineers! Not sure how an exposed lens got signed off when there are better (low cost) solutions out there. Hey ho, first world problem!

[xlfat]

Having had an F30 with reversing camera, followed by two 4 series without one, I was looking forward having one in my new G20. However, it's definitely worse. As others have mentioned, gets dirty real quick (quicker than my old F30). For me though, it's the image quality - it's really, really bad. Maybe I'm just imagining it, but the one in the F30 was better.

[Charlie (Wessex)]

The Mrs has a Scooby Outback, and the rear view camera is very poor quality. The G21 has a much better one, and IMO is pretty good (when clean). You can adjust things a wee bit in iDrive - maybe worth a go?