Reactive Camera Implementation with Camera2 API on Android - Part 1
Article Summary
Arkady Gamza from Bumble Tech tackles Android's notoriously complex Camera2 API by wrapping it in RxJava2 observables. The result? A reactive camera implementation that turns callback hell into elegant, readable code.
This deep technical dive shows how to build a fully functional camera app using Camera2 API with RxJava2 for async control flow. Gamza walks through every step from device selection to photo capture, demonstrating how reactive programming tames Android's callback-heavy camera interface.
Key Takeaways
- Wraps Camera2 callbacks in RxJava2 Observables using create() and PublishSubject patterns
- Chains device opening, session creation, and preview with flatMap operators
- Uses combineLatest to coordinate autofocus, autoexposure, and shutter events
- Implements proper resource cleanup with Observable chains on lifecycle events
- Replaces nested callbacks with readable operator chains for preview and capture
Critical Insight
RxJava2 transforms Camera2 API's async complexity into clean, maintainable operator chains that handle device lifecycle, preview streaming, and photo capture without callback nesting.
