The Motorola Moto G8 has three rear cameras and one selfie camera: a 16MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide, a 2MP macro and an 8MP front camera. It records video up to 4K at 30fps. If your G8 camera is scratched, blurry or dead, the fix depends on one question: is the glass damaged, or is the module behind it failing? This guide covers what the camera can do, how to use it, how it differs from the G8 Power and G8 Play, and how to work out which part you need.
TL;DR
- The Moto G8 has a 16MP main camera (f/1.7), an 8MP ultra-wide (f/2.2) and a 2MP macro camera on the back, plus an 8MP selfie camera.
- Video goes up to 4K at 30fps, or 1080p at 60fps.
- The G8 Power has a different, quad-camera back. Check your exact model before you order any part.
- Hazy, flared photos usually point to scratched glass. A black preview, no focus or a buzzing sound near the lens points to the module.
- Match the part to the fault and the model, and order only from a seller that checks compatibility.
Table of Contents
- What cameras does the Moto G8 have?
- Video and shooting modes
- How to use the Moto G8 camera controls
- G8, G8 Power, G8 Power Lite and G8 Play: not the same camera
- Lens glass or camera module: which one is broken?
- Choosing the right Moto G8 camera repair part
- Our perspective on Moto G8 camera repairs
- Get your repair parts and tools in one place
- Protecting the camera after the repair
- FAQ
- Sources
What cameras does the Moto G8 have?
The standard Moto G8 (model XT2045-1) uses a triple rear setup. According to Pickr’s review, the back carries a 16MP standard wide camera at f/1.7, an 8MP ultra-wide at f/2.2 and a 2MP macro at f/2.2. The front holds an 8MP selfie camera.
Here is the layout at a glance:
| Camera | Resolution | Aperture | What it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main (wide) | 16MP | f/1.7 | Everyday photos and video, with laser autofocus |
| Ultra-wide | 8MP | f/2.2 | Landscapes, group shots, buildings |
| Macro | 2MP | f/2.2 | Close-ups of small objects |
| Selfie (front) | 8MP | n/a | Selfies and video calls |
Pocket-lint’s launch coverage adds that the primary camera has laser autofocus, and that Motorola says the macro sensor gets you about 5x closer to your subject than you could without it.
What each lens is good for
The main camera does most of the work. With a wide f/1.7 aperture it lets in more light than the other two, so it is the one to use indoors, at dusk and for anything that matters. Laser autofocus helps it lock onto nearby subjects quickly.
The ultra-wide camera fits much more into the frame. Standing in a small room or on a street, it lets you capture the whole scene without stepping back. Pickr notes that the three cameras produce different types of imagery, so switching lenses is part of getting good results.
The macro camera is a 2MP sensor designed for very close shots: a coin, a circuit board, an insect, the stitching on a jacket. Give it plenty of light and hold the phone steady.
Video and shooting modes
The G8 records rear video in up to 4K at 30fps. Expert Reviews confirms that dropping to 1080p lets you raise the frame rate to 60fps. In practice:
- Choose 4K at 30fps when you want maximum detail, for example a scene you may crop later.
- Choose 1080p at 60fps for movement, such as kids, pets or sports, where smoother motion matters more than resolution.
- Choose 1080p at 30fps to save storage on long clips.
If you shoot a lot of 4K, keep an eye on free storage. Four-K files fill a phone quickly, and a nearly full phone can make the camera app slow to save pictures.
How to use the Moto G8 camera controls
The basics are the same as on most Motorola phones running the stock camera app:
- Open the camera from the home screen or lock screen. Many Motorola phones also open the camera with a twist of the wrist, if that gesture is switched on in the Moto app.
- Set focus by tapping the spot you care about on the viewfinder. A focus ring appears, and you can usually drag it to fine-tune the position.
- Zoom by pinching on the screen or dragging up and down on the viewfinder. The G8 has no dedicated telephoto lens, so zooming is digital. For wider shots, switch to the ultra-wide instead of backing up.
- Switch lenses using the camera mode options in the app. Use the macro option when you are within a few centimeters of the subject.
- Wipe the lens with a soft, clean cloth before important shots. A fingerprint smear on the glass causes more hazy photos than most people expect.
Menu names and gesture options can vary with software version, so if a setting is missing, check the camera app’s settings screen or the Moto app on your phone.
G8, G8 Power, G8 Power Lite and G8 Play: not the same camera
The G8 family looks similar and is easy to confuse, and this matters most when you are buying a repair part. The standard Moto G8 has the triple setup above. The G8 Power is different: GSMArena describes a quad-camera back with a 16MP primary, an 8MP ultra-wide, an 8MP tele camera for 2x zoom and portraits, and a 2MP macro.
The G8 Power Lite and G8 Play each have their own camera hardware too. Motorola’s own product page describes the G8 Power Lite as a triple-camera phone, and reviews of the G8 Play note different sensors again.
How to be sure which phone you hold:
- Open Settings > About phone and read the model name and number.
- Look for the model code, such as XT2045-1 for the standard G8, on the back label or in the settings.
- Count the rear lenses. Three means standard G8 or Power Lite. Four suggests the G8 Power.
- Compare the arrangement and size of the camera bump against photos of the part you plan to buy.
A camera module made for one model will often not fit another, even when the phones look nearly identical. Confirm the exact model number before ordering.
Lens glass or camera module: which one is broken?
This is the question that decides your repair. Phones have a protective cover over the camera array, and a separate camera assembly underneath. The Lenovo (Motorola) manual for the G8 lists them as different parts: a rear-facing camera lens assembly and a separate rear-facing camera assembly, along with a camera lens and a camera ring listed individually.
Signs the glass is the problem
- Photos look hazy, washed out or full of streaks and bright flares, especially toward a light source.
- You can see a scratch or crack on the lens cover.
- The camera focuses and the preview looks fine, but the finished photo has glare.
DXOMARK’s testing found that a scratched camera cover mainly causes lens flare, costing roughly 5 to 10 points on the photo, zoom and video sub-scores depending on severity, while not reducing image detail or increasing noise. So a scratched cover is a real but contained problem. Replacing only the glass is often all that is needed.
Signs the module is the problem
iTweak’s guide to blurry or dead cameras says a failed module typically shows a black preview, a frozen image or no focus at all. A buzzing or rattling sound near the camera combined with shaky, never-sharp shots points to a module or stabilization fault.
Before buying anything, rule out software:
- Restart the phone.
- Close the camera app fully and reopen it.
- Check that another app, such as a video call, is not holding the camera.
- Check for a system update.
- Test the front and rear cameras separately. If only one fails, the fault is likely that module, not the system.
- Back up your photos, then try safe mode to rule out a third-party app.
If the camera still fails after these steps, treat it as hardware.
Choosing the right Moto G8 camera repair part
Once you know which part has failed, work through this checklist:
- Model first. Confirm G8, G8 Power, G8 Power Lite or G8 Play using the model number.
- Part type. Decide between lens glass only, the lens ring, or the full camera assembly (main, ultra-wide, macro or front).
- Position. The front camera and rear cameras are separate parts, and the rear module may be listed by lens.
- Compatibility notes. Read the product description closely. A seller that publishes clear compatibility information saves you a returned part.
- Tools. Plan your tools before opening the phone: a heat source, a plastic pry tool, precision screwdrivers, tweezers and adhesive.
Replacing only the lens glass
If the module works and only the cover is scratched, a glass-only repair is the lighter job. Removing the old, broken glass cleanly is the tricky part, because shards and old adhesive can scratch the module beneath. A dedicated tool such as a back cover camera glass lens break pen is designed to break out damaged lens glass without prying at the surrounding frame. Clean off all residue before you fit the new glass, and keep dust away from the sensor while it is exposed.
Replacing the camera module
A module swap means opening the phone, disconnecting the battery connector first, lifting out the old module and connecting the new one. Take your time and keep track of every screw. A clamshell parts turnover box keeps screws and small components sorted by step, which prevents the classic problem of a leftover screw at reassembly.
After fitting the new module, power on the phone and test every lens, plus autofocus, before you close it up and apply fresh adhesive.
When the camera still fails after a new module
Sometimes the module is fine and the fault is on the board: a damaged connector, a short or a failing power line. Repair technicians use thermal imaging to find components that heat up abnormally. A tool such as the Qianli Super Cam X thermal imager is designed for fault diagnosis on phone boards, which suits small repair businesses and advanced hobbyists.
Our perspective on Moto G8 camera repairs
Most failed camera repairs we see described are not repair mistakes. They are ordering mistakes: a part for the wrong variant, or a new module bought when only the glass was scratched.
That is why we put so much into detailed product descriptions and compatibility checks. A Moto G8, a G8 Power and a G8 Play can look alike on a shelf, yet their cameras are different. We want you to know what you are buying before it ships.
We built MobSpares for DIY repairers, students learning the trade and small repair shops. They need the right part, the right tools and someone to answer questions when something does not line up. Our customer support and money-back guarantee for incorrect or unsatisfactory parts exist because we know repairs rarely go perfectly the first time.
Our advice is simple. Diagnose first, identify the exact model, order the narrowest part that fixes the fault, and keep your tools and screws organized. Do that and a camera repair is very achievable at home.
the author
Get your repair parts and tools in one place
Whether you are replacing a scratched lens cover or opening up a phone to swap a module, you need parts that fit and tools that do not damage the phone. MobSpares carries phone and tablet parts, repair tools, replacement batteries, protection and accessories, with product-specific compatibility information and worldwide shipping. If a part turns out to be incorrect or unsatisfactory, our money-back guarantee applies.
Browse the full range at MobSpares, and use the compatibility details on each product page to confirm the part matches your phone before you order. If you are unsure, contact our support team with your model number.
Protecting the camera after the repair
A repaired camera is worth protecting. A few habits help:
- Use a case with a raised lip around the camera bump so the glass does not touch tables when the phone lies face up.
- Keep the phone out of pockets that hold keys or coins.
- Clean the lens with a soft microfiber cloth, never with a rough shirt or a dry paper towel.
- Avoid leaving the phone in a hot car, because heat can weaken adhesive around the lens ring.
These are cheap steps compared with another repair, and they keep the image quality that DXOMARK showed is easily degraded by even a scratched cover.
FAQ
How many cameras does the Moto G8 have?
The Moto G8 has four: three on the back and one on the front. The rear cameras are a 16MP main, an 8MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro, and the front camera is 8MP. The G8 Power has a different quad-camera back, so check your model.
Can the Moto G8 record 4K video?
Yes. It records rear video at up to 4K and 30fps. If you lower the resolution to 1080p, you can raise the frame rate to 60fps for smoother motion.
Why are my Moto G8 photos blurry or hazy?
Start with the simple causes: a smudged lens, a case edge blocking the view, or a software glitch that a restart can clear. If photos stay hazy and flared, scratched lens glass is likely. If the preview is black or focus fails, the camera module may be faulty.
Is a Moto G8 camera lens the same part as the camera module?
No. The lens cover and the camera module are separate parts, and the Motorola service documentation lists them separately. Replace only the glass if the module still works. Replace the module if it shows a black preview, no focus or a rattling sound.
Does the Moto G8 Power use the same camera parts as the Moto G8?
Not reliably. The G8 Power has a four-camera back with a tele lens, while the standard G8 has three rear cameras. Always match your exact model number to the part listing before you order.
Sources
- Review: Motorola G8 (Moto G8, XT2045-1), Pickr
- Moto G8: Release date, specs and everything you need to know, Pocket-lint
- Motorola Moto G8 review, Expert Reviews
- Moto G8 Power review: Camera, image and video quality, GSMArena
- Lenovo Moto G8 installation and operating manual
- How a scratched smartphone camera cover affects image quality, DXOMARK
- Phone camera blurry or not working: software glitch or hardware, iTweak