I don't have much insight on this, but- I do have to say that the camera suddenly going "HUGS!" at my character when i'm moving it around and there is a god-forsaken leaf on the way is very, very annoying, specially when i'm trying to get a good angle to combo something on my Dragoon.

However, your third suggestion. A long time ago I was talking with a friend of mine who's studying game-making, most specifically the graphical aspect. I suggested that to him since I was really, really angry at the camera, his immediate answer was "It is not that simple". I do believe that the solution you are asking for is actually unexpectedly complex, specially for game like this.