The best camera you can possibly have is always with you in your pocket- your smartphone. And if it is an iPhone, you already have got your hands on the best. The iPhone 11 line-up is really praise-worthy when it comes to camera performance. With a three-lens setup and various picture modes that it has, make it the best camera phone in the market. Add to it the scores of excellent photography apps and it is no less than a DSLR.
In this article, we will tell you about some of the best photography apps that actually beat the iOS camera.
Quick Links:
- Halide
- Obscura 2
- Adobe Lightroom
- ProCam 7
- ProCamera
- VSCO
- MuseCam
- Camera+ 2
- Focos
- Pro Camera by Moment
1. Halide
Number 1 on our list is a camera app from Lux Optics LLC. Definitely not for the faint of heart, the camera app is designed for those who are looking to capture photos the way they want. With high-end tools and a beautiful UI designed to suit the capabilities of the latest iOS version, Halide can be your go-to camera when you are really looking to do photography.
If you want to use the complete features, make sure you are running it on iPhone 7plus or devices later than that.
The app makes it to the first place as it allows full control of the camera settings. You can set everything from exposure to ISO, to focus, and the shutter speed manually. The camera interface includes views for histograms and depth peaking, so you can see how your phone processes the depth of field settings.
2. Obscura 2
Number 2 on the list is Obscura 2 from Ben McCarthy. With a simple and clean interface, Obscura 2 takes a kind of minimalist approach to help you click better photos. The app gives you a handful of manual controls that work using dials on your mobile screen thus making it more convenient for you to capture photos. Some more features of the Obscura 2 camera app include Flash Control, Grids, Shutter Timer, and Spirit Level, etc.
Using the 19 filters that it has, you can choose a preset and proceed to edit your pictures further.
Obscura 2 makes it to number two as it allows us to shoot in a wide range of formats. You can also change the functionalities according to your choices like changing the effects of gestures, secondary capture formats, and even the app icon.
3. Adobe Lightroom
The top choice for most photography enthusiasts is the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. A free yet powerful photo editor and camera app that allows you to capture superb-looking images. Giving users from three camera modes to choose- the HDR mode, the professional, and the Automatic mode, Adobe lightroom can be used in any way you want. If you are someone with great camera skills go on to use the professional mode which gives you the power to control the camera settings manually.
What makes it hold the third place on our list is the overall functionality that includes image editing as well.
4. ProCam 7
The ProCam 7 from Samer Azzam, is yet another app for those who like taking controls in their hands. The app interface might look a bit confusing at first, but with some experience under your belt, ProCam 7 will allow you to click pictures like a professional photographer.
The in-built app features like 3D photo, Slow shutter, Anti-shake, Interval, True focus, and others give you complete control of the camera settings.
The camera app also has some of the parent camera app features like the gridlines, HDR, Burst mode, Copyright stamp, and tiltmeter that makes it the most comfortable camera app to work with.
5. ProCamera
If you use your iPhone camera for video recording, ProCamera from Cocologics is one app you should have. The app brings pro-level DSLR camera features to iOS while providing a versatile video-recording mode and a comprehensive photo editing suite that includes RAW and Depth editing for users.
Some of the most attractive features of the app include Manual, Semi-Automatic and Automatic Mode, Independent Focus & Exposure control, Manual Focus with Focus Peaking, Rapid Fire mode, Powerful Photo Album with full iCloud integration, Gray Card Calibration, Lightbox, 3D Tiltmeter, Self-Timer & Intervalometer, AIS Image Stabilization on/off, EXIF/Metadata Viewer, and Live Histogram, etc.
From low light shooting to resolution control and frame rate adjustments, the PromCamera app is surprisingly well-equipped for an iPhone. With even advanced settings, you can control everything from focus to stabilization to file formats and geotagging as well.
6. VSCO
The app is released by Visual Supply Company and stands at number 6 on our best camera apps list. While widely known for being one of the best photo editing apps, VSCO serves as a powerful camera as well. The app interface is quite user-friendly and capturing photos is actually very easy.
In the camera mode, you’ll see a row of icons at the bottom that allows for manual controls. Albeit the free version is incredible, you can purchase a pro-level subscription if you wish to use some advanced features.
To get the best user experience, make sure you use the app on iOS version 12.0 or later.
7. MuseCam
MuseCam by MuseWorks Inc. will work perfectly for those starting out with photography on their iPhones. The app has an easy-to-use interface that makes handling the manual controls easy. With CMYK and RGB tone curves you can click the perfect photos and render your images without compromising on the quality part.
The app also comes with a photo editing app that helps further elevate the photos that you take.
To get the best experience while using the app, make sure you use the app on iOS version 10.0 or later.
8. Camera+ 2
At number 8, is the Camera+ 2 from LateNiteSoft S.L. This camera app makes iPhone photography fun regardless of your skill level. The app interface almost feels like the native camera app that you’ve been using so far. Differences are brought to light with the addition of a few more buttons and controls that can be done with a single tap.
If you are looking to use the manual mode, you can select from the available presets for purpose-specific captures, the best lens, shutter time, ISO or white balance for your next image manually.
To get the best experience while using the app, make sure you use the app on iOS version 12.0 or later.
9. Focos
Number 9 on our list is the FOCOS app by Xiaodong Wang. Being the most straightforward and stripped-down camera app, FOCOS delivers a clean experience while not letting you compromise on the level of control you have over the image. Things like Shutter speed, ISO, focus, exposure compensation, histogram, Depth capture using AI Machine Learning, and Grid overlays, all are within reach, and make you feel like a professional photographer.
To get the best experience while using this app, make sure you are using it on iOS version 11.0 or later.
10. Pro Camera by Moment
Last but not the least, is the Pro camera by Moment Inc. This can be the best camera app for those who need quick access to camera settings. Moment Inc. is known for its camera accessories like lenses and cases. The app lets you capture photographs with and without RAW while taking care of the tricky light scenarios with the Split focus and Exposure control option.
This camera app is perfect for filmmakers as it offers features like Focus peaking, Zebra stripes that let overlay stripes onto over and underexposed areas in the viewfinder. Users can choose between different color profiles, video bitrates, using the live RGB histogram, and also use the full manual mode to control the camera actions like ISO, Shutter speed, focus, exposure, and white balance using the sliders.
To get the best experience while using the app, make sure you use the app on iOS version 11.0 or later.
The final word
With a multitude of options present in the App Store, the only question is which one would you choose? What’s best for one, might not be best for all. It is hereby recommended to try and experiment over different apps and choose the one that suits you the best.
