Smartphones have become our go-to devices for capturing all the special moments in our lives. While the cameras on our Android devices have evolved tremendously over the years, the right camera app can take your photography game to the next level. With countless options available, choosing the perfect camera app can be daunting. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the best Android camera apps available today, reviewing their specs and listing the pros and cons of each app. By the end, you’ll better understand which app best suits your needs.
Before we dive into the reviews of the best Android camera apps, let’s first discuss what to look for in a camera app. Here are some factors that you should consider when choosing a camera app:
What to Look for in a Camera App?
Not all camera apps work on all Android devices. Some apps may require a specific Android version, a certain level of hardware performance, or a particular camera sensor. Check the app’s compatibility with your device before downloading it.
Depending on your photography style and goals, you may need different features from a camera app. For example, if you want to take professional-quality photos, you may need a camera app that offers manual controls, RAW support, HDR mode, and other advanced options. If you want to have fun with your photos, you may prefer a camera app with filters, stickers, effects, and other creative tools.
A camera app should be easy to use and intuitive. You want to save time figuring out how to access or adjust the settings or modes of the app. You also want to have a clear and straightforward interface that lets you focus on taking photos rather than navigating menus.
A camera app should be fast and reliable. You don’t want to miss a shot because the app is slow to launch or laggy to operate. You also want to avoid crashes, bugs, or errors that may ruin your photos or experience.
Camera apps vary in price from free to paid. Some apps may offer in-app purchases or subscriptions for additional features or services. Consider your budget and how much you are willing to spend on a camera app.
Now that we have covered what to look for in a camera app let’s review some of the best Android camera apps you can download today. We will cover their features, pros, cons, and prices.
Adobe Lightroom is a powerful camera app and photo editing tool designed for amateurs and professionals. It comes with a built-in camera that offers manual control over settings such as ISO, shutter speed, and focus.
One of the best and most grossing tools out there.
Disclaimer: In-app purchases
Pros
- RAW file support: Capture and edit RAW images for the highest quality photos.
- Advanced editing tools: Enjoy an array of editing features, including exposure, contrast, and color adjustments.
- Cloud storage: Sync your photos across devices and access them anywhere with Adobe Creative Cloud.
Cons
- Subscription-based: Some advanced features require a monthly subscription.
- Steeper learning curve: This may be overwhelming for beginners.
ProCam X is a feature-packed camera app that offers manual control over various camera settings. It is perfect for users who want to take their mobile photography to the next level without breaking the bank.
Pros
- Manual controls: Adjust settings such as focus, exposure, and white balance to your liking.
- RAW support: Capture and edit uncompressed images for maximum quality.
- Time-lapse and slow-motion features: Create stunning time-lapse and slow-motion videos with ease.
Cons
- Limited editing tools: For advanced photo editing, you may need to use a separate app.
- No cloud storage: Unlike Adobe Lightroom, ProCam X does not offer cloud storage.
VSCO is a popular camera app and photo editor known for its stylish filters and minimalist design. It is perfect for casual photographers who want to give their photos a unique, artistic touch.
Disclaimer: In-app purchases
Pros
- Beautiful filters: Choose from a vast collection of presets to add a distinct look to your photos.
- Easy to use: The intuitive interface makes navigating and editing your photographs simple.
- Community: Share your creations with the VSCO community and discover inspiring content from other users.
Cons
- Limited manual controls: VSCO lacks advanced manual camera controls found in other apps.
- In-app purchases: Some filters and features are locked behind a paywall.
Camera FV-5 is a professional camera app that emulates a DSLR-like experience on your Android device. It offers extensive manual controls and customizable settings for photography enthusiasts.
Pros
- Comprehensive manual controls: Fine-tune your shots with precise control over focus, exposure, ISO, and more.
- Customizable interface: Arrange the Camera controls to your preference for a more efficient workflow.
- Intervalometer: Capture stunning time-lapse videos and sequences with the built-in intervalometer.
Cons
- No built-in editing tools: You’ll need to use a separate app to edit your photos.
- Steeper learning curve: This may be intimidating for beginners.
Open Camera is an open-source camera app offering various features and manual controls. It is an excellent option for those looking for a powerful camera app without any cost.
Disclaimer: Contains ads.
Pros
- Free and open-source: No in-app purchases or subscriptions are required.
- Manual controls: Enjoy control over various camera settings, including focus, exposure, and white balance.
- Noise reduction: Reduce noise in low light conditions for clearer images.
Cons
- Basic user interface: The design may feel outdated and less intuitive compared to other apps on this list.
- Limited editing tools: You’ll need to use a separate app for advanced photo editing.
- No cloud storage: Open camera does not offer cloud storage for easy access to your photos across devices.
- Occasional performance issues: As an open-source app, it may need to be better optimized than its paid counterparts, leading to occasional performance issues.
Moment is a camera app designed to work seamlessly with Moment lenses and other accessories. However, it also functions as a standalone app, offering manual controls and an easy-to-use interface.
Pros
- Designed for Moment lenses: Perfectly optimized for use with Moment lenses and accessories.
- Manual controls: Adjust settings like focus, exposure, and shutter speed with precision.
- Live histogram: Monitor the exposure of your shot in real time with the live histogram feature.
Cons
- Limited editing tools: You’ll need a separate app for advanced photo editing.
- No cloud storage: Moment does not offer cloud storage for your photos.
- Extremely expensive: The developer company Filmic Inc has moved to an annual subscription plan for $150.
Snapseed is a powerful camera app and photo editor developed by Google that caters to users of all skill levels. Its extensive editing tools, user-friendly interface, and free availability make it an attractive option for those looking to improve their mobile photography. However, if you prioritize advanced manual camera controls or built-in social features, consider other options on this list.
Pros
- Comprehensive editing tools: Snapseed offers a wide range of editing tools, including exposure, contrast, and color adjustments, as well as advanced features like healing and selective adjustments.
- RAW support: Capture and edit RAW images to maintain the highest quality possible.
- Free: Developed by Google, Snapseed is free to use without any in-app purchases or ads.
- User-friendly interface: The app features an intuitive design that makes it easy for users of all levels to navigate and edit their photos.
Cons
- Limited manual camera controls: Unlike other apps on this list, Snapseed doesn’t offer extensive manual controls for its built-in camera.
- No cloud storage: Snapseed does not provide cloud storage for your photos, so you’ll need to rely on your device or another cloud storage service.
- No community or social features: Unlike VSCO, Snapseed doesn’t have a built-in community or social platform to share and discover other users’ creations.
Google Camera is the official camera app developed by Google for its Pixel devices. It is one of the best Android camera apps because it showcases the latest Android photography features and technologies. It lets users take super-sharp pictures enhanced with features such as HDR+, Night Sight, Portrait Mode, Super Res Zoom, Astrophotography Mode, and more. It also has Google Lens integration that allows users to search for information or perform actions based on what they see in their photos.
Pros
- Excellent image quality and detail
- Innovative and useful features
- Seamless integration with Google services
- Free and compatible with most Android devices
Cons
- Limited manual controls and settings
- No RAW support
- No filters or effects
ProShot is one of the best Android camera apps for professional photographers who want complete control over their shots. It offers a range of manual controls such as exposure, ISO, shutter speed, focus, white balance, and more. It also supports RAW and JPEG formats, exposure bracketing, burst mode, timelapse mode, video mode with 4K resolution and 60fps, and more. It has a customizable interface that lets users adjust the layout and buttons of the app according to their preferences.
Pros
- Comprehensive manual controls and settings
- RAW and JPEG support
- Customizable interface
- High-quality video mode
Cons
- Not very user-friendly or intuitive
- No filters or effects
- Expensive compared to other apps
Cymera is a fun and easy-to-use Android camera app for selfie lovers and social media users who want to enhance their photos with fun and creative tools. It has seven different camera lenses that let users take various selfies, such as fisheye, wide-angle, lomo, etc.
Disclaimer: Contains ads.
Pros
- User-friendly interface: You can swipe left or right to switch between different modes, such as camera, collage, beauty, and album.
- Powerful beauty mode: It can automatically detect and edit your face shape, skin tone, eyes, nose, lips, and more.
- Wide range of filters and stickers: You can also download more filters and stickers from the app store for free or with in-app purchases.
- Collage mode: It lets you combine multiple photos into one layout. You can choose from various templates, backgrounds, frames, and ratios to create your collage.
- Social network feature: It allows you to share your photos with other users and discover new content.
Cons
- Requires too many permissions: To access your device’s camera, microphone, storage, location, contacts, and phone.
- Too many ads: They pop up frequently and interrupt your experience.
- Not compatible with some devices or Android versions: Some users have reported issues such as crashing, freezing, lagging, or not saving photos properly.
- More customization: You cannot manually adjust the exposure, white balance, or ISO in the camera mode.
- Not the best choice for professional or high-quality photography: The app may compress or reduce the resolution of your photos when you save or share them.
Conclusion:
With many camera apps available, finding the perfect one for your needs can be challenging. However, by examining the pros and cons of each app, you can make a more informed decision.
For users seeking professional-level control and advanced editing features, Adobe Lightroom is an excellent choice. If you’re looking for a powerful camera app without recurring subscription fees, ProCam X and Camera FV-5 are great alternatives. VSCO is perfect for those who prioritize filters and a minimalist design, while Snapseed and Open Camera are reliable, free options for users who want manual controls without any cost. Finally, Filmic Pro is the go-to app for pro photographers using Moment lenses and accessories.
Ultimately, the best Android camera app for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Don’t hesitate to try out a few different apps to find the one that fits your style and enhances your mobile photography experience.