Smartphone cameras are far more important than they used to be. Companies are chewing at the bit to improve the reliability of their cameras, make them operate better in low light, and add features that users desire. Many people will rely their buying selections on the camera’s quality. The argument is that cameras are becoming increasingly crucial on mobile devices.
Typically, this makes stock camera apps superior than third-party apps. OEMs just understand their camera setups better and optimise them more effectively. This is especially true for phones like Google, Samsung, and Huawei that utilise AI and other software enhancements in conjunction with camera hardware. Nonetheless, a third-party app may be advantageous in some situations. Here are the best camera applications for Android!
Finally, take in mind that subsequent versions of Android may still require you to utilise the stock camera app. It’s simply something to think about. Honorable mentions include Motion Cam (Google Play link) and A Better Camera (Google Play link). Motion Cam just offers some interesting concepts. A Better Camera is actually rather nice, but it no longer receives updates.
1. Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop Camera
Adobe Lightroom is not a camera app, but rather a picture editor. It does, however, provide a built-in camera app. The camera is pretty good, including crucial features like as HDR, RAW support, and a variety of settings and presets. It also contains the standard set of manual camera settings if you require them. The good news is that Adobe Lightroom is now one of the best picture editor programmes for smartphones, so you can utilise the camera app and quickly get into editing. Adobe Photoshop Camera (Google Play link) was also released in 2020, with a range of features such as numerous filters, real-time Photoshop effects, auto-tone, portrait mode settings, and more. It’s mostly a camera for social media users, but it’s still a good option in general.
2. Bacon Camera
We’ll be forthright. When we first heard the moniker Bacon Camera, we assumed it was a parody app. However, this is a genuinely good camera app. It has manual adjustments for focus, white balance, exposure compensation, ISO, and other things. Along with the standard JPEG, RAW and DNG are supported. It boasts manual control functionality for devices that do not use Google’s Camera2 API. We didn’t have any test devices that didn’t support it, so for the time being, we’ll take their word for it. GIF support, a panoramic option, and timed photos are among the additional features. This is a pretty decent game, and the pro version is a shockingly low price. The only drawback is that there is no update support. This one hasn’t been updated since 2019 (at the time of writing), thus it may no longer be maintained.
3. Camera FV-5
Due to a lack of updates, Camera FV-5 was deleted from the list some time ago. However, it appears that FGAE was not finished with this one yet. The latest Camera FV-5 version is actually quite nice. It includes a slew of manual settings, exposure bracketing, and even more specialist features like an intervalometer built in. The list of features is simply too big to include into a short list like this. As of this writing, the app costs $3.95 and receives frequent upgrades. The only disadvantage is that certain phones appear to react poorly with this one, so make sure to give it a thorough test within the return period if your phone is one of them.
4. Camera MX
Camera MX is one of the most well-known and widely used camera programmes. The app is kept up to date since the developers update it on a regular basis. It’s best for easy tasks. The app has a number of shooting modes. It may also be used to take images or movies. There’s also a GIF feature for creating your own GIFs. The built-in picture editor can also accomplish the basics. It’s a reasonable all-in-one solution. Serious photographers should seek elsewhere. If you have Google Play Pass, you may also utilise the pro edition of this.
5. Cymera
Cymera is another another ancient and famous camera app. It is more focused on mainstream characteristics. This means you’ll receive a slew of filters, stickers, special effects, and other goodies. There is also a beautiful camera mode. It has the ability to add or remove characteristics from your face and body. We’re not supporters of such drastic changes, but to each their own. It also comes with a picture editor for modest adjustments. It is available for free download. Additional items can be purchased as in-app purchases.
6. Filmic Pro
Filmic Pro is a relatively new camera app for Android. It’s also the priciest camera app on this list. It also has some distinctive traits. This contains a few very unique manual controls. It contains a dual slider for exposure and focus, a white balance adjustment matrix, and a gamma curve control, for example. It also has some more metrics, a live RGB control, and a lot more. This one got off to a rocky start. The creators, on the other hand, appear to be actively accepting user comments and upgrading the app to solve flaws. Someday, maybe, it will be good. If you wish to try it out, make sure you properly test it within the refund time.
7. Google Camera
Google Camera is the official camera app from Google. It’s the one you’ll find on the majority of Google devices. It offers a tiny but effective feature set. They include lens blur, slow motion (on compatible devices), picture spheres, video stabilisation, and other features. The sole disadvantage is incompatibility. This is only available for smartphones running Android 7.1.1 and above (at the time of this writing). Even later, only smartphones running the most recent version of Android will most likely be able to use this. Otherwise, it’s free and quite nice. However, if you want the best Google Camera functionality, you may need to sideload a customised version for your device.
8. HedgeCam 2
HedgeCam 2 is an open source clone of the Open Camera app. It builds on the winning blend of simplicity and features by including a few new ones. By the way, this version is also open source, with a link to the source code included in the Google Play description. This one comes with a slew of manual settings, HDR and DRO (dynamic range optimization) shot modes, several customization options (such as turning off the shutter sound), and even face detection functionality. The Open Camera app is pretty nice. This one is somewhat better, but also slightly more complicated. You can select the one you like.
9. Open Camera
Open Camera is a popular camera app among serious photographers. It has the majority of the severe traits we’ve addressed previously. Manual camera controls are included. It also has a timer, support for external microphones, HDR, exposure bracketing, and other features. It’s also an excellent choice for photographers and videographers. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements, so the app is absolutely free. It’s also entirely free and open source. That’s always a good thing. If you wish to help the developer, there is an optional (and separate) donation app.
10. Pixtica
Pixtica is one of the list’s newest camera applications. It has a slew of cool small techniques as well as some great post-production. Live filters, manual settings, exposure control, a GIF recorder, a slow motion mode, RAW file compatibility, a QR code scanner, and more functions are included. It even has a simple gallery and picture editor. We enjoy its variety of functions and all-in-one design. However, some of the functions need a membership, and your standard camera app can probably still handle post processing better.
11. ProCam X
ProCam X is one of the newer camera programmes on the list, and it performs admirably. It emphasises professional-oriented functionality above filters and social media-style features. The app has a burst mode, face recognition, 4k video recording capabilities, and RAW support. There are also manual controls (if your device allows them), the ability to disable the shutter sound, and a few camera modes like as a scene mode or a focus mode. It checks a lot of the boxes for a solid third-party app, and the post-processing isn’t awful either. Furthermore, the premium edition isn’t too pricey.
12. SayChees
SayCheese is a unique type of camera app. It’s a remote camera app with several interesting features. It allows you to connect to a friend’s phone and use their camera on your smartphone. This is an amazing alternative for when you want to take a group shot but don’t have someone to help you. At the time of writing, the app is in early access beta, therefore there are some problems. However, it performed admirably in our tests, and we anticipate that future upgrades will improve stability.
13. Simple Camer
Simple Camera is just that: a camera app. It has a simple user interface and isn’t bloated with unnecessary functionality. You may use the front and back cameras to capture images, alter where the photos are saved, and limit the resolution if necessary. That’s all there is to it. We don’t suggest it for anyone who want to improve their photography. However, we would suggest it to someone who is frequently perplexed and upset by the complexity of current camera programmes and is willing to sacrifice photo quality for something basic that just works. We’d choose Google Camera above this, but it’s another good, super-simple alternative without a lot of bells and whistles.
14. Snap Camera HDR
Snap Camera HDR is an excellent compromise between serious and amateur photographers. Manual camera settings, 4K video recording, RAW support, HDR, and file size choices are all supported. It also has enjoyable shooting modes, effects, borders, colour effects, and vignettes. There are camera applications that do manual controls a bit better, as well as apps that perform fun filters and the like a little better. It’s uncommon to discover an app that can accomplish both as effectively as this one. Before purchasing the pro version, be sure you test the free version first.
15. VSCO
VSCO is a well-known and rather strong camera app and picture editor in one. The camera is a little basic and not as strong as your phone’s default camera app or some of the ones listed below. The photo editor, on the other hand, is among the best in mobile. It has a number of filters, effects, and settings. It also includes the majority of these same videos for video content. Its ability to replicate a variety of different cameras is perhaps its most distinguishing feature. However, this app can grow rather pricey, and many of its most appealing features are locked behind a $19.99 per year barrier.
