Modern smartphones are equipped with powerful cameras, the capabilities of which most of us have never even thought about. Most likely, we will simply launch the standard application to take a photo of the moment we do not want to miss. However, the stock camera does not have many features, especially for users who like to play with manual settings.
Luckily, there are a huge number of Android apps on the Google Play Market that will help you get the most out of your smartphone camera. To help you, we've reviewed a huge number of apps and selected the best ones. If you want to take your photography to the next level, be sure to check them out. While many are free, some cost a few dollars. If that doesn't appeal to you, look for their Lite or Trial versions before you decide to buy.
VSCO
VSCO (stands for Visual Supply Company) is a great all-in-one camera and image editor. It can shoot in RAW format, and has manual adjustment of white balance, ISO, exposure, and a grid mode. There is also a handy Split Tone tool that allows you to adjust the depth of shadows and highlights. The HSL tool is designed to adjust the saturation and brightness of the primary colors.
The app impresses with its variety of filters. Fortunately, filters and presets are grouped into collections for easy searching, such as B&W Fade for monochrome photos or Isle of Dogs based on the animated film of the same name. The user can add different presets and save favorite combinations of settings for quick processing of photos. At the time of writing, the hashtag #vsco was attached to 189 million posts on Instagram.
Unfortunately, to use VSCO fully, you have to pay $20 per year. There is a free trial for 7 days. You can also use the app for free, but the functionality will be limited. You will only have access to some basic filters, photo editing tools, and viewing content in the community.
Camera FV-5
In the appendix Camera FV-5 All parameters are adjusted manually, as in professional cameras: exposure compensation, ISO, exposure metering mode, focus, shutter speed and white balance. There is a DSLR-like viewfinder display that allows you to adjust EV offset and bracketing in real time. Exposure bracketing is full-fledged: from 3 to 7 frames, unlimited distance between stop frames. The screen displays a lot of useful information, such as exposure time and aperture.
All camera settings can be adjusted using the side volume control buttons: EV, ISO, color saturation, etc. At the same time, you can change the button settings, assigning them one function or another. EXIF and XMP data are supported, there is an autofocus mode, macro shooting and one-touch focusing. If necessary, you can turn on the autofocus lock. It is possible to take beautiful night photos and light trails with a long exposure time of up to 30 seconds. The shutter speed is adjustable from 1/80000 of a second to 2 seconds. A focal length of only 35 millimeters is possible. JPEG and PNG file formats are supported.
Open Camera
IN Open Camera There is automatic stabilization and HDR so that your photos are perfect. Supports various focusing, scene modes, color effects, white balance, ISO, exposure compensation. There is optimization of the dynamic range. During video recording (including HD), you can take photos. If necessary, you can connect an external microphone. For silent shooting, you can turn off the shutter sound.
There is a remote control: a timer with a voice countdown and auto-repeat with a configurable delay. It is possible to take pictures remotely by saying commands, for example, a whistle or the word "cheese". The volume control keys can be assigned different functions, and the entire interface can be customized. There are operating modes for left-handed and right-handed people. Camera2 API is supported.
With a dedicated noise reduction system (including a night mode for low light) and a dynamic range optimization mode, you can improve photos even of poor quality. There is support for Mi Band 2 and Amazfit Selfie to control the camera with a smartwatch. The application is absolutely free and does not contain ads, has an open source code.
Candy Camera
Candy Camera – a free application that is designed to get great photos in the “Selfie” format. There are a huge number of filters to improve the photo: add a smile, whiten teeth, make eyes bigger, make the face smaller or make the waist narrower. To change the filter, just swipe left or right.
The filters also appear right when you take a selfie. In addition to filters, the app also includes additional editing tools to make your selfies perfect: narrowing, whitening, concealer, lipstick, blush, eyeliner, and even mascara. To take silent selfies, screenshots, and photos anywhere, the app has a silent shooting option.
Cymera
Cymera has over a hundred million downloads on the Play Store, but like Candy Camera, this program is not for professional photography. It has 7 different types of lenses, an image stabilizer, a timer, and a silent mode. There are also popular selfie features, such as connecting a selfie stick via Bluetooth. With the help of the built-in editor, you can play with body parameters: correct your figure, make your waist thinner or tighten your hips. A specially developed algorithm will improve your skin in 5 steps.
There is a set of tools for editing photos: changing brightness, contrast, mosaic effect, cropping, rotation, lighting effects, frames and vignettes. Of the interesting functions, there is also a collage mode for combining up to 9 photos into one. And also blurring the background with one touch. There is a built-in program that allows you to retouch photos. There is an option for evening out the complexion and more than 200 realistic elements of hairstyles and makeup. Of the unusual gadgets - an improved function for removing red eyes. The application supports 12 languages, including Russian and Chinese.
Camera ZOOM FX
Developers Camera ZOOM FX They claim that this is the fastest camera on Android, and you can agree with them, because it can shoot up to 50 frames per second. Just a fantastic result! The interface is not far behind, it is fast and simple. Manual control allows you to combine shooting modes, for example, Timer + HDR, Stable Shot + Timelapse. There is an interesting shooting mode "incognito", which disguises the application as a web page, when you click on which you take a picture.
The application supports fully manual control using Camera API2, shooting in RAW, setting ISO, focal length, exposure, shutter speed. Compared to previous applications, it has a faster and more powerful interface. You can configure control via smartphone buttons, while assigning different functions to each button.
The standard set of options includes many flash options and effects, a hidden camera, scene modes. There is a silent photo option. Additional features include: best shot mode, Stable Shot (guarantees a clear photo), timer, voice activation, collage editor, time interval settings, HDR Pro.
Camera MX
Autofocus and HDR allow Camera MX shoot even in poor lighting. The "shooting the past" function allows you to view even those shots that were taken before the shutter was released - so you will definitely not miss anything. There is a built-in photo and video editor that allows you to fully process the material, adjusting the contrast, brightness, saturation, sharpness and color tones. Additional functions include a self-timer (start shooting after a specified time), an auxiliary grid and a display flash for selfies, allowing you to shoot even in low light. But it is still better to shoot in good lighting.
When recording video, you can create transitions in real time, make slow and fast shooting, apply various filters or pause. If necessary, you can turn off the recording start signal, which is especially important when watching animals in the zoo. If you want to change the "stock" camera on your Android, this app can be a great option.
A Better Camera
A Better Camera – a universal camera for creating high-quality photos. It contains most of the advanced features from other applications: HDR, high-quality panoramic shooting up to 100 Mp, removing unwanted objects with one click, night shooting. There is a best shot mode that determines the best frame after a series of photos.
There are also many functions for video shooting: white balance lock, focus lock, video shooting with pause, Pre-shot function, allowing you to shoot until you press the shutter button, shooting dynamic scenes and exposure bracketing, timer shooting, timelapse. The paid version with a full set of functions costs less than $ 1.
Google Camera
Google Camera — the peculiarity of this application is that it is developed directly by Google and is installed only on Google Pixel smartphones. But thanks to the large Android community, a version suitable for many other devices on this OS was developed. The full list of supported devices is available at the link above.
If you manage to install Google Camera, you will have access to all its functionality without limitations - portrait mode, night vision, HDR+, lens blur, slow motion, spherical photos, video stabilization and much more.
ProShot
Camera ProShot has a number of features. It allows you to set two fully customizable user modes (the settings of which are remembered) or use manual or automatic. Regardless of the mode in which you shoot, you can adjust the light sensitivity, focus, exposure, shutter speed, white balance and much more. The application also allows you to turn on effective noise reduction.
With ProShot you can shoot video up to 4K resolution. Burst mode and interval shooting will provide high quality. There are options for continuous shooting, timer and slow motion shooting, as well as exposure adjustment with zero delay up to +-3 in 1/3 steps. Bracketing function (automatic shooting of several frames with different values of the desired parameter).
By default, photos are saved in RAW format, but you can change it to JPEG or DNG. Finished photos can be immediately edited in real time, watching how the photos change right before your eyes. The application provides assistance with manual focusing and builds a histogram in real time. The front camera has exposure control, and the zoom can be adjusted with the touch of one finger.
The latest update adds an image resolution selector (with 3 options), EXIF support for Light Painting on certain devices, and an AF/MF switch with real-time focus value.
Footej Camera
Footej Camera is ideal for replacing the standard camera on Android. The interface is minimalistic, but almost all the necessary functions are supported. In the application, you can control light sensitivity, shutter speed, and exposure. Manual control of ISO, focus, and shutter speed is available. There is support for shooting in DNG format. You can take photos while recording video. It is possible to record video in slow motion. The "Selfie Light" mode will help you take the best selfie.
The paid version allows you to set the interval in continuous shooting to less than 500 milliseconds. As a result, there will be more than 20 photos in one series, so that you can choose the best option. Also, the limitation on the video length of 5 minutes is removed. A histogram of photos and high-quality GIF animation will be available.