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7 Best Manual Camera Apps for Android
In recent years, manufacturers have prioritized phone cameras, resulting in smartphones now having exceptional cameras. However, most native camera apps only offer auto mode, limiting users from adjusting settings.
While smartphones can capture stunning pictures in auto mode, manual controls offer another level of quality. Several third-party apps enable users to adjust white balance, ISO, shutter speed, exposure, etc. on their Android devices.
In this post, we have selected 7 exceptional manual camera apps for Android, granting DSLR-like controls.
1. Camera FV-5 Lite
If familiar with DSLR settings, Camera FV-5 Lite app offers a similar UI. All necessary options available on first screen, nothing buried in settings.
This app allows you to control ISO, light metering, focus mode, and white balance. You can create time lapses and timed picture series. Along with program and speed-priority modes, you can set manual shutter speed and view live histogram.
The app also supports EXIF and XMP metadata. Additionally, it offers various focus modes including Autofocus, macro, touch-to-focus, and infinity focus. You can adjust JPG compression quality and save lossless PNG images for better quality.
If you want to assign camera functions to volume keys, the app also allows it. The app ensures that you can customize file names, storage locations, and file formats for better organization. However, the Lite version of the app restricts the resolution to 3.1MP. To unlock higher resolutions and enable RAW capture, you will need to purchase the premium variant for $3.
2. Open Camera
Open Camera is an open source app with all the manual camera controls. It offers all features for free without any in-app purchases or ads.
Open Camera offers most Camera FV-5 Lite features, including basic controls like white balance, ISO, exposure compensation/lock, and scene modes. Additionally, it has face detection. It also provides unique photo-capturing options like voice commands or whistle detection. Like FV-5 Lite, it allows users to configure volume keys and choose image storage location.
You can add date, timestamp, and location coordinates to your images. The app also supports timer, burst mode, HDR, and a widget to take photos easily.
3. Footej Camera
Footej Camera stands out from the other two apps due to its simplicity. It may not offer as many manual controls, but what it does provide is conveniently located in a clean UI. However, accessing these options requires an extra step, as they are all found under the three-dot menu icon.
Footej Camera supports exposure, timer, grids, multiple photos, and scenes. The app also allows you to create GIFs and slow-motion videos, as well as capture snapshots during video recording.
4. ProShot
If you’re willing to pay $3.84, ProShot is a good choice. It offers manual features that make you feel like you’re using a DSLR camera. In addition to ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and scenes, the app also supports shooting in RAW format.
You can choose resolution and aspect ratio modes. The app also includes a live histogram feature. Additionally, it offers a Light Painting mode with infinite shutter and live preview. Furthermore, the app provides JPEG quality control, noise reduction, and manual focus assist.
5. Camera360: Selfie Photo Editor with Funny Sticker
Camera360 is the perfect choice if you need a manual camera for your front camera or for taking selfies. This app allows you to apply live filters and effects to your photos. Trust me, Camera360 has a wide variety of effects and filters.
This app enables you to create a new person using cool editing. You can change your eye size, whiten your teeth, and enhance your lips. Once finished, you can also add stickers.
6. Manual Camera
Another paid app that provides excellent manual control is Manual Camera. It supports shutter speed, ISO, white balance, exposure compensation, and focus distance.
Not all devices support manual controls. The developer requires a compatibility test before purchasing the app. Download the app to check compatibility.
To make changes, the app offers a rotating wheel to adjust settings. It also supports the RAW format, and allows for adjustment of grids, sounds, and timer like other manual camera apps.
7. Camera ZOOM FX – FREE
This app combines the best of both worlds, offering both manual controls and preset filters. However, to unlock some manual controls, you need to purchase the premium version.
The app allows you to set ISO, exposure, shutter speed, and actions for volume keys. You can also take photos using voice. In addition to hundreds of filters, the app has a built-in collage maker.
Unleash Your Creativity
Having some excellent manual camera apps on hand, go out and impress everyone with your creativity. If you’re new to manual controls, read a simple post about camera controls and their functions.
Keep in mind that the output of each camera app depends on your smartphone and how you use it. Experiment with these apps to find the most suitable one for yourself and your device.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
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