The Best Camera Apps for Pro-Quality Shots
Your smartphone is already a powerhouse, but to truly unlock its photographic potential, you need to look beyond the stock camera app. Whether you’re a social media superstar, a serious hobbyist, or an aspiring filmmaker, a dedicated camera app can provide the professional-level control and creative tools you need to elevate your images and videos.
We’ve rounded up the top camera apps for both iOS and Android that are changing the mobile photography game.
For the Manual Control Enthusiast (DSLR-Like Experience)
If you crave the control of a traditional camera, these apps offer manual adjustments for key settings, letting you fine-tune every shot.
1. Halide (iOS)
- Best For: iPhone power users and photography purists.
- Key Features: Halide is renowned for its beautiful, simple interface combined with powerful pro tools. You get full manual control over Focus, ISO, and Shutter Speed, along with critical features like Focus Peaking (which highlights what’s in sharp focus) and support for capturing in RAW and Apple ProRAW formats for maximum editing flexibility. It’s a paid app, but worth the investment for serious mobile photographers.
2. ProCamera (iOS)
- Best For: Serious iPhone photographers needing versatile shooting modes.
- Key Features: Offering a robust set of DSLR-like controls, ProCamera gives you manual control over exposure, a dedicated Low Light Mode, and excellent HDR (High Dynamic Range) capabilities. It’s also great for specialized shooting with features like an Anti-Shake function and a remote trigger via Apple Watch.
3. Open Camera (Android)
- Best For: Android users who want full manual controls for free.
- Key Features: This completely free and open-source app is a fantastic choice for budget-conscious photographers. It delivers full manual control over Focus, ISO, Exposure, and White Balance. It supports RAW image capture, includes an Auto-HDR feature, and even offers creative modes like Time-Lapse and Long Exposure. The interface is functional, if not the most polished.
4. ProCam X (Android)
- Best For: Android users seeking a professional, paid experience.
- Key Features: ProCam X turns your Android phone into a professional camera, offering full control over all essential parameters: exposure, focus, white balance, ISO, and shutter speed. It’s highly praised for its burst shooting mode and 4K video recording capabilities.
For the Social Media Creator (Filters & Aesthetic)
These apps are designed for those who prioritize a distinct style, quick edits, and shareability.
5. VSCO (iOS & Android)
- Best For: Casual photographers and content creators obsessed with aesthetics.
- Key Features: VSCO is more famous for its gorgeous, film-inspired filters and editing tools that give your photos a professional, cohesive look. While it offers a capable camera, its main strength is in post-processing, providing a unique suite of presets perfect for creating a distinct social media feed.
6. Adobe Lightroom Mobile (iOS & Android)
- Best For: Photographers who need professional editing and cloud sync.
- Key Features: While technically a photo editor, Lightroom’s built-in camera is phenomenal. It offers professional-grade controls for capture and then seamlessly moves the image into its powerful editing suite. With tools like AI-Powered Enhancements and advanced color grading, it’s the gold standard for those who want to shoot, edit, and organize all in one place.
For the Mobile Filmmaker (Pro Video)
If video is your primary focus, these apps provide the high-end control typically reserved for dedicated video cameras.
7. FiLMiC Pro (iOS & Android)
- Best For: Aspiring filmmakers and professional videographers.
- Key Features: FiLMiC Pro is the gold standard for mobile video. It offers unparalleled control over nearly every parameter, including manual focus and exposure, a range of frame rates (including 24fps cinema standard), various bitrates, and advanced gamma curves (Log and Flat) for optimal color grading in post-production. It’s an essential tool for serious mobile content creation.
Pro Tip: Check for RAW Support!
No matter which app you choose, look for one that supports RAW or your phone’s equivalent (like Apple ProRAW). Shooting in RAW captures all the data from your camera’s sensor, giving you the maximum possible flexibility and quality when you move to the editing stage!
Ready to stop taking pictures and start creating photos? Download one of these apps and see the difference a little extra control and a lot of power can make!