Smartphones cameras have evolved a lot in the recent years. We have moved to multiple cameras in phones with most phones coming with high resolution sensors (going as high as 108MP, with 250MP cameras coming soon), ultra wide angle sensors, telephoto lenses, macro lenses, periscope zoom cameras and depth sensors. So, it’s clear that the camera hardware in smartphones is capable, but the stock camera apps that you get in smartphones might not necessarily produce the best results or come with pro grade features like full manual control. So, if you own a Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco phone, or a Realme smartphone, or say, a Samsung phone or basically any other smartphone and you are looking for a third party camera app, you have come to the right place. Mentioned below are the best camera apps for Android you can install on your phone:
- Best Camera Apps for Professionals
- Best Camera Apps for Fun Effects and Tools
Best Camera Apps for Professionals
1. Google Camera (Gcam Mod)
Download (Check out our guide on how to install Gcam Mod on any Android device here)
Key Features: You not only get the complete set of manual controls, but add-on features such as multi-exposure shots, time-lapses, and GIFs.
The features don’t end here. Pixtica also includes a QR code scanner, shows you the magic hours and comes with a video editor built in.
Camera MX is all about simplicity, which shows in the clean and snappy interface. You get various camera modes, to not only capture the ideal photo but also videos. The highlight of the app is “Live Shot mode” which lets you create your own GIFs and the robust photo editor that’s been baked right into the app.
I am sure you have heard about Filmic Pro, especially the iOS version of it, which packs in some really interesting features. Well, the app is also available on Android and while it’s not as good as its iPhone counterpart, it’s a great app for smartphone videographers. Yes, it’s the most expensive app on this list but it includes features like support for true LOG gamma curve control, the ability to adjust live shadows, highlights, saturation and vibrance while shooting a video. Yes, these features aren’t supported on every single phone out there but these are pro-grade features you won’t find in any other camera app.
6. Open Camera
Apart from all these camera apps, we have used different camera apps in the past like the Camera FV-5, Footej Camera (unavailable now), Manual Camera and ProShot, but these are apps that haven’t been updated since a year or two now and they do seem outdated.
1. Cymera
Key Features: You not only get a complete set of beauty controls but you also get access to AR stickers, text-input, collage making, and more.
Key Features: If Snapchat and Instagram filters are your jam, you’d definitely like what Camera360 has to offer.
This app allows you to put in less effort into clicking the selfies and later editing it with the smart auto-beautify mode, emojis, stickers and typical vintage filters. It adds to the whole fun by bringing a social touch, in the form of special contests, to the users.
While many users believe that the main highlight of the VSCO app is its wide set of photo editing features, but I think it’s the social component that has been built around the app.
Adobe recently announced its Photoshop Camera app and while it’s still in “Pre-Register“, you can sideload the app to check out what the fuss is all about. So, Adobe Photoshop Camera is said to be an AI-based camera app that uses Adobe’s content awareness algorithms to detect the objects in your photo and then suggest filters accordingly. The app has more than 80 custom filters and they work in real time. You can check out the different filters in the camera viewfinder or you can just take a photo (or pick one from the Gallery), and the app will suggest you different, cool filters. Along with these really interesting filters, the app also lets you quickly adjust the shadow, highlight, clarity, exposure, saturation and more. I mean, it’s “Photoshop” Camera after all.