We live in an era where mobile devices dominate and have taken over the world. Whether it is communications, entertainment or even photography, the trend of keeping dedicated equipment for everything is over. Now, your smart-phone can do it all.
Thanks to the evolution of mobile camera technology, you don’t have to carry around a DSLR for photography. The quality of cameras in smart-phone has improved exponentially over the past decade and is now at par with SLR and DSLR cameras.
This has forced more and more people to use smart-phones for photography purposes and leave their bulky DSLR at home. These photos can be uploaded to free photo sharing sites like Flickr or can be used on platforms like Instagram.
The minor shortcomings left by mobile cameras are filled with excellent android camera applications. The sheer number of camera apps is a testament to its popularity. With lots of editing options and filters to play around with, mobile photography enthusiasts are in luck. In this article, we will take a deeper look at the top 10 camera apps for android that can make your photos look great.
- Camera Zoom FX
- VSCO Cam
- Camera 360 Ultimate
- Cymera
- Camera MX
- Open Camera
- Retrica
- Manual Camera
- ProShot
- Paper Camera
Top 10 Camera App For Android
Camera Zoom FX
Camera Zoom FX stands out by following a completely different approach as compared to other similar apps. Instead of giving users a selection of filters, it enables the users to create their own filter by combining different effects. If you are ready to spend some money to get the best photo editing experience, then Camera Zoom FX is for you. Professional photographers will love the support for RAW format and camera API control.
There are no in-app purchases and you just have to pay $3.99 once to download this app from Google Play store. What you get is multiple shot modes, ISO, HDR, brightness control, saturation control, overlays and much more. In addition to this, there are many effects such as tilt-shift, color transformations and you can apply it in real-time which is a big plus of this camera application.
VSCO Cam
VSCO Cam is an ideal choice for those android users who want to play around with their photos and apply creative effects. One of the biggest issues with this app is that it has a steep learning curve but if you are curious enough, and then there is smooth sailing ahead of this steep learning curve. VSCO Cam is only for those who can bear its steep curve.
On the brighter side, the versatility of the camera app more than makes up for the steep learning curve. The ability to share pictures on all your social media sites is a big plus.
The number of filters offered by VSCO Cam and the editing option it offers will bring a smile on mobile photographer’s faces. If you want to experience the best features from different apps combined in a single app, then VSCO Cam is the app you are looking for.
Camera 360 Ultimate
When you compare Camera 360 Ultimate with any other android camera app, you will find many differences. First of all, it is designed to provide advanced photo editing options to its users. Unfortunately, it misses out on some basic features available in other apps.
For selfie lovers, there is a Magic skin mode that makes your selfies look even better by removing blemishes from your skin.
There is a huge collection of cool filters neatly arranged into different categories. Applying effects is quite straightforward but the lack of layer manager is a big disappointment. The interface is clean and easy to use as well.
Users can take advantage of advanced modes such as photo splice, puzzle mode, tilt-shift mode, and color shift modes. Initially, made its debut on android but later made its presence on iOS, it is surprising to see many new features on the iOS app which is not available for android users.
Cymera
If you think Instagram was brilliant, Cymera will change your mind. This selfie-focused app delivers more than it promises. You will find many useful features along with various shooting modes, photo correction tools and much more. If you are new to mobile photo editing, then Cymera is for you because its tutorials will help you learn the art quickly.
The number of shooting modes and controls it offers is amazing. Adding creative clip art images to make your pictures stand out is easy with Cymera. There are social media sharing options that allow users to easily share their selfies and friends.
Best of all, Cymera is available as a free download on the Google Play Store. Explore this app and you will find many innovative features that will help you make your selfies look great.
Camera MX
Camera MX app is one of the best android camera apps that want to try exclusive features. This is packed with unique features that you won’t find in any other app, which makes it stand from its competitors.
Shoot the past feature is a real highlight of this app and lets users shoot what happens moments before the photo is taken. Although, it works brilliantly in well-lit conditions the feature can be used in low light conditions with flash.
Applying live effects is another such feature that will please photography enthusiasts. Apart from these, there are many other notable features as well such as support for 16:9 aspect ratio even if the device doesn’t support it, the ability to send photos in form of a podcast and 500 MB of the online album called Magix. All in all, you will be hard-pressed to find an app with so many unique features in one package.
Open Camera
If you want a lightweight camera app that is fast, then there is no better option than an open camera. Don’t be fooled by its speed and lightweight because it packs a punch when it comes to feature. You will find every feature you need in this app. Whether it is manual focus, ISO or exposure settings, Open Camera does not disappoint.
Add the Open Camera widget to your home screen and take a picture with a single tap. If you want to capture a precious moment quickly, this widget will save your day. The automatic stabilization feature, as well as the zoom with multiple tap feature, works flawlessly. It also supports video recording with sound, which is a big plus. Users can download this app for free from the Google Play Store.
Retrica
If you like to play around with hundreds of filters then you will love Retrica. On the contrary, this app is not for serious photographers who are looking for advanced photo editing features from a mobile app. The most interesting feature of this app is that you can view how your photos will look like after applying the filter before you even take the picture.
This easy to use app has tons of filters that will impress the filter loving fans out there. It is basically designed for casual mobile photographers who like to play around filters. Even the premium does not add anything substantial except it removes ads and gives you access to many more filters. Retrica is free for android users.
Manual Camera
If you are a serious photographer who wants manual control over different elements, then the Manual Camera app is for you. With a Manual Camera installed on your mobile device, you can get full control over your pictures. Whether it is shutter speed, white balance or exposure, managing everything manually is no longer an issue with this useful app.
Manual camera is one of the best app for those serious photography enthusiasts who want to use their smart-phone for taking professional-quality photos. The only downside of this app is that you need an Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher version to take full advantage of all its features. This means that if you are using an older version of android then you should upgrade to use this app.
ProShot
The user interface of ProShot is clean and attractive but its steep learning curve can prove to be a test of patience for users. It gives you manual control over important elements such as exposure, ISO, white balance, etc. The grid overlay ensures that you get the best shot every time.
The developers of this app are very fast at responding to the user?s feedback and bringing updates that users want to see in the new versions.
There are some innovative and unique features as well including the Light Painting mode, which allows the users to see their photos transform with motion blur. Every picture you take with this app will have the shutter speed and exposure rating mentioned on it.
The app is available in both free and paid version but it is highly recommended that you first use the free version to get the hang of the user interface and then move on to the pro version. The pro version will cost you $5.
Paper Camera
Paper Camera is a great app for those who want to have fun and show their creative side at the same time. If you want to add a cartoonish look to your photos, then this app is for you. Take a photo with Paper Camera app and use the right and left button to change effects. If you don’t like the effect you have applied or want to apply a different effect to the photo, then there is a reset button for that.
Press the menu button on your smart-phone to reveal many hidden features such as toggle, share, send a photo by email, etc. There is a tutorial available for new users. The biggest highlight of this app is its eccentric effects. There are twelve of them and each of them is completely different from the other. If you are sketching fan, then you will love the sketch up the filter. Retro fans will love the old printer effect.
Take your photo effects to the next level with this impressive Paper Camera app. The unique effects offered by Paper Camera are not available in any other photo editing app. There is an effect on everyone and will satisfy fans with varying tastes. If you want to play around with unique effects, then Paper Camera will bring a smile on your face.
Conclusion
With the sea of photo editing camera apps available in Google Play Store, choosing an app that fulfills all your mobile photography needs is not easy. After reading this article, you might be able to make the right choice. There is no point in wasting time on useless apps that do not meet your requirements. Just install apps that deliver the features you are looking for. These apps might help you to get the best out of your smart-phone camera.
If you want an easy to use app with a wide range of filters, then Retrica will make you happy. For more demanding users, Camera Zoom FX, VSCO Cam, Camera 360 Ultimate and Camera MX are a good option. For those who want to play around with unique effects, Paper Camera is the app they should install. Apps like VSCO Cam and ProShot do have a steep learning curve but if you get past it rewards are well worth it.
Manual camera is for professional photography who wants to adjust every aspect of photos manually and provide all the power to the professional. Manual camera can completely transform your photos and make them look good even if they don’t come out well from your smart-phone camera. The open camera is a lightweight but feature-rich app that is worth your time. Its impressive widget helps you to capture precious moments instantly.
If you want to use your mobile device for photography purposes, then you must have one or more of these apps installed to capture the best shots. While the free android camera apps do have some impressive features but the paid ones take things to the next level by offering professional quality editing on your mobile device.
