Built-in Camera app on your iPhone just isn't enough? The App Store is full of alternatives to take your photography to new levels!
Whether you just want to take more stunning shots in general, or need to focus on something more specific, like HDR or long exposure photography, there are tons of third party camera apps to choose from. A lot even offer manual controls for things such as exposure and focus. Want more control over file output? You can have that too. No matter what your iPhone photography needs are, there's something for everyone. As with most apps, manual camera apps aren't always one size fits all.
Follow along and we'll help you figure out which manual camera app is the best for you!
Manual
Advanced camera controls in a beautiful package
Manual is super simple to use and lets you adjust shutter, ISO, white balance, focus, and exposure compensation. In a single tap you can also view aperture settings. You can also check out histograms live and a plethora of other things, all in a beautifully designed and easy to use package.
ProShot
For custom modes and great control layouts
ProShot offers advanced controls such as exposure, ISO, shutter speed, and white balance. What I love most about it is the control layouts. They don't get in your way and let you take advantage of the entire view finder the way it was intended. Oh, and there are custom mode presets to save your favorite settings for later.
Hydra
For tricky lighting and amazing HDR
Hyrda will always be in my photo arsenal because it does the best job balancing lighting and capturing amazing HDR photos. Lo-light mode greatly reduces noise by overlapping many photos and increasing the light factor, and it works. HDR photos look fantastic and hi-res mode lets you capture photos up to 32 megapixels so you're sure you get every little detail.
ProCam 2
Single shot HDR, TIFF files, and live filters
ProCam 2 combines great tools with a great layout. Controls include manual focus, exposure compensation, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance. There are also 17 live lenses to choose from. Pretty much anything you want to control in ProCam 2, you can. Like ProCamera 8, ProCam 2 also supports TIFF export.
ProCamera 8
TIFF files, filters, and more
ProCamera 8 boasts an entire repertoire of features and manual controls and even TIFF image export, which is about as close as you'll get to RAW in iOS. The vividHDR feature in ProCamera 8 also works stunningly well and really makes your images pop. There are a lot of tasteful live filters to choose from too.
VSCO Cam
For simple all in one shooting and editing
VSCO Cam offers manual camera controls for focus, shutter speed, white balance, and exposure compensation. You can also add filters and edit your photos right inside the same app. All editing tools are simple to use which makes it a great app for advanced and beginner iPhoneoographers.
Camera+
For advanced all in one shooting and editing
Camera+ has been a staple in the iPhone photography world for a long time. There are lots of stellar camera controls, filters, an awesome HDR mode, and tons of editing tools. For simple and clean all in one photography apps, there is VSCO Cam. For advanced and everything in between, you want Camera+.
Slow Shutter Cam
For long exposure photography
If you want to capture great long exposures, just pair your iPhone with a tripod and Slow Shutter Cam. It offers full resolution on all devices, and three different capture modes to choose from: motion blur, light trail, and low light. Whether you're capturing lights or waterfalls, Slow Shutter Cam is a must have for long exposure photography.
Your picks?
Photography is deeply personal and we know that what fits one person's requirements and needs may not fit the next person's. So tell me in the comments what manual camera apps you prefer and why!
And as always, if you think there's one I missed that is particularly awesome, let me know that too!
