Many people use standard camera apps when taking pictures with their smartphones, but there are actually a wide variety of third-party camera apps. If you don't want to use a digital camera, but want to take pictures that are different from others, please try a third-party camera app. In this article, we will introduce 3 types of recommended apps, common to iPhone / Android / iPhone & Android.
Points to choose a camera app
If you use a third-party camera app, you will not see any benefits unless it is easier to use or has more features than the standard app. Therefore, "ease of use and functionality" can be said to be the most important when choosing a camera application.
Also, no matter how good the app is, if it doesn't suit your needs, you may lose your motivation to shoot. By first thinking about what features you are focusing on, it will be easier to narrow down your choices from among the many camera apps.
For example, if you like photography and have some knowledge about photography, you can shoot with a high degree of freedom by choosing an app that allows manual settings. On the other hand, if you have never used a digital camera and want to take beautiful pictures easily, you may find it difficult to use an app that allows manual settings.
Other checkpoints include a wide variety of filters, easy self-shooting, scene-specific shooting and shooting assistance functions, one-touch operation, and image editing. Also, some of them are not completely free, and some of them require a charge to use the full functionality, and some of them will be charged after the trial period, so be sure to check the charges carefully.
Even popular camera apps may only support iPhone / Android. It may not be available depending on the model and OS version, so check the download page of the app.
Nowadays, more and more people are using smartphone camera apps as sub-cameras, with digital cameras and film cameras as the main cameras.
Some sophisticated camera apps can display grids and histograms, change the compression ratio of photos, save in RAW format, and have image stabilization.
Recommended camera app [Android]
First, I would like to introduce a camera app for Android.
"Footej Camera 2" has a simple and easy-to-use interface.
* Shoot the actual shooting screen with a digital camera
Manual settings like a single-lens reflex camera are possible, and ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, white balance, etc. can be finely adjusted. There are many types of grids such as grid, square, and golden ratio (right image). In addition, panorama and video recording are also possible, and you can shoot video and create GIF images. The free version has limited functionality.
[Reference] Google Play
"Open Camera" is a popular camera app that is free and has no ads. It is possible to make detailed settings such as ISO sensitivity during shooting, and it also has a full range of functions such as continuous shooting function, flash red eye reduction, and AE lock (fixed exposure). It is also possible to display the tilt of the grid and camera, making it easy to take neat pictures.
* Shoot the actual shooting screen with a digital camera
Since you can specify the save destination and compression rate, it is recommended for those who want to take high-quality pictures and those who want to save storage capacity.
[Reference] Google Play
Recommended camera app [iPhone / iPad]
Next, I will introduce the recommended camera apps for iPhone / iPad. The reference image is taken with the iPad in principle.
"StageCameraHD" is an iPhone app that also supports triple cameras and dual cameras. Functions such as self-timer, continuous shooting mode, grid line display, date and time printing, and image stabilization can be used, enabling convenient manner shooting for shooting children and places where consideration for manners is required.
The image on the left is the actual shooting screen (taken with a digital camera) with the grid display turned on, which is very simple. The photo on the right is actually taken with the app, and it uses a function to enter a convenient date and time when taking a commemorative photo.
It's basically free to use, but if you want to take high-resolution photos, you'll need to pay in-app.
[Reference] App Store
"Focos" is recommended for those who want to take pictures that take advantage of the bokeh of a single-lens reflex camera.
* Use iPhone
You can set the F value (aperture) and white balance when shooting (left image). You can also change the aperture value and aperture settings on the edit screen after shooting (right).
[Reference] App Store
The "Microsoft Pix camera" provided by Microsoft is popular because it allows you to easily take beautiful pictures with AI.
It adjusts the optimum settings according to the scene, so it is recommended for those who want to shoot easily. Equipped with more than 30 types of filters, you can also process and edit photos. It also supports panoramic shooting and silent shooting.
In addition, the "document scanner function" that can be used in business is also convenient. Point the camera at a document, whiteboard, business card, etc. to automatically correct and save the image. When I actually used it (image), I was able to read it properly even if I shot it from a fairly diagonal angle. It is also recommended for those who want to digitize paper documents without hassle.
[Reference] Microsoft Pix Camera (Microsoft)
App Store
[Common to iPhone / Android] Recommended camera app that can be used for free
Finally, I would like to introduce recommended apps that can be used on both iPhone and Android.
"NightShooting Camera" is the best app for shooting night views and night sky. If you take a handheld shot of the night view with your smartphone, it may blur or the image may become rough due to noise.
* Trimmed after shooting
This app has a composite composition (multi-shot NR) mode that reduces noise and an automatic image stabilization function, so you can take night view photos with reduced noise. You can also shoot bulbs and penlight art (left image).
It is also easy to use because the shutter speed and ISO sensitivity can be changed intuitively. You can also adjust the shutter volume, which is convenient when shooting a child sleeping in a dark room. The free version has limited functions.
[Reference] App Store
Google Play
The "LINE Camera" provided by LINE can be processed by adding LINE stamps and text to the photos taken. You can also perform beauty processing that can be beautifully "filled" with a simple operation. It is also attractive that you can easily share photos to various SNS such as LINE / Facebook / Twitter.
The left side of the image is the shooting screen, which has an easy-to-use interface. The image on the right is an image actually taken using the app, using the "light" filter, and using the "darkening the surroundings (peripheral light falloff)" and "blurring around the circle" functions together.
In addition to a wide variety of filters, it is equipped with shooting assistance functions such as touch shooting and display of grid and spirit level.
[Reference] LINE Camera
App Store
Google Play
Foodie is a camera app that specializes in cooking as the name "FOOD" suggests.
The effect filter can be finely selected by genre such as "meat dishes", "cakes", and "noodle dishes", and it also has filters for people and landscapes in addition to dishes. In addition, there are many functions such as the "out focus (blurring) function" that allows you to take pictures that take advantage of the sense of blur.
Especially unique is the best angle function. In cooking photography, the theory is to shoot the subject from directly above, but this app will notify you by color when the camera is horizontal (left image). I was able to take some fashionable ramen made at home (right).
[Reference] App Store
Google Play
"1998 Cam --Vintage Camera" is a camera app with a film filter. It has more than 100 color filters, some of which follow the atmosphere of films from well-known manufacturers.
In this way, even if you shoot at the same place and at the same time, it is unique that the effect is applied differently for each shot. It is reminiscent of a film camera where it is difficult to predict how it will look. You can adjust the degree to which the effect is applied before shooting, so it's a good idea to shoot at "50" first.
You can take full advantage of it for free, but the paid version is also very affordable.
[Reference] App Store
Google Play
* Data is from the editorial department as of the end of January 2022. * Although every effort has been made to ensure the information, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the content. * Please use and operate the app at your own risk.
Sentence / bommiy