With the arrival of the new smartphones with dual cameras, or sensors with ever better features, it is essential to have a camera application capable of making the most of the hardware of our devices. There are hundreds of professional camera apps for Android paid, but today we leave you a free one that is also perhaps the most complete of all.
El Huawei Mate 9 It's the latest of the major Android flagships to hit the market boasting a high-quality camera. This puts it alongside the sensors of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the Google Pixel to create... The 3 best smartphones for photographers.
However, we all know that the native camera applications of each manufacturer, despite having evolved enough in recent years, are not capable of offering users all the benefits that professional camera apps for Android present in the Google application market can make available to the photographer.
FreeDCam
Given that current mobile phones, no matter how high their quality, will never be able to record or shoot photos like a high-end DSLR camera, it is true that there are professional camera apps on Play Store that can zoom in on the images obtained by these devices. The best example is in the FreeDCam app.
Currently this is the free professional camera app The most complete app of all Android. Its strengths are a comprehensive menu of photographic settings wrapped in a simple and user-friendly interface that lets you unleash your inner photographer.
The application has enormous possibilities to alter such important variables in photography such as focus (with multiple measurement methods), brightness, and contrast, as well as exposure, saturation, white balance, and ISO levels. Furthermore, its support for advanced controls and color profiles allows for working in RAW/DNG When the device supports it, check histogram live and activate aids such as focus peaks or zebra (depending on compatibility).
The interface that we mentioned above will be very familiar to all those who have ever worked with a SLR camera, and it allows to switch between photo mode and video mode. In the latter it is also possible to adjust some options such as recording in Timelapse, the bit rate or manual exposure control to avoid unwanted jumps. See also the new Android camera interface to see similar UX examples.
The app can downloaded for free from the Google Play Store and you won't find ads or in-app purchases after downloading.
Other recommended professional camera apps
If you want to expand your arsenal, there are proven alternatives, such as the Motorola camera app, which cover from the full manual control to computational photography and advanced editing. Here's a summary of their strengths to help you choose according to your style.
- Camera Zoom FX Premium: Controls of shutter speedISO, exposure, white balance, histogramtimer, burst, stabilizer, RAW, HDR and time-lapseIt includes over 90 effects for a fast creative workflow.
- Adobe Lightroom (camera module): Automatic or professional mode with exposureISO, shutter speed, focus, and white balance. Ideal if you want capture and edit in the same app with profiles and presets.
- Bacon CameraVery complete for compatible mobile phones without requiring HAL3. It offers manual controls, RAW, multi-exposure, histogram and live effects.
- Camera FV-5DSLR-type interface with priorities, RAW, bracketinglong times, different focus modes and assigning functions to buttons.
- Open RoomFree, lightweight, and powerful. Supports Camera2 API, RAW, self-stabilization via software, HDR, histogram and remote control.
- Footej Camera 2Minimalist interface with manual controlsRAW, slow motion and good overall performance thanks to Camera2 API.
- ProShotDesigned for discerning photographers: M/Auto/Program modesISO, shutter speed, RAW, predefined profiles and clear EXIF ​​reading.
- Room 360: Creative option with stabilizationburst, timer, and a large selection of filters and social tools.
- Manual Camera / Manual Camera: DSLR: Bet on total control of exposure, white balance, focus and saving in RAW when the hardware allows it.
- ProCam X-LiteCurrent design and anti-vibration mode Useful when your mobile phone doesn't have OIS; full manual controls.
GCam: Google's processing on your mobile
GCam is the port from the Google Pixel camera. In other words: You get the Google processing on your compatible phone. The only usual requirement is having a SoC Qualcomm and proper camera support; in addition, there are optimized variants for different models.
Although it's not on the Play Store, you can download it from recognized repositories within the community. If you're worried about safety, avoid sites of dubious origin and look for signed compilations by experienced developers. Finding the right version involves checking Camera2 API compatibility and activate features such as HDR +mode NocturnoPortrait or astrophotography depending on the hardware. Furthermore, this movement illustrates how Android is coming to cameras thanks to computer processing.
Quick tips to get the most out of these apps
Before you launch, check if your mobile device supports it. Camera2 APIThis is essential for using RAW, manual shutter speed, and advanced tools. Activate the Grid and the level to improve composition and keep the horizon straight. If you're interested in gestures, try apps for gesture control.
In high-contrast scenes, shoot in RAW and then develop it in Lightroom or Snapseed; if you need immediacy, activate the HDRAt night, use low ISOLonger exposure times and, if possible, a tripod; the timer or voice trigger minimizes camera shake.
For action, turn up the shutter speed and shoot in burst mode; for portraits, use the touch focus and locks exposure to prevent light variations. In video, it locks. 180º obturation Regarding the FPS for natural movement and control white balance to avoid dominant ones.
Sticking with the automatic camera mode that your phone likely offers, with the number of apps available today, means missing out on a ton of great photos and the opportunity to get the most out of your phone's camera. With options like FreeDCam, GCAM, Open Room o Camera FV-5 You can take your photos and videos a step further, combining manual controls, computational photography, and top-notch mobile editing.
