Camera Apps - I need recomendations

[ed0964]

The stock app (and camera of course) take point-and-click pictures just fine, but there's a serious lack of options and abilities that are just not there with the stock software. Small items like red-eye removal, or settings for a backlit subject matter, or black-and-white/sepia etc.

Rather than sort through hundreds of apps I was hoping the gurus here could provide a vetted list of worthy downloads. Do you use a 3rd party camera app and if so which one and why?

 

[DamianP]

I like ProShot for manual controls. It doesn't have redeye reduction(from what I can tell) but it does give you great flexibility if you like manual options.

 

[LeoRex]

Pro Shot, Camera FV-5, Manual Camera, A Better Camera... those are the main ones I'd suggest you take a look at.

Cinema FV-5, the video version of the camera app... is GREAT... it allows you to lock video controls like focus, exposure.

 

[ccps]

How about a camera app for us non pros. I would be interested in some more features that are more novice in nature. the above mentioned apps seem to be more for total manual control.

 

[PaulQ]

How about a camera app for us non pros. I would be interested in some more features that are more novice in nature. the above mentioned apps seem to be more for total manual control.

I have settled on CameraMX. I, like you, don't need or know how to use a lot of manual controls and I found that CameraMX opens a bit quicker than Google's Camera app. I don't use any of its cloud storage features - just the camera part.

Plus it's free and updated.

 

[ccps]

Just tried camera mx. pretty nifty. Would be nice if it had anti red eye.

 

[PaulQ]

Just tried camera mx. pretty nifty. Would be nice if it had anti red eye.

As an aside, I avoid using the flash at all costs with any phone. It almost never leads to a really good shot. I know sometimes you have no choice but I'll make an effort to avoid turning on that flash.

 

[ezaz]

As an aside, I avoid using the flash at all costs with any phone. It almost never leads to a really good shot. I know sometimes you have no choice but I'll make an effort to avoid turning on that flash.

Ditto on that comment. I always have flash off as the default setting since it rarely helps and often makes things worse. First, if it is effective it will tend to create harsh lighting and artificial looking shots in most cases. Second, the flash only really adds to light for things that are fairly close to the camera. If the software *thinks* the flash is going to add to the available light but that's not case (the subject is too far away) then you end up with severely underexposed photos. I always find it somewhat amusing when I see a flash go off when someone is trying to photograph something on a stage well in the distance.

That said, it seems the lack of hardware optical image stabilization does mean the 6P is going to be a bit more "challenging" in low light without a flash than phones such as the high end recent Samsungs, similarly spec'd LGs or the iPhone 6S+, all of which come with OIS on top of recent sensors. Of course most of those phones start at $200-$300 more than a similarly equipped 6P. Or I'll put it this way--my Galaxy 6S (have one of those on another carrier) definitely gives better low light performance than the 6P.

 

[ed0964]

Thanks everyone, The VF-5 software is great if I am doing anything "studio" related, impressive list of features like ISO speeds and aperture/shutter priority.

The smaller footprint of Camera MX looks promising as a replacement for the stock camera app.

 

[TruPlaya187]

Wow thanks a lot for talking about Camera MX!!!! It is a really good camera app!!! A lot of features but still really simple to use as well!

 

[Snappy Phoenix]

If I download another camera app, can I set it to launch using the default shortcut of double tapping the power button or am I restricted for using the stock camera with that shortcut?

 

[PaulQ]

If I download another camera app, can I set it to launch using the default shortcut of double tapping the power button or am I restricted for using the stock camera with that shortcut?

Yes. I did it. I think you have to clear the current camera as a default. Then next time you double press your power button, you'll get the option to select a new default.

 

[Zachary Boddy]

Windows Camera! With Windows 10 Mobile! By Microsoft! On Windows phones! Yay!
Why is everyone glaring at me?

 

[ed0964]

Windows Camera! With Windows 10 Mobile! By Microsoft! On Windows phones! Yay!
Why is everyone glaring at me?

41 megapixels baby!

OWWWW! ducks quickly. Who is throwing those rocks?

 

[Zachary Boddy]

41 megapixels baby!

OWWWW! ducks quickly. Who is throwing those rocks?

PureView! Carl Zeiss! Rich Capture! Dynamic Flash! WINDOWS!

Is that an angry mob?

 

[cane prevost1]

I had the Lumia 1520 Windows Phone and the camera was brilliant. Still hangs with anything else out there from anybody. If only Lumia made Android phones I'd be in heaven.

 

[RHChan84]

The only reason I want 41mp is just for low light photos. Capture them in 41MP then edit them and downsize it to 10mp and that is one clean photo with little to no noise.

Nexus Six P