While smartphones can take amazing pictures in the auto mode, with manual controls you can take it to another level. Many third-party apps let you control the camera settings manually. You can adjust white-balance, ISO, shutter speed, exposure, etc. using these manual camera apps on your Android device. In this post, we have hand-picked 7 amazing manual camera apps for Android. These apps put DSLR like manual controls at your fingertips.
1. Camera FV-5 Lite
If you are familiar with the DSLR settings, the Camera FV-5 Lite app provides a similar user interface (UI). You get all the necessary options on the first screen itself. Nothing is buried down in the settings. With this app, you can control ISO, light metering mode, focus mode, and white balance. You can also create time lapses and time-controlled picture series. In addition to program and speed-priority modes, you can also set manual shutter speed and view live histogram. The app also supports EXIF and XMP metadata. Further, you also get multiple focus modes like Autofocus, macro, touch-to-focus, and infinity focus modes. When it comes to quality, you can change the JPG compression quality and also save lossless PNG images. If you want to assign camera functions to volume keys, the app also lets you do the same. When it comes to organization, the app makes sure you get all the things such as customizable file names, storage locations, file format etc. Although you get all these features in the free app, the Lite version limits the resolution to 3.1MP. To unlock all the device resolutions and to enable RAW capture, you need to buy the premium variant that costs $3. Download Camera FV-5 Lite
2. Open Camera
Open Camera includes all the manual camera controls. It is an open source app where you get all the features for free. There are no in-app purchases or ads. Open Camera offers almost all the Camera FV-5 Lite features. You get the basic controls like white balance, ISO, exposure compensation/lock, scene modes etc. Interestingly, you also get face detection. Further, the app offers cool ways to capture photos such as by a voice command or some other sound such as a whistle. Similar to the FV-5 Lite app, you get configurable volume keys and the ability to choose where to save the images. You can also add other things to your images like date, timestamp, and location coordinates. The app also supports timer, burst mode, HDR, and a widget that lets you take a photo with a single tap. Download Open Camera
3. Footej Camera
Unlike the other two apps, Footej Camera doesn’t provide too many manual controls. But, whatever it offers is present in a clean UI. However, to get that neat look, all the manual options are present under the three-dot menu icon making the process a bit longer. Footej Camera supports exposure, timer, grids, multiple photos, and scenes. You can also create GIFs and slow-motion videos. In addition to that, the app also supports the RAW format and the ability to take a snapshot during video recording. Download Footej Camera
4. ProShot
If you are willing to pay some bucks, $3.84 to be precise, ProShot is a good choice. It offers extremely cool manual features making you feel like you are actually using a DSLR camera. Other than the usual controls like ISO, shutter speed, white balance, scenes, the app also offers the ability to shoot in RAW. You can even choose resolution and aspect ratio modes. Along with the live histogram feature, the app also comes with a Light Painting mode with infinite shutter and live preview. In addition to that, you also get JPEG quality control, noise reduction and manual focus assist in this app. Download ProShot
5. Camera360: Selfie Photo Editor with Funny Sticker
If you are looking for a manual camera for your front camera or for taking cool selfies, then Camera360 is the answer. You can apply live filters and effects to your photos using this app. Trust me, the Camera360 app contains a wide variety of effects and filters. With this app, you can basically create a new person, thanks to the cool editing. You can change your eye size, whiten the teeth, and enhance your lips with this app. And once you are done, you can even add stickers. Some of the other apps that you can use for awesome selfies are Retrica – Discover Yourself, BeautyPlus – Easy Photo Editor & Selfie Camera, and YouCam Perfect – Selfie Photo Editor. Download Camera360: Selfie Photo Editor with Funny Sticker
6. Manual Camera
Another paid app that provides superb manual control goes by the name Manual Camera (how convenient). It supports shutter speed, ISO, white balance, exposure compensation, and focus distance. Not all devices support manual controls. Since it is a paid app, the developer wants you to run a compatibility test. You can download the app to check compatibility here. To make changes, the app provides a rotating wheel, where you can adjust various settings. Like most of the other manual camera apps, it also supports the RAW format. You can even adjust grids, sounds, and timer. Download Manual Camera
7. Camera ZOOM FX – FREE
This app combines the best of the two worlds. Whether you are looking for manual controls or preset filters, the Camera Zoom FX app offers both. However, the only caveat is that you have to buy the premium version to unlock some of the manual controls. The app lets you set ISO, exposure, shutter speed and actions for volume keys. You can also capture photos using voice. Besides 100’s of filters, the app also has a native collage maker. Download Camera ZOOM FX
Unleash Your Creativity
Now that you have some great manual camera apps at your disposal, go out and surprise everyone with your creativity. If you are a newbie regarding manual controls, check this simple post about the manual camera controls and what they do. However, do remember that the output of each camera app depends on the smartphone you are using and the way you use it. You need to experiment with these apps to find out the most suitable one for yourself and your device. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
