Modern Android smartphones are packed full of features. They’re pocket-sized computers that can do pretty much anything. But the one feature people are looking for more and more is a good camera app.
The native camera app on most Androids lets you switch to manual mode for more creative freedom. But despite all the time and effort developers put into them, many people want more. They want more features, more control, and more fun with their Android camera app.
If you’re looking for a new camera app for your Android smartphone, check out our list below. These are our picks for the best Android camera apps.
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- Master smartphone photography for print-worthy urban photos.
What Are the Best Camera Apps for Android?
The best camera apps for Android offer intuitive controls and a wide range of features. Look for manual controls, HDR support, and advanced camera settings. Features like white balance and exposure compensation empower you to take the best photos with Android smartphones.
The best Android apps should also offer a good selection of extras, such as presets, filters, and advanced editing tools. They should also have options for sharing your best photos on social media sites.
The camera has become an important part of any smartphone. Most big Android brands put lots of effort into their stock camera apps. Every new release improves the resolution, and some camera apps have fun functions and features. But many still lack what users are looking for; full creative control.
All Android apps below offer improved quality, better functionality, and more fun. Any one of them will help you take your smartphone photography to a new level.
- Mobile version of Adobe's leading photography software
- RAW file support
- Easy HDR and long-exposure modes
- AI-assisted presets
- Perfect for social media content creators
- Seven different lens options
- True-to-life filters
- Excellent portrait editing tools
- Extensive photo editing tool set
- Layer editing for advanced editing and photo manipulation
- AI camera system for better consistency
- Specialist portrait controls for stand-out selfies
- Manual settings give you more creative control
- RAW format shooting
- Bulb, light-painting, and time-lapse modes
- Commendable privacy settings
- Wide range of manual camera controls
- 50 fps burst mode
- Tilt-shift effect and HDR shooting
- Multi-exposure features
- Complete control over all the basic exposure settings
- 4K video recording and editing
- Time-lapse and stop-motion features
- Basic version is free
- Photo and video editing tools
- Easy apply effects with slider controls
- More than 200 presets built-in
- AI object removal tool
- Totally free open-source smartphone camera software
- Full manual controls over exposure settings
- Grid overlays for help with composition
- Noise reduction for better low-light results
- Hundreds of quick-apply filters and stickers
- Easy to use camera with auto and semi-auto controls
- Panorama, HDR, and time-lapse modes
- GIF creation tool
9 Best Camera Apps for Android
If you’re a smartphone photographer with an Android phone, review our list of the best camera apps for Android. There’s something for everyone!
1. Lightroom Mobile
| Operating Systems |
Operating Systems
Android and iOS
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| Key Features |
Key Features
RAW file support, sophisticated editing tools, AI-assisted presets
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| Best For |
Best For
Pro-level touch-ups and enhancements
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Technically, Adobe Lightroom isn’t a camera app. Lightroom Mobile is an editing app with a camera, and the camera is very good.
There are no flashy features with Lightroom Mobile, and you don’t get social media filters or add-ons. But you do get a reliable and solid camera app. It is Adobe, so you know you’re getting a quality product. And while basic, you still get creative options like burst and long-exposure modes.
The main appeal of using Lightroom Mobile with your Android phone is the possibilities in post-production. You take a photo, which loads straight into Lightroom, where you get all the Adobe tools. It also supports RAW files, giving you even greater image enhancement powers.
You can create HDR images without much fuss. Converting color images into black and white is a one-click process. And you can add a background blur to portraits thanks to AI-powered tools.
Presets are one of the main selling points for the standard Lightroom program, and that’s no different for Lightroom mobile. They are a quick and easy way to enhance your smartphone images. And thanks to AI, the app helps you find presets that match your style.
You can download Lightroom for free if you already have an Adobe subscription. Otherwise, you must buy a full Adobe Lightroom subscription, which may be expensive for one app.
If you want the best deal, you can also buy the Adobe photography bundle for Photoshop and Lightroom.
2. Cymera
| Operating Systems |
Operating Systems
Android and iOS
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| Key Features |
Key Features
Pro-looking filters, selection of different lenses, DSLR blur effect
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| Best For |
Best For
Content Creators and social media
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Cymera is a camera app for social media enthusiasts. If you want to explore all types of photography, Cymera might not be the app for you. But for fun social media photos and content, it has a lot going for it.
The controls are simple and effective, allowing even beginner content creators to make eye-catching images. You get the tap auto-focus, pinch-to-zoom, anti-shake, and shot timer features.
The main appeal for many is the transformation and editing tools. They adjust skin tones and conceal blemishes, giving your self-portraits a slick yet natural look. You’ll also find filters specifically designed for common types of social media pictures like Selfies and food images.
Experienced photographers will appreciate the advanced camera settings, which include seven different camera lenses. With everything from wide-angle to telephoto, these settings allow you to capture more than just selfies. They open up a new world of creative possibilities, allowing you to shoot anything from real estate to sports photography with your Android mobile.
You can have a lot of fun with the stickers and filters that come as standard. There’s a fairly wide selection that includes vintage feel, film effect, and pastel color options. It’s a quick and easy way to transform basic images into algorithm-busting bombs.
The Cymera app is free, but many extras are only accessible as in-app purchases.
3. Adobe Photoshop Express
| Operating Systems |
Operating Systems
Android and iOS
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| Key Features |
Key Features
Extensive tool set, layer editing, background removal
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| Best For |
Best For
Advanced photo editing and image manipulation
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We’re used to a high standard when it comes to Adobe products, especially when we see the name Photoshop. And the Adobe Photoshop Express app doesn’t disappoint.
Adobe has produced a feature-packed camera app that’s perfect for content creators who love image editing and manipulation.
The AI camera system gives you consistently great shots, whether you’re taking landscapes or profile pictures. It also lets you apply excellent real-time photo effects. They look natural and don’t diminish the artistry of the original image.
The Adobe Photoshop Camera app is for social media users and content creators of all kinds. Its features are ideal for boosting your online content. It has everything from an influencer-inspired lens library to filter recommendations. Auto-tone and content-aware are other time-saving, useful tools.
The portrait controls set Photoshop Express apart from other Android camera apps. With selfies or portraits, you get an excellent array of controls. You can try bokeh effects, and the face light tool removes unwanted shadows.
With Photoshop Express’s extensive toolbox, you can do more than just touch-ups and basic edits. You can make everything from composites to digital collages, remove and change backgrounds, as well as create original pieces of digital art.
If you’re a content creator with a passion for digital art, Adobe Photoshop Express could be the Android camera app you need. There’s nothing else on this list quite like it.
4. ProShot
| Operating Systems |
Operating Systems
Android and iOS
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| Key Features |
Key Features
Manual camera controls, shoot in RAW, built-in time-lapse mode
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| Best For |
Best For
Manual camera controls
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ProShot is one of the best camera apps for Android. Its high rating is due to its extensive feature set and intuitive user interface, similar to professional DSLR cameras.
It offers granular manual controls over exposure, focus, ISO, shutter speed, and white balance. These camera settings let photographers capture images with precision.
It also supports shooting in RAW format and bracketing exposures. It has advanced features like light painting, bulb mode, and time-lapse. The app’s unique dual-dial system and customizable interface make navigating through settings effortless.
ProShot also prioritizes user privacy by not collecting or transmitting personal data. With its constant development and addition of new features, ProShot remains a top choice. It’s for professionals and enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive camera solution on Android.
5. Camera Zoom FX Premium
| Operating Systems |
Operating Systems
Android
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| Key Features |
Key Features
50 fps burst mode, HDR mode, Bokeh, vignette, and lomography effects
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| Best For |
Best For
Advanced modes and effects
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Camera Zoom FX Premium is one of the best Android camera apps for manual controls. It’s a real step up from your native phone camera app.
The camera interface is uncluttered and easy to navigate. Despite the selection of functions, you won’t get lost in a series of menus. Each feature and mode is easy to find. And switching between them is no problem at all.
The manual focus is reliable and responsive. Burst mode can capture up to 50 fps (frames per second). The camera hardware also includes ISO, HDR, and white balance settings. The selection of composition overlays is cool, too.
Post-production fans will love the photo editor tool. It lets you add tilt-shift effects and color transformations. Many photographers will be pleased to know that Camera Zoom FX supports RAW file formats for extra editing options.
Camera Zoom FX Premium is one of the best Android camera apps. It isn’t free, but at $4.99, it’s not very expensive. Keen shooters should consider the extra functions worth it.
6. ProCam X Lite: HD Camera Pro
| Operating Systems |
Operating Systems
Android
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| Key Features |
Key Features
Manual exposure settings, manual focus, time-lapse mode, 4K video recording (supported devices)
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| Best For |
Best For
Serious photographer who like complete control
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ProCam X is one of the best Android camera apps for people who like to take control. It has fewer social media accessories, like filters and stickers, and is aimed at creative photographers.
The manual controls include focus, ISO, and white balance. You can also select your shutter speed and shoot with the rapid burst mode. The level of control is a step up from most default camera apps.
One major plus of the ProCam X is the 4K video. You’ll need a fairly new Android model to run this feature. But it makes it one of the best camera apps for video.
The basic app is free, but you can upgrade to the premium service, which isn’t too expensive. The camera is the same for both versions, but the photo editor side sees an upgrade.
7. VSCO AI Photo and Video Editor
| Operating Systems |
Operating Systems
Android and iOS
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| Key Features |
Key Features
Photo and video editing, quick-apply presets, dodge and burn tools, multi-exposure and collage features
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| Best For |
Best For
Multimedia producers
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VSCO isn’t just a camera app. It’s a camera and photo editor combo with excellent post-production features.
On the camera side of things, it’s not the most powerful. The manual camera features are limited compared to other Android camera apps. It’s not much better than your stock camera app.
The real selling point of VSCO is its editing tools and features. You can edit contrast and saturation to make your photos stand out. You can also use the grade and fade tools to give your photos a retro film look.
The basic VSCO app is free. But many of the advanced features are only available to paying members. You get some great extra features, but our list has cheaper options.
8. Open Camera
| Operating Systems |
Operating Systems
Android
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| Key Features |
Key Features
Completely free, manual exposure controls, grid overlays
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| Best For |
Best For
Photographers looking for a simple camera app with decent manual controls
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Open Camera is another Android camera app with excellent manual controls. If you want filters for social media, this isn’t the app for you. But if you want manual photography controls, it might be.
The auto mode produces high-quality images for point-and-shoot with great results. But you also get manual controls for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, among other things.
Open Camera has grid overlay options that help with composition. This feature is great for photographers wanting to improve their craft. And when things get dark, noise reduction and dynamic range features keep your images sharp.
Open Camera is an open-source product, which means it’s completely free!
9. Pixtica
| Operating Systems |
Operating Systems
Android
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Manual and semi-manual controls, hundreds of filters, GIF creation tool
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| Best For |
Best For
Filters and stickers
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Pixtica is a fun Android camera app with many features and controls that photographers of all levels will enjoy.
The interface is clean and simple. It’s easy to use as a point-and-shoot camera, giving you fantastic shots with little input. But you can also take more control with the manual settings.
You can select several manual focus modes. You can adjust settings like ISO and shutter speed for different photography styles. The filter selection is good. And you can preview the shot in real time before taking it.
The free version of the Pixtica app has more filters and presets available as in-app purchases. The free package includes many features and editing tools, but you can upgrade if you want to.
Conclusion: Best Camera Apps for Android
If you want to spice up your social media content, we’ve listed the best camera apps for Android available. The same goes for manual photography controls. Some apps also heavily lean towards editing.
The native camera app is pretty good on many of the latest Android phones. But if you are looking for something more from your camera app, plenty of options exist. We hope our list of best camera apps for Android helps you find what you’re looking for!
- Discover 30 unique projects for minimalist urban shots.
- Learn simple editing methods for stunning, clean images.
- Master smartphone photography for print-worthy urban photos.