Top 5 camera apps for iPhone
TiPb checks out the best, most must-have camera apps to make the most out of your iPhone photography
iPhone is the best camera since its the one you have with you, but what's the best, most must-have camera app to take your photos with? Some are instant, some are clean, some have filters, some are just for fun. Whether it's for tourism, for art, or for those special family moments, the choices are almost endless.
That's where TiPb comes in. Read on for our top 5 favorite, most recommended photo apps for iPhone!
Camera
Ok, let's face it, the stock camera app on the iPhone has gotten a lot better over the past two years with the new features of auto focus, tap to focus, and HDR. And with iOS 5 it's poised to get even better. Quick launch from the lock screen, volume button as a shutter, grid lines, basic image editing including rotate, auto enhance, and crop, the list is getting longer and longer.
It's still not perfect, still doesn't offer filters, panoramas, or higher level editing, but it's solid and it looks like Apple is putting time into it.
Camera+
Camera+ offers up to 6 times zoom, a stabilizer, a timer, a burst option, the use of iPhone 4's LED flash, and the option to use both the front and rear facing camera. The picture quality is better than that of the stock camera app, and for only $0.99 it is definitely worth the purchase. In addition filters hand picked by Lisa Bettany, Camera+ also makes sure all the pictures you take get saved into the app itself, it does not automatically save them to the camera roll. In the options menu, it allows you to pick and choose which pictures you want to save to your camera roll. It also allows you to share pictures to Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, SMS, or email. The app also allows you to copy and paste pictures you have taken.
[$0.99 - iTunes link]
ProCamera
ProCamera brings a lot of precise settings to the iPhone, which is nice for the experienced photographer. It has anti-shake, which is nice for those of us who can't seem to hold still while taking a picture! It also has a timer, a grid option, a video camera option, the option for full resolution when in zoom, and auto horizontal calibration.
It does not have the option to share pictures from the app, or to pick and choose which pictures you want to save to your camera roll, but the other features it offers makes up for it in the long run.
[$2.99 - iTunes Link]
Quickpix
Quickpix has its own zoom built into the application, as well as support for the iPhone LED flash. It also has a really cool feature which allows you to take video and shoot pictures at the same time. This is really handy for events where you want the video but would also like a few snap shots, or if you're not sure what you want to take and would rather have the capture streaming, ready for anything.
[$0.99 - iTunes link]
Instagram is what all the cool kids are using to take pictures, apply filters, and share photos with friends and social networks such as twitter and Facebook. Instagram has tap to focus, zoom, and makes use of the iPhone 4 LED light. The coolest thing about Instagram, however, is the use of filters. Take a picture using the Instagram app and go into your settings options, you have the option to edit the photo and apply effects right from the app.
[Free - iTunes link]
Your top apps?
So there you have them, our top 5 best iPhone camera apps to get you started. Be sure to check out our Picks of the Week and iPhone App and Games Forum for more recommendations, and if we missed any of your favorites leave them in the comments below!



































There are 48 comments. Add yours.
How could you not include Hipstamatic? :O
Because it sucks. Hipster.
I'm far away from being a hipster, but the photos still look very cool. Instagram might be nice, but I don't use Instagram as a camera-app. I just post my Hipstamatic photos there.
Seriously, how could you not include hipstamatic! very very good app!!
Long shot question -- but will Apple allow third party camera apps to register to use the button shutter or lock screen functions instead of the stock camera app?
Is there a good camera app that allows you to not only upload a pic to FB via the app but also tag and caption the photo right from the app?
Ken
i guess i just had bad luck but all my picture look worse with camera+ than the stock iphone camera app
I agree. It surprises me that everyone seems to think it's so great, which it would be if the quality of the pictures was as good as the the stock camera.
What is the purpose of full resolution zoom in ProCamera because no matter what app you use on the iPhone, as soon as you go near zoom the picture quality is absolutely terrible.
Anyone who doesn't take advantage of having their camera always with them, must not have kids !
I use Pro HDR and Autostitch to create most of my iPhone photos now. Both apps are great!
ProCamera was just updated with sharing options. You should update that review. I have all of those apps and many more, and Pro Camera is the best of all of them.
If these are supposed to be purely camera replacement apps, Instagram shouldn't be on that list. Maybe make a list of unique photo apps, with Instagram/Hipstagram, Percolate, Phoster, Halftone, Autostitch, Photosynth and my personal favorite, Decim8.
Well look at that, I made the list for you :)
Uh, Pro Camera does have sharing from within the app.
Hipstamatic is one of my favorites
Instagram stands as a sad reminder that even amongst iPhone users speed trumps quality. 612 x 612 resolution is a non-starter for anyone who cares about actually keeping photos.
What about Camera+ Pro? It can almost everything mentioned above..
Pro HDR is the BEST camera app, PhotoToaster is very good, and ToonPAINT is just plain fun!
5 Hipstamatic
4 Half Tone
3 Camera+
2 Pocketbooth
1 Instagram
Joby Gorillacam. Self timer, time-lapse, anti-shake, bubble level (VERY helpful), grid, press anywhere to shoot, and 3 shot burst. These are all options that can be turned on and off. I have to admit that I've never done any research into image quality or image size (does it fully max the sensor capabilities) though.
Has anyone looked into this for this app?
I have to also add TiltshiftGen. I love this app and use it almost daily.
Camera Plus Pro, any given day.
Just ridiculous when you include any apple app as part of the list. What a waste, do a minute more research and come up with a real top five please.
What do y'all think about SuperCamera for the iPhone 4? I'm looking for a better stabilizer and color resolution (especially with flash exposure). I can do filtration in a different app.
I would add Moquu. You can take photo sequences and make them interactive. It's lot of fun.
You can make things like this: http://www.moqu.us/m/GhS9n
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moquu-photo-scratcher-for/id443397719?mt=8
I use WoW Camera~!!!
very good~!
Thanks a lot for Awesome List of iPhone Camera Apps. I love Camera+, Instagram from the list.
Other than these SketchMee, FilterStorm and Photobox are the other best iPhone Camera Apps you must try.
A photography app I made that you might find interesting is called PhotoTangler (http://www.phototangler.com/iphone/), which offers a unique solution for blending images together.
I am a huge iPhone camera / post-processing fan, and have used all but one of the apps from the list (Pro Camera) which I am adding after this post.
After A LOT of research - both practical & reviews - and rate Camera+ Pro as the clear cut best COMPLETE photo app.
It is the fastest quality cam, has solid video, all post-processing options you want, and sharing. I used to use Camera Genius religiously, but it became very buggy for a few months, and Camera+ Pro gave me no reason to go back.
I feel strongly that Camera+ is WAY overrated, and agree that while Hipstamatic has a loyal following, it is a specialty app -- don't like it at all personally.
FYI - volume shutter button only works in Lock Screen mode for Apple cam in iOS 5, and editing is a joke - if you even call the 3 options 'editing'.
Nope, they explicitly disallow any "unnatural" usage.
Like volume control for shutter
Except for their own software of course.
Pro HDR takes amazing photos! Take a look at some comparison shots... http://james-wellington.com/2011/10/26/iphone-4s-photos-taking-great-pho...
i was also thinking Hipstamatic would be in this list, i can go for the camera+, stock and instragram but the other 2?
The Photo Guide is a useful app that's aimed at offering tips and help for capturing the perfect shot. It includes a dedicated section for getting the most out of the iPhone camera.
http://www.iphoneapp-reviews.com/app/the-photo-guide/
Its so strange the best of the best snapseed is no where? Although it uses the iOS camera app or your existing pictures, but has unbelievable editing options . Any ordinary pic can turn extra ordinary once it passes through snapseed
Great list! I'm a big fan of Instagram. The app made it easier for me to edit photos and share them with others. Also on my list is Snap-A-Note by Rainbow Riders. Unlike the other ones mentioned here, it doesn't have editing tools. But, what I like the most about it is that it has a built-in mailing system that lets me send the photos I took in my email or my friends email. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id473437307?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4. Hope others will give it a try. Anyway, I'll look at some of the apps you've recommended. Thanks!
I want iPhone video camera settings in my apple iPhone , please give me the settings email me.
Can you aid me make the plasma I want plz? :):)
what's the best camera app for great filters?
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I can understand why Hipstimatic is not on this list. The controls are not that easy to figure out at first and it's a rather limited app. Instagram is much better. But I use Camera+ more than any other app or the stock. Don't get why some people here say that Camera+ takes poor pics. I've found it takes exact same quality as the stock cam. Also, Camera+ has MORE filters than Instagram and IMO a better selection. Also gives you the ability to adjust brightness/contrast with "scene" settings before using any filters. Also has nice selection of borders. Super easy to share photos from Camera+ to Twitter, Facebook, etc.
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Het is een beetje leuk om het onmogelijke te doen. @tweetparts07 iphone app http://goo.gl/M2hb4 #fun :)
Check this iPhone Camera apps ranking to see more alternatives:
http://iOS.zRanks.com/ranking/iphone-camera-apps
Another fun photo editing and filters app to check out is Hipsta Hipster Camera ( http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hipsta-hipster-cam/id587614331?ls=1&mt=8 ) It invents unique new camera filters with the tap of a button. You can learn more about this hipster camera app at http://www.hipster-camera.com
Photographers are painters with light, so the light must be evaluated.
You can do this with your iPhone and iZoner.
Get the correct light metering but also spot, multi spot and contrast distribution.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/izoner/id489828927?l=nl&ls=1&mt=8
Not a substitute for your camera, but a helpful everyday friend.
Check out Flashi to have a cool voice controlled camera!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flashi-voice-controlled-camera/id586086997
Layer Lapse [URL="www.layerlapse.com"]www.layerlapse.com[/URL]
This new utility camera app allows you to examine fine details so you can know and see things that would normally go undetected - like you're Rain Man!
Layer Lapse is like having a perfect photographic memory to know in an instant what is different but with psychic mindreading telepathy as you can compare your memory with others’ memories and even having bionic eyesight enabling you to measure pixels like a robot. It’s an app of super powers.
Layer Lapse - www.layerlapse.com
This new utility camera app allows you to examine fine details so you can know and see things that would normally go undetected - like you're Rain Man!
Layer Lapse is like having a perfect photographic memory to know in an instant what is different but with psychic mindreading telepathy as you can compare your memory with others’ memories and even having bionic eyesight enabling you to measure pixels like a robot. It’s an app of super powers.