5 alternative cameras for Android

This collection includes applications for photography and video shooting, which stand out among the mass of the same type of programs from Google Play. Some of them captivate with the number of settings, others - with non-standard functions. But all of them can replace or at least supplement the standard camera on your device.

1. Candy Camera

The selfie craze has led to the emergence of specially tailored programs for this. The most important thing here is that the process is fast, and the result is effective. Therefore, no painstaking tinkering in the exposure or white balance settings in Candy Camera is provided.

But the application has a photo shooting mode, which makes a collage from a series of frames. Plus, there are many real-time filters available in Candy Camera. So you can immediately see the result of their application. Special tools whiten the skin, hide its imperfections, apply makeup. For additional design of works in the program there is a huge number of designer stickers.

2. Open Camera

This camera has an impressive discrepancy between the number of supported features and the size of the application, which barely exceeds one megabyte. Open Camera features automatic stabilization, video frame rate and bitrate adjustment, HDR, audio channel selection, face detection, batch photography, date overlay, coordinates, and many other functions.

The decisive plus in favor of Open Camera is also the complete freeness of this application and the absence of any advertising. But if you really like the program, you can make a payment inside it to thank the developer.

3. Manual Camera

Manual Camera has access to advanced camera features built into the Android system. As a result, with this program you can fine-tune the shooting: adjust focus, ISO, white balance, shutter speed, exposure compensation and other parameters. This should certainly appeal to advanced amateur photographers who know how and love to tinker with different settings when photographing.

However, due to its specifics, the application is not compatible with all gadgets, so you should first clarify this issue using a special utility.

4. Cymera

Some of the cameras we reviewed have a built-in photo editor, but its presence is usually purely nominal. In Cymera, this component is almost the most important element of the program. Yes, the camera has a number of cool features, such as automatically creating collages while shooting, or several instant filters, like in Candy. But the real value of Cymera lies in the editor.

Here you can quickly apply auto-correction by simply telling the program what is captured in the photo (portrait, landscape, food, text). Or completely immerse yourself in manual editing mode, which includes a huge number of different effects, settings, frames, overlay applications and texts.

5. Horizon Camera

There are no detailed image settings or built-in editor in this app. But it solves common problems with device orientation. Remember how you recorded a video in portrait mode, forgetting to turn the gadget, or knocked down the horizon while taking a photo. So, Horizon is insurance against such situations. The program uses a gyroscope so that the camera always shoots exactly in horizontal mode, no matter how you turn your smartphone.

In this review, Lifehacker tried to collect a variety of cameras for Android devices. Fans of open source software will prefer Open Camera, fans of non-standard solutions will surely be attracted by Horizon, and experienced photographers can try Manual Camera. Glamor and beauty lovers, who, we hope, will find Candy Camera and Cymera useful.