Make your Camera Smarter: Google Lens
Point, tap, then learn more or act.
Lens gives you a glimpse of how smart cameras could be.
Requires an internet connection, since the smart features rely on access to Google’s systems.
Randy Tarampi / Unsplash
On iOS, Google Lens is a feature found within the Google app.
But on Android, Google Lens is a complete, installable app.
Download For:
Best for Creative Cloud Members: Lightroom
Free image capture and edit options.
Sign in with Facebook, Google, or an Adobe account.
Adobe’s Lightroom app combines custom camera controls with a variety of image editing options in a single app.
A paid monthly upgrade adds access to more selection and editing tools, auto-tagging, and storage.
(Adobe Creative Cloud members receive these benefits after they sign in, as well.)
Best General-Purpose Camera Upgrade: ProShot
Cleanly arranged control interface.
Can adjust the aspect ratio of the image.
Phone hardware might be a limitation.
It also offers bracketing, which takes several shots at different exposure levels.
A light painting mode lets you create an image as the lens gradually captures light.
The app also supports video and time-lapse modes.
Shoot, edit, share all within one app.
The Android app includes both camera and video capture options.
Social Sharing Without Social Pressures: VSCO
Strong set of editing controls.
Many filters available to members only.
The camera portion of VCSO is fairly straightforward.
Open, point, tap to focus, adjust flash, capture the image.
The app also offers a social web link, too.
An optional membership upgrade gives you access to additional editing tools.
If you move your phone away from a central point, the app may stitch the images together inaccurately.
you’re free to import and view 360-degree photos in the app.
The app smoothly adjusts and resizes the image frame if you rotate your phone.
Limited number of camera control options.
With the free Horizon Camera app, you’ll never end up with a vertical video or photo again.
The app adjusts the frame as you move to ensure that you always capture a horizontal image.
Best for Stop-Motion Animators: Lapse It
Can add songs from your library to finished time-lapses.
Designed for both time-lapse and stop-motion photography.
You still have to be careful to not bump or move your phone during capture.
No update since 2019.
That makes it an excellent tool for time-lapse or stop motion photography.
