The 4 Best Manual Camera Apps for Android in 2026
The stock camera decides exposure, colour and how much processing to apply for you, and in most situations it gets it right. When it does not — backlight, night, movement — that is when you miss being able to set ISO or shutter speed by hand. In this guide we compare the 4 best manual camera apps for Android in 2026.
Camera apps with manual controls and RAW
Pro camera apps for Android with manual control of ISO, shutter speed and focus, RAW capture, a live histogram and advanced video settings.
Top pick
Blackmagic Camera
Blackmagic Design Inc. · Free · 1M+
Best for video
4.5
13K reviews
TopApps analysis
Blackmagic Camera brings the interface from its professional cinema cameras to the phone, with full manual video control and professional-grade colour settings, and it is free.
Blackmagic Camera brings the interface of the company's professional cinema cameras to your phone, and it is free: full manual video control, histogram, high-quality formats and professional-grade colour settings. It is the best option for shooting video seriously.
Pros
- Professional cinema camera interface, for free
- Full manual video control
- Histogram, zebras and focus assist
Cons
- Built for video, not photos
- Demands a powerful phone and lots of storage
- Steep learning curve if you do not come from video
Open Camera
Mark Harman · Free · 100M+
Best free option
4.1
287K reviews
TopApps analysis
Open Camera is open source, with no ads and no unnecessary permissions, and it gives you full manual controls and RAW capture.
Open Camera is free and open source, with no adverts and no unnecessary permissions, and it opens up the manual controls that many stock camera apps keep hidden: ISO, shutter speed, manual focus and RAW capture if your phone supports it.
Pros
- Open source, free and ad-free
- Full manual control of ISO and shutter speed
- RAW capture if the phone allows it
Cons
- Austere and not especially intuitive interface
- Image quality depends on the phone's own processing
- None of the manufacturer's computational modes
Last updated: 2026-05-28
ProShot
Rise Up Games · Paid · 500K+
Most polished
4.3
20K reviews
TopApps analysis
ProShot offers DSLR-style controls with a live histogram and genuine long exposure, sold as a one-off purchase instead of a subscription.
ProShot is the most polished manual camera on Android: DSLR-style dial controls, a live histogram, genuine long exposure and video recording with full manual control. It costs money up front as a one-off purchase, and that is its main advantage over the subscription apps.
Pros
- DSLR-style controls with a live histogram
- Genuine long exposure for night shots
- Full manual control in video too
Cons
- Paid from the outset
- Requires understanding manual photography
- Not every phone exposes every control
Camera FV-5
FGAE Apps · Free · 10M+
Most technical
3.6
139K reviews
TopApps analysis
Camera FV-5 mirrors DSLR logic with priority modes, spot metering and exposure bracketing, for anyone coming from classic photography.
Camera FV-5 mirrors the logic of a professional DSLR, with aperture or shutter priority, spot metering and exposure bracketing. It is the most technical app of the group and the one that rewards anyone coming from classic photography.
Pros
- Priority modes just like on a DSLR
- Exposure bracketing and spot metering
- Saves in RAW and JPEG at the same time
Cons
- Low rating due to problems with recent phones
- Dated interface
- The free version caps the resolution
Last updated: 2026-05-26
Frequently asked questions
Is shooting RAW on a phone worth it?
It depends on whether you are going to edit. RAW keeps far more information in highlights and shadows, which lets you recover a blown sky or lift a shadow without the image falling apart. In exchange it takes up several times more space and comes without the manufacturer's processing, so at first glance it looks worse. If you are not going to edit, the phone's JPEG almost always wins.
Why do my photos look worse than with the stock camera?
Because modern phone cameras owe much of their quality to computational processing: they merge several frames for HDR, night mode or portrait. Third-party apps have no access to those proprietary algorithms, so they capture what the sensor gives without that boost. You gain control and lose the automatic magic.
What is the best free manual camera app?
Open Camera if you want stills: it is open source, ad-free and has every manual control. Blackmagic Camera if video interests you, because it is free and professional grade, which is unusual. ProShot is paid but a one-off purchase, which works out better than a subscription in the long run.
Do all the controls work on any phone?
No. These apps depend on what the manufacturer exposes through Android's camera interface, and many mid-range phones limit access to RAW, manual focus or long exposures. Before buying a paid one, try Open Camera first, since it is free, to see which controls actually respond on your device.
Articles you might like
The 8 Best Video Editing Apps for Mobile (2026): Real Comparison
We compare the best apps for editing videos on mobile in 2026: InShot, CapCut, KineMaster, PowerDirector, Filmora and more with real Google Play data.
The 4 Best Android TV Apps in 2026
We compare the best apps for Android TV and Google TV: Kodi, Plex, Pluto TV and Tivify. Turn your set into a complete entertainment hub.
The 4 Best Apps to Make Memes and GIFs in 2026
We compare the best meme maker apps: Meme Generator, GIPHY, Memes.com and PicsArt. Classic templates, your own GIFs and share-ready edits.
The 4 Best Audiobook Apps in 2026
We compare the best audiobook apps: Audible, Storytel, Google Play Libros and Spotify. Spanish catalogue, pricing and offline listening.
The 4 Best Photo Collage Apps in 2026
We compare the best collage apps: PicCollage, PhotoGrid, PicsArt and Canva. Templates, grids and layouts ready for social media.
The 4 Best AI Image Generator Apps in 2026
We compare the best apps for generating images with artificial intelligence: Leonardo.Ai, Adobe Firefly, Adobe Express and ImagineArt.