In 2026, almost everyone has a powerful camera in their pocket, and the right camera app can be the difference between an average photo and a dazzling one.
Whether you want sharper photos, professional-style manual controls, or fun filters for social sharing, Android camera apps can push your phone’s camera far beyond its default settings.
There’s also a sharp rise in the photography trend (especially compared to making videos).
Studies show that the majority of photos worldwide are now captured on phones rather than traditional cameras, and billions of new images are created every single day.
For Android users, this means the demand for high-quality, feature-rich camera apps is higher than ever.
This guide brings together the most trusted and popular options available in 2026. From completely free apps that give you DSLR-style controls, to premium tools built for professional editing and video, you’ll find the right app for your style of photography.
Google Camera, also known as the Pixel Camera, is a flagship stock camera app for Android devices. Famous for Night Sight and HDR+, it delivers stunning low-light shots and balanced highlights that rival DSLR cameras.
This Google Camera app is especially powerful on Pixel phones, though modded APKs exist for other Android devices.
As smartphone photography grows as important as healthcare app development or food delivery app development in the Android ecosystem, this app shows how AI-driven features can completely redefine image quality. It’s one of the best camera apps for Android in 2026.
Features
HDR+ and Night Sight: Combines frames for crisp low-light and HDR shots with exceptional image quality.
Astrophotography Mode: Long exposure for capturing stars and night skies on supported Pixel phones.
Portrait Mode: AI-driven manual focus blur for DSLR-style backgrounds.
Top Shot: Automatically selects the best photo from a burst series.
Motion & Slow-Mo: Motion photos and slow motion at 120/240 fps.
Open Camera is an open-source Android camera app loved by photographers who want comprehensive manual controls without paying a dime.
It offers DSLR-like control over shutter speed, ISO, focus, and white balance. With features like RAW capture, auto-leveling, and voice commands, it has earned a strong reputation among Android users.
Much like app ideas that democratize creation, Open Camera proves that the best free security camera app for Android can be both powerful and accessible.
Features
Manual Controls: Shutter speed, ISO, focus, and white balance for smartphone photography.
Auto-Leveling: Ensures straight horizons with built-in sensors.
RAW Capture: Save raw files (DNG) for advanced post-processing.
VSCO is more than just a camera app for Android; it’s a creative hub for smartphone photography. Known for its cinematic presets, VSCO helps transform ordinary shots into professional-grade visuals.
Its focus is on creativity, not social likes, making it unique among third-party camera apps. Just as best AI apps are changing industries, VSCO’s filters and advanced editing tools are shaping modern photography trends.
VSCO has over 200 million global users and around 160,000 Pro (paid subscription) members, showing strong demand for premium editing tools on mobile (2)
Features
Film-Inspired Presets: Vintage, cinematic, and artistic filters.
Advanced Editing Tools: Curves, HSL, clarity, and grain adjustment.
Community Grid: Share without likes or comments.
RAW Support: Edit uncompressed images for high image quality.
Video Editing: Apply presets to the video for a consistent visual style.
Snapchat is less about technical controls and more about augmented reality fun. Its Snapchat camera lets users add playful AR filters, Bitmoji overlays, and instant effects. Perfect for younger Android users, it’s more social-first than pro.
In today’s world of mobile photography, Snapchat shows how other camera apps can blend messaging and visuals. It’s not a pro tool, but for fun app ideas, it remains iconic.
Snapchat has about 460 million daily active users in 2025, showing the continuing popularity of camera apps integrated with social & AR features (3)
Features
AR Filters & Lenses: Real-time effects like face swaps and 3D stickers.
Stories & Discover: Share disappearing content with ease.
High-Res Capture: Photo/video recording with creative modes.
Memories Gallery: Cloud save for snaps and videos.
Instagram doubles as a default camera app and social platform with billions of downloads. It’s perfect for Android users who want instant filters, collages, and AR effects.
Unlike professional tools, Instagram is about speed and sharing, making it as influential in smartphone cameras as the best weather app for Android is for daily life.
Its popularity shows how Android camera apps have evolved into all-in-one platforms for creativity.
Features
Live Filters: Artistic and face filters for real-time capture.
Stories & Reels: Built-in short-form video creation.
Editing Tools: Quick sliders for brightness, saturation, and contrast.
Pixtica is an Android camera app that combines multiple tools into one user-friendly interface. With its variety of shooting modes, filters, and built-in editor, it saves Android users from installing multiple other camera apps.
It’s ideal for casual shooters and creators who want editing tools, manual settings, and fun extras like AR filters.
Just as healthcare app development and food delivery app development simplify life, Pixtica simplifies smartphone photography into one polished package.
Price: Free (in-app upgrades before discontinuation)
Owned by: MAGIX Software
Rating: 4.0/5
Camera MX was a third-party camera app beloved for its real-time filters and simplicity before being discontinued. It offered fun features like live HDR, GIF creation, and slow-motion video recording.
While no longer updated, it remains memorable for its ease of use.
For Android users exploring camera software history or app ideas, Camera MX stands out as one of the most fun apps that blends good image quality with a lightweight design.
Features
50+ real-time filters like vintage, HDR, and black & white.
Camera360 is one of the most popular Android camera apps, especially in Asia, thanks to its focus on selfie beautification and AR stickers.
It offers manual controls for enthusiasts, but its true strength is in instant filters that smooth skin, apply virtual makeup, and add animated effects.
In the same way, a medicine delivery app development meets a daily need, Camera360 fulfills the demand for quick, polished portraits in smartphone photography.
Features
Real-time beauty camera with skin smoothing and face reshaping.
Hundreds of AR stickers, 3D masks, and fun overlays.
Artistic filters inspired by anime, vintage, and modern aesthetics.
Pro Mode with ISO, white balance, and RAW capture.
Cymera is a camera app for Android tailored to selfies and collages. With tools like blemish removal, skin tone adjustment, and virtual makeup, it’s a go-to for social media content creators.
It also includes quirky lenses like fish-eye and mirror effects.
Much like app ideas that cater to specific niches, Cymera is focused on beautification and collage-making, making it perfect for users who want fun over professional manual shutter speed control.
Candy Camera is a lightweight, free app built for instant selfies. When opened, it automatically applies a filter, with swipe options to preview others. It’s known for bright, skin-softening looks and playful overlays.
Just as the best Android app development company solutions aim to simplify tech for users, Candy Camera simplifies mobile photography for anyone who wants quick, stylish selfies without fuss.
Features
Real-time filters optimized for selfies.
Beauty tools for whitening, slimming, and makeup-style edits.
B612 is one of the best free camera apps for Android with a focus on AR, beauty filters, and short music-backed videos.
With over 500M downloads, it remains a top choice for Android users who love fun filters and instant editing.
The app updates regularly with new AR lenses, including K-pop-inspired ones. Its music integration makes it popular for TikTok-style content, putting it in the same innovation league as best AI apps and trending app ideas.
Features
AR filters and beauty tools with real-time transformation.
Music Mode lets you add tracks to selfies or videos.
ProCam X, also called HD Camera Pro, is built for photography enthusiasts who want DSLR-style manual controls. Its dual-dial interface makes adjusting shutter speed, ISO, and white balance fast and intuitive.
RAW capture and 4K video recording, it’s often considered one of the best Android camera apps for professionals.
Just like top Android app development company products, it’s designed to bring advanced features to a wider audience.
Features
Dual Dial UI for quick exposure and ISO adjustments.
Full manual focus, shutter, ISO, and white balance.
4K video capture with bitrate control.
Customizable grids and horizon levels.
Burst and timelapse shooting with interval timers.
Manual Camera is designed for photographers who need exact manual shutter speed and ISO adjustments.
Perfect for astrophotography and long exposures, it gives technical users fine-grained control with on-screen sliders.
While it lacks flashy extras, it excels in precision, much like healthcare app development excels in accuracy. It’s a niche but trusted tool in the Android camera app ecosystem.
ProShot is one of the most versatile Android camera apps with DSLR-like dual wheels and customizable profiles.
It’s known for strong video tools, 4K capture, and manual focus modes. Its ability to save custom shooting modes appeals to power users who want flexibility across projects.
Much like best AI apps redefine workflows, ProShot redefines how Android users capture photos and videos.
Features
Dual-dial interface for quick adjustments.
Save custom shooting profiles.
Professional video recording with bitrate control.
MC Pro24fps is one of the most advanced Android camera apps for videographers. It allows RAW (YUV) video capture at high bitrates, giving unmatched video quality on Android.
With manual focus, shutter, ISO, and external mic support, it’s favored by professionals for filmmaking.
Just as best AI apps optimize workflows, MC Pro24fps optimizes video recording for creators who want professional tools without bulky gear.
Features
Full manual video controls: shutter speed, ISO, focus, and white balance.
RAW YUV video recording for maximum detail.
High-bitrate video settings with multiple resolutions.
Custom profiles to save project setups.
LUT (Look-Up Table) support for cinematic grading.
MotionCam Pro is a professional app designed for advanced shooters, testers, and researchers. It captures RAW video, supports 8K timelapse, and provides scientific monitoring tools like histograms and zebra stripes.
For users working on healthcare app development, medicine delivery app development, or even testing camera hardware, MotionCam Pro doubles as both a creative and technical tool. It’s niche, expensive, but highly respected.
Features
Extended Camera2 API support for full hardware access.
RAW video and still capture with precision.
Real-time histograms, vectorscopes, and parades.
Focus peaking, zebra stripes, and overexposure warnings.
Scientific logs for frame timing and exposure testing.
DSLR Camera Pro is a budget-friendly DSLR camera app for Android that mimics DSLR controls.
It’s simple but effective, with manual shutter, ISO, and focus settings. Features like face detection, burst shooting, and time-lapse make it versatile enough for hobbyists.
Like the best free security camera app for Android, DSLR Camera Pro offers no-frills manual photography at a low cost.
Camera Zoom FX Premium has been one of the most trusted third-party camera apps on Android for years.
It combines RAW support, manual focus, and advanced editing tools with fun extras like GIF creation and “Steady Shot” blur reduction.
In the same way, food delivery app development combines multiple features into one service, Camera Zoom FX Premium blends pro and casual tools into a single package for Android devices.
ReLens is an AI-powered camera app built for portrait enthusiasts. Using depth maps, it lets you edit focus, bokeh, and backgrounds after capture, creating DSLR-like results.
Reviewers call it “AI magic,” and it’s perfect for photography enthusiasts who want pro-style results without Photoshop.
In many ways, ReLens showcases how the best AI apps bring advanced editing to Android phones with just a few taps.
Features
Depth capture for post-shot editing.
Adjustable bokeh and focus plane.
Creative portrait effects like tilt-shift and color splash.
Adobe Lightroom Mobile is a professional-grade photo editor trusted by photographers worldwide. It brings desktop-level editing to your Android phone, with tools like curves, color grading, and RAW processing.
The app also syncs with Creative Cloud, making it part of a complete ecosystem.
In the same way, healthcare app development provides precision, and Lightroom offers accuracy in post-processing. Its AI-powered masking tools (premium) further prove why it’s often ranked among the best AI apps.
Features
Full RAW editing with raw support for uncompressed files.
Snapseed is one of the best free apps for mobile editing, praised for its balance of simplicity and depth. It supports RAW files, has 29+ editing tools, and uses a non-destructive workflow so users can undo or adjust edits anytime.
Much like the best free security camera app for Android, tools simplify safety, Snapseed simplifies photo editing tasks while still offering advanced editing tools for enthusiasts.
Features
29+ tools, including Healing, Brush, HDR, and Perspective.
RAW file editing for photography enthusiasts.
Selective adjustments to fine-tune parts of an image.
Stack-based editing for non-destructive workflows.
Camera+ combines an advanced Android camera app with powerful editing tools. It supports manual focus, shutter, ISO, and RAW, while also giving filters and clarity modes for editing.
Its macro mode and Lightbox organizer make it popular among hobbyists. Like app ideas that merge two solutions in one, Camera+ blends a shooting app and photo editor seamlessly.
Snap Camera HDR is one of the best Android camera apps for manual HDR photography. Unlike automatic HDR, it gives photography enthusiasts full control over exposure while merging multiple frames.
It’s often mentioned on Reddit by users who want DSLR-like HDR on their Android phone.
As useful as the best hidden camera detector app for Android is for safety, Snap Camera HDR is essential for balancing highlights and shadows in smartphone photography.
Photoshop Express is a stock camera app alternative for quick edits and retouching. It’s built for users who want social-media-ready results without diving into complex workflows.
With one-tap corrections, blemish removal, and collages, it’s ideal for influencers and casual users. Just like food delivery app development makes ordering seamless, Photoshop Express makes mobile retouching effortless.
Features
One-tap auto-corrections for exposure and color.
Healing brush for quick fixes.
Collage maker with creative templates.
Filters and overlays for style adjustments.
Cloud sync with Adobe Creative Cloud.
Pros
Fast and easy for casual users
Polished interface with the trusted Adobe brand
Free with optional upgrades
Cons
Not as advanced as Lightroom
Requires login for full functionality
5 Best Free and Paid Camera Apps for Android
Now that we’ve discussed the top 25 best camera apps for android, let’s look at the top 5 picks for both free and paid categories:
5 Best Free Camera Apps for Android
If you want to capture sharper photos without spending money, these free Android camera apps stand out in 2025:
Google Camera (Pixel Camera): Famous for HDR+ and Night Sight.
Open Camera: Open-source app with full manual controls.
VSCO (Free Version): Artistic presets and editing tools.
Snapseed: Pro-level editing, completely free.
B612: Trendy filters, AR effects, and music integration.
5 Best Paid Camera Apps for Android
For enthusiasts willing to invest, these paid camera apps deliver DSLR-like control and advanced features:
ProCam X: Dual-dial interface with 4K video and RAW capture.
Manual Camera: Precision shutter speed and ISO control.
Camera FV-5: DSLR-style viewfinder and bracketing.
ProShot: Custom shooting profiles and strong video tools.
MC Pro24fps – RAW video and LUT support for professionals.
Which Smartphone Maker has the Best Camera Apps?
Smartphone makers don’t just rely on hardware, they also pack their devices with powerful stock camera apps.
These apps often define the overall shooting experience. Here’s how the top brands stand out:
Google (Pixel Camera): Known for Night Sight, HDR+, and AI-driven image quality.
Samsung (One UI Camera): Packed with pro video, Single Take, and versatile shooting modes.
Apple (iPhone Camera): Simple UI with advanced video quality, Smart HDR, and ProRAW.
Huawei (Leica Co-Engineered Camera): Excels in low-light photography and AI scene detection.
Xiaomi (MIUI Camera): Feature-rich with AI sky replacement, beauty modes, and manual controls.
Oppo / OnePlus (ColorOS / OxygenOS Camera): Strong portrait modes, AI filters, and pro settings.
Final Verdict
In 2025, Android users will have more choices than ever when it comes to camera apps. If you want full manual controls, apps like Open Camera and ProCam X are hard to beat.
For creative editing, VSCO and Adobe Lightroom Mobile stand out, while Snapchat, Instagram, and B612 remain favorites for quick social sharing.
And with AI-powered tools like ReLens, even casual users can capture high-quality images that look professional. Whether you’re after fun filters, pro tools, or an all-in-one app, there’s the best camera app for Android here to fit your style.
Ameena is a content writer with a background in International Relations, blending academic insight with SEO-driven writing experience. She has written extensively in the academic space and contributed blog content for various platforms.
Her interests lie in human rights, conflict resolution, and emerging technologies in global policy. Outside of work, she enjoys reading fiction, exploring AI as a hobby, and learning how digital systems shape society.
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