Open Camera — Honest Mini Review
If you want a powerful, no-nonsense camera app that gives you manual control without the fluff, Open Camera is one of the best free options out there. It’s open-source, lightweight, and packed with features photographers actually use: manual ISO/shutter/exposure where your phone supports Camera2, HDR, RAW (if supported), exposure bracketing and a real timer/remote options.
Why I like it
- Real manual controls — great for hobbyist photographers who want to squeeze more from their phone camera.
- No ads and no weird permissions creep — it does what it says and stays out of the way.
- Useful pro features like on-screen histogram, focus peaking, and the ability to save RAW DNG (on supported devices).
Who this is for
Phone photographers who want control: night shots, long exposures, timelapse/video with better settings, or anyone who prefers an uncluttered, trustworthy app maintained by the community.
Minor downsides
UI can feel utilitarian compared to camera apps that focus on filters and social sharing. Some camera-specific features depend on your phone’s hardware and Android version.
Version note: recent builds (1.55) were published in 2025; the app is also available via Google Play, F-Droid, Uptodown and APK aggregators like APKPure. (If you prefer official Play updates, use Google Play; if you want the APK directly, F-Droid provides signed builds.)