ProCamera 3.0 review part 1: The Camera

ProCamera is not just a camera replacement app, but a photo editor as well, so I have decided to split this review in two.

The first part of the review (the one you are reading now) will cover the camera app, whilst the second part of the review will concentrate on the Album & Photo Studio.

The Camera App

If you've never used ProCamera before, then the first thing you will need to do after launching the app is configure the camera settings.  This is done by tapping the "PRO" icon found in the bottom left of the app screen and selecting "Settings".  Here you will be able to turn on/off the various camera options, adjust the self-timer and anti-shake image stabilizer, and calibrate the apps virtual horizon.

One of the things I would recommend turning on (it is off by default) is the "Expert Mode", which will let you to take control of the camera exposure and focusing, as well as the white balance.

You may also want to enable "Auto Save", else you will be prompted to save or discard after every shot.

• Tip: One of the features I have chosen to disable is the fullscreen trigger, as I found myself taking unwanted photos when using the focus/exposure controls when in Expert Mode.

Having configure the app to meet your needs, simply tap the camera icon found in the bottom left of the screen to exit the settings menu, and return to camera mode.

ProCamera's Interface

If you are new to ProCamera then you should familiarize yourself with the apps interface, however if you are an existing ProCamera user, you will probably already know what each icons do.

Lets start at the top and work down.  Across the top of the screen you will find 3 icons, the flash icon (iPhone 4 only) which when tapped will toggle the flash between Auto/On/Off. Then you have the Auto White Balance (AWB) / White Balance Lock (AW), and finally (iPhone 4 only) the front/rear camera switch.

Across the bottom of the screen you will find (if enabled in the apps settings) the digital zoom icons (-/+), which I prefer to use over the pinch and zoom feature which is enabled by default.

Then going from left to right we have the "PRO" icon which as we have already covered, gives you access to the apps settings menu, and also allows you to launch the Album & Studios feature (which I will be covering in part 2 of this review). Next up you will see a video camera icon if shooting in stills mode, or a camera icon if using the app in video capture mode. In the middle you will see the familiar camera icon, which you use to take photos if like me you have the Fullscreen Trigger set to off. Next to the camera icon you will find the anti-shake image stabilizer, which when used will automatically take the photo when no shake is detected.

Finally you will see a triangle, which brings up the apps quick options menu, which lets you easily enable/disable Expert Mode, use the Self-Timer, and select the various grid overlays that aid your photo taking.

Taking Photos with ProCamera 3.0

So we've covered all the features, so now it just remains to begin taking photos.

• Note: Not all features work with the iPhone 4's front facing camera.

Standard Mode: So having decided if you want the flash on/off, or the lens zoomed in/out, simply touch the screen to focus, and then tap the camera icon found at the bottom center of the screen to take your photo. If you have turned on Auto Save, then your photos will be save to the camera roll, else you will have to review and then either save or discard the photo before you can take the next shot.

• Tip: Use Standard Mode with Fullscreen Trigger and Auto Save enabled for quick shooting.

Expert Mode: Tap the screen (this is best done with the Fullscreen Trigger set to off) and you will see a blue square with a yellow diamond in the center. Now place your finger over the yellow diamond, and touch and hold the screen. Keeping your finger on the screen, you can now drag the diamond around to set the exposure; and doing the same to the blue square, you can drag and set the point of focus.  You can continue to drag these two shapes around the screen until you are happy with the exposure and focus, before tapping the camera icon to take the shot.

• Tip: Use Expert Mode when you have more time to compose.

Above: See how positioning the yellow box controls the apps exposure.

Shooting Video with ProCamera 3.0

Just like shooting stills, you can shoot video in standard or expert mode, with Expert Video Mode also letting you set the exposure and focus points.

Just as with the camera app, this Expert and Standard Mode can be quickly and easily switched by tapping the triangular icon in the bottom right corner of the app screen, and here you will also be able to quickly set the video quality, from high definition/high quality/low quality.

So what do I think of ProCamera 3.0's camera functionality?

I've never been a big fan of camera replacement apps, although this view began to change when Camera+ was released earlier this year.  Since then Camera+ has been banished from the App Store for implemented unapproved features via backdoor tweaks.

In addition to Camera+ there have been and still are a number of camera replacement apps available for the iPhone and iPod Touch 4G, but until now, for me, none of them have quite stepped up to the mark, but with the release of ProCamera 3.0 this situation has changed, with ProCamera 3.0 finding a permanent place on my iPhone.

This app comes highly recommended, so if you are looking for a fully featured camera replacement app, then look no further than ProCamera 3.0, you wont be disappointed.

Please note: ProCamera 3.0 requires iOS 4.x

App Store Link: ProCamera; Price: £1.79/$2.99/€2.39

Part 2: ProCamera 3.0 Album & Photo Studio coming soon.

Disclaimer: daemgen.net, the developers of ProCamera, advertise on the iPhoneography blog, however this has in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Comments

[Steve]

This new 3.0 update makes this app tons better. However, it would be nice if they can incorporate the built-in HDR functionality in iOS

[Craig]

I bought this app yesterday when I was searching for a self timer. I haven't had much chance to use it yet but am impressed with it so far. The sperate focus and exposure is way cool. I hope they introduce HDR support at some point. Great review, btw!

[mad jeff]

I didn't see anywhere that it has the option to shoot in different aspect ratios....This would be a helpful feature as I like to shoot mostly in square format 1:1...