Manual Camera: DSLR Camera Pro

Review by eFreeware

If you have ever wanted your phone's camera to stop guessing and let you set the exposure yourself, Manual Camera: DSLR Camera Pro is built for exactly that. It is a paid app from Lenses Inc. with no ads and no in-app purchases, priced at $4.99, and it hands over the controls that automatic camera modes keep hidden: ISO, shutter speed, exposure, white balance and focus distance. The pitch is straightforward, and it is the kind of app that appeals to people who already understand what those settings do.

The install numbers suggest plenty of people have taken that step. The app has passed a million downloads and holds a 4.1 average across more than 26,000 ratings, which for a paid photography tool is a reasonable signal that it delivers on its core promise. It first appeared in late 2018 and was updated as recently as February 2024, so it has had years of refinement behind it.

What I find most interesting is the combination of manual control with the video side. This is not only a stills camera; it also handles 4K recording on supported devices, along with timelapse, slow motion and frame-rate and bit-rate settings. For someone who wants one app to cover both stills and motion without switching tools, that breadth is the main draw.

Manual controls for people who want to set the exposure

The core of the app is a set of manual adjustments that mirror what a dedicated camera offers. You can dial in ISO, choose a shutter speed, set white balance, lock exposure and focus by distance rather than letting the phone hunt. There are also scene and focus modes, color effects, and a real-time filter layer if you want a look applied as you compose rather than afterward.

For stills shooters, the RAW option is the feature that matters most. The app saves JPG and RAW (DNG) files, and RAW capture works with the rear camera. A recent update added a RAW-only option, which suits anyone who would rather process everything themselves and skip the JPG entirely. The developer notes that RAW saving and several other manual features require Android 5.0 or later with the Camera2 API enabled by the phone manufacturer, so the phone you carry determines how much of this you actually get.

Composition aids are included too: a grid view with a golden ratio overlay and a 4K camera line. Small touches like adjustable volume keys that can zoom or shift exposure compensation, a silent mode that disables the shutter sound, and an option to lock orientation in portrait or landscape round out the shooting experience. None of these are unusual on their own, but having them in one place is convenient.

Video, timelapse and interval shooting

On the video side, the app records in 4K UHD on devices that support it, with optional audio and support for some external microphones. You can set the frame rate and bit rate, which gives you a say in how large the files are and how smooth the motion looks. There is also a slow motion mode, again dependent on what your phone can handle.

The intervalometer and burst mode are where the app gets more interesting for creative work. Burst shooting with a configurable delay is designed for stop motion and timelapse, and the intervalometer lets you set up repeated shots over time. A recent update fixed bugs in bracketing and interval mode, so those tools have seen attention recently rather than being left to sit.

A remote control timer with an optional audio countdown and an automatic repeat mode is also included, which is useful when you want to trigger a shot without touching the phone. Geotagging adds location data to photos and videos, including compass direction for photos, and a stamping feature can print the date, time, coordinates or custom text onto an image. These are practical additions for anyone documenting a trip, a site or a project over time.

What you need before the manual features work

The most important thing to understand before buying is the hardware requirement. The developer states that the full set of manual features needs a device running Android 5.0 or later with Camera2 API support enabled by the manufacturer. You can check for an "enable camera2api" option in your phone's settings menu to confirm whether your device qualifies.

That caveat applies to several headline features, including manual ISO, manual focus, shutter speed control and RAW saving. On a phone without Camera2 API support, those controls will not be available, which changes what the app can do for you considerably. It is worth checking your own device before spending the $4.99, because the value here is concentrated in those manual tools.

The app is otherwise self-contained: no ads and no in-app purchases. The interface is described as compact and clean, with a GUI that changes orientation without pausing. The recent update also unlocked screen rotation, which removes a small but noticeable friction point for anyone who shoots in different orientations.

Who will get the most from this camera app

This app is aimed at people who already think in terms of ISO, shutter speed and white balance, or who want to learn. If you have ever shot with a DSLR or a mirrorless camera and found your phone's automatic mode frustrating, the manual controls here give you back the decisions that matter. The RAW workflow in particular will appeal to anyone who edits photos on a computer or tablet and wants more latitude in post-processing.

It also suits hybrid shooters who want stills and video from one tool. The combination of 4K recording, frame-rate and bit-rate control, timelapse and interval shooting covers a lot of ground that would otherwise need several apps. Someone documenting a construction project, a garden growing over weeks, or a series of time-lapse sequences would find the intervalometer and burst tools genuinely useful.

On the other hand, if you mostly take quick snapshots and never touch a settings menu, the manual controls will be more than you need. The app does not try to be a point-and-shoot replacement; it is built around deliberate shooting. The 4.1 average rating suggests most buyers find it worth the price, but the ceiling on what it can do is set by your phone's hardware. Check for Camera2 API support first, and if your device has it, this is a capable and focused tool for $4.99.

The case for a paid manual camera

Manual Camera: DSLR Camera Pro is a focused tool rather than a general-purpose camera app. It does one thing well: it gives you control over exposure, focus and color, and it backs that up with RAW capture, 4K video and interval shooting. The absence of ads and in-app purchases is welcome, and the one-time $4.99 price is easy to understand.

The main caveat is the Camera2 API requirement, which limits the full feature set to compatible devices. If your phone supports it, the app delivers a genuinely useful set of tools for photographers who want to work deliberately. If it does not, the manual controls that define the app will not be available to you.

For anyone with a compatible Android phone who wants more from their mobile camera, this is a sensible purchase. It is not for casual snapshot takers, but for photographers who want to set the exposure themselves.

What's new in version 1.20

Add RAW-only option Screen rotation now unlocked Bugs fixed (Bracketing & Interval mode)