5 Best Camera Apps for Clear & Sharp Photos

A smartphone’s camera is a key feature these days. Whether you’re snapping selfies, capturing special moments, or recording videos, having a reliable camera app makes all the difference.

Unfortunately, not all built-in camera apps deliver the best quality. Some phone cameras are just average, which means your photos might not turn out as sharp or vibrant as you want.

That’s where third-party camera apps come in. They can fill the gaps and help you take better photos. Below are some of the top Android camera apps, recommended by Carisinyal.

1. ReLens

ReLens brings together professional camera controls, presets, and advanced AI editing in a simple package. You get full manual control over zoom, shutter speed, focus, ISO, and white balance.

The app captures high-definition images with excellent sharpness. If you prefer not to tweak manual settings, you can choose from a variety of professional presets. These presets adjust tone and mood for portraits, landscapes, street shots, or food photos. It’s great for getting upload-ready pictures with minimal effort.

For deeper customization, ReLens offers detailed color grading. You can manually adjust hue, saturation, luminance, and contrast to craft your preferred look.

One of the best features that I like is its AI Bokeh Editing. Instead of a basic blur, the AI analyzes depth, aperture, lens simulation, and the main subject to create a realistic background blur that rivals DSLR and mirrorless cameras. This gives your photos a professional edge without expensive gear.

What I like:

• Pro Camera mode with extensive manual controls
• Ready-to-use professional photo presets
• Advanced color grading tools
• Built-in Beauty Camera
• AI-powered bokeh effect that looks professional

One thing to note:

• Some of the more advanced tools require a premium subscription.

2. Open Camera

Open Camera is an open-source app created by Mark Harman and favored by serious mobile photographers. Despite offering a rich set of pro features, the interface stays clean and simple.

You won’t see a bunch of technical controls cluttering the main screen. Instead, all the advanced options live under the three-dot menu at the top. This design lets you enjoy technical freedom without feeling overwhelmed.

If your phone supports multiple lenses, Open Camera lets you switch between ultrawide, standard, and telephoto lenses, each delivering resolutions based on the sensor specs.

One useful feture is the exposure lock. Once you find the perfect lighting, lock it in to prevent automatic adjustments that could spoil your shot.

What I like:

• Open-source and completely free with no ads
• Full manual controls similar to a DSLR
• Simple, tidy user interface
• Supports multiple lenses if available on your device
• Exposure lock to keep lighting consistent

One thing to note:

• Some menu layouts and feature placements feel a bit awkward at times.

3. Manual Camera

If you want a camera app that feels like holding a DSLR right in your hand, Manual Camera is a strong candidate. It’s designed for users who want full control beyond automatic shooting.

You get complete manual controls over ISO (up to 3200), white balance, focus, and shutter speed. For those familiar with technical photography, these options are a big plus.

Another highlight is the ability to save photos in RAW (DNG) format as well as JPG. RAW files give you much more flexibility for editing in apps like Lightroom or Capture One.

Manual Camera also supports video recording with the same manual settings. This is rare among camera apps and useful if you want consistent control over your videos.

One downside is that ads pop up every time you close the app. They don’t affect shooting, but they can interrupt your overall experience.

What I like:

• Full manual controls including ISO, white balance, focus, and shutter speed
• Supports RAW (DNG) format for professional editing
• Manual video recording controls

One thing to note:

• Ads appear when you exit the app.

4. HD Camera

HD Camera is a no-nonsense app. It launches the camera instantly, so you can open, shoot, and save photos without delay.

This app doesn’t just provide advanced professional features, but it covers the basics like resolution settings, exposure, timer, and shooting modes. It’s a solid backup if your phone’s main camera isn’t working properly.

The app supports the front camera and video recording, so you can capture photos and videos alike.

What I like the most from this app is the Photo Stamp. You can add date, time, and GPS location stamps automatically on your photos, which is great for documentation.

What I like:

• Simple and easy to use
• Good as a replacement for a malfunctioning built-in camera
• Supports front camera and video
• Lightweight, won’t slow down your device

One thing to note:

• No professional camera simulation features included.

5. Cymera

Cymera is mostly known as a photo editor, but it also has a popular built-in camera among Android users. While it doesn’t provide manual camera controls, it’s great for quick snaps, selfies, and casual shots.

Cymera stands out with lens simulation effects like Sprocket, Fisheye, Double Lens, and even a four-lens camera effect. These don’t improve photo quality technically but add creative framing and style.

It also features a Beauty Camera accessible directly from the camera mode, blending photo taking and editing in one app.

What I like:

• Unique lens simulations for creative visual effects
• Built-in Beauty Camera for quick enhancements
• Ideal for selfies and casual photos without complicated settings
• Easy-to-use built-in photo editor

One thing to note:

• Lens effects are purely visual and don’t boost photo quality.

Not every smartphone has a high-quality camera, but these apps can help fill the gap. Some even mimic the look and feel of DSLR or mirrorless cameras to boost your photography game.