A Selection of RAW Photo Apps for the iPhone: A Worthy Second Rank

By Graham K. Rogers

I recently looked at a selection of photo apps I use on the iPhone X that allow me to produce images in RAW format. Since then I have examined 6 more that all produce RAW images with different user experiences due to interface design.

A couple of weeks ago I took a look at some photo apps on the iPhone that all had the capability, in one way or another, of producing images that could be saved as RAW files. I had been using RAW with my DSLR cameras for a while, so when the API that allows this capacity was introduced at WWDC 2016: it was just an item near the bottom of the slide, but the significance was not lost to me.

The rollout of suitable apps was not immediate, which would not be expected, or wise, but some already-existing apps, like 645 Pro and Manual added the features for users to take up if they wanted.

My first rank of RAW-capable photo apps, which I wrote about last time, were selected not because they were superior or had better features, but because they suit me. They are the first I go to, as I like the interfacing or ease of use and the results. These apps are 645 Pro, Halide, DSLR Camera and Pro Camera.

Each RAW image needs editing for the best results, but Photos on iOS only uses the JPG file available, or saves the edited RAW file in a different format, although the original is retrievable. I have refined my use of RAW-capable editing apps since focussing on RAW output in the last few weeks and now edit almost-exclusively in DarkRoom for the simple reason (apart from editing tools) that the library display in the app clearly shows which files are RAW with a small flag, so it is easier to find these quickly.

While working on my first rank of apps, I discovered a second wave of RAW-capable apps. I already had a couple on the iPhone; one I had to re-download; and found more in a search of the iTunes App Store. However, with the difficulty of finding anything in the App Store, this list is subjective rather than definitive. Although I have listed the 6 apps here as a second rank or wave, that does not detract from their value (see specific comments below) and users may prefer any of these (or others) over and above what I work with.

Prime - RAW Manual Camera

When opened, the interface is set in Auto mode but by touching controls this switches either to Tv (Time) Iv (ISO) or Manual. Shutter speed and ISO are clearly displayed at the bottom of the screen, but can be altered by touching the display box and dragging the finger left or right over the screen. Shutter speed will change when this is done, but this may also be changed in the same way (Shutter Priority).

While these changes are made, parts of the screen will display a highlight colour. The default is yellow, but this may be changed (red, green, blue) with a hard press on the P icon to the left of the shutter button. If this is pressed, the highlight is permanent onscreen (until turned off). To the left of the ISO and Shutter Speed boxes is an icon to change the lens selection (when available). This is marked 28mm or 57mm (depending on magnification used) on the iPhone X. Using auto-zoom changes the file type from RAW.

The top of the screen shows an exposure scale which, like ISO and Shutter speed can be adjusted by running the finger left or right. To the right of the shutter button is AWB. When pressed this displays a selection of scenario icons (Sun, Shadow, Cloud and more). There was also a letter K (Kelvin) for manual selection of temperature and tint using sliders. Auto seemed to work fine.

Alongside AWB is a settings icon with image quality and control settings. Images may be saved as JPEG, RAW and RAW + JPEG. Initially, when saved as RAW + JPEG I was unable to see the RAW file on the iPhone or the Mac, but switching to RAW only solved that for me.

Manual - RAW custom exposure

The interface of Manual - RAW custom exposure is clear and one of the nicest, in terms of simplicity I have. At the top of the screen are icons for flash, white balance (using similar icons to Prime, although the K option only shows a temperature slider), zoom (28mm and 56mm lens choice), and selfie camera.

The bottom of the screen shows a histogram and to the right of this is a slider allowing manual adjustment of EV (exposure value) when the Auto settings are used. Automatic focus (AF) is default but may be turned off and a slider selection between a flower icon (closeup) and mountains (infinity) is used.

Above the prominent orange shutter button is display of the current ISO value. Touching this shows a vertical panel that allows specific values to be selected from 34 to 750. Likewise the shutter speed button to the right allows time values from 1/4000 to 3 to be used.

Manual Cam

Unusually for this type of app aiming for the Pro user, there is a selection of filters accessed via settings. Like many, I prefer applying effects in post-editing. Also in settings is an icon to change screen resolution from Square (1:1) to 4:3. This is awkward and requires two taps to make the change.

It is certainly possible to create RAW images using Manual Cam, but turning this on or off is right down the bottom of the Settings panel so not immediately obvious. With RAW, there is no geotagging. Controls for ISO (22 - 2112), Shutter speed, White Balance and Focus may be used in Auto mode or adjusted: a tap on the icon followed by dragging the finger up or down the screen.

One prominent and unusual feature is the EV control: a large dial bottom left of the screen. When one of the adjustments is selected, for example, Focus, this wheel changes to allow this to control the specific feature. This also turns when the finger control is used.

Flannl RAW Camera

Like Manual Cam, the screen is mainly unbothered by controls, apart from a semi-transparent display of current settings (Speed, ISO, WB and Aperture - a useful addition). Just above is a clear icon to change zoom from X1 to X2. To the left of the shutter button is access to Settings, with clear selections for RAW or JPEG use.

Small buttons to the right of the shutter button allow toggling between Auto and Lock modes for Time and ISO, for Focus and for White Balance. When any one is on, its settings may be adjusted by swiping up or down the screen. Swiping across the screen allows the user to switch to other options, whether locked or not. When the finger is used to adjust one of these, the icon at the bottom switches to Lock mode. Despite a degree of familiarity, I found that once or twice trying to switch between options using the screen did not work initially.

ProCam 5

Switching between camera and video is effected using a small up (or down - depending on status) arrow, just to the left of the shutter button. This also shows options for Time Lapse, Night Mode, Burst Mode, Slow Shutter, Portrait and 3D Photos, not that I managed to make that work in my brief acquaintance. Also shown here were resolutions (1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9) as well as grid options.

At the top of the screen are selectors for Flash, RAW, TIFF , HDR and AEB (Automatic Exposure Bracketing), plus toggling for the two lenses, and the selfie camera. Just on the screen top is a semi-transparent display showing selection of input type (camera, video), 12MP (camera type of iPhone X), Flash options, what looks like a file icon, and a useful battery state.

The main camera input controls are at the bottom with status shown: AE, Shutter speed, iSO, AF and White balance. All could be adjusted manually and red shading appeared onscreen to indicate highlights. The app could be returned to Automatic mode by pressing AE. Different controls were available when Video or one of the other options was selected.

Settings opened a panel that has a rich availability of options in sections for Photo and Video, plus Info and Language (13). The number of options available here suggest that considerable thinking has gone into professional use. For example, I was pleased to see I was able to enter copyright information as well as other useful information.

ProShot - RAW DSLR Controls

The screen is fairly uncluttered with basic controls for resolution (26:9, 4:4 and 1.1) at the top. Just below is information about current ISO, Aperture and Shutter speed. An unusual and slightly obtrusive display on the screen shows the main focus point. This can be moved with the finger. By default this is green, but settings allow this to be changed to something more subtle.

To the right, and slightly more obtrusive, is a small panel with controls for flash, ISO and white balance. The default is auto, but pressing one displays a small panel with settings to choose from. There is also a gear wheel icon for the main app settings. Some of these are not initially as clear as they might be. I was not sure with a couple what I was changing with the small size of icons, nor if I was turning them on or off. A couple of minutes soon had that confirmed, however.

At the bottom of the screen is a semi-circular EV wheel, and to the right an icon that allows toggling between Auto, Program, Manual and Custom settings. I pressed a grey button to the right of the shutter button which changed the colour and information on the main button. When pressed, a volume level appeared on screen, so presumably this was a video option, but try as I might I was not able to switch back to the camera until I saw an icon to the left that produced a similar wheel for video controls. Once this had been accessed, the camera was available once more. I found this to be a little more fussy than suited me.

Comments

Manual - RAW custom exposure and Manual Cam both have simplicity as plus points for me, but the lack of recent updates reduces their attractiveness. Flannl again is reasonably simple and has an uncluttered screen, but its fussy, and sometimes intermittent adjustments made it less of a choice.

ProCam is a strong app and if a user wanted several ways to use the iPhone camera, this could be a good choice, especially when taking into consideration the rich variety of settings. This however, may be a drawback for some users who want to cut to the chase and just take photographs. It might take some setting up for a particular user, but once done, this has much to recommend it.

ProShot - RAW DSLR Controls is a slight disappointment in that its interface design did not suit me. It took a while to understand what the settings all meant, yet I think there had been a genuine attempt at interface simplicity.

iPhone X RAW image, with additional editing on the Mac

I tried all of these apps on the iPhone X although some work on earlier versions of the iPhone. When installed on my current iPad Air 2, RAW is not available and, depending on the app, a high quality image (in some cases TIFF) is produced. The Version 6 iPads, which are not expected here until May, should have RAW capabilities (I am waiting for confirmation), although not the dual lenses of iPhone X and Plus versions of iPhones.

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs. After 3 years writing a column in the Life supplement, he is now no longer associated with the Bangkok Post. He can be followed on Twitter (@extensions_th)