5 Best Camera Apps for Hiking Adventures!

Unleash your creativity with a detailed look at the powerful tools in these camera apps for mobile photographers.

Russell Richardson Jr

11 Jun 2023

We all know that capturing stunning photos during our hiking adventures is an essential part of the experience. The breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable moments deserve to be preserved in the best way possible.

These days, smartphones have become a popular choice for capturing memories on the go, thanks to their convenience and ever-improving camera capabilities.

But did you know that you can enhance your photography skills even more by using the right camera app?

Compared to your phone's stock camera app, these third-party apps are a great upgrade.

We'll be recommending the top 5 smartphone camera apps that will level up your hiking photography game. So, let's dive in and explore these amazing apps together!

1. ProCamera

First on our list is ProCamera, an exceptional camera app designed for those who want to take their smartphone photography to the next level.

Introducing ProCamera: Ultimate photo and video app for photography enthusiasts, creative minds, and professional users

Experience DSLR power in your hand
Seamless integration with iOS photo library

Capture Experience: Independent Focus and Exposure control

Manual, Semi-Automatic, and Automatic Modes
Advanced features: Self-Timer, Intervalometer, Fill Light, Selfie Mode, Capture Quality, Live Histogram, Optical & Digital Zoom, Optical Image Stabilization, Rapid Fire Mode, Apple Watch Remote Control, various aspect ratios, Code Scanner, iCloud-integrated Photo Album

Supported Formats: Dual & Triple Lens, RAW, ProRAW, TIFF, JPG, HEIF, 48-megapixel capture

Professional Video Capabilities: HD & UHD 4K videos, frame rates from 24 fps to 240 fps HFR

Auto, Semi-Auto, or Manual controls for Exposure, Focus, and White Balance
Support for H.265 (HEVC), ProRes 422 incl. ProRes HQ, Dolby Vision HDR Video, High Bitrate Recording, Audiometer, Stereo Audio
Compatible with Bluetooth, Lightning, or USB microphones

ProCamera Up: Unlock Premium Features (one-time purchase or subscription): Auto Perspective Correct, Custom Camera Presets (Exposure, WB, Focus), (RAW) Exposure Bracketing, Private Lightbox folder, specialty photo filter sets

Pros:

Advanced Features and Manual Controls: Users appreciate the extensive range of features and manual controls, allowing them to fine-tune their shots and achieve professional-quality results.
User-friendly Interface: Many users find the app's interface intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible even for those who are new to photography.
High-Quality Images and Videos: Customers praise the app for its ability to capture high-quality images and videos, comparable to those taken with DSLR cameras.
Wide Range of Supported Formats: The app's support for various formats like RAW, ProRAW, TIFF, JPG, and HEIF makes it versatile and suitable for different photography needs.
Regular Updates and Improvements: Users have noted that the developers frequently update the app, adding new features and improving existing ones.

Cons:

Compatibility Limitations: Some users are disappointed that the app is available only for iOS devices, excluding Android users from enjoying its features.
Learning Curve: A few customers find the app's extensive features and controls overwhelming at first, requiring some time to learn and get used to.
Cost of Premium Features: Some users feel that the additional cost for ProCamera Up (unlocking premium features) can be expensive.
Occasional Performance Issues: A small number of users have reported occasional app crashes or performance issues, although these seem to be rare occurrences.
Battery Consumption: Some customers have noted that the app can drain the battery quickly during extended use, which may be a concern for users on long hikes without access to charging.

2. Adobe Lightroom Mobile

Next up is Adobe Lightroom Mobile, a powerful editing app that also doubles as an excellent camera app. Lightroom Mobile is known for its extensive editing tools and presets, allowing you to fine-tune your hiking photos to perfection. It's like having your own personal photo lab right in your smartphone!

Introducing Adobe Lightroom:

Free photo & video editor for capturing and editing stunning images
Powerful presets and amazing filters for pictures
Easy-to-use tools for retouching images, applying camera filters, and fine-tuning backgrounds

Photo Presets & Filters:

Quick and easy edits with free presets and photo editor
200+ exclusive Premium Presets by professional photographers
AI adaptive preset for retouching photos
Create and save custom presets

Photo Editing & Camera:

Auto photo editor for instant improvements
Precision sliders for light settings, contrast, exposure, highlights, and shadows
Color mixer and color grading tools
Clarity, texture, dehaze, and grain sliders for photo enhancement
Crop and rotate features
Curves photo editor for advanced edits
Exposure, timer, instant presets, and advanced capture modes (raw, professional, HDR)

Video Editor:

Premium video editing features
Retouch and edit videos using Lightroom's popular photo editing tools
Apply presets, edit, trim, retouch, crop videos, and fine-tune contrast, highlights, vibrance, and more

Pros:

Comprehensive Editing Tools: Users appreciate the extensive range of photo and video editing tools available in the app, allowing them to achieve professional results.
Free to Use: Many customers love that it's a free app, providing powerful editing features without breaking the bank.
Intuitive Interface: Users find the app's interface user-friendly, making it easy for both beginners and experienced photographers to navigate and edit their photos.
High-Quality Presets: Customers praise the app's high-quality presets, which are created by professional photographers and help users quickly enhance their images.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: The app is available for both iOS and Android devices, making it accessible to a wide range of smartphone users.

Cons:

Premium Features at a Cost: Some users feel that the premium features, such as advanced editing and additional presets, can be expensive when considering the subscription-based pricing model.
Performance Issues on Older Devices: Some users with older devices have reported occasional app crashes or performance issues, although these seem to be less common on newer devices.
Limited Features in Free Version: A few customers feel that certain essential features should be included in the free version, rather than being reserved for the premium subscription.
Storage and Sync Limitations: Some users have expressed concerns about storage limitations and sync issues when using the app, especially when working with large photo collections.

3. Halide Mark II

Meet Halide, a beautifully designed camera app that combines simplicity with advanced features, perfect for capturing stunning hiking photos.

Halide's intuitive gesture-based controls make it easy for you to adjust settings quickly and effortlessly, ensuring that you never miss a shot during your hikes.

With features like focus peaking for sharp images, RAW capture for maximum editing flexibility, and depth mapping for stunning portrait shots, Halide is a powerhouse camera app that will elevate your hiking photography. In my opinion, this is one of the best camera apps for Android users.

Introducing Halide Mark II:

Award-winning camera app with accolades such as App Store Editor's Choice and iMore's "App of the Year 2020"
Elegant, simple design for a pro camera experience accessible to everyone
Groundbreaking app for deliberate and thoughtful photography with high-end tools

Features:

Gesture-based interface for one-handed use
Portraits of pets and objects on iPhone XR and SE
Manual focus, Focus Loupe, and Focus Peaking
Halide Smart RAW with Machine Learning optimization
Full manual exposure controls (shutter speed, ISO, white balance)
Exposure tools: histograms, XDR 14-bit RGB waveform, color zebra stripes
Capture formats: RAW, TIFF, HEIC, JPG
Grid overlay with built-in level
Powerful reviewer with detailed metadata view
Instant RAW development process
Technical Readout for iPhone camera hardware details
Apple Watch companion app and Siri Shortcuts support
Coverage feature for simultaneous HDR-processed image and DNG RAW capture
In-app comprehensive lessons and tutorials
Privacy-focused design without trackers or data collection

Feature Limitations:

ProRAW requires iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max or iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max
Ultra Wide and selfie cameras do not support RAW or manual focus (unless on iOS 15)
Waveform requires iPhone 8 or later
Depth Capture requires specific iPhone models (7 Plus, 8, X, XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, or SE2)

Pros:

Intuitive Gesture-Based Controls: Users appreciate the app's gesture-based controls, which make it easy to adjust settings and focus with one hand while taking photos.
High-End Tools and Features: Customers love the advanced tools and features available in Halide, such as histograms, XDR 14-bit RGB waveform, color zebra stripes, and various capture formats, which help them achieve professional-quality results.
Beautiful Interface: Many users find the app's interface visually appealing and well-designed, inspired by professional cameras and tailored to the latest iPhones.
ProRAW Support: Users with compatible devices (iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max or iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max) appreciate the support for ProRAW, providing greater detail and flexibility in editing photos.
Privacy-Focused Design: Customers value the app's commitment to privacy, ensuring that no data or photos are collected without their consent.

Cons:

iOS Compatibility Limitations: Some users are disappointed that the app is available only for iOS devices, excluding Android users from enjoying its features.
Feature Restrictions on Certain Devices: A few customers have noted that some features, like ProRAW and manual focus, are not available on all iPhone models, limiting their experience with the app.
Price Concerns: No free version, just a 7-day free trial
Battery Consumption: Some users have mentioned that the app can drain the battery quickly during extended use, which may be a concern for those on long hikes or trips without access to charging facilities.

4. Pro Camera by Moment

Next up is the Moment Pro Camera app, another excellent option for photographers who want more control over their smartphone camera settings.

Moment Pro Camera offers manual controls for ISO, shutter speed, and focus, giving you the ability to fine-tune your shots and achieve professional-quality results during your hiking adventures.

Not only does Moment Pro Camera excel in photography, but it also boasts impressive video capabilities, allowing you to capture your hiking memories in various frame rates and resolutions.

This app is designed to work seamlessly with Moment lenses, enhancing your smartphone photography even further. Plus, it's available for both iOS and Android devices, making it widely accessible to hikers around the world.

Introducing the Moment Camera App:

NEW Timelapse mode for captivating time-lapse videos
Slow Shutter mode for long exposure shots with motion blur and light trails
Photography Features:
Focus peaking, zebra stripes, RAW and TIFF support
Split Focus and Exposure, full manual controls
Burst mode in RAW format, HEIF and HEVC support

Filmmaker Features:

Focus peaking, zebra stripes, color profiles
Adjustable video bitrates, RGB histogram, waveform monitor
Audio meters, live histogram, video stabilization
Precise video settings, anamorphic lens support

Compatibility:

Works with triple/dual lens control, Moment lenses, Moment Battery Case
Apple Watch remote control, Siri Shortcuts support
RAW and 3D shutter require iPhone 6S or later

Pros:

Wide Range of Features: Users appreciate the extensive range of photography and filmmaking features, such as focus peaking, zebra stripes, RAW and TIFF shooting, and manual controls, which cater to both amateurs and professionals.
Compatibility with Moment Lenses: Customers love that the app is designed to work seamlessly with Moment lenses, enhancing their mobile photography experience.
Easy Integration with Apple Watch and Siri Shortcuts: Many users find the app's integration with Apple Watch and Siri Shortcuts convenient, allowing for quick access and remote control of the camera.
Premium Features: Users enjoy the premium features like timelapse and slow shutter mode, which add versatility and creativity to their photography.
Frequent Updates and Improvements: Customers appreciate the regular updates and improvements made by the developers, ensuring a smooth and feature-rich experience.

Cons:

Price Concerns: Some users feel that the app's price might be too high, especially when compared to other camera apps on the market.
Compatibility Limitations: A few customers are disappointed that the app is available only for iOS devices, excluding Android users from enjoying its features.
Learning Curve: Some users find the app's extensive features and controls overwhelming at first, requiring time to learn and get accustomed to before fully utilizing its potential.
Feature Restrictions on Certain Devices: A few customers have noted that some features, like RAW and 3D shutter, are not available on all iPhone models, limiting their experience with the app.
Battery Consumption: Some users have mentioned that the app can drain the battery quickly during extended use, which may be a concern for those on long hikes or trips without access to charging facilities.

5. Snapseed

Last but not least is Snapseed, a powerful photo-editing app developed by Google that can help you transform your hiking photos into masterpieces.

Snapseed offers a wide range of editing tools and filters, allowing you to make adjustments from basic tweaks to more advanced edits, ensuring that your hiking photos look their best.

One of Snapseed's standout features is its selective adjustment tool, which lets you apply edits to specific areas of your image with precision, giving you full control over your final result.

Snapseed is available for both iOS and Android devices, so no matter what smartphone you're using, you can take advantage of this fantastic photo-editing app.

Snapseed Summary:

Professional photo editor developed by Google
29 Tools and Filters, including Healing, Brush, Structure, HDR, Perspective
Supports JPG and RAW files
Save personal looks and apply them to new photos later
Selective filter brush for targeted edits
Fine, precise control for style adjustments
Tutorial cards with tips and tricks

Key Features:

RAW Develop for non-destructive editing
Tune image for exposure and color adjustments
Details for enhancing surface structures
Crop, Rotate, and Perspective tools
White Balance adjustment
Brush and Selective retouch tools
Healing for removing unwanted elements
Vignette, Text, and Curves tools
Expand, Lens Blur, and Glamour Glow effects
Tonal Contrast, HDR Scape, and Drama filters
Grunge, Grainy Film, Vintage, and Retrolux styles
Noir, Black & White, Frames, and Double Exposure options
Face Enhance and Face Pose for portrait improvements

Pros:

Wide Range of Tools and Filters: Users love the app's 29 tools and filters, which cater to various editing needs and help them achieve professional-looking results.
Support for RAW Files: Customers appreciate the app's support for both JPG and RAW files, allowing them to edit high-quality images with greater detail and control.
Selective Filter Brush: Users enjoy the selective filter brush feature, which enables targeted adjustments for specific areas of a photo.
User-Friendly Interface: Many customers find the app's interface intuitive and easy to navigate, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced photographers.
Free to Use: Users love that Snapseed is entirely free to use, providing powerful editing features without any hidden costs or subscription fees.

Cons:

Limited Social Media Integration: Some users wish for better social media integration, making it easier to share edited photos directly from the app.
Occasional Performance Issues: A few customers have reported minor performance issues, such as occasional app crashes or slow processing times when applying filters.
Lack of Advanced Features: A few customers feel that the app could benefit from more advanced features, such as layer support or more in-depth color grading options.
No Desktop Version: Some users would prefer a desktop version of the app to work on larger screens and with more processing power.