An update to one of the best third-party camera clients on Android has added support for Lollipop’s new camera API features, including manual focus, shutter speed control and RAW photo capture.
Camera FV-5, from developer Flavionet, promises the most DSLR-like experience on an Android phone or tablet. Of course, developing such an app for a platform as varied and unpredictable as Android is a feat unto itself, and the company has navigated those treacherous waters with grace. Until recently, and to some extent still today, its interface design has lagged behind the competition, but its feature set is unparalleled.
With version 2.31, Flavionet introduces support for the Camera2 API on Lollipop devices. Initially available for just the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6, it allows users to set shutter speed manually, as well as see realtime ISO settings in the frame. Users can also capture RAW photos as DNG and JPEG at the same time, another reason photography enthusiasts have been looking forward to Android 5.0.
The app boasts a “complete internal rewrite to take advantage of the improved camera support in Android 5.0 Lollipop,” and offers manual focus controls as well, something users on iOS 8 have been taking advantage of for some time.
Of course, the app isn’t going to magically make the Nexus 5 and 6 take better photos — the sensors are still the limiting factor — but more experienced users may be able to compensate for lower lighting situations, for example, as we did with an early version of a similar app in our Nexus 6 review.
The full changelog is below:
- New: complete internal rewrite to take advantage of the improved camera support in Android 5.0 Lollipop.
- These features are only available on Android 5.0 Lollipop onwards.
- New*: RAW capture in DNG format (DNG+JPEG).
- New*: manual shutter speed with a shutter speed scale in fractions of second to long exposure (replaces the old shutter speed priority toolbar).
- New*: manual focus mode (in focus mode toolbar).
- New*: realtime display of exposure parameters (shutter speed and ISO).
Camera FV-5 is $3.90 CAD and worth every penny.
