Google Camerafor Android

Google Camera is a big step up from the photo software you find on your smartphone out of the box. It has a different approach to effects and loads of cool features.

Shoot first, edit later

A useful and innovative alternative to the standard Android camera app on your smartphone.

Google Camera has some attractive features that you would expect to find on a high-end application. This includes an exciting effect called Lens Blur, which gives a retro-feel to your pictures. You can make your subject stand out more by blurring the background. This is an old analogue trick that simulates adjusting the depth-of-field on a traditional SLR lens.

It supports panorama photos, as with the standard Android photo app and programs like Photaf Panorama. Much more exciting is the PhotoSphere effect. This allows the photographer to take 360-degree shots as if the viewer were in a bubble. The viewer can move in any direction to see your world from ‘inside’ of the photo. You can also share with your contacts in street view in Google Maps.

HDR is becoming standard these days, and it makes a massive difference for scenes with awkward lighting set-ups. You can photograph light and dark areas in the same photo without losing essential details. HDR is easy to activate with one touch. There are no awkward menus and settings to contend with, like the HDR function on CameraZoom FX app.

Another nice touch is the presentation. There’s no clutter on the standard view, only a shutter button. They have a refreshing approach to processing and filters, most of which happens after taking the photo.

The app takes advantage of the full image size of your camera sensor. There’s no cropping to produce the currently fashionable 16:9 aspect widescreen pictures. This means that you are not losing image data. You can choose the frame-style in the editing process.

Where can you run this program?

Google Camera runs on Android 4.4 and above.

Is there a better alternative?

No. For a free download with no in-app purchases, this is the best of the available choices. It’s well thought out with the post-photo editing and the clean and simple interface. It feels like it’s designed to take photos on the fly, yet has quality post production effects as well.

Our take

Google Camera is an excellent piece of free software. It’s well worth owning and not only replaces, but enhances, the standard Android photo software. You need a recent phone to run it but, assuming you have one, it’s well worth the time and effort to install.

Should you download it?

Yes. If you are looking for a competent camera app with some pro effects, then this is for you.