If you have even a passing interest in creative photography or videography, you would benefit from knowing the more advanced settings of mobile cameras. Most devices, including iPhone, Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy models, offer a pro-level mode that lets you adjust a host of camera-related settings to fine-tune the photos you capture. But to satisfy casual users, the majority of device manufacturers also add software features that automatically enhance captured media, which can result in overprocessed, overexposed, or overly sharp content — photos and videos can end up that way. The problem with video recording on Android is that you can’t turn it off; with photos you can. Apple addresses this problem with its log video format on iPhones, which looks a lot like RAW, to provide a flat, desaturated image for proper color grading. Pixel and many Android phones have nothing like this. At least, they don’t do it natively.
A new app called Native Camera aims to solve this problem. Although it was initially designed for Pixel devices, it is also available for any compatible Android device. It “unleashes the raw power of your device”, essentially allowing you to use standard camera hardware, completely bypassing any default software or image processing. You get as close as possible to a clean video stream, allowing you to refine later with post-processing and editing of your own accord. You can also just use the video as is, in its clear, original form.
Native Camera isn’t the only app to do this. You can also try alternatives like Open Camera or ProShot, but the fact is that you will need a third-party tool to eliminate misleading processing on some devices.
Why would you want an app like Native Camera?
Try as you might, even with the best camera tips and tricks for your Google Pixel, you won’t remove the digital processing applied to your videos without some extra help. Newer models also go further by moving camera processing off-device and into the cloud, which can lead to less-than-stellar experiences. This processing can also make subjects, especially people, look strange in the final videos. If you’re a creative who wants full control over the exposure, sharpness, color grading, and overall mood of your video content, you need to seek help, and that’s where apps like Native Camera come in. That’s a shame because many modern devices, from the latest Pixel to the latest Galaxy models, have very, very good cameras capable of professional-level video shooting.
What’s also cool is that your Android camera can do a lot more than just take photos and videos. Through apps, the camera can be reused in a variety of ways beyond traditional capture. If it can measure heart rate, scan barcodes and groceries, help the visually impaired, or scan your body, surely there is a way to integrate the native, pure video stream into a recording? Especially when you can install an Android app that makes your photos look like they’re coming from a point-and-shoot camera rather than a phone.
Apps like Native Camera and Open Camera do just that. They not only give you clean and raw video recordings, but also unedited and unprocessed versions that you can then adjust yourself.
