These days, AI in smartphones is almost the norm. It’s what powers most of your apps, including the camera. Yes, your camera app uses AI in ways you might not realize. The Google Pixel camera, in particular, relies on AI to make photos sharper in dark environments and reduce blur. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy camera leverages AI to capture micro-details in photos and edit objects.
But even though all that AI and computer processing makes your photos more perfect, the downside is that you don’t get a realistic output of what your camera’s sensor actually sees. Your photos lack the real natural lighting, tone and overall raw look. If you prefer to keep your photos unprocessed like a real compact camera, you can try a recently released Android app.
Called Viewfinder Mobile (VWFNDR+MBL), this Bayer RAW camera was developed by VWFNDR Camera Co., a Tokyo-based team that also builds physical compact cameras. What sets it apart from other camera apps is that it stays true to what your sensor captures. It’s free of AI, filters, and heavy processing, so every shot looks much closer to what your eyes and camera see at that moment. VWFNDR+ MBL is completely free to download and use, works on any Android phone running at least Android 10, and is lightweight at just 11MB. Let’s take a closer look at how it works and how to use it.
What is VWFNDR + MBL
VWFNDR + MBL is an Android application that replaces bulky gadgets, especially compact cameras. Instead of carrying a separate camera with you, you can simply use your phone and still experience the same image quality. Compared to your regular camera app, VWFNDR+MBL works like a camera. It doesn’t record video and relies solely on your rear camera sensor, meaning you don’t have a selfie mode.
The app does, however, come with basic camera settings. For example, you can change the aspect ratio, adjust exposure compensation, and set the exposure mode. It comes with six aspect ratios: 1:1, 7:6, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 and 2:1. Exposure compensation, on the other hand, will depend on your phone but can range from -2.0 to +2.0 with a step of 1/3. For exposure mode, you can choose between auto, P for ISO priority, S for shutter speed priority and M for manual exposure. If your mobile has optical image stabilization, the app also supports this feature.
By default, VWFNDR+MBL generates both DNG and JPEG files each time you shoot. If you have no use for RAW photos, you can choose to only generate JPEG instead. After taking the photo, the app automatically integrates it with a record built on C2PA’s open Content Credentials standard. This certifies that the image was photographed with a real camera and not generated by AI.
Beyond image format and provenance, VWFNDR+MBL also focuses on minimalism and quick access to settings. Unlike regular camera apps, all settings are laid out directly on the same panel as the capture button. You won’t need to navigate through menus to change them. This helps minimize interaction while shooting, so you can focus and quickly capture the moment.
How to use VWFNDR + MBL
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If you like intentional photography, VWFNDR+MBL is easily one of the essential Android photography apps to install. It is also quite simple to use. As soon as you open the app, you immediately have access to the shutter button and all camera settings in the control panel. Here you can adjust exposure compensation, preset, exposure mode and focus. You can’t zoom, but changing the aspect ratio can change the zoom. By default, the app’s aspect ratio is set to 2:3. To choose a new aspect ratio, simply drag the white center handle up or down until the next option appears. It will then fall into place. Once you’re ready, just press the big trigger. You can also press the volume down button to take a photo.
For added convenience, the VWFNDR+MBL control panel is fully customizable. All you have to do is long-press an item and drag and drop it elsewhere on the panel. Besides the control layout, you can also adjust the app settings. To access the settings, grab the white handle and drag it all the way up. There is an option here to change the copyright text (which by default shows your phone model), customize the camera setting on which the volume up button changes, and switch to a different color theme. This is also where you can change the file format to output only DNG, JPEG, or both.
If you pull down the white handle all the way, you will access the built-in gallery of VWFNDR + MBL. It contains all the photos you’ve taken with the app, each labeled with the camera settings used. You are free to share a photo directly from this gallery or delete all photos here.
