Camera MX: A great camera app for a great price (review)

When it comes to camera apps, I really haven't been the adventurous type. I generally stick with the stock camera app that comes on the device I am using. Why? Well, most of the camera apps I've tried in the past didn't really have much to offer beyond what the stock camera app had. I would use it and then realize that I didn't care enough about sepia tones to keep the app installed on my phone.

Enter Camera MX. As I start to look over the app description on Google Play, I notice something that intrigues me. They have a new feature called "shoot the past". For the first time in years I am intrigued to try out a camera app. Shoot the past essentially creates a buffer of images that allows you to go back a few seconds before the shot to find the "perfect" photo. Color me interested. So, I download the app and the feature lives up to my expectations.

Of course that 's not the only feature that Camera MX offers. They actually have a pretty slick option that renders effects in real time with both still shots and video. I do have to say that it's pretty impressive, but it's more of a feature that I would use to show off what my phone can do. I prefer my photos to look real and just wouldn't use it in my every day phone pics. In this review, I'll be looking at all the main features that the app offers.

Shoot the past:

I don't want to diminish the other features, but for me, this feature is the only reason that I keep this app on my phone. I absolutely love this feature. The feature technically works in any light condition and with the flash. However; only the main photograph will have the benefit of the flash's burst of light. The "shoot the past" photos will be in the lower light conditions, so to fully take advantage of this feature, it's best to take your photographs in well-lit areas. If you like to play with the effects you will be happy to learn that you won't have to sacrifice the "shoot the past" feature. it works just as well with the real time effects enabled. You can also save multiple photos from the "shoot the past" buffer. If you have kids, this is the best feature of any camera app that you will find for android.

Camera MX Effects:

Even though I'm not a big fan of effects on a practical basis, I'm not going to lie. The effects are pretty cool. There are 19 preset effects that have various levels of adjustments for each one. So you can sepia up your pictures and share them to Instagram or add any other effects that you like and add share them with whatever service you like. One of the best parts is that you can preview the effects real time as your taking the photo or video. If you prefer you can add the effects later. The nice thing is, that you can add the effects to anything on your phone. This includes all photos, videos, and even full-length movies (non-DRM'd). As with the camera portion, you can preview the effects in real time without committing to them, even with movies. As I said earlier, these are cool effects to show your friends and maybe share on facebook once and awhile, but for me they are more of a novelty than a practicality. The one practical feature here, at least for me, is that you can also trim the length of your videos. Unfortunately, you can not splice video's together at this point, but with all the improvements that are made to the app over time, I can see them adding that feature in the future.

Other Camera MX notable features:

Scene modes

Supports 16:9 recordings – even if the standard camera doesn't

Tablet compatible – can even be used without a camera

500MB Online Album – Magix

Send photos as postcards – using Pryynt paid service

One shot shortcut on home screen

Areas of improvement:

There is not much to add here. The only feature that I would like to see Camera MX add is, the ability to use your volume buttons to control the shutter. The stock camera app on my Padfone X has it and I'd like to see the developer Appic Labs add this feature in the future.

Overall:

Camera MX is a great app that I would enthusiastically recommend to anyone. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely, but this by far one of, if not, the best camera app for Android. The best part is that it's 100% free.

Source: Camera MX: A great camera app for a great price (review)