# OpenCam: Open Gate Camera — Cinematic Videos, Pro Tools

> Open gate video camera app for cinematic recording and editing. (iPhone/iPad app by ZHI QI.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opencam-open-gate-camera/id6743316690 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [ZHI QI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1600280957)
- Category: Photo & Video, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 45 App Store ratings · 32 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 36 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2025-06-30
- Data updated: 2026-08-22
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opencam-open-gate-camera/id6743316690/reviews.md

## What is OpenCam?

OpenCam is the IMAX style video recording app built for creators, filmmakers, and everyday users. Capture cinematic 4:3 immersive videos that’s easy to edit for any social platform. Featured on YouTube and MacStories.

OpenCam records in the cinematic open gate format, utilising your full camera sensor. One video can be edited into both vertical and horizontal orientations, so you can share on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, while retaining your scene. 
Open gate is also used in iconic films like The Lighthouse, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and Perfect Days. OpenCam brings the professional filmmaker framing to your iPhone. 

OpenCam features intuitive manual controls and professional features like ProRes and Apple Log 2 for beautiful, cinematic videos — without the complexity of other video recording apps.

Key Features:

Shoot in a Wider 4:3 Frame
OpenCam records in an open gate 4:3 aspect ratio, giving you more room to capture, edit, and create. It’s significantly wider than standard iOS video.

Record Once, Edit for any Social Media platform
Capture one video and have more room for both vertical and horizontal formats — perfect for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube. 

Live LUT previews
Import your .cube LUT files into OpenCam, and preview the Apple Log footage with your LUT applied when recording.

Pro Tools
Includes powerful features like Apple Log, ProRes, variable HEVC bitrate, for stunning quality and pro-level color control.

Intuitive Manual Controls
Adjust focus, brightness, tone, and more — instantly. Sliders are always visible and easy to use, so you stay in control without missing the moment.

Effortless Exposure Lock
Lock in your look with a tap. Our simple exposure system makes it easy to get consistent, professional-looking results.

Intuitive Glide Zoom
Create dramatic dolly-style zoom effects with steady gliding zoom. Use this to mimic dolly effects seen in popular films and shows like Jaws and Severance.  

Privacy First
Your videos stay on your device. Always. No accounts, no cloud storage, no data tracking.


Whether you’re making family montages, daily vlogs, or cinematic edits, OpenCam helps you capture more of what matters. Download OpenCam now and unlock the full potential of your iPhone camera.
Terms: https://opencam.app/terms
Privacy: https://opencam.app/privacy

## Key features

- Shoot in wider 4:3 frame
- Record once, edit for any social media
- Live LUT previews
- Pro tools (Apple Log, ProRes)
- Intuitive manual controls
- Effortless exposure lock
- Glide zoom effect

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Yearly (1 Year) | $17.99 | per year |
| Pro Monthly (1 Month) | $2.99 | per month |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Lifetime | $24.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 32)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opencam-open-gate-camera/id6743316690/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Bug Fix Required

*2026-06-25*

It is a wonderful app, ngl but there are still some huge bugs that when we take the video, the video recording stops in the middle of it and it wont saves. I lost some datas because of it. Make sure to fix it asap

**Developer response:** Could you reach out to me at riccqi@pm.me? I would love to learn more details and figure out why this is happening for you. Thank you!

### 4/5 — Needs Audio Levels

*2026-06-18*

Needs ability to monitor/adjust audio levels and to choose microphones, as well as use with Bluetooth mics and to be able to monitor with a Bluetooth headphone.

### 2/5 — not worth it

*2026-06-01*

I've seen others say there are alternatives, but if you actually want the whole sensor, this is the only video app I've seen to actually expose full sensor 4k video.

even the built in quicktake video feature, at least for 15 gen and below iphones, can do full sensor video but only at 1440p in sdr.

so despite having that feature that I have really been looking for in a camera app; all the other stuff people have said about the payments, and the fact that it wants access to my whole camera roll just to save anything is crazy. and makes this app not worth it for me.

the 4k 4:3 video on here doesn't have any option for stabilization either, which I get might require a bit of a crop in, but I think that should be an option.

idk, this app is too greedy and shady for me. it's probably trying to harvest your camera roll if you let it. especially since it holds saving any video at all hostage behind allowing it that full access.



reply to the dev reply:
okay, assuming nothing about this app has changed since I wrote the original review (I think a couple months ago), I don't remember what I was referring to by log in, so I'll take that specific piece out since you say it now as if you never asked for that.

but downloading this app again now, it does still look like you want way more money for basic features than I am interested in spending, and it does still look like you require full camera roll access to save anything.

for me this is not cool.
you could save video with just add only permissions, or at the very least accept limited access with no photos selected like a lot of other 3rd party camera apps accept currently.
I'm actually surprised this app distinguishes between full access and empty limited access granted and I see no reason to require my actual full camera roll to be shared with you unless you actually want to do something with my preexisting photos.

maybe this is something you haven't considered, or some glitch in the permission check implementation in this app, but from my perspective this behavior looks weird.

**Developer response:** Thanks for the detailed follow-up. You’re right to be cautious about photo-library permissions, and I understand why the current behavior feels uncomfortable.

OpenCam does not collect or upload personal data, and there’s no login requirement. The full Photos access prompt is related to how the app currently saves and manages recorded videos in the Photos library, not because I want access to people’s existing photos. That said, I understand your point about add-only or limited Photos access, and I’m going to review the permission flow to see if saving can work with less access.

On 4K 4:3 stabilization: I agree that would be useful. At the moment, Apple’s camera APIs don’t appear to provide stabilized full-sensor 4:3 capture at 4K, but I’ll update the app if and when Apple makes that available.

Thanks again for the feedback. Even where I disagree with parts of the review, this is useful and helps me improve the app.

### 4/5 — Working well but

*2026-03-27*

Almost perfect. But 4 stars will be charged to 5 when I will be able to delete files by swipe or selecting them and delete them all.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback! Bulk deletion has been added in the latest 2.1 version.

### 3/5 — Great app, but the camera sometimes freezes

*2026-03-11*

I actually really like this camera app. As someone who makes a lot of content, the overall design and workflow feel great. It’s very creator-friendly and easy to use.

But there’s one issue that keeps happening.

After recording around 7–10 clips, the camera will sometimes freeze while recording. The image just stops moving and that whole clip becomes unusable. It doesn’t happen every time, but it happens often enough that it’s frustrating.

For content creators this is a pretty big problem, because we can easily miss important moments when the camera freezes.

Other than that, the app is honestly great and I’d love to keep using it.
I really hope the developers can fix this freezing bug in a future update.

If that gets fixed, this would easily be a 5-star app for me.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your kind feedback. I have tried addressing the freezing issue in the latest 2.1 update. Could you try and let me know if this is still an issue? I look forward to hearing from you!

### 2/5 — not worth it

*2026-01-22*

I've seen others say there are alternatives, but if you actually want the whole sensor, this is the only video app I've seen to actually expose full sensor 4k video.

even the built in quicktake video feature, at least for 15 gen and below iphones, can do full sensor video but only at 1440p in sdr.

so despite having that feature that I have really been looking for in a camera app; all the other stuff people have said about the payments, and the fact that it wants access to my whole camera roll just to save anything is crazy. and makes this app not worth it for me.

the 4k 4:3 video on here doesn't have any option for stabilization either, which I get might require a bit of a crop in, but I think that should be an option.

idk, this app is too greedy and shady for me. it's probably trying to harvest your camera roll if you let it. especially since it holds saving any video at all hostage behind allowing it that full access.



reply to the dev reply:
okay, assuming nothing about this app has changed since I wrote the original review (I think a couple months ago), I don't remember what I was referring to by log in, so I'll take that specific piece out since you say it now as if you never asked for that.

but downloading this app again now, it does still look like you want way more money for basic features that I am interested in spending, and it does still look like you require full camera roll access to save anything.

for me this is not cool.
you could save video with just add only permissions, or at the very least accept limited access with no photos selected like a lot of other 3rd party camera apps accept currently.
I'm actually surprised this app distinguishes between full access and empty limited access granted and I see no reason to require my actual full camera roll to be shared with you unless you actually want to do something with my preexisting photos.

maybe this is something you haven't considered, or some glitch in the permission check implementation in this app, but from my perspective this behavior looks weird.

**Developer response:** Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. A few clarifications:
- The app does not require a login.
- Photos access is an : On iOS, full access to your photo library is required if you want the app to also save and delete items you recorded. This is Apple’s design, not data collection.
- Privacy: The App Store’s App Privacy section for this app explicitly states “Data Not Collected.” The app does not collect ANY personal data.
- 4K 4:3 stabilization: At the moment, Apple’s APIs don’t provide sensor-crop stabilization for full-sensor 4:3 at 4K. This will be true for any other iOS camera app.

I’d appreciate it if you could update or retract the statements about logins, data collection, and Photos access, as they’re not accurate and can harm OpenCam's credibility. I’m a solo developer working hard to build something useful. I’m always open to constructive feedback, but inaccurate reviews like these really hurts. If you'd like, please reach out to me at riccqi@pm.me

### 1/5 — App crashes & doesn’t save

*2025-12-24*

App crashed multiple times and didn’t save the video I was recording.

**Developer response:** Sorry about the bad experience with app crashes! I have addressed this in the latest 2.1 update and early beta feedback have been positive. Could you try it again and see if the issues are addressed? Thank you!

### 1/5 — Awful app

*2025-12-04, version 2.0.3*

Only allows limited “saves” per day on free, not disclosed until you hit the limit so this is totally useless unless you want to pay them the extortionate monthly charge

### 1/5 — Video lost/stuttering

*2025-12-03, version 2.0.3*

A terrible bug! I have the premium plan, but the video starts very delayed compared to when I pressed the record, and sometimes would not even pop up in the app after recording. Have lost so much footage. 

Even worse, when viewing the final footage, there’s noticeable stutter.

### 4/5 — Not working

*2025-11-30*

brought your app but not getting open of stabilisation standard and cinamatic on 4:3 also not having 4k on 60p after purchased

## Frequently asked questions about OpenCam

### What is OpenCam and what does it do?

OpenCam is a video camera app designed for creators and filmmakers. It allows users to capture videos in the cinematic open gate format, utilizing the full camera sensor. This format provides more flexibility for editing into both vertical and horizontal orientations suitable for various social media platforms.

### What are the key features of OpenCam?

Key features include shooting in a wider 4:3 frame, recording once for multiple social media edits, live LUT previews, professional tools like Apple Log and ProRes, intuitive manual controls for focus and brightness, effortless exposure lock, and a glide zoom effect for dolly-style shots.

### Is OpenCam free to use?

The application is free to download and use, offering a range of features for capturing and editing videos. It also includes in-app purchases, suggesting that some advanced features or tools may be available for purchase.

### What devices is OpenCam compatible with?

Based on the description mentioning ProRes and Apple Log 2, the app is designed for iPhones, leveraging advanced camera hardware and software capabilities. Specific iOS version compatibility is not detailed but is implied to be for modern iPhone models.

### What are common use cases for OpenCam?

Common use cases include creating family montages, daily vlogs, and professional cinematic edits. The app's ability to capture in open gate and edit for multiple platforms makes it ideal for content creators on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1.1 — 2026-08-20

• More reliable video and audio recording
• Better HDR preview colors
• Camera controls optimized for Liquid Glass
• New shutter speeds to help reduce screen flicker
• Bug fixes and performance improvements

### 2.1 — 2026-05-14

OpenCam 2.1 brings baked-in LUTs, seamless lens switching mid recording, and a more refined experience so you never miss the perfect take.

Baked-in LUTs are now fully enabled during recording
Switch between lenses mid-recording without missing a beat
Improved HDR preview for a more accurate display
Fixed video saving issues when quitting the app during an active recording
New option to delete video files from within the app while keeping them safe in Photos, helping you free up space
Video preview list now loads faster and feels snappier
Lots of under-the-hood bug fixes and improvements!

Thank you for using OpenCam. Please keep reaching out with your feedback!

### 2.0.3 — 2025-11-09

• Improved reliability when saving videos to external folders. If you use this feature, please update!
• Fix issues with camera feed not responding for users on iOS 26.1.
• Fix video list not opening up for some users.
• Stability improvements.

Thanks so much for all your feedback and support for OpenCam!

### 2.0.2 — 2025-11-07

• Improved reliability when saving videos to external folders. If you use this feature, please update for the best experience.
• Clearer and more helpful error messages.
• More consistent primary accent text color across the app.
• Fixed bug with with tap-to-focus when the manual focus dial was enabled.
• Various other bug fixes and stability improvements.

Thanks so much for all your feedback and support for OpenCam!

### 2.0.1 — 2025-10-20

Update 2.0 is here! It includes many highly requested features, improves compatibility with iPhone 17, the Air series, and iOS 26.
Major new features:
- Fully utilise the new square selfie sensor on the iPhone 17 and Air series. Enables flexible aspect ratios, and MAX stabilization.
- Real-time LUT previews let you import LUTs and see them live on the viewfinder.
- Added standard 16:9 recording across every camera for standard widescreen shots.
- Shoot HD+ open gate, now up to 60FPS with Apple Log enabled.
- Wider ProRes support, including at 4K+ open gate.
- Added option to record to an external drive.
- New shutter angle control option.
- Lock exposure bias and white balance automatically when you hit record.
- Redesigned video browser makes jumping back to recent clips faster.

Update 2.0.1 contains small bug fixes.

Thank you to everyone who has submitted feedback! Your input continues to make OpenCam better with each update.

## Apps similar to OpenCam

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Pearla - Pro Filmic Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pearla-pro-filmic-camera/id6477783991) | 4.2 (305) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Color Grade Video - PeekLut](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/color-grade-video-peeklut/id6473661560) | 4.7 (611) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Moment Pro Camera II](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/moment-pro-camera-ii/id6748837351) | 4.4 (410) | $9.99 | Photo & Video |
| [Digilog Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digilog-camera/id6753213428) | 4.6 (18) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Log Cam: Open Gate by RAW Cam](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/log-cam-open-gate-by-raw-cam/id6766185881) | 4.0 (40) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Open camera app](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/open-camera-app/id6754071398) | 3.2 (21) | Free | Photo & Video |

## More apps by ZHI QI

- [Log: Job Application Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/log-job-application-tracker/id1600280955)
- [Scout: AI Travel Guide](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scout-ai-travel-guide/id6664071697)

All apps by ZHI QI: https://appshunter.io/developer/1600280957

## Related topics

[pearla](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pearla) · [open camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/open-camera) · [pearla app camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pearla-app-camera)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-22.*
