CameraPixels Lite vs HDR Max
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CameraPixels Lite
This app offers advanced manual controls for mobile photography and videography. It provides features like bracketing, slow shutter, and time-lapse modes, along with tools for macro and HDR photography. The intuitive interface helps users focus on capturing the perfect shot.
- Manual photography and videography controls
- Exposure and focus bracketing
- Slow shutter and time-lapse modes
- Macro photography support
- Professional HDR capabilities
- ISO/Shutter priority modes
- Histogram and clipping warnings
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CameraPixels is a unique manual photography app. The premium tools and intuitive UI make CameraPixels the best choice for professional mobile photographers. CameraPixels participated in Berkley Eclipse Megamovie 2017 thanks to its extensive raw bracketing. All-in-one ============= CameraPixels is all-in-one capture solution, that supports multiple photo and video capture modes. Among them are Bracketing, Slow Shutter and Time-lapse modes. CameraPixels has the most advanced bracketing available on the iOS platform, which includes exposure and focus bracketing. Best for macro photography ============= With CameraPixels you can capture the best macro shots, be it a single image or a series of images, called focus bracketing, which can later be combined into one all-in-focus photo (requires external app for focus stacking). If you have an external macro lens, let CameraPixels save its name to the EXIF data for you, so later you can always remember which lens was used. Currently CameraPixels supports Olloclip™, Loupe System™ and Moment™ lenses. Best for professional HDR photography ============= CameraPixels has the most advanced exposure bracketing on iOS. With up to 15 images per bracket you can capture even the most difficult lighting situations. CameraPixels support auto-, iso and shutter-brackets, with an optional flash frame. The captured images can be used to create stunning HDR photos using your favorite professional HDR software. Intuitive UI ============= CameraPixels has a simple and efficient UI. The most important information is always in front of your eyes, and this allows you to avoid surprises like an unexpected flash fire or the wrong output photo or video format. Stop being distracted by the uncertainty of the settings, concentrate on your capture! ISO/Shutter priority modes ============= CameraPixels is among a few photography apps that support advanced exposure modes like ISO and Shutter priority. These modes are indispensable during dynamic photography when there is no time for adjusting manual exposure. Histogram and clipping warnings ============= The histogram is a great tool to estimate your exposure. It can show you if the photo has under-exposed or over-exposed areas. Clipping warnings, on the other hand, can show you exactly where those under and over-exposed areas in your photo are. Depth capture ============= On dual/triple-camera devices, CameraPixels can capture depth information alongside the colour photo. If the photo has depth information, in the preview window, two additional buttons appear (depth and portrait) that allow you to inspect the depth of the image and apply it to simulate an aperture. Presets ============= CameraPixels was designed for professional photographers that value efficiency of their workflow. The unlimited presets, including the possibility to expose them to Widget make CameraPixels the ultimate photography tool. Features overview ============= - UI optimized for manual capture - RAW and ProRAW (on supported devices) photo capture - Auto, manual and semi-automatic (ISO- and Shutter-priority) exposure modes - Photo, Burst, Portrait, Slow Shutter, Exposure Bracket, Focus Bracket, Video and Time-lapse - Clipping warnings to highlight under- and over-exposed areas in real time - Focus peaking and loupe during the manual focus adjustments - Single or series of Exposure Brackets with up to 15 images per bracket. AEB, ISO- and Shutter-brackets are available. - Single or series of Focus Brackets with up to 100 images per bracket - Adjustable photo and video resolution - Adjustable photo and video quality - Advanced photo processing (Smart HDR and Deep fusion on supported devices) - Unlimited presets with the possibility of exposing them to the widget - Advanced intervalometer - Multiple framing options
HDR Max
Enhance your photos with powerful HDR effects and a comprehensive suite of editing tools. This app simplifies professional-level edits with real-time previews and a streamlined interface, allowing you to create detailed and unique images.
- Powerful HDR effects
- Integrated photo gallery
- Extensive color filters
- Special effects (mirror, sketch, glitch)
- Essential editing tools (contrast, brightness)
- Unlimited undo
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HDR Max provides you with all the tools you need to bring out the best in your photos. The unique filtering technology enables you to enhance your images with powerful HDR effects without the hassle of multiple exposures. Your images will be full of details like never before. HDR Max is a full-featured pro photo editor with an integrated set of flexible tools. The streamlined design of the app makes it simple to use yet powerful: you can start making professional level edits without spending hours watching tutorials. All filters and effects have fast and accurate real-time previews. High-performance rendering makes experimenting a breeze. Get HDR Max now and experience powerful editing made simple! Features • HDR effects: dynamically adjust global and local contrast levels independently to bring out details and create a unique look for your photos • Integrated photo gallery • Pinch-to-zoom • Adjustable split screen A/B view • Unlimited undo • Extensive set of color filters for one-tap enhancement • Special effects: mirror/reflection, sketch/cartoon, miniature/tilt-shift, glitch effects and many more • The essentials: contrast, brightness, saturation, exposure and color temperature • Color balance • Sharpening • Vignette for retro look • Straighten image, adjust horizon • Cropping • Flip/mirror • Orientation Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: HDR Max at 4.7 against CameraPixels Lite's 4.3. HDR Max also leads on ratings volume (431 vs 46). CameraPixels Lite's advantage is device support (4 vs 2). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. CameraPixels Lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and HDR Max sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
HDR Max holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HDR Max has 431 ratings behind it against 46, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of CameraPixels Lite's written reviews are positive against 76% of HDR Max's.
CameraPixels Lite ships an update every 6 weeks, HDR Max monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CameraPixels Lite | HDR Max |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (46 ratings) | 4.7 (431 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 73.8% of reviews | 76.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 46 | 431 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Natalya Petrenko | Petri Gronlund |
Customer experience
CameraPixels Lite
HDR Max
In-app purchases
CameraPixels Lite
- Full resolution pack$7.99
HDR Max
- HDR Max Pro$4.991 Month
- HDR Max Pro7 Days trial$29.991 Year
Questions
Is CameraPixels Lite free?
Is HDR Max free?
Which has better reviews, CameraPixels Lite or HDR Max?
Do CameraPixels Lite or HDR Max have ads?
Which is updated more often, CameraPixels Lite or HDR Max?
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