Comparison

Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+ vs Lightme

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+

This app offers a manual-first camera experience for photographers, providing granular control over exposure, focus, and white balance. Shoot in RAW, ProRAW, or JPG with advanced tools like histograms and clipping warnings for professional results.

Highlights
  • Manual exposure control (shutter, ISO)
  • RAW, ProRAW, and JPG shooting modes
  • Manual focus override
  • Custom white balance settings
  • RGB histogram and clipping warnings
  • Composition aids (grid, level)
Features
Read full description

RAW+ is a minimalist camera for purists and professionals and puts total creative control back into your hands with a streamlined, manual-first interface. Shoot in RAW, JPG or both simultaneously. RAW+ is ALWAYS manual exposure- shutter and ISO controls are always on screen and easily accessible via huge sliders(The aperture is fixed on the iPhone and thus not adjustable- but you knew that already). Manual focus override any time as well as custom white balance settings. Professional Imaging Pipeline- TrueRAW: Shoot pure, unadulterated RAW data with zero post-processing. ProRAW: Leverage Apple's fusion pipeline and high-dynamic-range enhancements. 48MP Support: Toggle maximum resolution for ProRAW on supported sensors and lenses. Manual Shutter Speed Manual ISO Manual Aperture Control- iPhone 18 Pro only Manual Focus Override: Take control of your focal plane at any moment. Custom White Balance: Choose from 8 presets or set a specific Kelvin value. Essential Tools- RGB Histogram: Monitor your color channels in real-time. Clipping Warnings: Live highlights and shadow overlays to prevent lost detail. Composition Aids: Integrated Grid and Level overlays for perfect framing. Format Flexibility: Support for RAW, ProRAW, and high-quality JPG. Compatibility- RAW Support: iPhone SE, 6s, and newer devices. ProRAW Support: iPhone 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, and all subsequent Pro models. Terms of Service: dynamicappdesign.com/tos

About

Lightme

This app provides a powerful yet simple light metering tool for photographers. It offers advanced features like spot metering, zone system implementation, and reciprocity failure compensation, alongside a clean interface for easy one-handed use. It supports a wide range of films and camera setups, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users.

Highlights
  • Multiple aperture/shutterspeed combinations
  • Spot metering with variable zoom
  • Automatic reciprocity failure compensation
  • Pinhole mode with timer
  • Incident light metering with calibration
  • Black and white preview
  • Film stock selection
Features
Read full description

Lightme - Lightmeter is a clean, simple to use yet very powerful lightmeter. It is optimised for an easy one-handed use, both for left-handed and right-handed users, with the main controls within your thumb's reach, without the fatiguing juggling of your precious smartphone. A core distinguishing feature of Lightme - Lightmeter is that - differently from most of the other apps - it can show multiple combinations of valid settings for aperture and shutterspeed at the same time by working like a - stretched out - old needle and wheel lightmeter. This allows the user to quickly pick the desired settings without having to scroll on a tiny wheel picker. The app is designed to be welcoming to people who are just starting out, with a simple one-button use. But it offers many useful and advanced features for the more experienced shooters/users: Continuous metering (by pressing and holding or double tapping the measure button) Spot metering with a variable zoom (for more precision) which also supports average metering, and a very intuitive implementation of the zone system Automatic reciprocity failure compensation (for 25+ films, if you see exposure times in red, they are being compensated) A dedicated pinhole mode with precise exposure times for user defined apertures (multiple apertures at a time), with the possibility of setting a timer (through a shortcut) Incident light metering with calibration when using the front facing camera And more ... It also includes some other features that are enjoyable by any kind of user: Black and white preview The ability to use any of the cameras on your smartphone (swipe left/right on the preview) Multiple presets for your different camera/film/lens setups Framelines for previewing your shot, before setting up your tripod etc. A searchable list of useful tips to make better use of the application's potential A searchable list of more than 70 films to choose from with the possibility of selecting a few favourites Dark mode support and a useful level of customisation You can find even more info in the tips inside the app or you can have a look at full user manual by tapping on manual (in the settings) The app is free in all its many functionalities, but it offers In-App-Purchases in order to support the project. The only minor perk you can enable only via certain IAPs is the replacement of the Ad button with a label containing the name of your current preset, check under settings -> coffee for more info. Don't panic though, even if there's an Ad button it doesn't mean I'm going to show you ads. In fact unless you decide to tap on that button I'm never going to show you any. But if you have a few minutes to spare, watching a few of them sure helps keeping this project alive :) Try it, and, if you like it, share it with your friends and consider writing a (mini) review ;) Have a nice day, and good light!

Screenshots

Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+4 screens
Lightme4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Lightme at none against Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+'s shown. Lightme also leads on review sentiment (91% vs 59%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.4). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+ sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Lightme sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lightme holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.4K and 944 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+'s written reviews are positive against 91% of Lightme's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+ ships an update every 6 weeks, Lightme every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+ versus Lightme: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterManual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+Lightme
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (2.4K ratings)4.8 (944 ratings) — better
Positive reviews59.2% of reviews90.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.4K — better944
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDynamic App Design LLCGiuseppe Bertolini

Customer experience

Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+

All ratings2,390 ratings
Positive84.4%
Neutral4.0%
Negative11.6%
Written reviews520 reviews
Positive59.2%
Neutral9.8%
Negative31.0%

Lightme

All ratings944 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.3%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews215 reviews
Positive90.7%
Neutral1.9%
Negative7.4%

User reviews

Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+

From 2.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 High-quality RAW photos
  • 👍 Intuitive manual controls
  • 🚀 Powerful camera overhaul
  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 👍 Great for photography enthusiasts

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and glitches
  • 🔒 Subscription model
  • 🐛 Unreliable file saving
  • 🐛 Inconsistent image quality
  • 🐛 Slow performance

Lightme

From 944 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Accurate metering
  • 👍 Intuitive and clean interface
  • 💡 Comprehensive features (spot metering, zone system, film stock selection, etc.)
  • 🚀 Consistently accurate exposures
  • 👍 Thoughtful design with user's needs in mind

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
  • 👎 Confusing or cluttered interface for some users
  • 👎 Tedious film selection process
  • 🐛 Inaccurate metering in certain lighting conditions

Bugs and requests

Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Incorrect RAW file naming
  • Photos disappearing from gallery
  • Automatic photo capture
  • Exposure preview not matching final image

Requested features

8 requests
  • Zoom functionality
  • Longer shutter speed options
  • Larger focus preview window
  • Aperture control
  • Countdown timer
Show 3 more
  • Auto mode
  • Square aspect ratio
  • Flash support

Lightme

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes on iOS 16
  • Metering issues with certain camera/lens combinations

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add shutter angle adjustment for cinematography
  • Implement ISO lock feature
  • Add more film stock profiles
  • Improve film selection process (e.g. search, categories)
  • Provide more customization options (e.g. interface themes)

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • RAW+ Premium Lifetime$19.99
4 purchases

Lightme

One-time4
  • Guanciale$9.99
  • Parmigiano$16.99
  • Pizza for two$29.99
Show 1 more
  • Do this full-time$59.99

Questions

Is Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+ free?
Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lightme free?
Lightme is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+ or Lightme?
Lightme is rated higher. Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+ averages 4.4 out of 5 from 2.4K ratings, while Lightme averages 4.8 from 944 ratings.
Do Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+ or Lightme have ads?
Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+ shows ads; Lightme does not.
Which is updated more often, Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+ or Lightme?
Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+ ships an update every 6 weeks, and Lightme every 3 weeks. Most recently, Manual Camera, Pro DSLR | RAW+ was updated on November 1, 2026 and Lightme on October 30, 2026.

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