# Carousel Camera vs Photon Camera

The clearest difference is rating: Photon Camera at 4.0 against Carousel Camera's 2.7. Photon Camera also leads on ratings volume (64 vs 3). Carousel Camera's advantage is review sentiment (50% vs 24%) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Carousel Camera sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Photon Camera sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Photon Camera holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Photon Camera has 64 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Carousel Camera's written reviews are positive against 24% of Photon Camera's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Carousel Camera ships an update every 10 days, Photon Camera every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Carousel Camera | Photon Camera |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carousel-camera/id1247608843/reviews) | **[4.0 (64 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photon-camera/id1439310090/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **64** |
| Positive reviews | **50.0% of reviews** | 23.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 30 MB | 59 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Rafael Costa](https://appshunter.io/developer/1107410699) | [LateNiteSoft S.L.](https://appshunter.io/developer/283292600) |

## What reviewers say

### Carousel Camera

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carousel-camera/id1247608843)

This app offers a unique circular video recording format that adapts to any screen orientation. Capture footage in high resolution and easily switch between full frame views with a simple double tap.

**Highlights:** Circular video recording, Adapts to any screen orientation, High-resolution capture (4K compatible), Double-tap for full frame view, Ratioless video format

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Carousel Camera Pro | $0.99 | one-time |


### Photon Camera

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photon-camera/id1439310090)

Transform your iPhone into a professional camera with full manual controls. Achieve DSLR-quality photos with advanced tools like focus peaking, live exposure, and RAW capture. Take creative control with AI processing options and a minimalist interface.

**Highlights:** Full manual control (ISO, shutter speed, white balance), Focus peaking and focus loupe, Live exposure and histogram, RAW, ProRAW, HEIF, and JPEG capture, Adjustable AI processing (Process Control), Minimalist and intuitive interface, Image browser with photo details

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| One-time purchase | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great camera controls
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 🔋 Efficient battery usage
- 💡 Direct USB storage option
- 🚀 Fast and responsive

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔒 Lack of transparency around app ownership
- 🔒 Concerns about developer trustworthiness
- 🔍 Limited zoom and lens options

**Reported bugs**

- Manual mode crashes
- Inability to access external storage
- Incompatibility with certain devices
- Unreliable photo saving and syncing

**Requested features**

- Bracketed HDR mode
- Customizable white balance controls
- Landscape orientation support
- Macro mode
- Integration with other photo apps


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Carousel Camera free?

Carousel Camera is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Photon Camera free?

Photon Camera is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Carousel Camera or Photon Camera?

Photon Camera is rated higher. Carousel Camera averages 2.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Photon Camera averages 4.0 from 64 ratings.

### Do Carousel Camera or Photon Camera have ads?

Neither Carousel Camera nor Photon Camera shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Carousel Camera or Photon Camera?

Carousel Camera ships an update every 10 days, and Photon Camera every 3 weeks. Most recently, Carousel Camera was updated on June 1, 2026 and Photon Camera on September 27, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*