Magic Sonic ViewFinder vs CineMeter Pro
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Magic Sonic ViewFinder
This app simulates the field of view for various camera and lens combinations, aiding filmmakers in preproduction. It allows users to preview shots with different focal lengths, aspect ratios, and color presets, and save them for future reference.
- Precise framing preview
- Simulates digital camera field of view
- Supports numerous camera models
- Tele adapter and anamorphic lens simulation
- Aspect ratio frame guides
- Color presets (LUTs)
- Save shots with metadata
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Magic Sonic ViewFinder presents you a precise framing preview for the real camera/lens combination you'll be shooting with, right where you stand with your iPhone / iPad. It simulates the field of view of digital cameras and can help thousands of professionals in filmmaking at the preproduction. PLEASE READ: this app does not turn your Apple device into an external monitor, but operates as a stand-alone director's viewfinder. The app contains ad banners, which can be turned off with additional in-app purchase. The app is a digital directors viewfinder -- it helps you see the field of view for your future shot. Select the camera from the menu and rotate the wheel to select the focal length of the lens. Supported cameras: - Alpha a99 II, 7RIII, 7RII - Alpha 7III, 7S II, 7R - Alpha a77, a6500, a6300, a5100 - FS100 / FS 700 - F3 / FS5 / FS7 - FX9 FF 6K / FF crop 5K / S35 4K - RX100 (1" sensor) - Venice 6K / 4K / 3.8K Magic ViewFinder simulates using tele adapters or anamorphic optics on your camera (see menu). From the menu you can also select the aspect ratio of the frame guide overlaying your image. Magic ViewFinder also lets you apply some commonly used color presets (also known as LUTs)to the live picture, which brings you even closer to the final shot. When you have found the right view, you may save it for future reference, with additional data like the focal length, date and time and camera / lens information. While taking a photo, you may lock exposure and turn on and off the auto focus to better control the captured picture. You can set camera to work in constant auto-focus mode, or lock the focus temporarily. You can also tap the live screen to focus on particular objects (which turns on the focus-locked mode). White balance may work in Auto, Locked or Manual mode. If the field of view of your real camera is wider than your in-device camera, the app adds 'padding' around the image, since the device cannot 'see' what is beyond. It is the best solution that we developed first amongst other viewfinder apps. Please note that position of your iPhone or iPad should correspond to the 'nodal point' of your real lens, which is somewhere in the middle of the lens. This point is, so to speak, the weighted center of the optics. Ad policy: Ads can be turned off (see below). Additional info about the app may be read at: http://dev.kadru.net/index.php/magic-viewfinder/ If you have any issues please email us for a quick support: dev@kadru.net To activate additional settings (i.e. to use all available optical adapters and frame guides) and to turn off advertising, please subscribe to (Option #1) or purchase Premium Features (Option #2) in 'About the App' menu. In-App Purchase Option #1: - Title of service: Premium features: subscription - Length of subscription: a month (auto-renewable) - Contents of service: Turned off ads and additional options for frame guides, optical adapters, anamorphic indices, more LUTs - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s Account Settings after purchase - Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable In-App Purchase Option #2: - Title of service: Premium features: purchase - Length of subscription: once and forever - Contents of service: Turned off ads and additional options for frame guides, optical adapters, anamorphic indices, more LUTs Terms of Use: http://dev.kadru.net/tos.html Privacy Policy: http://dev.kadru.net/privacy_policy/Privacy_Policy_Magic_Sony_ViewFinder.html
CineMeter Pro
This app transforms your iPhone into a cinema-grade color and exposure meter. It provides accurate Kelvin measurements, ND filter recommendations, and on-set monitoring tools like waveforms and histograms. Plan shots with a sun position tracker and save/export your readings.
- Calibrated cinema-grade color and exposure meter
- Accurate Kelvin color temperature measurement
- ND filter calculator with APEX system
- Sun position tracker with AR overlay
- RGB Waveform and Histogram monitoring
- False color overlay
- Gel and filter recommendations
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Read color temperature, tint and ND from your iPhone camera, and see where the sun will be for every shot. CineMeter Pro is a color temperature and exposure meter for cinematographers, gaffers and filmmakers. Point it at a scene or a light to read Kelvin and tint, get the ND for your stop, match gels and camera settings, and plan around the sun. COLOR TEMPERATURE AND TINT • Kelvin (CCT) and tint from reflected light, or incident readings with a diffuser • Tint as Duv, Wratten CC, Sekonic units or plus/minus green • Spot meter with hold, and a 3-second average for flickering sources • Calibration saved for each camera GELS, CAMERAS AND LOOKS • Rosco and Lee gel picks (CTO, CTB, plus and minus green) for your target white balance • White balance settings for ARRI, RED, Sony Venice, Sony FX and Blackmagic, ready to copy • Lighting Looks: save the color and exposure of a scene, then match the next setup to it with the gel and stop to correct EXPOSURE AND ND • ND filter calculator for your T-stop, ISO, frame rate and shutter angle • EV₁₀₀, lux and foot-candles • Key-to-fill ratio from two spot readings • Waveform, RGB histogram, false color and LUT preview PLAN AROUND THE SUN • The sun's path drawn over the camera view, with golden hour, sunset and blue hour marked • A 3D sun dome on a map for any place and date • A golden hour countdown on your Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island • Shot List: plan shots by place, time and camera direction, find the best time for the light, get an alert before each one and share the day as a PDF call sheet KEEP A RECORD • Save readings with their location, group them into projects and export camera reports as PDF or CSV • Log the light over time at intervals from half a second to 10 seconds, with charts and stats • Compare any reading with a reference ALWAYS AT HAND • Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets, Siri and Shortcuts, and quick actions • Works on iPhone and iPad CINEMETER PRO Every feature is included with CineMeter Pro, either as a yearly subscription or as a one-time lifetime purchase. New subscribers can start with a free trial. Prices are shown in the app in your local currency before you buy. Payment is charged to your Apple Account when you confirm the purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless you cancel it at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and the renewal is charged within the 24 hours before the period ends. You can manage or cancel the subscription in your Apple Account settings. Any unused part of a free trial is forfeited when you buy a subscription. Readings are estimates calculated from the iPhone camera, not a replacement for a calibrated hardware meter. Sekonic, Rosco, Lee Filters, ARRI, RED, Sony and Blackmagic are trademarks of their owners. CineMeter Pro is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Privacy Policy: https://jyvapps.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: CineMeter Pro at none against Magic Sonic ViewFinder's shown. CineMeter Pro also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and update cadence (every 10 days vs monthly). Magic Sonic ViewFinder's advantage is ratings volume (42 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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. Magic Sonic ViewFinder sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and CineMeter Pro sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
CineMeter Pro holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Magic Sonic ViewFinder has 42 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Magic Sonic ViewFinder ships an update monthly, CineMeter Pro every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Magic Sonic ViewFinder | CineMeter Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (42 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 85.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 42 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Roman Medvid | Farah Aydoni |
Customer experience
Magic Sonic ViewFinder
CineMeter Pro
In-app purchases
Magic Sonic ViewFinder
- Premium features: subscription1 Month trial$1.491 Month
- Premium features: purchase$4.99
CineMeter Pro
- CineMeter Pro3 Days trial$19.991 Year
- CineMeter Pro – Lifetime$39.99
Questions
Is Magic Sonic ViewFinder free?
Is CineMeter Pro free?
Which has better reviews, Magic Sonic ViewFinder or CineMeter Pro?
Do Magic Sonic ViewFinder or CineMeter Pro have ads?
Which is updated more often, Magic Sonic ViewFinder or CineMeter Pro?
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