# Photon Camera vs Obscura

Photon Camera and Obscura both sit at 4.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 52% of Obscura's written reviews are positive against 24% of Photon Camera's. Obscura also leads on ratings volume (274 vs 70) and iOS requirement (18 vs 26.0). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Photon Camera sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Obscura sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.0 for Photon Camera against 4.0 for Obscura. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 70 and 274 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 24% of Photon Camera's written reviews are positive against 52% of Obscura's.

Photon Camera ships an update every 3 weeks, Obscura every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Photon Camera | Obscura |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (70 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photon-camera/id1439310090/reviews) | [4.0 (274 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/obscura-pro-camera/id1579306989/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 70 | **274** |
| Positive reviews | 24.2% of reviews | **52.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 60 MB | 174 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **18** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | [LateNiteSoft S.L.](https://appshunter.io/developer/283292600) | [Ben McCarthy](https://appshunter.io/developer/893264216) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Obscura

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/obscura-pro-camera/id1579306989)

This camera app offers advanced manual controls and professional formats like ProRAW for enhanced photo and video capture. Its intuitive design and tactile interface allow for precise adjustments, while features like focus peaking and histograms aid in achieving stunning results.

**Highlights:** Manual exposure, focus, and white balance controls, ProRAW, RAW, HEIC, and JPEG capture formats, Live filters and multiple aspect ratios, Histogram, focus peaking, and exposure clipping highlights, Integrated photo library with editing and sharing, Video and Live Photo capture

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Obscura Ultra - Weekly | $1.49 | per 7 days |
| Obscura Ultra - Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Obscura Ultra | $24.99 | per year |
| Obscura Ultra Upgrade | $24.99 | per year |
| Obscura Ultra - One Time | $74.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful manual controls
- 👍 Intuitive and clean interface
- 🎨 Customizable presets and filters
- 💡 Unique camera gestures and UI
- 🎥 Supports video recording

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription-based model
- 🔒 Locked features behind paywall
- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 🤔 Unintuitive controls and settings
- 🤷‍♂️ Lack of support for newer iPhone lenses

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when trying to use Pro Raw mode
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between lenses
- Manual settings randomly resetting
- Photos not saving properly
- Freezing and black screen issues

**Requested features**

- Ability to save custom camera settings
- Variable zoom function in pro mode
- Separate manual control for exposure and ISO
- Dedicated selfie button
- Live audio capture for Live Photos


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Photon Camera free?

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

### Is Obscura free?

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

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

Photon Camera and Obscura are both rated 4.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 70 and 274 ratings respectively.

### Do Photon Camera or Obscura have ads?

Neither Photon Camera nor Obscura shows ads.

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

Photon Camera ships an update every 3 weeks, and Obscura every 2 weeks. Most recently, Photon Camera was updated on October 24, 2026 and Obscura on October 24, 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.*