Phocus Mobile vs James Owl Calc
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Phocus Mobile
Edit and manage high-resolution RAW images from Hasselblad cameras on your mobile device. Experience natural color reproduction and advanced noise reduction with HDR capabilities for stunning detail and light.
- HNCS HDR image display, editing, and export
- Full quality RAW editing
- Multi-format RAW/JPG/HEIF download
- TIFF generation for lossless editing
- Camera control of capture parameters
- Download/delete images from camera
Read full descriptionHide full description
“Hasselblad Natural Noise Reduction” is the first noise reduction model that can run locally on mobile, perfectly preserving Hasselblad's natural tones and image details, and noise reduction of 100 million pixel RAW images can be completed in about 15 seconds, further unlocking the potential of Hasselblad's images. When viewed on an HDR-capable iPhone or iPad, photos shot with the Hasselblad cameras truly come to life in Phocus Mobile — revealing the stunning light and shadow details and rich color gradations enabled by HNCS HDR. Expanding the possibilities of the Hasselblad workflow, Phocus Mobile takes the image editing process to a new, portable level. Enabling the traveling or studio photographer to have a quicker, more seamless workflow. Phocus Mobile can render natural and true colors to the greatest extent, taking full advantage of the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS). The following functionality is supported: - Brand-new HNCS HDR image display, editing, and export experience - Full quality raw editing powered by HNCS engine - Support multi-format download (RAW/JPG/HEIF) - Supports generating TIFF for cross-platform quality lossless editing - Download or delete images from camera - Camera control of capture parameters - Supports generating full or medium size JPEG Compatible Camera Models [USB or Wi-Fi]: -X2D II 100C* -CFV 100C* -X2D 100C* -X1D II 50C -CFV II 50C *Only Chinese and English are supported within the app This app is only compatible with iOS and iPadOS. To use it on Mac devices, please download Phocus for Mac from the official Hasselblad website. For X1D/H system cameras, please download Phocus for X1D/H system from the App Store.
James Owl Calc
This tool helps landscape photographers calculate precise camera settings for long exposure shots. It recommends ND filter combinations, aperture, and ISO based on your current settings and desired effect. Features include tutorials and camera-specific adjustments.
- Precise exposure calculations for ND filters
- Reverse calculation mode
- Smart adaptive technology for light changes
- Built-in countdown timer with audio alerts
- Camera-specific settings
- Long exposure technique tutorials
Read full descriptionHide full description
James' Long Exposure Calculator is the ultimate companion for landscape photographers seeking to master the art of long exposure photography. Designed by professional photographer James Yu, this powerful tool eliminates guesswork and transforms your creative vision into precise camera settings. Whether you're capturing silky smooth waterfalls, dreamy misty seascapes, or ethereal cloud streaks, this app delivers professional-grade calculations tailored to your specific equipment. Simply input your current settings and desired effect, and the advanced algorithm will recommend the perfect ND filter combination, aperture, and ISO values to achieve stunning results every time. Key features include: Precise exposure calculations for any ND filter strength Reverse calculation mode - start with your desired exposure time Smart adaptive technology that accounts for changing light conditions Built-in countdown timer with audio alerts Camera-specific settings for maximum accuracy Detailed tutorials for various long exposure techniques Clean, intuitive interface designed for field use The app supports all major camera brands and ND filter types, from ND8 to ND64000. Take your long exposure photography to the next level with James' professional insights and techniques refined through years of experience. Whether you're a beginner exploring long exposure or a seasoned professional seeking efficiency, James' Long Exposure Calculator provides the precision and guidance you need to create breathtaking images that stand out from the crowd.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: James Owl Calc at 100% against Phocus Mobile's 47%. James Owl Calc also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). Phocus Mobile's advantage is ratings volume (522 vs 4). On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
James Owl Calc holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Phocus Mobile has 522 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of Phocus Mobile's written reviews are positive against 100% of James Owl Calc's.
Phocus Mobile ships an update every 3 weeks, James Owl Calc weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Phocus Mobile | James Owl Calc |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (522 ratings) | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 46.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 522 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.2 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 470 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hasselblad | James Zhen Yu |
Customer experience
Phocus Mobile
James Owl Calc
Bugs and requests
Phocus Mobile
Reported bugs
18 issues- App crashes when opening high ISO files
- Photos disappear after update or when selecting for processing
- Export fails for multiple images, erasing original capture date/time
- Images not available in library despite camera connection
- App crashes on iPad Pro with M1/M2 chips
Show 13 moreShow fewer
- USB-C connection not recognized after updates
- Noise reduction adjustments not updating properly
- Moire and pattern noise appearing on JPEG export
- App fails to connect to X2D despite camera being recognized
- Exposure simulation locked on regardless of camera settings
- EV correction not working in all modes on X2D
- Live view picture cropped on long sides of frame
- Error when saving multiple photos to Photos app (PHPhotosErrorDomain error 3301)
- App crashes when resizing window with Stage Manager on iPad
- Wired connection not supported in recent versions
- TIFF export producing 8-bit files instead of 16-bit
- Drive mode settings overwritten when using remote shutter
- App not recognizing HEIF format files from camera firmware 3.0
Requested features
25 requests- Import photos from external SSD or USB storage
- Manual color control for watermarks
- Support for multiple camera connections
- Layer masking and adjustment layers
- Delayed shutter release/self-timer functionality
Show 20 moreShow fewer
- Erase/content removal tool
- Dodge and burn tools
- Export in HEIF/HEIC format
- 16-bit TIFF export capability
- Perspective/keystone correction
- Batch import retry functionality
- Custom watermark options with date/name
- Geo-tagging support
- Fine art frame auto-application
- Live view support for X2D
- Ability to import RAW files directly from app
- Compressed DNG export option
- Android version of the app
- Black point adjustment
- Portrait orientation support for live view
- Ability to stop interval drive mode remotely
- Precise value input for edits (not just sliders)
- HEIF10 or TIFF16 export for better dynamic range
- Files API integration between mobile and desktop
- Exposure simulation toggle for flash photography
James Owl Calc
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Phocus Mobile
No in-app purchases
James Owl Calc
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Phocus Mobile free?
Is James Owl Calc free?
Which has better reviews, Phocus Mobile or James Owl Calc?
Do Phocus Mobile or James Owl Calc have ads?
Which is updated more often, Phocus Mobile or James Owl Calc?
Other comparisons















