Vistax vs Light Stack Camera
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Vistax
This camera app offers pro-level manual controls, including shutter speed, ISO, and focus, alongside creative tools like film simulations and Zen mode. It prioritizes user privacy with zero tracking and supports RAW capture for maximum post-processing flexibility.
- Manual camera controls
- ProRAW/DNG capture
- Film simulations
- Zen Mode for composition
- Non-destructive edits
- Exposure bracketing
- Privacy-first design
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Vistax combines pro-level manual controls with creative tools like film simulations and Zen mode — all in a privacy-first camera app with zero tracking. Pro-Level Control: - Manual Mode: Full control over shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and focus - ProRAW/DNG: RAW capture for maximum post-processing flexibility - Non-Destructive Edits: Apply color filters or image formats while preserving your original — saved as an iOS photo edit or a separate file Creative Expression: - Zen Mode: A distraction-free, minimalist interface focused solely on composition - Film Simulations: A vast library including iconic Fuji-X emulations. Bring your own custom .cube LUTs - Camera Presets: Save and recall your favorite camera settings with a single tap Exposure Tools: - Shutter priority, ISO priority, full auto, and manual exposure modes - Automatic exposure bracketing: up to 5 brackets, -5/+5 EV - Exposure compensation, live histogram, and zebra over-exposure warning Full Feature Set: • iOS Widget: Quick access to presets from your home or lock screen • Camera Control: Launch Vistax or take shots with the hardware Camera Control (iPhone 16 & 17 Pro & Pro Max) • High-Resolution Capture: Stunning 48MP images (*) • Portrait Mode: Professional portraits with depth effects (*) • iOS Deep Fusion and Smart HDR (*) • Focus peaking and manual focus • Manual and auto white balance • Capture in HEIC / JPEG / RAW+JPEG / RAW+HEIC / RAW / ProRAW (DNG) • Wide Gamut: Vibrant, accurate colors across supported displays • Composition Aids: Rule of thirds, golden triangles, and fine mesh grids • Rangefinder Mode: See beyond the frame with rangefinder-style framing lines • Shutter Timer: 3s and 10s delays Privacy-First • Vistax contains zero tracking or third-party SDKs (*) Compatibility Notes Some features depend on your device's hardware: • Camera Control: iPhone 16 Pro (& Max), 17 Pro (& Max) • 48MP capture: iPhone 14 Pro (& Max) and later Pro models. Not available in manual, semi-auto, or portrait modes • ProRAW: iPhone 12 Pro (& Max) and later Pro models • RAW: Most iPhones from 6S onwards, iPad Pro (varies by model) • Portrait mode: iPhone 7 Plus and later, iPad Pro • Smart HDR / Deep Fusion: iPhone 11 and later • Ultra Wide lens may not support RAW or manual focus/exposure modes on some devices
Light Stack Camera
Capture incredibly sharp long exposure photos without a tripod. Advanced AI stabilization allows for handheld shots up to 30 seconds, providing natural-looking results. Unique features like true-to-motion preview and customizable failure responses ensure control and prevent ruined shots.
- AI-stabilized long exposures
- Handheld shooting up to 30 seconds
- True-to-motion live preview
- Customizable failure response options
- Full-resolution image pipeline
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Capture sharp long exposures — no tripod required. With advanced AI stabilization, Light Stack lets you shoot handheld for up to 30 seconds — with consistently sharp, natural-looking results. To help you stay steady and in control, Light Stack offers some unique features: • True-to-Motion Preview: The live preview moves naturally with your hands, giving you intuitive feedback that helps you stay steady. No more fighting to keep a crosshair centered. • Failure Response: If motion tracking is lost, you choose what happens: temporarily pause the exposure, end it cleanly, or keep going without stabilization. No surprises, and no ruined shots when things don’t go as planned. • Full-Resolution Pipeline: Light Stack maintains full resolution from capture to final image. No cropping, and no upscaling to cover it up. Try it free and experience the convenience of Light Stack. --- Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Light Stack Camera at Free against Vistax's $6.99. Light Stack Camera also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). Vistax's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (85% vs 73%). On rating, ratings volume, ads and iOS requirement 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
Light Stack Camera is free to download; Vistax costs $6.99 up front. Light Stack Camera sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Vistax asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Vistax against 4.7 for Light Stack Camera. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 23 and 28 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 85% of Vistax's written reviews are positive against 73% of Light Stack Camera's.
Vistax ships an update every 2 months, Light Stack Camera weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Vistax | Light Stack Camera |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (23 ratings) — better | 4.7 (28 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 85.0% of reviews — better | 73.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 23 | 28 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 68 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sebastien Ardon | Cogitap Software |
Customer experience
Vistax
Light Stack Camera
In-app purchases
Vistax
No in-app purchases
Light Stack Camera
- Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
- Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Lifetime Access$34.99









