PinholeCam vs The Last Camera Project
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PinholeCam
This app simulates the unique long exposure effects of a pinhole camera, allowing for creative photographic results. It offers manual control over exposure times and can simulate vignetting and light bleed. Save and share your creations directly to your camera roll and social media.
- Long exposure simulation
- Manual exposure control
- Vignetting simulation
- Edge light bleed simulation
- Emphasis image selection
- Direct saving to camera roll
- Social media sharing
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Note: Version 3 is a complete rewrite of the app. The simulation will not be exactly the same as older versions, and it is still evolving so watch for updates. Some features are limited for now. Feedback is welcome! Pinhole uses a unique method to simulate the long exposure times of a pinhole camera. It does not just simulate the distortion and visual effects, it gradually exposes the scene over time like a real pinhole camera allowing effects not achievable in other “pinhole” apps or regular camera apps. Unlike a real pinhole camera, all photos are automatically exposed correctly no matter the exposure time. It can optionally simulate the vignetting and/or edge light bleed typical of pinhole cameras. Exposure time can be set to one of several presets, or it can controlled manually for shorter or longer exposures. At any point, choose an “emphasis” image that will dominate the final output--use this to freeze a moving item in the shot (this feature is experimental and the outcome varies widely based on the scene). Saves directly to your camera roll. Load images to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Instagram, Camera+, etc. from there. Note: the simulation is very memory-intensive, especially on long exposures. For the best stability please close other apps and disable networking to prevent incoming calls and push notifications (put it in “Airplane Mode”). For best results, plug in your phone before beginning a long exposure. On the "infinity" time setting, it will run until you stop it manually, it crashes, or the algorithm used runs out of memory. It will attempt to close the shutter prior to crashing due to running out of memory, but it's not always possible to catch this. Your mileage may vary -- if you're considering taking an important long-duration shot, plan ahead and run a test on the device you'll be using. A note about the simulation accuracy: Pinhole does not have infinite depth-of-field like a real pinhole camera. The primary way this app simulates a pinhole camera is by allowing for very long exposures and simulating the visual effects. The simulation is as close as the hardware allows. Since an iOS device's camera has a lens, it is not possible to simulate a lens-less camera perfectly. If I could bypass the physical limitations of the hardware, I'd be filing patents for the technique and making a lot more money than I do selling an app. :) If this is critical to you, use a real pinhole camera or choose scenes where depth of field effects are not apparent.
The Last Camera Project
Participate in a global art project by taking a single photograph. Your image, enriched with metadata, will be part of a collective storytelling initiative culminating in a world record attempt at Art Basel Miami.
- Invite-only access
- Capture one photo
- Metadata enrichment
- Global art initiative
- World record attempt
- Art Basel Miami reveal
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The Last Camera Project — Be part of art history. One photo. Millions of stories. From the creators of the Hipstamatic Camera app comes an ambitious new initiative: The Last Camera Project. This invite-only iPhone app invites you to take one photo, then pass it on to the next person. Your image, along with millions of others, will remain hidden until a historic reveal at Art Basel Miami in December 2025, where we aim to set a world record for the largest disposable camera project. // What is the Last Camera Project? Inspired by the nostalgia of 1990s disposable cameras and powered by modern technology, The Last Camera Project is a global art endeavor. Each participant's photo includes rich metadata—location, timestamp, frame number, and personal details—adding layers of context to your contribution. Together, these images will form a visually stunning tapestry of human experiences, showcased at one of the world's most prestigious art fairs. // Key Features Exclusive Invite-Only Access: Join a select community of creators and art lovers. Capture Your Essence: Take one photo that represents you, your moment, your story. Metadata Enrichment: Your photo comes alive with details that tell a deeper story. Global Art Initiative: Be part of a project that connects people across the globe. World Record Attempt: Help make history with your contribution. Art Basel Miami Reveal: See your photo unveiled alongside thousands of others in December 2025. // Why Join? Make Art History: Your photo becomes part of a landmark exhibition at Art Basel Miami. Collective Storytelling: Contribute to a collection of human experiences from around the world. Exclusive Opportunities: Your image is eligible be featured in limited-edition prints and a collectible photobook, available to art collectors and enthusiasts. // How It Works Receive an invite from a friend or the project team. Capture your one photo and add your personal details. Your photo remains a secret until the grand reveal. Invite up to six others to join and grow the project. // Join the Movement The Last Camera Project is more than just an app—it's a chance to connect, create, and be part of something truly extraordinary. Request your invite today and secure your place in this unprecedented art project. Note: This is an invite-only app. If you don't have an invite, you can join the waiting list from the app. End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: The Last Camera Project at Free against PinholeCam's $0.99. The Last Camera Project also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months). PinholeCam's advantage is rating (3.7 vs 2.8) and device support (3 vs 1). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
The Last Camera Project is free to download; PinholeCam costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
PinholeCam holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 5 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 39% of PinholeCam's written reviews are positive against 43% of The Last Camera Project's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
PinholeCam ships an update every 2 months, The Last Camera Project every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PinholeCam | The Last Camera Project |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.7 (14 ratings) — better | 2.8 (5 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 38.9% of reviews | 42.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 14 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 18.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 20 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | LC Studio | Hipstamatic, LLC |
Customer experience
PinholeCam
The Last Camera Project
In-app purchases
PinholeCam
No in-app purchases
The Last Camera Project
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is PinholeCam free?
Is The Last Camera Project free?
Which has better reviews, PinholeCam or The Last Camera Project?
Do PinholeCam or The Last Camera Project have ads?
Which is updated more often, PinholeCam or The Last Camera Project?
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