Comparison

OpenCam vs Melancholy Lens

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

OpenCam

Capture cinematic videos using the full camera sensor in an open gate format. This app provides professional tools and manual controls for easy editing into various social media orientations, offering a filmmaker's framing to your mobile device.

Highlights
  • Shoot in wider 4:3 frame
  • Record once, edit for any social media
  • Live LUT previews
  • Pro tools (Apple Log, ProRes)
  • Intuitive manual controls
  • Effortless exposure lock
  • Glide zoom effect
Read full description

OpenCam is the IMAX style video-recording app built for creators, filmmakers, and everyday users. Capture cinematic 4:3 immersive videos that’s easy to edit for any social platform. Featured on YouTube and MacStories. OpenCam records in the cinematic open gate format, utilising your full camera sensor. One video can be edited into both vertical and horizontal orientations, so you can share on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, while retaining your scene. Open gate is also used in iconic films like The Lighthouse, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and Perfect Days. OpenCam brings the professional filmmaker framing to your iPhone. OpenCam features intuitive manual controls and professional features like ProRes and Apple Log 2 for beautiful, cinematic videos — without the complexity of other video recording apps. Key Features: Shoot in a Wider 4:3 Frame OpenCam records in an open gate 4:3 aspect ratio, giving you more room to capture, edit, and create. It’s significantly wider than standard iOS video. Record Once, Edit for any Social Media platform Capture one video and have more room for both vertical and horizontal formats — perfect for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube. Live LUT previews Import your .cube LUT files into OpenCam, and preview the Apple Log footage with your LUT applied when recording. Pro Tools Includes powerful features like Apple Log, ProRes, variable HEVC bitrate, for stunning quality and pro-level color control. Intuitive Manual Controls Adjust focus, aperture, brightness, tone, and more. Sliders are always visible and easy to use, so you stay in control without missing the moment. Effortless Exposure Lock Lock in your look with a tap. Our simple exposure system makes it easy to get consistent, professional-looking results. Intuitive Glide Zoom Create dramatic dolly-style zoom effects with steady gliding zoom. Use this to mimic dolly effects seen in popular films and shows like Jaws and Severance. Privacy First Your videos stay on your device. Always. No accounts, no cloud storage, no data tracking. Whether you’re making family montages, daily vlogs, or cinematic edits, OpenCam helps you capture more of what matters. Download OpenCam now and unlock the full potential of your iPhone camera. Terms: https://opencam.app/terms Privacy: https://opencam.app/privacy

About

Melancholy Lens

Features
Read full description

Using on-device AI segmentation, it applies a soft, natural blur only to the subject’s silhouette, creating an introspective, dream-like mood. Designed with a refined dark UI and subtle animations, it’s perfect for exhibitions, self-portraits, and moments when you want to shift focus from the self to the world. Features • Real-time person-only blur (AI segmentation, on device) • Smooth, natural edge feathering • Elegant dark interface & subtle haptics/flash • Front camera mirror option • Silent, private: no data leaves your device

Screenshots

OpenCam4 screens
Melancholy Lens3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Melancholy Lens at none against OpenCam's 3. OpenCam's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. OpenCam sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Melancholy Lens asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
OpenCam versus Melancholy Lens: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenCamMelancholy Lens
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (50 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews54.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings50 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZHI QIYOICHI MURAYAMA

In-app purchases

3 purchases

OpenCam

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly (1 Month)7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly (1 Year)7 Days trial$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$39.99
None

Melancholy Lens

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is OpenCam free?
OpenCam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Melancholy Lens free?
Melancholy Lens is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do OpenCam or Melancholy Lens have ads?
Neither OpenCam nor Melancholy Lens shows ads.

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