LightMeter Express vs EV13
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
LightMeter Express
This tool transforms your iPhone into a professional light meter for photography. It offers accurate exposure readings with real-time calculations for aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, supporting various camera settings and providing exposure compensation.
- Real-time light metering
- Precise exposure calculations
- Support for standard camera settings
- Exposure value (EV) display
- Spot metering (Pro feature)
- Live histogram (Pro feature)
Read full descriptionHide full description
LightMeter Express - Professional Camera Tool Transform your iPhone into a precision light meter for film and digital photography. Get accurate exposure readings with an intuitive interface designed for photographers who demand professional-grade metering capabilities. CORE FEATURES (FREE): • Real-time light metering using your device's camera • Precise aperture, shutter speed, and ISO calculations • Support for all standard camera settings • Clean, professional interface optimized for quick readings • Exposure value (EV) display with compensation controls • Camera settings reference for popular film and digital cameras • Works in any lighting condition your camera can see • Intuitive haptic feedback with "full-stop" detents for exposure drag gestures PERFECT FOR: • Film photographers seeking accurate meter readings • Digital photographers wanting precise exposure control • Studio and outdoor photography • Learning proper exposure techniques • Backup metering when your camera's meter fails PRO FEATURES (One-time $0.99 purchase): • **Spot Metering** - Professional spot metering with zoomed preview for precise exposure readings from specific areas of your scene. Drag to reposition, tap to meter. Works best on iPhones with telephoto lenses for maximum precision • Custom Step Increments - Choose between 1/3, 1/2, or full stop increments for all exposure parameters to match your camera and shooting style • Live Histogram - Real-time histogram display with RGB channel analysis for precise exposure evaluation and highlight/shadow monitoring • Preview Compensation - See exposure compensation effects directly in the camera preview to visualize over/under exposure before shooting • Custom Limits - Set personalized aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation limits to match your specific camera gear and preferences • Black & White Preview - Turn the camera preview into a grayscale image for helping with B&W photography The free version provides full light metering functionality suitable for most photography needs. Pro features add advanced customization and analysis tools for professional and enthusiast photographers. TECHNICAL NOTES: • Requires camera access to function as a light meter • All processing happens locally on your device • No internet connection required • Compatible with iPhone • Spot metering optimized for devices with multiple camera lenses PRIVACY: Light Meter respects your privacy. Camera data is processed locally and never stored or transmitted. No personal information is collected.
EV13
This app acts as a light meter for film photography, offering tactile analog controls for aperture, shutter, and ISO. It provides automatic exposure readings with various modes and allows photo capture with engraved light meter information.
- Automatic light meter
- Multiple reading modes (Spot, center, average)
- Tactile aperture, shutter, ISO control
- Photo capture with meter info
- Comprehensive dashboard
Read full descriptionHide full description
"EV13" is simple, yet designed with craftsmanship that you can find some of your favorite objects. Just like your trusty film camera. It features tactile analog control, automatic exposure reader, and meter preview with recording. Travel light and find a perfect companion to your camera. Features : - Automatic light meter supporting various mode - Various reading mode (Spot, center, average) - Tactile control for aperture, shutter and ISO - comprehensive dashboard design - Photo capture with light meter info engraved. Font is F5.6 from dot colon (ドットコロン) - ver 0.110 Used under SIL Open Font License, Ver 1.1
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: EV13 at none against LightMeter Express's 1. LightMeter Express's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 5 days) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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. LightMeter Express sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. EV13 asks for nothing beyond the download.
LightMeter Express holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 16 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of LightMeter Express's written reviews are positive against 82% of EV13's.
LightMeter Express ships an update daily, EV13 every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on July 4, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | LightMeter Express | EV13 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (8 ratings) — better | 4.7 (16 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 87.5% of reviews — better | 81.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 8 | 16 — better |
| Update frequency | Daily — better | Every 5 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Digitaino LLC | Minsang choi |
Customer experience
LightMeter Express
EV13
In-app purchases
LightMeter Express
- Light Meter Pro$2.99
EV13
No in-app purchases
