Comparison

Iris vs Lucid

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

Head to head
About

Iris

This app offers photographers extensive manual control over their shots, including RAW capture and film-inspired effects. It provides professional tools like histograms and focus peaking for precise image creation, with an optional AI workflow for natural rendering.

Highlights
  • Zero AI Capture
  • Full Manual Camera Controls
  • RAW & ProRAW Capture
  • Film Simulations & Creative Effects
  • Professional Exposure Tools
  • HDR Bracketing
  • Fast RAW Workflow
Features
Read full description

# Iris Pro: Zero AI Manual Camera Capture photos with complete creative control. Iris Pro is a professional manual camera app for iPhone built for photographers who want manual settings, RAW capture, film-inspired rendering, and full control over the image-making process. Unlike standard camera apps that heavily process photos, Iris Pro gives you the option to capture images with a dedicated Zero AI workflow designed to preserve natural texture, authentic light, and the character of the original scene. Whether you're shooting street photography, landscapes, portraits, long exposures, or everyday moments, Iris Pro puts professional camera tools directly in your pocket. ## Why Photographers Choose Iris Pro ### Zero AI Capture Capture photos with minimal computational processing. Iris Pro's Zero AI mode is designed for photographers who prefer natural detail, organic grain, realistic contrast, and images that stay true to the scene. ### Full Manual Camera Controls Take complete control of every exposure. • Manual ISO • Manual Shutter Speed • Manual Focus • Manual White Balance • Exposure Compensation • Focus Peaking • 1:1 Focus Loupe Designed for one-handed operation with responsive tactile controls. ### RAW & ProRAW Capture Choose the workflow that fits your editing style. Supported formats include: • Bayer RAW (DNG) • Apple ProRAW • RAW + HEIC • ProRAW + HEIC • HEIC • JPEG Perfect for Lightroom, Capture One, Darkroom, and other professional editing tools. ### Film Simulations & Creative Effects Create distinctive images directly in camera. Features include: • Film Simulations • Natural Film Grain • Halation • Bloom • Prism Effects • Vignette Controls Preview your creative look before you press the shutter. ### Professional Exposure Tools Make confident exposure decisions with advanced monitoring tools. • Histogram • Luma Waveform • Zebra Stripes • Electronic Level • Composition Grid Built for photographers who care about precision. ### HDR Bracketing Capture additional dynamic range for challenging lighting situations. Bracket exposures at: • ±1 EV • ±2 EV • ±3 EV ### Fast RAW Workflow Export original RAW files instantly from the built-in gallery. No unnecessary steps. No complicated workflow. Your digital negatives remain accessible whenever you need them. ## Additional Features • Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto Lens Support • Self Timer • Haptic Feedback Controls • Real-Time Viewfinder Preview • Professional Photography Tools • Optimized for iPhone ## Built For Photographers Iris Pro is designed for creators who want more than automatic photography. Whether you're shooting RAW, exploring film-inspired looks, using manual focus, or working with professional exposure tools, Iris Pro helps you create photographs with intention. Capture the scene. Control the process. Iris Pro. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.bytenpixels.com/privacy

About

Lucid

Features
Read full description

Shutter, ISO, white balance and focus — on real dials, laid out like a camera body instead of buried in a menu. The viewfinder shows exactly what saves. Pick the one thing you care about — Aperture-free Auto, Manual, Shutter or ISO priority — and Lucid floats the rest live as the light moves. One purchase. No subscription. UNFOLDS ON IPHONE DUO Open iPhone Duo and Lucid becomes a camera body: the viewfinder fills one half of the display, and the other half is a full control plate under your thumb — shutter and ISO on two live dials at once, big readouts, a labeled zoom ring, flash, timer, grid and level as buttons, your Looks and Profiles one tap from the shutter. The viewfinder turns with the camera, not the screen. Close it, and Lucid is the camera you already know. OPENS FROM THE CAMERA CONTROL BUTTON On iPhone 16 and later, set Lucid as your Camera Control app. One press opens Lucid right from the Lock Screen: no unlocking, and every manual dial is there. Half-press to adjust zoom, exposure, priority and Looks without taking your eye off the frame. WHY LUCID Most camera apps hand you a filter and a shutter button. Lucid hands you the camera. Four exposure priorities (Auto, Manual, Shutter, ISO) let you decide what to control and what to let the camera solve, live. Everything you set, you see. Everything you see, you keep. And it's yours. One purchase, no subscription. The camera doesn't stop working when the month ends. WHAT YOU CAN DO - Shoot full manual: shutter, ISO, white balance, and focus, on real dials - Choose what you control: Auto, Manual, Shutter or ISO priority — the camera solves the rest, live - Capture RAW, ProRAW, HEIF, and 48MP, keeping every bit of the file - Nail focus with peaking and a magnified loupe - Read your light with a live histogram and zebra stripes - Grade with Looks: film LUTs previewed live in the viewfinder, baked on capture - Import your own .cube LUTs - Pull long exposures, bracket, and set a self-timer - Save full setups as Profiles and recall them in a tap - Launch from the Camera Control button, even on the Lock Screen - Open iPhone Duo for a two-dial control plate beside the viewfinder - Shoot manual video too: Apple Log, ProRes, and a cinematic 180° shutter BUILT HONEST No aperture slider. Your iPhone's lenses have fixed apertures, and faking it would be a lie. No account. No analytics. No cloud. Your photos never leave your phone, and location tagging stays off until you turn it on. ONE PURCHASE. YOURS FOREVER. Try every feature free. Then unlock Lucid for a single payment: no subscription, no upsells, no expiry date. Shoot like you mean it. Support: support@lucidcamera.app Privacy: https://lucidcamera.app/privacy/

Screenshots

Iris4 screens
Lucid4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Iris at 17.0 against Lucid's 26.0. On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Iris sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per year and Lucid sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Iris ships an update weekly, Lucid every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 28, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Iris versus Lucid: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIrisLucid
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 10 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJiten SiddhpuraPerry Hampton

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Iris

Subscriptions1
  • Iris Pro — Annual3 Days trial$7.991 Year
One-time1
  • Iris Pro — Lifetime$14.99
1 purchases

Lucid

One-time1
  • Unlock Lucid$4.99

Questions

Is Iris free?
Iris is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lucid free?
Lucid is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Iris or Lucid have ads?
Neither Iris nor Lucid shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Iris or Lucid?
Iris ships an update weekly, and Lucid every 10 days. Most recently, Iris was updated on October 28, 2026 and Lucid on October 28, 2026.

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