Light Meter vs EXPOCAL
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
Light Meter
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Turn your iPhone into a real photographic light meter. Point the camera at any scene and read its exposure value (EV) and illuminance in lux instantly, then dial in the exact aperture, shutter and ISO for a perfectly exposed frame. Most "light meter" apps just show a brightness bar. This one does the math a classic handheld meter does: it reads the light your camera actually sees, smooths it in real time, and solves the full exposure triangle so you walk away with real camera settings, not a guess. WHAT YOU GET - A live EV and lux readout that reacts the instant the light changes - The exact aperture, shutter and ISO to expose any scene correctly - An exposure solver: lock any setting and get the others worked out for you - ND filter and long-exposure times so moving water and clouds go silky - Scene presets from Sunny 16 to candlelight and star trails for instant reference - Saved readings that keep EV, lux and full settings so you can revisit any scene PERFECT FOR - Film and analog shooters metering by hand with no in-camera meter - DSLR and mirrorless photographers double-checking tricky light - Long-exposure and landscape shooters stacking ND filters - Students learning how aperture, shutter, ISO and the Sunny 16 rule work WHY NOT JUST USE YOUR CAMERA'S METER? Your camera meters through the lens and averages the whole frame, so it gets fooled by snow, backlight and shade. This gives you an independent EV reading you can trust, plus ND and long-exposure math your camera will never do, and it calibrates to your gear so the numbers match what you actually shoot. PRIVACY The camera is used only to measure light on your device. Nothing is recorded, uploaded or shared, no account is required, and your saved readings stay on your iPhone. FULL ACCESS The live meter and the Learn guides are free. Full Access unlocks the exposure solver, scene presets, the ND long-exposure calculator, and unlimited saved readings: - Weekly - Yearly (best value) - Lifetime (one-time purchase) Point your phone at the light and read your next perfect exposure. Terms of Use (EULA): https://web-levi.web.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://web-levi.web.app/privacy-policy Questions? tphuc.work@gmail.com
EXPOCAL
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EXPOCAL is the on-set exposure companion for cinematographers, DPs, and gaffers โ every calculation you reach for between scouting a location and rolling, in one fast, dark-themed app. Nail exposure Incident metering math built on ISO 2720: dial in ISO/EI, shutter angle, and frame rate to get the exact T-stop โ or work backwards from an aperture to the lux you need. Handles dual-base sensors and broadcast gain (dB) too. Match your gear Pick from a built-in library of 47 cinema cameras and 241 lenses. Check sensor coverage, mount compatibility, and how a lens, extender, or adapter behaves across your kit. Director's viewfinder Frame a shot right on your phone. Choose a camera and focal length and the live preview matches that lens's field of view โ pinch or use the thumb zoom slider to find the frame before the camera is even built. Overlay mode draws the exact framing on a wide preview. Depth & focus Hyperfocal distance, depth of field, and aperture sweeps with sweet-spot, diffraction, and noise guidance. Light & color ND filter stops, white-balance mired shifts, and CTB/CTO/plus-green gel recommendations. Timecode Read SMPTE LTC straight from the audio input and show it full-screen, big enough to hold in front of a lens. When the sound has a clock and the camera does not, you film the number. The reader flywheels through dropouts and says when it has lost lock rather than pretending it hasn't. Export Generate clean PDF reports for scene and sensor planning. EXPOCAL gives estimates to support your judgment on set โ always confirm critical exposures with your meter and monitor.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: EXPOCAL at none against Light Meter's 3. EXPOCAL also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 4 weeks) and device support (4 vs 1). On price and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Light Meter sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. EXPOCAL asks for nothing beyond the download.
Light Meter ships an update every 4 weeks, EXPOCAL weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Light Meter | EXPOCAL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Weekly โ better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No โ better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac โ better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.0 โ better |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Phuc Pham | JOHN MORGAN BROWN |
In-app purchases
Light Meter
- Sunny 16 Rule Weekly$2.997 Days
- Film Photography Yearly$14.991 Year
- ND Filter Calc, Pay Once$29.99
EXPOCAL
No in-app purchases









