CineTape AIR vs pCAM Pro
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CineTape AIR
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This is the official Cinematography Electronics CineTape AIR App. It wirelessly connects your iPhone, iPad or iPod to the new CineTape AIR that works in conjunction with your CineTape. The App instantly displays the distance and adds many features to the industry standard CineTape. The intuitive user interface (UI) makes it a perfect companion for your Cine Tape. This App requires both a CineTape and the new CineTape AIR accessory. The measured distance is displayed in easy to read large red numerals that mimic the CineTape. Feet or Meters is shown beneath the numeric readout, for reference. Adjustable features include; 1) NEAR and FAR distance, 2) SENSITIVITY level, and 3) BRIGHTNESS level. In addition, the App has the ability to SYNCHRONIZE two CineTapes. The NEAR and FAR distance settings are used to limit the range of the measurement. This is especially useful for “over the shoulder” type shots. To change the setting, tap on the yellow numerals in the NEAR or FAR section and a popup adjustment wheel appears. Scroll the wheel to fine-tune the distance limit. Tap the number again to set the distance. Both the NEAR and FAR settings work in a similar manner. Each can be set and switched on or off independently. This makes it possible to preset limits, and activate or deactivate them during a shot. Tap on the dotted line in the SENSITIVITY section to increase or decrease the SENSITIVITY. Each dot represents a 5% change. The new SENSITIVITY is displayed as a percentage along with the graphical dot representation. To confirm a change, the red distance display will momentarily flash the new selected setting. The BRIGHTNESS level of the CineTape is adjustable from the App. Tap on the dotted line in the CTM Brightness area to increase or decrease. The length of the dotted line represents the relative BRIGHTNESS. SYNCHRONIZE two CineTapes together by tapping the Tap to SYNC section. This App requires both a CineTape and the new CineTape AIR accessory.
pCAM Pro
This app provides 27 essential tools for cinematography and photography professionals and students. It offers instant calculations for depth of field, field of view, exposure, and more, with a user-friendly interface designed for on-the-go use.
- Depth of Field calculations
- Field of View preview
- Focal Length matching
- Exposure calculations
- HMI Flicker-free settings
- Speed Booster adapter calculations
- VFX tracking markers
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Plan shots, choose lenses, calculate exposure, and pre-visualize the frame in seconds. 27 pro tools. Every result illustrated. 2,000+ camera formats plus unlimited user-defined formats. I've deliberately kept pCAM Pro a one-time purchase, with none of the subscriptions that have crept into so many apps. • Universal app for iPhone, iPad, Apple Silicon Mac, and Apple Vision Pro • Depth of Field (hyperfocal, total depth, near and far, image circle) • Field of View (and angle of view) • Field of View Preview in both Portrait & Landscape camera positions (8 images to pre-visualize & size shots by distance & focal length) • Focal Length (lens) Matching — match to horizontal, vertical, or diagonal dimensions • Relative Size (compares sensors) • Exposure calculations • HMI Flicker-free (safe shutters & safe camera speeds) • Reference (technical charts, lists & tables. Cine film stocks with film can labels, cine lens specs, false color/exposure change, diopter distance table, miniature shooting, safe panning speeds, zone system) • Insert Slate (4 font colors plus white or black backgrounds) • Splits — Aperture Finder calculation • Speed Booster® Adapter — calculate reduced Focal Length & Boosted Aperture with various adapters. Also create camera format profiles with attached adapters for use in other tools • Eye Light (soft-edged light shapes — Full Screen, Oval, Ring, and Strip) • Chroma Key & VFX Tracking (green and blue screen and VFX tracking markers) • Light Effects for handheld light or via Apple AirPlay to HDTV. Includes templates for: fire, television, siren, neon, strobe, flashbulb, lightning. Create unlimited custom animations • Mired Shift — Gel Selector • Conversion calculator • 4 Test Charts (incl. Siemens Star) • Triangulate calculation (calculate distances, image circle, etc.) • Film Running Time to Length • Shooting to Screen Time • Color Correction (chooses color correction filters) • Time Lapse (shooting interval, event duration, screen time) • Scene Illumination (beam intensity) • Light Coverage (width/distance) • Underwater Distance • Diopter (lens focus, diopter power) • Macro (object distance, magnification, corrected stop, DoF, object size, image size, fill percentage) • Built-in user guides on each screen • Calculates instantly & automatically as each entry is entered • 2,000+ camera formats plus unlimited customizable, user-defined camera formats, CoC & filters • Designed by a working camera technician who understands that calculations must be done simply and on-the-run AND ONE THING THAT ISN'T A CALCULATOR Crew Wheel — spin to settle who's buying the coffee. Not a tool, just a small gift for the standing-around time. Every long day needs one. TRUSTED WORLDWIDE BY DPs, Photographers, Camera Assistants, Camera Operators, Production Designers, VFX, Videographers, Gaffers, plus Film, Television, and Digital Media students. INDUSTRY RECOGNITION • Membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Production and Technology Branch). • 75th Primetime Emmy Awards — Emmy® for "Outstanding Achievement in Engineering, Science & Technology" from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. • 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards — Engineering Plaque for "Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development" from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. • Technical Achievement Award from Society of Camera Operators — "For outstanding contributions to cinematography through the design and development of the pCAM Film+Digital Calculator."
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: CineTape AIR at $19.99 against pCAM Pro's $34.99. CineTape AIR also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). pCAM Pro's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 12 months) and chart position (#71 vs unranked). On 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
CineTape AIR costs $19.99 and pCAM Pro $34.99 up front. pCAM Pro sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. CineTape AIR asks for nothing beyond the download.
CineTape AIR ships an update every 12 months, pCAM Pro weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CineTape AIR | pCAM Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 — better | $34.99 |
| Rating | — | 4.9 (222 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 97.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 222 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #71 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 42 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Thomas Barton | David Eubank |
Bugs and requests
CineTape AIR
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
pCAM Pro
Reported bugs
1 issue- None explicitly mentioned, but feature requests imply areas for improvement.
Requested features
3 requests- Access iPhone camera for exact POV simulation
- Implement a night mode
- Relocate hyperfocal 'apply' button in Depth-of-Field calculator
In-app purchases
CineTape AIR
No in-app purchases
pCAM Pro
- Small Tip$1.99
- Medium Tip$4.99
- Large Tip$7.99








