Comparison

CameraKit vs Magic Sonic ViewFinder

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

Head to head
About

CameraKit

This app provides comprehensive technical specifications and calculations for a wide range of cameras and video formats. It helps filmmakers and videographers estimate storage needs, battery life, transfer times, and compare camera performance.

Highlights
  • Detailed camera specifications
  • Storage space calculation
  • Battery life estimation
  • File transfer time prediction
  • Sensor size comparison
  • Format compatibility checks
  • Notes and favorites
Features
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Everything you need to know about every camera worth using. "How much drive space will I need for this Alexa 35 shoot?” "What's the dynamic range of the Venice 2?” “How long will these batteries last me on a Komodo?” "How big is this file going to be when I export?” If you've ever asked these questions, this is the app for you. Whether you’re making decisions on set, troubleshooting in an edit bay, or figuring out which camera to buy, CameraKit has you covered. Search over 200 cameras with a list that includes Arri, Canon, Red, Sony, Blackmagic, Panasonic and more. All specs and data sourced by hand: no AI means no hallucinations. SPECS Includes dynamic range, sensor size, native ISO, lens mounts, resolutions, video outputs, maximum FPS and a link to the manufacturer's website for firmware & manuals. STORAGE Determine how much footage you can fit on your camera card or hard drive-- or how much storage space you'll need for a given recording time.  TRANSFER Predict just how long it will take to move your files, whether you’re transferring to a drive or over the internet.  POWER Estimate how long your batteries will last, or how many you'll need for a shoot, with the option to factor in accessories like your monitor or wireless transmitter. SENSOR See the sensor size for the current resolution and compare sensors between cameras. COMPATIBILITY See how well each camera and format performs with the latest versions of Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, Assimilate Scratch and DaVinci Resolve. Also see if it's been approved by Netflix for original programming. AND MORE Jot down observations and anything you want to remember about a camera with Notes. Compare specs or any other tool like Storage or Compatibility. Calculate film footage for 8mm, 16mm, 35mm and 65mm cameras. Save your calculations and return to them later with a tap. Mark any camera as a favorite for quick access. "CameraKit is easily the de-facto standard and is utilized by many of our productions to demystify complex technical nuances of filmmaking." -Andy Johnson, Netflix "With the abundance of camera formats now out there, it’s easy to get lost with which system can do what. With the CameraKit app this information is now at your fingertips." -Richard Lackey, CineD "This is one of my favorites. It has every single piece of information for nearly every single camera on the market today. Comparing recording formats between cameras has never been easier." -Shane Hurlbut, ASC • Support • For support, send me an email at zak@grayhourmedia.com or message me on Instagram @_zakray. To see all supported cameras and formats, just install the app (it's free to download!) and open the main dropdown menu. Current countries for manufacturer phone support are the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, and China. No internet connection required: all data is hard-coded into the app, so there’s no syncing process, and you’ll be able to access it even without a cell signal. • Disclaimer • The "price" feature uses affiliate links from B&H Photo Video. I receive a commission if you make a purchase from one of these links. • About • CameraKit is developed by Zak Ray and the team at Gray Hour Media in NYC & LA. Gray Hour produces fresh and original content for film, episodic and the web. Head to www.grayhourmedia.com to check out our work!

About

Magic Sonic ViewFinder

This app simulates the field of view for various camera and lens combinations, aiding filmmakers in preproduction. It allows users to preview shots with different focal lengths, aspect ratios, and color presets, and save them for future reference.

Highlights
  • Precise framing preview
  • Simulates digital camera field of view
  • Supports numerous camera models
  • Tele adapter and anamorphic lens simulation
  • Aspect ratio frame guides
  • Color presets (LUTs)
  • Save shots with metadata
Features
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Magic Sonic ViewFinder presents you a precise framing preview for the real camera/lens combination you'll be shooting with, right where you stand with your iPhone / iPad. It simulates the field of view of digital cameras and can help thousands of professionals in filmmaking at the preproduction. PLEASE READ: this app does not turn your Apple device into an external monitor, but operates as a stand-alone director's viewfinder. The app contains ad banners, which can be turned off with additional in-app purchase. The app is a digital directors viewfinder -- it helps you see the field of view for your future shot. Select the camera from the menu and rotate the wheel to select the focal length of the lens. Supported cameras: - Alpha a99 II, 7RIII, 7RII - Alpha 7III, 7S II, 7R - Alpha a77, a6500, a6300, a5100 - FS100 / FS 700 - F3 / FS5 / FS7 - FX9 FF 6K / FF crop 5K / S35 4K - RX100 (1" sensor) - Venice 6K / 4K / 3.8K Magic ViewFinder simulates using tele adapters or anamorphic optics on your camera (see menu). From the menu you can also select the aspect ratio of the frame guide overlaying your image. Magic ViewFinder also lets you apply some commonly used color presets (also known as LUTs)to the live picture, which brings you even closer to the final shot. When you have found the right view, you may save it for future reference, with additional data like the focal length, date and time and camera / lens information. While taking a photo, you may lock exposure and turn on and off the auto focus to better control the captured picture. You can set camera to work in constant auto-focus mode, or lock the focus temporarily. You can also tap the live screen to focus on particular objects (which turns on the focus-locked mode). White balance may work in Auto, Locked or Manual mode. If the field of view of your real camera is wider than your in-device camera, the app adds 'padding' around the image, since the device cannot 'see' what is beyond. It is the best solution that we developed first amongst other viewfinder apps. Please note that position of your iPhone or iPad should correspond to the 'nodal point' of your real lens, which is somewhere in the middle of the lens. This point is, so to speak, the weighted center of the optics. Ad policy: Ads can be turned off (see below). Additional info about the app may be read at: http://dev.kadru.net/index.php/magic-viewfinder/ If you have any issues please email us for a quick support: dev@kadru.net To activate additional settings (i.e. to use all available optical adapters and frame guides) and to turn off advertising, please subscribe to (Option #1) or purchase Premium Features (Option #2) in 'About the App' menu. In-App Purchase Option #1: - Title of service: Premium features: subscription - Length of subscription: a month (auto-renewable) - Contents of service: Turned off ads and additional options for frame guides, optical adapters, anamorphic indices, more LUTs - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s Account Settings after purchase - Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable In-App Purchase Option #2: - Title of service: Premium features: purchase - Length of subscription: once and forever - Contents of service: Turned off ads and additional options for frame guides, optical adapters, anamorphic indices, more LUTs Terms of Use: http://dev.kadru.net/tos.html Privacy Policy: http://dev.kadru.net/privacy_policy/Privacy_Policy_Magic_Sony_ViewFinder.html

Screenshots

CameraKit4 screens
Magic Sonic ViewFinder4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: CameraKit at none against Magic Sonic ViewFinder's shown. CameraKit also leads on ratings volume (321 vs 42). Magic Sonic ViewFinder's advantage is review sentiment (86% vs 66%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, update cadence 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. CameraKit sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Magic Sonic ViewFinder sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for CameraKit against 4.7 for Magic Sonic ViewFinder. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CameraKit has 321 ratings behind it against 42, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of CameraKit's written reviews are positive against 86% of Magic Sonic ViewFinder's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CameraKit ships an update every 2 months, Magic Sonic ViewFinder monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
CameraKit versus Magic Sonic ViewFinder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCameraKitMagic Sonic ViewFinder
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (321 ratings) — better4.7 (42 ratings)
Positive reviews66.1% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings321 — better42
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZak RayRoman Medvid

Customer experience

CameraKit

All ratings321 ratings
Positive93.1%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive66.1%
Neutral11.3%
Negative22.6%

Magic Sonic ViewFinder

All ratings42 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral4.8%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

CameraKit

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Lost all pro purchases
  • Cannot restore purchases
  • Monthly subscription broken
  • Subscription cycle error
  • Crashes when restoring purchase on iPad Mini
Show 4 more
  • App crashes when selecting XT3 camera
  • App crashes when typing numbers in search
  • BMPCC4K resolution and frame rate wrong
  • BMPCC 6K frame rate wrong

Requested features

21 requests
  • Pro-rate for early adopters
  • Direct link to working manual
  • Develop something for framing
  • Add support for Sony a7 IV
  • Add support for Nikon
Show 16 more
  • Add support for Braw calculate for BMD, BMPCC 4K
  • Organize favorites list
  • Include Sony A7s
  • Include Panasonic HC-X1000
  • Include Sony NEX-EA50
  • Update with new cameras regularly
  • Include Blackmagic Pocket CC
  • Add accurate info for all frame rates (Avid, Red)
  • Clarify camera generations (C100 vs C100 mk 2, RED Scarlet MX vs Dragon)
  • Add film formats
  • Include compressed raw formats for Blackmagic
  • Add RGB color space for ProRes4444 on Alexa
  • Correct 29.97i to 29.97PsF for C100
  • Add slow-mo and resolution details for cameras
  • Add 3000 fps for Phantom 4k
  • Add 200 fps in UHD for Alexa Mini

Magic Sonic ViewFinder

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

CameraKit

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$99.99
2 purchases

Magic Sonic ViewFinder

Subscriptions1
  • Premium features: subscription1 Month trial$1.491 Month
One-time1
  • Premium features: purchase$4.99

Questions

Is CameraKit free?
CameraKit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Magic Sonic ViewFinder free?
Magic Sonic ViewFinder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CameraKit or Magic Sonic ViewFinder?
CameraKit is rated higher. CameraKit averages 4.7 out of 5 from 321 ratings, while Magic Sonic ViewFinder averages 4.7 from 42 ratings.
Do CameraKit or Magic Sonic ViewFinder have ads?
Magic Sonic ViewFinder shows ads; CameraKit does not.
Which is updated more often, CameraKit or Magic Sonic ViewFinder?
CameraKit ships an update every 2 months, and Magic Sonic ViewFinder monthly. Most recently, CameraKit was updated on October 13, 2026 and Magic Sonic ViewFinder on October 5, 2026.

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