Comparison

CameraKit vs ARRI ECS

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
Read full description

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. Or browse by format, from standards like ProRes and DNxHR to the newer Blackmagic Raw and ProRes Raw. 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

ARRI ECS

Features
Read full description

The “ECS Sync” iPhone app functions as a direct communication platform between ARRI and users of ARRI’s Electronic Control System (ECS). Adaptable to any camera and any lens, ARRI ECS tools include wireless hand units and digital controllers, intelligent lens motors, and distance measurers. With the ECS Sync app, users can receive up-to-the-minute software updates, news, and answers to frequently asked questions relevant to these products. In addition, the ECS Sync app enables Bluetooth file sharing between ECS devices and the app via the new Hi-5 hand unit, without the need of a bulky laptop on set. Software versions can be synchronized, and transferred from the app to the connected devices. Lens files and user settings can be archived in the app, or forwarded on, including to the user’s Google Drive or Drop Box. Lens files can also be displayed graphically, contributing to the app’s usefulness as a portable and intuitive filmmaking tool. Features: • Save and load lens tables and user setup files to/from the Hi-5 hand unit via Bluetooth • Create a personalized lens data archive in the ECS Sync app • Update the Hi-5 hand unit and connected LBUS devices via the app • Get the latest news about ARRI ECS products • Distribute lens tables and user setup files from the app via email, WhatsApp, Dropbox, Google Drive and more

Screenshots

CameraKit4 screens
ARRI ECS3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ARRI ECS at none against CameraKit's 3. CameraKit's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 14 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. ARRI ECS asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CameraKit ships an update every 2 months, ARRI ECS every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and August 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
CameraKit versus ARRI ECS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCameraKitARRI ECS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (319 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings319 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 14 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZak RayARRI Group

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

ARRI ECS

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
None

ARRI ECS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CameraKit free?
CameraKit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ARRI ECS free?
ARRI ECS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do CameraKit or ARRI ECS have ads?
Neither CameraKit nor ARRI ECS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CameraKit or ARRI ECS?
CameraKit ships an update every 2 months, and ARRI ECS every 14 months. Most recently, CameraKit was updated on September 20, 2026 and ARRI ECS on August 31, 2026.

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