Night Shots Made Easy: 7 Android Camera Apps That Shine in Low Light

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Ever tried to capture the beauty of city lights or a cozy night hangout with your phone—only to end up with a blurry, grainy photo that doesn’t do the moment justice? Yup, we've all been there.

Taking good pictures in low light is tough, especially on mobile. Even the fanciest phones sometimes struggle when there’s barely any light to work with. But here’s the thing: a great camera app can actually make a huge difference. Some apps are designed with better manual controls, noise reduction, and night modes that your stock camera app might not have.

In this post, we’re diving into 7 Android camera apps that are perfect for capturing those moody, atmospheric, nighttime moments—without all the blur and noise.

1. Open Camera – Free, Lightweight, Surprisingly Powerful

Let’s start with a fan favorite. Open Camera may not have the flashiest UI, but what it does have is full manual control. You can tweak ISO, shutter speed, focus, and white balance manually—just like a DSLR.

Why it’s great for low light:

• You can slow down the shutter speed to let in more light.
• ISO control lets you reduce noise in dark conditions.
• It supports exposure bracketing for HDR-style night shots.

Bonus: It’s totally free and open source. No ads. No bloat. Just solid performance.

2. ProShot – DSLR-Like Experience on Your Phone

If you’re serious about photography, ProShot might be your new favorite. It gives you a near-complete DSLR experience right from your Android device.

Why it’s great for night photography:

• Full manual mode (shutter speed up to 30 seconds).
• RAW support for editing flexibility.
• Real-time histogram and light meter to help expose your shot correctly in the dark.

Yes, it’s a paid app—but if night photography is your thing, it’s absolutely worth it.

3. Camera FV-5 – For the Manual Mode Enthusiasts

This app is built for photography nerds (in a good way). It’s all about control. Think of Camera FV-5 as your Android’s personal pocket DSLR.

Low-light highlights:

• Manual exposure time (up to 60 seconds on supported phones).
• Focus lock and long exposure for light trails and starry skies.
• Option to save photos in RAW or lossless PNG.

It's not the most beginner-friendly, but if you like experimenting with long exposures or manual ISO tweaks, this one’s a gem.

4. Adobe Lightroom – Yes, It Has a Camera Too

Most people know Adobe Lightroom as a powerful photo editor. But did you know it has a built-in camera that’s actually amazing?

What makes it night-friendly:

• Pro camera mode with manual controls.
• Built-in HDR and noise reduction features.
• Direct access to editing tools after capture.

If you're already using Lightroom for edits, this makes your workflow seamless. Snap, edit, share—all in one app.

5. HedgeCam 2 – Customization Galore

HedgeCam 2 is a spin-off of Open Camera with even more customization. It might look overwhelming at first, but once you dive in, it’s actually pretty intuitive.

What works well in low light:

• Adjustable shutter speed and ISO.
• Focus bracketing for more clarity.
• HDR and DRO modes for better contrast in dark scenes.

Perfect for users who love tinkering with settings and don’t mind a slightly nerdy interface.

6. GCAM Ports – Google Pixel Camera for Everyone

Here’s the secret sauce: Google’s Pixel phones are known for their incredible night photography. And thanks to the Android modding community, you can install GCam ports on many non-Pixel phones.

Why GCam rules at night:

• Night Sight mode—captures insane detail in near darkness.
• Astrophotography mode—shoots the stars (literally).
• Super Res Zoom and AI-powered processing.

To use GCam, you’ll need to find a version that works with your specific phone model. It takes a bit of research, but the results are worth it.

7. Footej Camera 2 – Clean, Intuitive, and Great in the Dark

Footej is kind of the underdog in this list, but it’s one of the smoothest camera apps out there. The interface is clean and minimal, and it works well right out of the box.

Night features:

• Manual controls if your phone supports Camera2 API.
• Long exposure mode for light painting and creative shots.
• Burst mode and RAW shooting for flexibility.

It also doesn’t feel as “techy” as other manual camera apps, which is nice if you just want to take better photos without feeling like you’re in pilot school.

Tips for Getting Better Night Photos with Your Phone

The app is just half the equation. Here are a few practical tips to help you get the most out of low-light photography:

• Stay Still: Use a tripod or rest your phone on something stable. A long exposure needs zero movement.
• Use Lower ISO: High ISO brightens the image but adds grain. Lower ISO + longer shutter = cleaner shots.
• Shoot in RAW: For better control during editing, especially in dark scenes.
• Take Multiple Shots: Try different settings and pick the best one later.
• Use Available Light: Street lamps, neon signs, and candles can add dramatic lighting.

Why Not Just Use the Default Camera App?

You might be wondering, “Can’t I just use the stock camera app?” Well, yes—you can. And some newer phones do pretty well in the dark.

But most stock apps don’t give you full manual control. They often apply heavy processing that makes your photo look soft or noisy. That’s where third-party apps shine—they let you take control of your shot.

Final Thoughts: Your Phone is More Powerful Than You Think

Your Android phone can take awesome night photos—you just need the right tools and a bit of practice. Whether you're capturing neon-lit streets, a romantic dinner, or the night sky, these apps will help you do it justice.

You don’t need a fancy DSLR. You just need the right app—and the right moment.

TL;DR – Best Night Photography Apps for Android

App Name	Highlights	Price
Open Camera	Full manual control, free & open source	Free
ProShot	DSLR-like UI, long exposure, RAW	Paid
Camera FV-5	Up to 60s shutter, deep manual tools	Paid
Adobe Lightroom	Built-in editor, pro camera mode	Free (+Premium)
HedgeCam 2	High customization, exposure bracketing	Free
GCam Port	Night Sight, Astrophotography	Free (manual install)
Footej Camera 2	Smooth UI, long exposure, burst mode	Free (+Premium)

Ready to Level Up Your Night Shots?

Got a favorite app from this list? Or maybe a night shot you’re proud of? Share it in the comments or tag us on Instagram. We’d love to see what your Android camera can do in the dark.

And if you found this article helpful, don’t forget to share it with a friend who’s still stuck with blurry night photos 😉