My Experience with CameraClick
I saw CameraClick mentioned in a Reddit thread about manual camera apps and grabbed it out of curiosity. A year later, my feelings are complicated. On one hand, the manual controls are the best I’ve found. Last Thursday, I was stuck in a boring 3 PM meeting and managed to get an incredible shot of the light hitting the conference room plant by playing with the exposure sliders. It saved the hour. But for every moment like that, there’s a moment of pure frustration. The app just doesn’t feel snappy. Going from the camera view to the gallery takes a noticeable beat. Trying to quickly snap a photo of my dog doing something funny? Half the time the shutter lags and I miss the moment. For a paid app, that basic responsiveness feels like a bare minimum that’s been missed.
Features Worth Noting
The manual shooting mode is the entire reason I haven’t deleted this app. Having direct control over ISO, shutter speed, and focus on my phone is a game I actually enjoy. I took a trip to the coast in January, and using a slow shutter speed to blur the waves crashing on the rocks was effortless and the results looked professional. The RAW photo support is also a huge plus for when I want to do serious editing later on my computer. The filter previews are decent—you can see the effect in the viewfinder before you shoot, which is handy. Night mode is okay; it’s not magic, but it pulled some detail out of a dimly lit restaurant shot better than my stock camera app did.
What Needs Work
Speed and polish. Everything feels a half-second slower than it should. Switching between modes isn’t instant. Applying a filter after taking a photo makes the app chug. But my biggest gripe was with support. Back in November, an update completely broke the cloud backup sync. My photos just wouldn’t upload. I emailed CSDevPDX and got a boilerplate reply two days later asking for my device info. I sent it immediately. I didn’t hear back for another four days, and the response was a vague “our team is investigating the issue.” No timeline, no workaround. An issue that blocks a core feature shouldn’t leave a paying customer in the dark for nearly a week. It left a really bad taste.
Pricing
At $5.99, it’s a one-time purchase with no subscriptions, which I respect. But the price point sets an expectation. For six bucks, I don’t expect to encounter janky performance and glacial support. If the app was buttery smooth and felt truly finished, I’d call it a fair price for the manual controls alone. As it stands, you’re paying for a powerful tool that feels like it’s still in beta. It’s an investment in potential, not a polished product.
Developer Notes
The developer, CSDevPDX, pushes updates every few months. They usually squash a bug or add a minor feature like a new frame for the collage tool. The communication, however, is poor. The app store update notes are just “Bug fixes and performance improvements” 90% of the time. After my support ticket experience, I don’t have much confidence that issues are being prioritized. The app isn’t abandoned, but development feels passive, not passionate. They built a great engine but seem uninterested in smoothing out the ride.
Security & Privacy
I got it from the Play Store. The privacy policy is clear that photos are only stored on their servers if you use the cloud backup, and they claim not to use your images for data mining or ads. I haven’t seen any ads in the app itself, which is a relief. I don’t use the cloud feature anymore after my sync issue, so my photos stay on my device. It feels as secure as any other camera app, I suppose.
What manual controls does CameraClick offer?
CameraClick provides direct control over ISO, shutter speed, and focus, giving you professional-grade flexibility. You can achieve effects like blurring moving water with a slow shutter or capturing sharp details in tricky lighting, all from your phone.
Does CameraClick support RAW photos and filter previews?
Yes, CameraClick supports RAW photo capture for serious editing on your computer, and its filter previews let you see the effect in the viewfinder before you take the shot. This saves time and helps you get the look you want right away.
Why does CameraClick feel slow and unresponsive?
Many users report a noticeable half-second lag when switching modes, opening the gallery, or taking quick photos, which can cause you to miss spontaneous shots. This sluggishness is a common complaint, especially for a paid app, but it doesn't affect the manual controls themselves.
How can I fix the cloud backup sync issue after an update?
If an update broke your cloud backup sync, try reinstalling the app or checking your account settings to re-authenticate. If that doesn't work, contact support at CSDevPDX with your device info, but be aware that responses can be slow and may not fully resolve the problem.
How does CameraClick compare to the stock camera app?
CameraClick offers far superior manual controls and RAW support compared to your phone's stock camera, making it ideal for creative or professional shots. However, the stock app is much faster and more reliable for quick everyday photos, so you may end up using both depending on the situation.
