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Halide App Gains Added iPhone 16 Camera Control Functionality

Popular camera app Halide was today updated with new features for the Camera Control button available on the new iPhone 16 models. Halide already supported opening the app with Camera Control, but now users can also make adjustments.

halide camera app
Using the Camera Control's touch and swipe-based gesture support, Halide users can adjust focus and exposure, and lock their settings in place. The dedicated "Locked" adjustment makes sure that no settings can be disturbed from accidental swipes on the Camera Control button, and it is designed for people who do not want to use manual adjustments.

The Exposure setting allows users to set an exposure bias that exceeds what's possible with Apple's Camera app (-/+ 6 EV vs. 2), and Focus allows for manual focusing on a subject or scene using the Camera Control button. Halide says that Focus provides a smooth manual focus experience with the iPhone.

In addition to these changes, Halide has added a quicker way to capture a photo. Halide takes the photo when the Camera Control button is pressed, while the Camera app from Apple takes the image when the button is released. The difference is minor, but fractions of a second can sometimes make a difference.

Halide says that the quick snap feature works well with the 48-megapixel ProRAW Zero Shutter Lag feature in the app, as well as with Process Zero, an option that Halide added to take 12-megapixel images with no AI and minimal processing.

Halide can be downloaded from the App Store. The app is priced at $2.99 per month, $19.99 per year, or $59.99 for a one-time purchase. [Direct Link]

Tag: Halide

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Top Rated Comments

cateye Avatar
19 months ago

Is this worth getting for the average person
Halide, like ProCamera, like many other 3rd party camera apps, exist for people who want access to different capabilities, a different UX, or a different workflow, and know why they want those things.

If none of that applies to you, then this app, like any app dedicated to a niche professional or hobbyist audience, is not for you. Enjoy the built-in camera app.


3. People complain.
Honestly, you could've stopped there. "Waa, it costs money."
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
podycust Avatar
19 months ago

I think this is the app people were most excited about when camera control was announced.
I am wondering if anyone who hates camera controls wishes apple had just kept the empty sim card slot?
Still have SIM card slot in my 16
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
19 months ago

For the average person surely the stock app is fine. If you need a certain feature then this is an option.
There are plenty of average people who really hate the over-processed HDR captures on iPhone 13 and later models.

With iOS 18 offering lock-screen support for third-party camera apps, this may make them more accessible for regular users.

For people who are unhappy with the default processing, they can trial the app for a month for $2.99, which is what, half the price of one coffee? That seems pretty reasonable. Then, if they like the app but hate subscriptions, they can buy it outright.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
19 months ago
1. Fantastic app!
2. App is not free.
3. People complain.
4. People read replies from people who pay and use the app.
5. Complainers buy the app.*

*They buy it for good reason.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
19 months ago
How about you write about some other camera apps? I’m bias, but you need to support smaller developers. Everyone’s heard of Halide, and it’s a great app, but how about a bit of variety? Adding camera controls isn’t unique to Halide, there’s many other apps doing this, and many other apps doing low/no processing.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cocky jeremy Avatar
19 months ago

Halide 48 Heic setting with standard processing took a 20 MB image.

Stock camera app 48 MP HEIF MAX took a 10 MB image.

Searched around but can't find why this difference exists. Both photos look the same to me. Both are HEIF files with same resolution and HDR.

Why is the Halide shot double the size?
Weird. Halide photos are noticeably better from what I've seen. Less over processing and usually better exposure.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)