Cinema P3 Pro Camera Reviews

by Andre Savag

I can live with a fixed bitrate…

What I will NEVER get, “used to”, is that I can’t use an external microphone. The native app lets me use it. Maybe I’m the only audio engineer trying to use this, but the on-board microphone may be impressive for a phone, but it’s not suitable for music. I’m not even trying to use an expensive mic. It’s a $15 shotgun mic from Walmart that plugs analog into the headphone jack via the lightning/dongle. The reason I downloaded CinemaP3ProCamera is because it advertised having a mic gain control because my guitar amp was clipping and I wanted to dial it back. I upgraded to pro because of all the other cool features and then I can’t use my shotgun mic.

I want either a REFUND or an update that solves this ridiculous oversight. 🤦🏻‍♂️

…please fix it. I wanna use CinemaP3ProCamera. 💯 🤷🏻‍♂️

If it works in the native camera app, than it should work in CinemaP3ProCamera.

I’m giving it 2 stars for effort

by JoeyCastellon

CinemaP3ProCamera offers tons of control and the videos look great, but it was until I purchased the Pro version that I noticed that videos are often recorded at a frame rate lower than the one specified. For example, I set the video format to 4K 60 fps and many videos were recorded at 41-47 fps and that resulted in footage that was choppy and as such, unusable. This is unacceptable especially considering I’m using an iPhone 14 Pro Max, which has more than enough power to record smooth video. I reached out to the support team about a week ago but never got a reply.

by Namkaz

I continuously run into an issue where i cant record anything. I press the record button and CinemaP3ProCamera just crashes over and over, even if i restart the phone. The only solution is to play with random settings like switching the lens and eventually i am able to record again. I hate this flaw as CinemaP3ProCamera is wonderful, but this headache has caused numerous wasted minutes. I contacted the support email but never got a reply as well.

by LongTermUser64

I have been using since filmic pro went to a subscription service. LOVED it and then bugs crept in… focus issues where the manual focus would automatically go to a face (not what I focused on), camera lens randomly switched to ultra wide from wide, missing / NO viewing log LUT for Apple Log or a way to import one (?), moving the exposure reticle unlocks it while recording and that then changes the exposure, if I delete files from the Apple Files app the program still reports memory being used / locked to the phone, etc. Using a 15pro max.

by Asif_NY

Amazing app. Loved the design and all the cool features. Worth the price. However, The camera latency made me uninstall CinemaP3ProCamera . This is so severe that I have to guess my screen while I move my camera, the actual display is about couple of seconds late. Even in standard stabilization I see noticeable latency. Wish the frame analysis worked in the background while real time camera view showed on display. That would make CinemaP3ProCamera a 10. I will prolly come back and change my rating to 5 star and reinstall it. But for now it is just unusable.

*I am using iPhone 14 pro.

by AttiSun

Sure, there are many great camera apps on CinemaP3ProCamera Store. But Cinema P3 Pro Camera is making most of them look pale. If you are serious about filmmaking on iPhone CinemaP3ProCamera really delivers.

Also, the developer Thomas Blackburn really seems to put a lot of TLC into CinemaP3ProCamera - improving it and adding features with every release. He implements functions his customers desire.

This is the most professional camera app for filmmakers … but beware: you most likely want to upgrade to a newer iPhone Pro too to make use of all the features that are implemented in CinemaP3ProCamera!

Every detail and functions of CinemaP3ProCamera are explained on the developers web site. Highly recommended to stop by to get the most out of CinemaP3ProCamera and the knowledge you get this way will also help you to improve and better understand cinematography, other cameras and production techniques in general.

Great work! Quite amazing …

by Flashlightguitars

I’ve purchased more camera apps than weather apps. Searching for something meaningfully different is difficult because it isn’t known quickly if an app is useful or even wanted until after it’s downloaded and used for a while. This camera app is feature loaded but nice to use. Thank you for your work.

by BofromKansas!

As a 7 year YouTuber with 2k scribes, I have to say CinemaP3ProCamera really gives Filmic Pro a run for the competition. Filmic Legacy was my app and still is IF they don’t change it. CinemaP3ProCamera has features aI love like the red recording border. If this thing had a setting to adjust the recording audio level, it would be worth $20 to me. I went ahead and purchased this as my back up for now but I’ll definitely pass on the word. If Filming Pro keeps falling away from its former legacy, I’ll definitely keep CinemaP3ProCamera ready to go. Meantime I’m going to practice the settings and the feel of it.
Very nice work CinemaP3 !!

by Stuke

Just one small request: I want to save to CinemaP3ProCamera with the ability to transfer the A and B footage I want to the iPhone photos app. I don’t need everything moved. Also, as it is now going to Photos, when you view content, you can’t delete it! Strange but I be or both need added/fixed.

Update: thanks for the suggestion to maintain shot files using two separate Apple apps (Photos and Files). Instead I moved to apps that do it themselves (ProMovie and MoviePro, like Filmic did).

by Photo Idaho

I’m not going to create yet another laundry list of amazing features - there are plenty of other reviews here that can deliver that information. Instead I want to praise CinemaP3ProCamera and is developer for providing tremendous value at a budget price. If you want a deep dive into CinemaP3ProCamera , visit Tom’s website. It’s all there - and more. Frankly, I don’t remember the last time I purchased an app that had such robust support.

So to wrap this up - if you’re looking for a world class camera app that doesn’t demand a subscription - just buy CinemaP3ProCamera. You can’t go wrong!

by Johpap

I wish I had heard of CinemaP3ProCamera before I dropped $49 for the annual subscription to Filmic Pro. CinemaP3ProCamera includes features that filmic pro doesn’t have that are in my opinion vital to videography and filmmaking. I have yet to explore the entire app and I’ve already found features such as the scopes features, as well as the barrel distortion feature for anamorphic lenses that are incredible. The only thing I would like to see, is the ability to shoot in V log.

by Wendy Lou

When a popular video app switched to a subscription model, a reviewer recommended Cinema P3 Pro, which I purchased. App is free and upgrade to Pro is inexpensive and highly recommended. I don’t know how I missed CinemaP3ProCamera before, but I’m very glad I switched to it as my go-to video app. It’s amazing, feature-rich, excellent user interface, and packs extra utilities like video scopes. Total control over WB, Exposure, Focus, formats, frame rate, audio, etc. Shoot HDR Dolby or SDR with extended P3, has Creative and two Log formats. You will not be disappointed with CinemaP3ProCamera! Highly recommended!

by BadBobB

I have tried many other apps including FilmicPro. I find this one better for options and simplicity. I would like to make it my go to app, but in order to do that it really needs to have presets that the user can store in order to easily switch between user desired settings. It is too time consuming to manually switch to various desired settings while actually shooting. PLEASE consider this for one of your next updates as you do have a great app for video. More people need to try it. Presets will raise my rating to 5 stars.

Added presets! 5 star! Hope more people check CinemaP3ProCamera out.

by Geodov

This is a very nice app that gives you a lot of control of your 3 cameras on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It’s strong point is that it fully supports and gives you a lot of control of Dolby Vision filming and sound tracks from external microphones.

What would be nice, listen up developers….is to create a iWatch companion app to control the shutter like some of the other camera apps. This would help when you have your iPhone on a tripod.

Then CinemaP3ProCamera would be one of the best camera apps!!!

by Vschrepf

CinemaP3ProCamera is phenomenal !! CinemaP3ProCamera has had features in the Pro version that Filmic Pro just introduced in their latest 7.0 version. The Pro version is a minor one time fee, not subscription like Filmic, over the free version of CinemaP3ProCamera which is already very feature rich.

The only minor thing that CinemaP3ProCamera needs is gimbal control, which I hope the developer will add in the future, and it would be a 10 star app!!

by Casperankinen

CinemaP3ProCamera ticks all the major boxes for me. Frame Rate, Shutter/ISO and Colour Control, with False Colour to control my exposure. The UI is straightforward and there’s just so many small things that it helps out with, that you can have scoped overlays automatically turn just when adjusting certain settings (eg. False colour on exposure controls) or how it records the zoom angle in your video metadata so when you’re matching to 3D footage it’s much easier.

I’ve used many of its competitors, including Filmic which was my go-to, even with some woeful UI issues, until it screwed up my entire phone. I lost so much time and shots because of Filmic. Yet CinemaP3 just works, you can rely on it.

Also the developer is constantly making this better daily, I’m eager to see where CinemaP3ProCamera goes.

by VictorBerry7

CinemaP3ProCamera is brilliant. Truly.

I LOVED filmic pro. I had all the upgrades, used it as my main video app when on the go, I even utilized their photo app frequently (Firstlight)

Now, like many others, Filmic Pros new company business practices have left a sour (more like putrid) taste in my mouth. I can’t and won’t support them.

Lo and behold this beautiful, very well priced, and intuitive app. It’s a bit of a learning curve but as with all creative pro like tools with many options, that’s always the case.

ONE THING - I’m sure the developer is working on or knows they should be. Remote control. That’s all this needs but I’m not gonna take a star away for that as this is a truly 5 star app.

PS - Buy the upgrade for CinemaP3ProCamera! It’s well worth the extra functionality.

PSS - Thank you dev! (Or devs) for this brilliant app!

by Customernolonger

This may be a paid app. But it’s well worth it. I have a shooting channel and this allows me to use my phone again as I can adjust the gain for my external mic as the iPhones auto settings for external mics do not get along with loud noises. There’s many other creative controls CinemaP3ProCamera offers. But that alone is worth the price. Also I had an issue with the free version even before I paid and the creator of CinemaP3ProCamera reached out himself to make sure I got my issue solved. Loyal customer here.

by Skippermark

I needed a program that wrote timecodes to iPhone footage during recording, so I could combine them with other cameras that support time-coding. CinemaP3ProCamera does this perfectly. I was also trying to use this with a gimbal, and I have the gimbal record button activate CinemaP3ProCamera , but was having difficulty getting it to work so I reached out to the developer and received a reply moments later with a suggestion to try. I try the suggestion, and it worked great. I’m currently in trial mode, but will be purchasing CinemaP3ProCamera as soon as the trial ends, I couldn’t find a way to buy it while in the trial. It’s a great feeling to know that CinemaP3ProCamera is supported so well and has so many powerful features.

by PerryAVL

I submitted a ticket, asking if display LUTs could be used when shooting an Apple LOG. Within five minutes, I received a detailed reply, explaining that this was a feature in the works, but for now, there is a simple workaround. It works! CinemaP3ProCamera is well thought out, easy to use, and I particularly like the multipoint focus pull feature that competing video apps don’t have.

by Dripumar

Tested every other “cinema” camera app and none of them come close to this, yes it does cost $7 for it but it’s a LIFETIME buy, not monthly like all these other ones while offering the same amount of features and even more, CinemaP3ProCamera truly helped a ton before I had the money to get a actual cinema camera. 11/10 would recommend to any serious cinematographers!!!!

by AZ Kai

This is the one you’re looking for. It has an extensive feature set with the ability to save settings as presets so you can quickly switch whole groups of settings. I think the UI really captures the look and feel of a real digital cinema camera. And the ability to hide icons and tools while recording is also great.

Also, much respect to the developer, Thomas, for providing great support.

by Iamblued

Like others, I was shocked and saddened when Filmic moved to a eye-wateringly expensive subscription model. I thought I’d be stuck with Filmic Legacy slowly falling out of date as time went on.

The interface is intuitive, and in many ways is superior to Filmic Legacy! The only thing that’s missing in my workflow is support for Zhiyun and DJI gimbals. I hope this can be added in time!

by {¥€¥}

The most recent update mentioned a Timelapse feature… I found it in the settings, switched it on, but it’s nowhere to be found on the screen as indicated.

Update: My bad, I was in ‘photo mode’, and couldn’t see it. Changed rating to 5*! CinemaP3ProCamera keeps getting better, well done… Paid version user.

by Unfocusedoffbrands

CinemaP3ProCamera is brilliant. Truly.

I LOVED filmic pro. I had all the upgrades, used it as my main video app when on the go, I even utilized their photo app frequently (Firstlight)

Now, like many others, Filmic Pros new company business practices have left a sour (more like putrid) taste in my mouth. I can’t and won’t support them.

Lo and behold this beautiful, very well priced, and intuitive app. It’s a bit of a learning curve but as with all creative pro like tools with many options, that’s always the case.

ONE THING - I’m sure the developer is working on or knows they should be. Remote control. That’s all this needs but I’m not gonna take a star away for that as this is a truly 5 star app.

PS - Buy the upgrade for CinemaP3ProCamera! It’s well worth the extra functionality.

PSS - Thank you dev! (Or devs) for this brilliant app!

by Northpaul

Probably on your radar but I don’t see anyone who mentioned it. On the iPhone 16 pro max, the camera will “stutter” occasionally when panning any direction. Previously on iPhone 12 Pro Max I never saw that so I’m wondering if this is an issue with the new phone. Smooth panning is such a huge thing in CinemaP3ProCamera and why I still use it when I need it! Keep up the great work!

by VaBullsFan

CinemaP3ProCamera is a must have! The only reason I didn’t rate it 5 stars is that it’s missing the ability to adjust the bitrate, add that and this could be the best camera app in CinemaP3ProCamera Store!

Edit: With the latest update the ability to adjust the bitrate, and other new features has greatly improved the quality of the videos taken with CinemaP3ProCamera, I’m changing my rating to 5 stars! Keep up the good work!

by Fellow Human Pete

I’m up and running with great results and I am new to IPhone Video work!

If you read all the reviews, you’ll find that most reviews under 5 stars received responses to their “problems”, fully resolving their reported issues. They should have properly upgraded their ratings.

by Ccarson05

Not that CinemaP3ProCamera can’t stand on its own, but it is way better than filmic pro.

If I had to be picky- it really needs a remote monitor via another iPad or iPhone as a paid upgrade.

So glad CinemaP3ProCamera exist. If it ever goes to a subscription model, I’d be the first in line. I fully support the developer behind this amazing tool.

by DaemonJ

After switching from Filmic Pro to CP3, I’ve never been so pleased. Not to mention that the developer actually listens to his customers and adds features regularly. It’s very inexpensive to buy the upgrades. Even cheaper than Filmic Pro before it went subscription. It’s a no brained… get Cinema P3!