The iPhone’s stock camera app is great for casual snapshots, but for serious mobile videography, it falls short. Kino, the new video-centric app from the Halide team, bridges this gap, offering powerful controls and intuitive design without the steep learning curve of its sibling app. It’s quite simply the best video camera app I’ve used.
Simple Yet Powerful Controls
Exposure controls in Kino camera app.Intuitive exposure controls in Kino.
Kino’s interface is remarkably clean, reminiscent of Apple’s own camera app, yet packed with essential controls. Accessing tools like white balance, grid lines, stabilization, and focus is refreshingly straightforward. Apple could learn a thing or two from Kino’s elegant layout. Shutter speed and exposure controls are neatly tucked away, easily toggled between auto and manual modes with a simple tap.
Capture controls in Kino camera app.Streamlined capture controls.
Unlike the stock app, Kino offers complete control over resolution, frame rate, codec, and color space, all accessible from a single drop-down menu. This eliminates the frustrating limitations of Apple’s default settings and puts you firmly in charge of your video’s quality.
Adjusting video quality presets in Kino.Customizable video quality presets.
The “Swipe to Lock” feature prevents accidental recording interruptions, while the focus adjustment dial, with its helpful green highlights, makes achieving perfect focus a breeze, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro.
Real-time Grading: Kino’s Killer Feature
Focus adjustment highlights in Kino camera app.Focus peaking highlights in-focus areas.
Kino’s Instant Grade system is a game-changer. Forget the complexities of applying LUTs in post-production. Kino lets you apply these cinematic color grades in real-time, previewing the final look while you shoot.
Color grade presets in Kino camera app.Built-in and importable LUT presets.
The app includes a selection of pre-installed LUTs from renowned artists and filmmakers, and you can even import your own. This streamlined workflow eliminates the need for desktop editing software for many users.
Grade adjustments in Kino camera app.Comparing normal and graded capture.
While applying presets sacrifices some editing flexibility, the convenience is undeniable. Kino also offers flexible storage options, allowing you to save videos to the Photos app or a dedicated Kino folder accessible via the Files app.
Room for Improvement
Chroma waveform in Kino camera app.Waveform monitoring in Kino.
Kino does have a few shortcomings. It currently lacks support for 4K 120fps Dolby Vision recording, and integration with Apple’s Camera Control could be improved. Adjusting LUT intensity and stacking LUTs are also not currently possible. Lens switching can be slightly delayed, and digital zoom is limited to native lens magnifications.
Recording a scene using the Kino camera app.Using Kino for video recording.
Stabilization at 60fps on the ultrawide lens could be better, and some minor bugs, like the ISO slider issue, are being addressed.
Is Kino Worth the Price?
Person holding an iPhone 16 Pro running the Kino camera app.Kino running on an iPhone.
At $20, Kino isn’t cheap, but its powerful features and streamlined workflow make it a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about mobile videography. The ability to create stunning, color-graded videos directly on your iPhone is a compelling proposition.
Comparison of flat and color-graded image in Kino.Flat vs. graded image comparison.
Despite a few limitations, Kino’s approachable design and the Halide team’s commitment to updates make it a promising app. The upcoming “Casablanca” update is highly anticipated, but even in its current state, Kino is a powerful tool for capturing professional-quality video on your iPhone.
Kino is available now on the App Store.
