The Cameras + Formats App for iOS puts everything you need to know about cameras, codecs, formats and data rates right at your fingertips.
This one app can save you a lot of time dredging the internet for specifications and features of cameras or looking for online data rate calculators. It’s a must-have addition to your arsenal of iPhone or iPad filmmaking tools.
Here’s a rundown of what Cameras + Formats App can do for you. So far it’s available for iOS only.
Cameras
With a few swipes and clicks you can check the full specs and features of most video and cinema cameras in common use from every major manufacturer.
Once you’ve selected a camera, you’ve got access to all the critical information you might need under three tabs. Specs, Formats and Compatibility. It’s very clear, concise and will help you choose the right camera for any production. The compatibility tab shows you the chosen camera codec’s native compatibility with major NLEs, and suggests conversion if necessary.
Formats
Video and data workflow is just as important to any production as choosing the right camera. Cameras App has you covered for details and bit rates of all common codecs. From within formats, the cameras tab will list cameras that natively record the chosen format, and compatibility shows how the format is supported on common NLEs.
Calculator
One of the most useful features of the Cameras + Formats App is its calculator. You can calculate data rates and storage requirements based on the recording formats of a specific camera or codec.
You can calculate storage requirements for a specific codec, and even get an estimate of transfer time when you input a data transfer speed.
Cameras + Formats is an extremely useful tool in pre-production, on set and in post, and is an essential tool for any filmmaker. You can download it from the App Store here.
