PhotoPills is a photography planning app for planning shots. It helps you check the Sun, Moon, Milky Way, stars, and light from your phone.
I used it on a Redmi Android phone for two days. It suits travel, landscape, night, and outdoor photography.
For daily photo planning, it can help you pick a place and time before you go. This helps when you want the Sun or Moon in a certain place.
Top Features in Action
- Sun and Moon Planner: You can check where the Sun and Moon will be at a chosen time and place. This is useful for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset photos.
- Night Sky Planning: The app helps you plan shots of the Milky Way and stars. You can check times and directions before going outside.
- Photo Calculators: PhotoPills includes tools for depth of field, field of view, exposure, and other camera settings. These can help photographers choose settings before taking a picture.
- 3D and AR Tools: The app can show sky and Sun or Moon positions in visual planning tools. This can make the planned scene easier to understand.
- Planner and Location Tools: You can save plans and check photography information for places. The map tools are useful when preparing for a trip or outdoor shoot.
Testing on a Budget Phone
I tested PhotoPills on a Redmi phone for two days. It ran smoothly with no major issues in normal use.
Scrolling was smooth, and I did not notice serious lag while moving between tools. I also did not face app crashes during the test.
The phone did not become unusually hot during normal sessions. Battery use also looked normal, with no sudden battery drop during my test.
App Size and Privacy Check
The current Android APK download size listed by AppBrain is 9.51 MB, with version 1.8.21 listed as the latest version. Installed size can differ because Android may use extra space for files and updates. PhotoPills currently costs $10.99 on Google Play.
The Play Store says it does not share data with third parties, may collect app activity and app info/performance, encrypts data in transit, and lets users request deletion. Location access can be needed for location-based planning, and camera or photo access may be needed for some features. Android lets users review and change app permissions in Settings.
Market Alternatives
Two useful alternatives are Sun Surveyor and Planit Pro. Google Play lists Sun Surveyor at $9.99 and Planit Pro at $9.99, while PhotoPills is $10.99. PhotoPills puts many planning tools in one app, while Sun Surveyor focuses on Sun and Moon planning and Planit Pro gives landscape photographers many map, sky, and planning tools.
The Good and The Bad
Pros:
- Many photography tools in one app.
- Useful Sun, Moon, and night-sky planning.
- Smooth performance in my Redmi test.
- No ads listed on Google Play.
Cons:
- It is not a free app.
- The many tools may feel like a lot for beginners.
- Some tools need location or other phone access.
- Installed storage can be higher than the APK size.
Is This App Right For You?
Who Should Install:
- Photographers who plan landscape, travel, sunrise, sunset, or night photos.
- Beginners who want camera planning tools on their phone.
Who Should Skip:
- People who only want a basic camera app.
- Users who do not want to pay for a photography planning tool.
Questions & Answers
Is PhotoPills free?
No, PhotoPills is a paid Android app. Google Play currently lists it at $10.99.
Can PhotoPills help plan Milky Way photos?
Yes, it includes tools for planning Milky Way and night-sky shots. You can check the sky and timing before a shoot.
Did PhotoPills run well on Redmi?
Yes, it ran smoothly with no major issues during my two-day test. I did not see serious lag, crashes, unusual heat, or sudden battery drain.
Offzack Verdict
PhotoPills worked well during my two-day Redmi test and gave me many useful tools for planning photos. Its main drawback is the paid price, but photographers who need detailed planning tools may find it worth the cost.
Download Photopills From Playstore
Final Scorecard
- Ease of Use: 4/5 — The main tools work well, but beginners may need time to learn.
- Performance: 4.5/5 — It stayed smooth on my Redmi phone during testing.
- Features: 5/5 — It offers a wide set of planning and photography tools.
- Privacy & Safety: 4.5/5 — Google Play says no data is shared with third parties and data is encrypted in transit.
- Value for Money: 4/5 — It costs more than some alternatives, but includes many tools.
- Overall Rating: 4.4/5 — PhotoPills is a useful choice for photographers who want detailed planning tools on Android.