Adobe recently introduced the Indigo camera app on the Apple App Store, with two key figures behind the Pixel and Google Camera apps also contributing to its development. The team has hinted at an upcoming Android version but has not provided a release date.

The Pixel Camera app, previously known as Google Camera, is widely regarded as one of the most influential smartphone camera apps to date. This is largely due to its innovative HDR+ processing and Super Res Zoom features for enhanced hybrid zoom capabilities. Now, two of the masterminds behind the Pixel Camera app have launched a new app that serves as a spiritual successor.

Adobe's Indigo camera app, recently launched on the iPhone's App Store, appears to build upon the foundation laid by the Pixel Camera app. This connection is not coincidental, as two of the creators, Marc Levoy and Florian Kainz, have previously worked on the development of the Google Camera and Pixel Camera apps.

Indigo's Innovative Features

Indigo adopts Google's original HDR+ approach by merging a series of intentionally under-exposed images for each shot. However, Adobe's app sets itself apart by combining up to 32 images simultaneously, compared to Google's 15 images. The team also emphasizes that they under-expose these images more significantly than other solutions, resulting in photos with fewer overexposed highlights and reduced shadow noise.

Another feature carried over from the Pixel Camera app is Super Res Zoom, which combines multiple frames, natural hand movements, and super-resolution technology to deliver improved hybrid zoom capabilities. Indigo offers a similar approach on iPhone Pro Max models, enhancing 2x and 10x images.

Indigo distinguishes itself from other camera apps by offering a more natural look through minimal tone mapping, smoothing, and sharpening. The app also features a night mode that merges up to 32 one-second-long exposures into a single image when a tripod is detected, supporting handheld photography as well.

Indigo App Availability and Future Updates

Adobe has released the Indigo app on the App Store, requiring an iPhone with a minimum of 6GB of RAM to run smoothly. The app is compatible with all Pro and Pro Max iPhones from series 12 onwards, as well as non-Pro iPhones from series 14. While an Android version is in the works, specific details have not been disclosed.

Future updates for Indigo may include alternative looks, a high-quality portrait mode, a video mode with computational video features, and a panorama option. The company is also exploring bracketing options for exposure and focus, catering to astrophotography and other scenarios requiring precise focus.

It is exciting to see the minds behind the Pixel Camera experience working on a feature-rich camera app like Indigo. Android users are eagerly anticipating the app's arrival on their platform.