For those who are serious about mobile filmmaking, use a smartphone as a camera b or c option, or are just a casual fan like me, how does the SWISS RIG srRAW Cinema Camera App for iPhone perform, and how does it compare to similar apps?
The SWISS RIG srRAW Cinema Camera App recently got an update to version 1.2, so I decided to take it for a spin.
The app features up to six resolution options, from 1080p to 3K along with 13 stops of 14-bit dynamic range. It uses its own srRAW cinema capture engine which encodes the DNG image directly from the iPhone’s sensor, skipping Apple’s own compression settings. From there, it encodes in CinemaDNG RAW, minus any noise reduction.
There is a “Plug and Grade” node tree to edit and color grade in DaVinci Resolve, along with other major NLEs like Final Cut Pro and Premiere Pro. It includes an H.265 proxy file, uncompressed stereo WAV audio, and other options. To take advantage of all the features of the SWISS RIG srRAW Cinema Camera app, you’ll need the latest iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max or the iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max.
The settings are easy to access from the top left corner, with options for ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto; the ability to flip the viewfinder to 180 degrees (with DOF adapter); recording duration of under a minute to free run; formats from 4K down to 1080p and frame rate of 24 fps.
You will be able to control shutter, iris, and other settings. Additionally, there is a grid overlay options, audio levels visible or not, time code style, and manual or auto focus and exposure options. SWISS RIG also recommends muting the iPhone to ensure the shutter is quiet while recording sound.
The autofocus can be used while in preview mode and manual focus also in preview and during recording. Additionally, it’s also easy to access the srRAW101 tutorial to get started, which is something I did prior to heading out to film.
The developer also offers a mini film school to get the most out of the app, which can be accessed here.
For this review, I took a run in one on a gravel trail that runs through a swamp in Florida. It allows me to capture some beautiful nature scenes, but also see how it handles exposure, latitude, colors, and more. Resolution-wise, I mixed it up with the highest resolution, 1080p, and 720p. For the rough cut of the footage, I put it together in Final Cut Pro 11.1.1, and stabilized the footage (shot handheld) in FCP.
I filmed across a section of the swamp with a canopy of bald cypress trees in the background with the blue sky above and brown vegetation in the water. The colors reproduced nicely (and you'll see an Alfred Hitchcock-style cameo of yours truly).
Next, I shot in a Waterway area with some trees, but mostly just water and the sky. Again, colors reproduced well and the overall image looked good. I followed that up with the water pump station, and the white colors didn't blow out.
Finally, I filmed some shots where there was a mix of light and shade, including another waterway and the gravel trail itself. The brightness and contrast were somewhat balanced, thanks in part to the 13 stops of dynamic range, but the sky was a little blown out. However, to be fair, clouds or haze had started to move in.
Overall, the SWISS RIG srRAW Cinema Camera app is a very good option for mobile filmmakers with an iPhone 15 or 16 Pro / Pro Max. While my filming was more "down and dirty" just to get a feel for the UI and settings, and how the overall footage looked, this is a worthy cinema camera app to add to your quiver.
I like the manual controls and how the RAW cinema capture image feature records footage directly from the sensor and bypasses the iPhone's own codecs, and there is no noise reduction, which makes it better for editing and grading.
For those looking to use it as an A or B camera, adding a smartphone filmmaking rig is ideal, especially one that can help stabilize it more and add accessories like a light and microphone.
Compared to similar apps like Blackmagic Camera, Final Cut Camera, and Filmic Pro, the SWISS RIG srRAW Cinema Camera app offers comparable features. But the image capture directly from the iPhone's sensor is a real winner.
SWISS RIG srRAW Cinema Camera costs $19.99 per year (7-day trial) or $39.99 for a lifetime license (3-day trial). Learn more here.