The application that video recording professionals have been waiting for has arrived and it is called Kino

The iPhone is, year after year, the best smartphone for recording video. Furthermore, with each new generation, the quality increases, becoming a professional tool. So much so that the last two Apple Keynotes have been recorded with an iPhone 15 Pro. Those of us who really work with professional video cameras (which is my case) know that the iPhone is magnificent, but that Apple’s camera application has some deficiencies.

Looking for an App to record professional video with the iPhone

Things as simple as being able to choose the white balance, focus control…Something that an ordinary user would not have to know or want to control, but that a professional would. That is why, even Apple, in these Keynotes they use a third-party application (Blackmagic Camera).

In the last Keynote ‘Let Loose’, Apple shared with us what will be an application developed by them and dedicated to content creators with video. The application is called Final Cut Camera and will arrive in the App Store in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the developer team behind the renowned photography app ‘Halide’ has created their own version of a App to record video like a professional with the iPhone. During its launch it had a special price with a 50% discount and I couldn’t help but want to buy it.

Knowing the features and interface of the Kino App

Next, I show you the interface of the App to record professional video with the iPhone ‘Kino’. Thus, you will be able to see the different sections and characteristics.

Kino Top

Starting at the top, we have the information necessary for a recording. First, a sound level meter to measure audio volume that is coming in. Then, an “Auto” to choose a automatic or manual exposure. In this section, you can choose the ISO level and the exposure seconds.

Additionally, at the top right, it will give us recording quality information (4K / 30 FPS / HDR) and the remaining minutes that we can record depending on the free storage of our iPhone. Directly by clicking on this data, you can modify the recording formats and even create your own.

Kino central part

In the central part, we will be viewing the image that the iPhone camera gives us. Immediately below, we will have the “AF” button to have autofocus or manual focus. Then, the different types of iPhone optics.

Behind the optics, we find an arrow that, when pressed, will display a menu with more options. A vectorscope to measure the light level, the ability to activate or deactivate the stabilizerput a grid on the screen, switch to the front camera or deeper settings that will allow us to always lock the white balance or exposure while recording.

Kino Bottom

The bottom part is the simplest of all, and we have quick access to the reel, the trigger to start recording and different LUTs. And one of the most special features of this Kino App is its filters, or LUTs, based on professional video cameras like Kodak. In this way, you will get a cinematic look without having to spend hours in color correction.

The professional settings to record video with Kino on the iPhone

We have already discussed above some settings that Kino allows you to change. Now we are going to talk a little more in depth about it and what it can be used for.

Focus, exposure and ISO control

Something basic if we want to record video like a professional on the iPhone is to manually control the light input. Many times the iPhone “forces” us to use a very high ISO and generates excessive noise when what we want is a somewhat darker appearance. The same thing happens with the focus, since with the official iPhone camera we can control it by tapping on the screen, but not by gradually focusing and blurring.

A real change between cameras

This is something that few of us realize, but if you really have a professional eye you will have noticed it, especially with the telephoto lens. When We are in a dimly lit environment, even if we record with the TV, the iPhone will switch to the x1 and will apply a digital zoom. You can imagine the result: a very pixelated video with low resolution. With Kino you can choose the camera you are going to record with from the beginning without automatic changes.

Record videos directly to files or a USB

The Kino App lets us choose if we want to save the videos in the photo library or in the files application. Additionally, if we connect a pendrive or hard drive via USB-C, the recording will go directly to the external media.

The LUTs that will give a cinematic touch to your videos

A LUT is a step beyond the well-known filters, although the result for you with the Kino application will be similar to applying a recording filter. You have many to choose from, me specifically I love “Glostrup”. In addition, you have more LUTs on their website and you can import them into the application.

Kino has 4.8 stars in the App Store in less than a week

My first days with the application they are leaving a good taste in my mouth. It is simple but at the same time it allows you to change those settings that I want to change so much when I record video with the iPhone. Additionally, the LUTs give it a special cinematic look and allows you to upload it directly to social networks.

Its current price is 22.99 euros and also can be shared with family from Apple (thanks, Raúl, for buying it). The first week was 50% off and That’s why we decided to try it.. I will definitely use it until Final Cut Camera comes out and I can compare it.

I understand that it is a high price in the absence of knowing if Final Cut Camera will have similar functionalities or not. If you are looking for a free alternative, Blackmagic Camera, although it has a somewhat less friendly interface, without the possibility of recording vertical video or the LUTs that we have talked about. At this point, at Applesfera I will also be in charge of analyzing Final Cut Camera as soon as it is available and thus tell you if it is worth buying Kino.

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