Kino: Pro Video Camera

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

A new iOS video app called Kino aims to bring one-tap, “cinematic” color grading and pro-style controls to iPhone shooters, especially those with iPhone 15 Pro models that support Apple Log and ProRes. Commenters praise the design, privacy stance, and upfront pricing, but note early stability issues on some devices, missing features compared to Blackmagic’s free camera app, and uncertainty around long-term pricing given the developers’ history with Halide. There’s also debate over how much phone apps can really approach cinema-camera results, as well as frustration from Android users who lack an equivalent, polished option.

Overall reception

  • Many commenters praise Kino’s design, UX, and one-time purchase pricing; several report “insta-buy” even if they don’t shoot much video.
  • Others are unconvinced they personally need it, especially casual shooters satisfied with Apple’s Camera app.

Platform & hardware constraints

  • iOS-only; several Android users express frustration and request an Android version.
  • Developers (in-thread) cite iPhone camera API quirks and fragmentation even within iOS as a reason to avoid Android’s much larger fragmentation.
  • Multiple people note you really want an iPhone 15/15 Pro for Apple Log and ProRes; without Log, results won’t match the marketing examples.

Feature set & workflow

  • Strengths: on-device grading of Apple Log, nice “grades,” AutoMotion for shutter/exposure, manual focus, focus peaking (currently always on), LUT import, good UI.
  • Missing or requested: timecode, manual white balance, anamorphic de‑squeeze, zebras, more frame rates/aspect ratios, better gimbal integration, interval/auto‑record, real-time de‑squeeze, zoom vs only lens switching, stabilization controls, “record pause.”

Color, Log, and LUTs

  • Broad agreement Log is essential for serious grading; non‑Log footage loses highlight/shadow latitude.
  • Debate over whether Kino is “just LUTs” vs meaningful grading; extended side-discussion on what professional color grading involves and the limits of LUT‑only workflows.
  • Some find marketing before/after examples misleading because the “before” is flat Log that no one watches ungraded.

Comparisons to other apps

  • Frequent comparison to Blackmagic Camera (free). Blackmagic is seen as more feature‑rich for pros but focused on capture for Resolve workflows; Kino’s differentiator is simple, on‑device grading.
  • MotionCam Pro and other Android apps mentioned as rough functional analogues, albeit with uglier UIs.
  • Some see Kino as “Halide for video” or “Hipstamatic for video.”

Pricing, business model, privacy

  • Kino is upfront paid, currently discounted; this is widely appreciated in contrast to “subscriptionware.”
  • Long thread about Halide’s move to subscriptions + expensive lifetime IAP; some feel burned, others defend the model as necessary for sustainability.
  • Kino’s App Store privacy label shows “data not collected”; crash reporting is via Apple’s opt‑in system only.

Stability & bugs

  • Numerous crash reports on iPhone 12/13 mini and some other models, often when using certain grades (e.g., B&W).
  • Developers acknowledge camera-API landmines, say a fix is in progress, and are using TestFlight to verify.

Legal, naming, and marketing

  • Some concern about use of iconic movie stills (The Matrix, Blade Runner, Con Air) on the marketing page; others argue fair use and obvious non‑association.
  • “Kino” name sparks discussion (means “cinema” in many languages; also associated with Kinoflo lights and internet slang).
  • Separate concern that “Kodiak” branding for a card UI looks uncomfortably close to “Kodak.”
  • A few call out typos, heavy copy, and “show, don’t tell” inconsistency; others love the main site and lack of heavy scroll-jacking.