Introduction
We’ve come a long way from grainy phone videos and shaky selfie footage. These days, smartphones have serious video capabilities — and with the right app, they can become surprisingly powerful filmmaking tools. That’s exactly where Protake steps in.
Designed for everyone from casual vloggers to professional directors, Protake – Mobile Cinema Camera aims to bridge the gap between mobile convenience and cinema-level control. It’s not just a camera app — it’s a full-on production assistant.
But is it all just flashy overlays and marketing jargon? Or does Protake really bring that “cinema camera experience” to your phone?
Let’s dig in.
Core Features That Stand Out
Dual Shooting Modes: AUTO & PRO
Protake offers two primary modes:
AUTO Mode is perfect for vloggers, creators, and those who want a hands-free, cinematic look with minimal fuss. Think of it as your point-and-shoot option — just with much better aesthetics.
PRO Mode is where the magic happens for filmmakers. You get full manual control over ISO, shutter angle, white balance, focus, and more — all laid out in a clean interface that mimics professional camera rigs.
Whether you’re running solo or part of a full crew, Protake tries to adapt to your workflow.
Color Science and LOG Support
One of the biggest flexes of Protake is its LOG mode — and not just any LOG, but a color-mapped version designed to match ALEXA Log C, the gold standard in cinema color.
That means if you shoot flat in LOG, colorists can grade your footage using LUTs made for ALEXA cameras — a huge win for post-production workflows.
Not into grading? The app also includes dozens of built-in cinematic looks, ranging from neutral tones to Kodak-style film emulation to blockbuster-style palettes.
Professional Assistant Tools
This isn’t just a “point and shoot” app with filters. Protake gives you real-time monitoring and assist tools you’d expect from high-end cameras:
Waveform, Parade, Histogram, RGB Histogram
Zebra Strips, False Color, Focus Peaking
Safe Zones, Aspect Ratio Overlays, 3-axis Horizon
Frame Drop Detection (super handy — phones aren’t perfect)
A-B focus points, volume key to record, and record flash/beep options
Basically, if you’ve worked on set or used gear like the Blackmagic or RED cameras, this app speaks your language.
Data, Metadata & File Handling
Protake also handles things that most mobile apps don’t even think about:
Frame Rate Normalization: It locks your frame rate to a constant 24, 25, 30, 60, 120 FPS — so no nasty variable frame rate surprises when you get to the editing room.
Professional File Naming: Files are named using a film-industry standard format (like A001C002_230815.MOV) — which makes file management a breeze if you’re working with editors or assistants.
Full Metadata: Everything from ISO to lens type and GPS is saved in the metadata — super useful for organization, archiving, or even VFX teams down the line.
A Few Trade-Offs
Protake has some serious strengths, but it’s not without friction points:
Some features are paywalled. While there’s a free version, full access to LOG, cinematic LUTs, metadata, and pro tools requires a subscription. It’s not outrageously priced, but it may turn off casual users.
Device limitations still exist. Protake squeezes every drop out of your phone’s camera hardware, but physics is physics. A phone sensor isn’t a cinema camera sensor — so don’t expect shallow depth of field miracles unless your phone already supports it.
Battery and heat issues can pop up. Running Protake at full settings (especially 4K + LOG + stabilization) can quickly drain your battery and heat up your device. That’s more a hardware issue than a software one, but worth noting.
Pros
Intuitive UI with two modes for creators & pros
Genuine LOG support, mapped to ALEXA Log C
Pro-level monitoring tools (waveform, focus peaking, false color, etc.)
Constant FPS & professional file-naming
Built-in cinematic looks and LUT-friendly footage
Real-time frame drop detection
Cons
Requires paid version for full functionality
Still limited by phone camera hardware
Can cause heating & battery drain during intense sessions
No multi-cam control or external monitor support (yet)
Final Verdict
If you’re serious about mobile filmmaking — whether for short films, client content, or just upping your YouTube game — Protake is easily one of the best tools you can download. It walks a fine line between power and usability, giving you pro-level control without overwhelming you with complexity.
Sure, it’s not going to turn your phone into an ARRI Alexa, but it does get you about as close as software can.
Use it with a good phone, stable lighting, and maybe a small gimbal, and you’ll be surprised how close your footage looks to “real camera” quality.
If you’re just casually filming for Instagram Stories, this might be overkill. But if you want full control, cinematic footage, and an on-the-go camera assistant, Protake is absolutely worth a look — and maybe even a subscription.
