Pearla Pro Filmic Camera Version 2.2.1 for iPhone – Adds Manual Tone Mapping, Expanded Log Profiles, and More

Software Update

by Alexandra ThompsonMay 7^th, 2025

House of Mars has released version 2.2.1 of Pearla, their professional camera app for iPhone, adding more advanced color options and giving mobile filmmakers greater control over tone mapping. Here’s a quick look at what the app does and what the latest update adds.

There are a handful of solid phone camera apps out there, including options like the Mavis Camera App for iPhone, which offers a plethora of features, direct streaming, and frame.io C2C, or the Blackmagic Camera app, which allows for remote collaboration through the Blackmagic cloud. What sets Pearla apart is its direct sensor access and color-managed workflow – features that offer more control than some other iPhone camera apps.

What is Pearla?

Pearla Pro Filmic includes features like real-time cinematic grain, true film emulation, Log photography, and open-gate video recording. Yet, it’s a camera app that takes a different approach – it delivers a cleaner, less processed image for those who want to color grade or fine-tune in post.

The app was originally built for photographers looking for a neutral, user-controlled color workflow, and it has since evolved into a serious tool for filmmakers. It remains the only iPhone app to integrate a full color-managed pipeline, open-gate video, and manual dynamic tone mapping – even in Rec. 709. (Until now, disabling dynamic tone mapping on iPhones required using Apple Log.)

What’s new in version 2.2.1

• 10-bit video support
• Tone mapping control
• New color spaces: Canon C-Log3, Blackmagic Design Film Gen 5, ARRI LogC3, DJI D-Log, Fujifilm F-Log, Sony S-Log2, and Panasonic V-Log
• Better handling of caching and temp files
• Improved stabilization
• Bluetooth shutter support for camera grips
• Improved image processing in photo mode
• LUT loading bug fixed

Pearla 2.2.1 – pros, cons, and who gets what

In a nutshell, the Pearla Pro Filmic camera app offers some unique features, and with the update, these now include additional Log profiles and manual control over dynamic tone mapping. However, nothing is perfect, and not all features are available for all iPhone models. Plus, Pearla uses a subscription model, which may be a drawback for those who are already feeling overwhelmed by too many app subscriptions.

It’s also important to note that performance is device-specific, with Base, Standard, and Pro features as follows:

Base Performance (iPhone XS through iPhone 12 Pro)

• HD video up to 60p.
• 4K Ultra HD and Open Gate recording up to 30p.
• You may experience dropped frames during video recording at higher resolutions.
• Resource-intensive features like custom recipes may experience slower processing.

Standard Performance (iPhone 13 through iPhone 14 Pro)

• HD video up to 60p
• 4K Ultra HD and Open Gate recording up to 30p
• Stable performance for all core features

High-End Performance (iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro, and newer)

• Full 4K support including 48p, 50p, 59.94p, and 60p frame rates
• Optimal performance for all features, including custom recipes
• Maximum real-time processing capabilities

Performance Notes

• Higher frame rates and custom recipe processing are hardware-intensive operations.
• Performance may vary based on device temperature and available system resources.
• For optimal performance during extended recording sessions, it is recommended that background apps be closed and network activity and location services turned off.

Price and availability

Pearla Pro Filmic 2.2.1 is available now on the App Store and requires iOS 17.2 or later. A free trial is available, and subscription prices are 1-month for $3.99, 3-months for $9.99, and 1-year for $24.99 (prices vary by region).

This is a more advanced app to use, so you might want to see how it works before downloading – the User Manual is very informative. More information on the features can be found on the Pearla website.

What do you think of the Pearla app for the iPhone? If you’ve tried it or are considering it, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!