Facebook camera is a feature within the Facebook mobile app that allows users to take photos and videos and share them directly to their Facebook profile. It is not a separate app, but rather a built-in camera function accessed through the main Facebook app.
How does the Facebook camera work?
The Facebook camera can be accessed by tapping the camera icon in the top left of the Facebook app. This opens up the camera interface and allows you to take photos or videos. There are options to add filters, stickers, effects and more before taking your photo or video.
Once you have taken a photo or video you can add a caption and post it directly to your profile, Facebook Story, or send it to friends. The camera feature is built directly into the Facebook app so everything is done seamlessly without having to open multiple apps.
Some key features of the Facebook camera include:
- Photo mode – Take regular photos
- Video mode – Take videos up to 60 seconds long
- Live mode – Go live and broadcast video
- Filters – Add creative filters and effects
- Stickers – Personalize with stickers and emojis
- Drawing – Draw on your photos or videos
- Text – Add text captions to your media
- AR masks – Face filters and augmented reality masks
Overall, the camera allows you to capture moments and share them to Facebook without having to leave the app. Everything is optimized for quick social sharing.
When was the Facebook camera introduced?
The first version of the in-app Facebook camera was introduced in March 2016. It debuted as part of a major redesign of Facebook’s mobile app and was one of the biggest new features of the update.
Initially, the camera supported basic photo taking, filters, and sharing abilities. Over time new capabilities were added through updates, such as:
- May 2016 – Video posting introduced
- November 2016 – Live video broadcasting added
- March 2017 – Direct camera introduced for sharing photos/videos to friends
- April 2017 – Camera selfie filters and reactions added
- May 2018 – AR studio for face filters launched
Today, the Facebook camera contains a robust set of tools and continues to be upgraded on a regular basis. It is one of Facebook’s most used features with over 400 million photos shared to the platform daily.
What types of media can you capture?
The Facebook camera allows you to capture the following types of media:
- Photos – Standard photos taken through the camera viewfinder. Device resolution determines quality.
- HD Photos – Higher resolution photos taken in landscape orientation. Only on supported devices.
- Videos – Standard videos up to 60 seconds long. Longer form videos redirect to Facebook Watch.
- Live Videos – Real-time broadcasts that stream directly to your followers’ News Feeds.
- Boomerangs – Mini videos that loop back and forth. Creates a boomerang effect.
- Panoramas – Wide landscape photos for sweeping vistas. Can take panoramas by panning camera.
The types of media you can capture depends on your device capabilities and camera modes. Most smartphone cameras support all modes, while older phones may have limitations.
How do I access the Facebook camera?
To access the Facebook camera on mobile:
- Open the Facebook app
- Tap the camera icon in the top left of the screen or swipe right from the News Feed.
- The camera viewfinder will open up and you can start taking photos/videos.
On desktop web:
- Go to facebook.com and log in
- Click on the question mark icon in the top right
- Select “Create Photo/Video Album”
- Click “Upload Photos/Video” which will open your computer’s file explorer
- Select photos or videos from your computer to upload
The native camera experience is only available on mobile currently. On desktop you have to upload existing media from your computer.
Where do my camera photos and videos get posted?
Photos and videos taken with the Facebook camera can be shared to the following destinations:
- Your Profile – Posts the media to your timeline
- Your Story – Adds it to your daily 24 hour Facebook Story
- A Friend’s Profile – Send it directly to a friend
- A Page You Manage – Post it directly to one of your Facebook Pages
- A Group – Share it into one of your groups
- messenger – Send it to a friend or group chat
You choose the destination each time you take a photo/video. You can add a caption and customize the audience before posting it.
How do I use camera effects?
The Facebook camera comes with a range of fun effects you can apply to your photos and videos. Here are some tips for using common camera effects:
Filters
- Tap the filters icon after taking a photo to browse filter options
- Filters change the overall color tone and look of your image
- Tap a filter to preview it, then tap Apply to save the filter
- You can remove filters by tapping “No Filter”
Face Filters
- Tap the smiley face icon to open Facebook’s face filter library
- Swipe horizontally to browse different categories of filters
- Tap a filter to preview it, then tap the shutter to take a photo with the filter
- Remove filters by swiping back to the “No Filter” option
Text
- After taking a photo, tap the text icon (T in a square)
- Type your custom text in the field that appears
- Move and scale the text box as needed
- Tap Done to add the text
Drawings
- Tap the drawing icon (pen/marker) after capturing media
- Use your finger to draw anything on the photo/video
- Choose from different colors to draw with
- Tap Done to save your drawing
Get creative and add multiple effects to truly personalize your photos and videos before sharing them!
How do I control camera settings?
The Facebook camera comes with various settings you can control and customize. Here are some of the main settings you can tweak:
Photo Capture Settings
- HDR – Enable High Dynamic Range for better lighting
- Grid – Overlay a grid to aid with composition
- Timer – Set a 3 or 10 second timer to take photos
- Location – Turn on/off saving photo locations
- Shutter Sound – Enable/disable shutter sounds
- Quick Share – Choose destinations to auto-share new photos
Video Capture Settings
- Resolution – Set video resolution and aspect ratio
- Flash – Keep flash on, off, or auto
- Timer – Set a 3 or 10 second timer to record videos
- Quick Share – Choose destinations to auto-share new videos
Tap the gear icon while in camera viewfinder to access settings. Customize as needed for your preferred capture experience.
What are the differences between Instagram and Facebook cameras?
| Facebook Camera | Instagram Camera | |
|---|---|---|
| Photo Capture | Standard quality photos | High quality, filtered photos |
| Video Capture | Videos up to 60 sec | Videos up to 60 sec |
| Live Video | Live broadcasting | No native live video |
| Filters | Basic filters | Advanced filters and editing |
| Drawing | Freehand drawing | No drawing tool |
| AR Effects | Animated face filters | Basic face filters |
| Sharing Destinations | Facebook profile, stories, pages, groups, messenger | Instagram feed, stories, messages |
In summary, Facebook’s camera focuses more on quick social sharing and live broadcasting, while Instagram’s camera excels at photo editing and content creation.
Does Facebook own Instagram camera?
Yes, Facebook owns Instagram and its camera technology. Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012 for around $1 billion in cash and stock. This gave Facebook control of Instagram and its growing platform.
However, Instagram still operates as a separate app with its own development team working on the camera experience. The Instagram camera was built specifically for that app and shares little code with Facebook’s camera feature.
So while Facebook technically owns and controls Instagram, the app’s camera experience remains distinct from the native Facebook camera. The development of the two cameras is handled by different teams focused on each app’s specific user needs.
Facebook’s ownership does allow integration opportunities between the apps, such as cross-posting stories or sending messages. But the core camera and content creation abilities remain unique to each platform.
In summary, Facebook owns Instagram but has allowed it to keep its iconic camera experience separate from Facebook’s own camera feature.
Can you use the Facebook camera for Instagram?
No, you cannot directly use the Facebook in-app camera to take photos and videos for Instagram. The Facebook camera only shares media to Facebook’s own platforms.
However, there are a couple indirect ways to get Facebook camera shots on Instagram:
- Download the photo/video taken with Facebook’s camera, then upload it to Instagram as a new post.
- Share the Facebook camera photo on your Instagram Story using the “Share Story” feature.
But there is no native integration between the two cameras. Photos/videos taken in Facebook’s camera will need to be downloaded then reuploaded to Instagram as a new post or story.
Some key reasons why Facebook keeps its native camera separate from Instagram:
- Instagram has higher photo quality standards.
- Instagram’s creative tools like filters are customized for that app.
- Keeps the user experience consistent within each app.
- Allows separate teams to focus on each app’s specific needs.
The Facebook and Instagram cameras may be owned by the same company, but they remain distinct tools optimized for different audiences and use cases.
What are best practices when using Facebook camera?
Here are some best practices to get the most out of the Facebook camera experience:
Composition
- Use gridlines to frame shots with the rule of thirds.
- Keep horizons straight for landscape shots.
- Get close to subjects for more intimate framing.
- Watch out for cluttered backgrounds that distract.
Lighting
- Aim for well-lit environments to avoid grainy/blurry shots.
- Shoot outdoors for naturally soft, even lighting.
- If indoors, position subject near windows for flattering light.
- Enable HDR to capture greater dynamic range.
Motion
- Hold camera steady to avoid shaky footage.
- Capture short video clips to make content more dynamic.
- Use a tripod mount or set the timer if filming speeches/presentations.
- Pan slowly when capturing panoramas.
Content
- Personalize with stickers, drawings, and text overlays.
- Add filters to set a mood or just for fun.
- Shoot spontaneously in the moment rather than posing.
- Respect others when filming in public spaces.
Editing
- Review and delete unwanted shots from camera roll.
- Keep caption short and engaging.
- Use relevant hashtags for discovery.
- Customize post privacy and recipients.
Following basic photography best practices along with creative customization will help you take great photos and videos with the Facebook camera that captivate audiences.
Conclusion
Facebook Camera is a robust, integrated camera feature within the Facebook app on mobile. It allows you to capture high quality photos and videos and share them seamlessly to Facebook. The camera has gone through many upgrades over the years and now includes creative tools like filters, text overlays, drawings, and AR effects.
Photos and videos taken with Facebook Camera are shared to the Facebook ecosystem of profiles, stories, pages, groups and messenger. It is not directly integrated with Instagram’s camera, but content can be cross-posted between the apps.
With best practices like composing quality shots, customizing content, and respecting others, Facebook Camera provides an engaging way to share moments and connect with friends and family right from your phone’s native camera app.