Pearla Verana IV Brings Internal 14-bit RAW Capture to iPhone

Summary

• Pearla has been renamed Pearla Verana IV and is now part of Swiss company Pearla Mostra
• PearlaRAW internally records 14-bit RAW photos and video
• The app captures up to 25 frames per second in 14-bit RAW
• New features include pre-capture, shutter priority, an intervalometer, and expanded color tools
• Pearla Joya launches in August for $24.99 per year

Pearla is entering a new era as Pearla Verana IV, adding 14-bit RAW photo and video capture directly to the iPhone’s internal storage.

The major update to the professional camera app comes with a new name, a new corporate home, and an expanded set of tools for photographers and video creators. Pearla Mostra has also introduced the Revela editing app and the simpler Joya camera app.

The development matters because the company says PearlaRAW is the first and only way to internally record 14-bit RAW stills and video on all supported iPhones without requiring external storage.

Pearla gets a new name and corporate home

The app is now officially known as Pearla Verana IV. The name change is linked to a broader restructuring of the Pearla app family.

Its creator, Guy Cassidy, previously developed the app through software company House of Mars. The Pearla family of apps is now moving under the umbrella of the new Swiss company Pearla Mostra, while House of Mars continues to operate with its own products.

Despite the new name, Verana’s central focus remains unchanged. It is a professional iPhone camera app offering manual controls, sophisticated film emulation, advanced color rendering, and Log and RAW recording.

PearlaRAW with internal 14-bit recording

The headline addition to Pearla Verana IV is PearlaRAW. According to the company, it enables 14-bit RAW still and video recording directly to the iPhone’s internal storage.

Pearla Mostra compares the technology with Apple’s existing solutions. Apple ProRes RAW is a 12-bit format that requires external storage, while Apple ProRAW is 10-bit and limited to still images. Bayer RAW files used by many third-party apps are generally 12-bit and also restricted to photography.

Using PearlaRAW, the app can capture 14-bit RAW files at up to 25 frames per second. It also supports 12-bit RAW capture at up to 14 frames per second.

Pre-capture and new shooting tools

Pearla Verana IV adds a pre-capture mode that temporarily buffers frames before the shutter button is pressed. This allows photographers to save a moment that occurred immediately before they triggered the capture.

According to the app’s creator, no other iPhone app offers an equivalent feature, which is mainly found in selected high-end mirrorless cameras.

A shutter priority exposure mode has also been added. The user selects a shutter speed, and the app continuously adjusts ISO to maintain the chosen setting. The feature is intended for both videographers and photographers shooting fast-moving action.

The update also includes an intervalometer for still and motion recording, enabling automated capture at predefined intervals.

RealHUE 2 and Pearla Wide Gamut

Major changes have also been made to color rendering. The new RealHUE 2 engine enables more precise on-device color fine-tuning.

The company says Pearla is the first and only color-calibrated iPhone camera app to be individually calibrated for every supported device.

A new Pearla Wide Gamut working color space has also been introduced. It supports Log recording, film emulation, HDR, RAW, and custom color profiles. Its design aims to represent the entire range of real colors a camera can record without clipping.

New film emulation engine

Pearla Verana IV includes a new film emulation engine that adds luminance-aware grain and halation around bright areas.

The processing works in real time at up to 4K and 60 frames per second, allowing it to be used while recording video.

Alongside the existing S-Log3, LogC3, C-Log3, F-Log, F-Log2, V-Log, N-Log, and Blackmagic Film Gen 5 options, the app adds support for Apple Log 2, DJI D-Log, and Insta360 I-Log.

Video tools and remote control

For video creators, the app adds real-time spatial audio mixing, false color exposure monitoring, and a speech-activated teleprompter.

It also includes a limited version of Pearla Revela’s RAW editing tools, a new Quick Menu, and remote capture from a second iPhone or an Apple Watch.

Support for the Tilta Nucleus-M focus system is also included, together with cloud synchronization for profiles, settings, and media.

Pearla Revela for RAW editing

Alongside Verana IV, Pearla Mostra has introduced Pearla Revela, a professional RAW photo and video editing application.

Revela is designed as a separate editing tool, while a limited selection of its RAW capabilities is built into Verana IV for quicker adjustments inside the camera app.

Pearla Joya for simpler shooting

Pearla Joya targets creators who want Verana’s image and audio quality without its complex manual tools, advanced codecs, and monitoring functions.

The app is designed to be as easy to use as the iPhone’s built-in camera application. However, it is not simply a filter-based camera app.

It retains the RealHUE 2 color engine, film emulation with grain and halation, and open gate recording. It removes the professional settings and specialized tools that may be unnecessary for everyday users.

Pricing and availability

Pearla Joya is already available in beta to paid Pearla III subscribers.

The full launch is scheduled for August 2026. Its annual subscription will cost $24.99.

The initial announcement did not disclose a separate new price for Pearla Verana IV or Pearla Revela.

More here.

What we think

Pearla Verana IV demonstrates how much additional potential remains in the iPhone camera when software gains access to more specialized tools. The 14-bit RAW recording, pre-capture, and advanced color features are particularly compelling, although their real value will depend on image quality, compatibility, and storage requirements in everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pearla Verana IV?

It is the new version and name of the professional Pearla camera app for iPhone, featuring RAW and Log recording, manual controls, and advanced color tools.

What does PearlaRAW offer?

According to Pearla Mostra, it enables internal 14-bit RAW photo and video recording on supported iPhones without external storage.

How fast can it capture 14-bit RAW?

Pearla Verana IV can capture 14-bit RAW files at up to 25 frames per second.

How much does Pearla Joya cost?

Pearla Joya will cost $24.99 per year when it fully launches in August 2026.

Who can already access Pearla Joya?

The beta version is available to paid Pearla III subscribers.