Price: $79
Compatible with: iPhone 4/4S

If you’re getting dizzy from spinning around in circles in an attempt to capture a 360-degree video, you may want to consider the Dot 360-degree lens(Opens in a new window). The panoramic video-camera makers Kogeto has managed to turn its $5,000 Lucy Production Kit into a $79 iPhone version. The panoramic lens fits on the iPhone 4/4S, captures 360-degree video, and works without having to stitch frames together, as is the case with other panorama-photo apps. The Dot comes with Looker, a free iOS app that lets you share your videos via Twitter and Facebook. Add a splash of color to your iPhone with one of these four flavors: Pitch Black, Cheery Red, Hug-Inspiring Pink, and Surprisingly Attractive Green.

Price: $199 ($149.95 at Amazon(Opens in a new window))
Compatible with: iPhone 3GS/4/4S, iPod touch, Flip Mino HD, Motorola Droid, GoPro Hero

For shooting smooth video without bumps and shakes, the Stedicam Smoothee(Opens in a new window) is the perfect mobile accessory. The Smoothee, based on the same technology as the $60,000 Hollywood rigs, simply attaches your device to the quick-release removable mount. It also doubles as a tabletop stand and can be mounted to a standard tripod. The camera stabilizer is too big to just toss into your bag, but it is lightweight.

Price: $159 (iPhone 3GS), $169 (iPhone 4/4S)
Compatible with: iPhone 3GS/4/4S, iPod touch

The Phocus(Opens in a new window) uni-body mount adds an optical zoom lens, an external microphone, and a tripod connection to your iPhone. External flashes and lights can also be connected. Some may see its 1.4-pound body as a hindrance, however, others may see it as a plus, since the weight can result in steadier and smoother shots. Made of strong aluminum, the Phocus comes with a swappable 37mm macro lens and improves video quality in both color and sharpness. It adds a slight fisheye effect, which opens up the viewing angle and allows for more to be captured by photo or video. Normally, the iPhone cuts off much of the surrounding areas, but this device packs as much into the photo as possible.

Price: $249
Compatible with: iPhone 4/4S

Costing more than the iPhone itself (8GB version with contract), the iPhone Lens Dial by Photojojo(Opens in a new window) is the ultimate iPhone camera accessory. Designed to resemble a phoropter(Opens in a new window) (the device optometrists use to test your eyesight), the iPhone Lens Dial has three optical-quality coated glass lenses: The 0.7x wide-angle lens produces broad landscapes, the 0.33x fisheye lens gives you fun warped images, and the 1.5x telephoto lens will get you even closer to your subject. Just as you would with a phoropter, simply rotate the disc to switch lenses. You don’t even have to take the Lens Dial off your phone when you’re not using it; weighing just 10 ounces, the slim, aircraft-grade aluminum case wraps around your phone, adding two tripod mounts—for portrait and landscape modes.

Price: $30
Compatible with: iPhone 4/4S

Sure, you can download an app that will retro-fy your photos after the fact, but if you want the look without any software tricks, the Holga iPhone Lens(Opens in a new window) has you covered. The rotating disc of nine lenses is attached to a case that rests on the back of your phone. According to Photojojo, the different lenses produce “dreamy vignettes, vibrant red and green color lenses, multi-image lenses for Spidey-vision (double, triple, and quadruple images), a macro lens for beautiful close-up detail, and red, yellow, and blue filters with clear centers for framing your subjects.”

Price: $249
Compatible with: iPhone 4

At about four times the iPhone’s weight, the giant iPhone SLR Mount by Photojojo(Opens in a new window) transforms your iPhone into a D-SLR for $249. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a camera of the same quality for under that price. (Note: This is just the mount, so you do have to supply your own SLR lenses, meaning you’ll actually be spending more than just $249 on this add-on.) The mount is offered for the Canon EOS lens family and all Nikon lenses. Telephoto, wide angle, macro, and a fixed-fifty lens will all attach to the mounts. The SLR mount also enables the user to manually focus the iPhone’s camera. There are two loops on each end of the case, so users can attach a strap and hang their iPhone-turned-D-SLR around their neck just like a real camera.

If you’re looking for a less expensive way to zoom in on your subject, Photojojo also has the iPhone Telephoto Zoom Lens(Opens in a new window) for $35, which is smaller in size and gives your iPhone 8x telephoto power. The lens comes with an iPhone case that you twist the lens onto. To shoot an image, just twist the manual focus dial to sharpen the image and snap away. It also comes with a collapsible table tripod if you’re looking to steady your shot or for when you’re shooting in low light.

Price: $29.95 list, on sale for $19.95; $39.95 with case
Compatible with: Almost all devices

Producing GorillaPod camera tripods since 2006, Joby now has a line of tripods devoted to mobile devices. Joby has models for the iPhone 3G/3GS, iPod touch, iPhone 4/4S, iPad 2, and a universal model for non-iOS smartphones and pocket camcorders. The flexible legs of the GorillaMobile, made up of over two dozen leg joints that bend and rotate 360-degrees, let the user secure it to nearly any surface. The “Original” version(Opens in a new window), (the non-iPhone version), comes with three types of quick-release adapters, and the iPhone and iPod touch(Opens in a new window) versions come equipped with a case that clips on the GorillaMobile. Rubberized feet ensure that the tripod won’t slip while you’re snapping pictures.

Price: $49.99
Compatible with: iPhone 4/4S, iPod touch 4th Gen

You’ve set up your tripod and focused your camera. Now it’s time to snap the group photo. But how do you fit everyone—including you, the photographer—in? Self-timer apps are one option, but there’s also the LiveAction Camera Remote by Belkin(Opens in a new window). The remote lets you activate the shutter of your iPhone or iPod touch’s camera from up to 30 feet away. The wireless remote has two buttons that switch between photo and video functions without having to change anything on your iOS device. It comes with a detachable camera stand so you can prop up your phone and go about the party snapping candid pictures wirelessly. You don’t even have to take the remote out of your pocket to click away. The LiveAction Camera Remote pairs with the free LiveAction app, which lets you upload your movies and photos directly to Facebook or embed them in an email.

Turning your phone into a camera involves more than just gadgets and devices; plenty of apps can be used both before and after snapping a photo. Here are a few we like:

1. Adobe Photoshop Express (free(Opens in a new window))
Available for both iOS and Android, Adobe Photoshop Express is a great tool for making light photo edits on your phone. Simply drag your finger across the screen to crop, rotate, and adjust color, and add artistic filters like soft focus, sharpen, or sketch. The app also lets you change the photo’s exposure, saturation, tint, color, and contrast.

2. Instagram (free(Opens in a new window))
With more than 15 million users, this is one app that’s easy to recommend. Instagram lets users take photos, apply filters, and share them on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Tumblr, and Flickr. The photos resemble those of the Kodak Instamatic and Polaroid camera, fitting them into a square shape. Custom filters give photos a retro and vintage feel, similar to that of the Holga camera. Also, if you like Instagram, check out Hipstamatic(Opens in a new window) ($1.99), a similar app.

3. Camera+ (99 cents(Opens in a new window))
Camera+ helps your pictures look even better by offering advanced shooting options including Timer and Burst modes, touch focus, touch exposure adjustment, and 6x digital zoom. After you shoot, there are hordes of editing options including a choice of 16 scene effects to improve the look of your photos, the ability to rotate and crop, add borders, captions, and apply Instagram-like effects. When you’re all done, you can share your shots on Facebook, Twitter, or Flickr with a button push.

4. Photosynth (free(Opens in a new window))
One thing the latest iPhone camera doesn’t have: A wide lens. Microsoft’s free Photosynth app brings a 3D feel to your photos by letting you capture up to 360 degrees around you. One of the easier-to-use panorama apps, just pick a starting point and sweep the camera right, left, up, or down. When you hear a beep, stop, and your image is captured. Keep this up until you’ve framed everything you want in the shot. Once you’re done, Photosynth stitches your images together so you can share them on Facebook, Bing Maps, and elsewhere.