Why the camera of iPhone 12 Pro Max is so exciting for professional photographers

As a professional photographer, I am amazed at how the iPhone 11 Pro could replace my DSLR on photo sessions. But Apple has since iPhone 12 occupation which includes the iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, and the camera technology is even better this time. The iPhone 12 Pro Max’s camera Especially updates, both in hardware and software, had me buzzing to go shoot with this thing. That’s why I’m so excited.

More zoom with the 2.5x telephoto lens

I like the telephoto zoom lens on the iPhone 11 Pro, but only 2x it does not always offer the zoom level I want. I am regularly zooming further digitally to get the exact composition I want. The iPhone 12 Pro Max takes it further, up to 2.5x, which may not seem like a big upgrade, but I think it will be noticeable for many shots.

Would I have liked 5x or 10x? Of course I like the larger zoom on phones like the Galaxy S20 Ultra (and the new Galaxy S21 Ultra even has a massive 100x zoom), but because they are so big, I do not use them as often as the 2x on the iPhone. Maybe 3x would have been a good compromise, but I still think upgrading the 12 Pro Max will make a big difference to many of my photos.

Read more: The best phone to buy for 2021

Larger image sensor

Apple has already managed to squeeze incredible image quality from small phone camera sensors, and its excellent software allows for the amazing night mode shots we’ve already seen. But a 47% larger sensor captures more light, allowing brighter shots with less noise and better dynamic range. That’s why my professional camera (a Canon 5D Mark IV) uses a much larger full-frame sensor.

I am very eager to see what difference this larger sensor can mean not only for my night photos, but also to capture fine details in landscapes, or to make up close when flowers are macro taken. A larger sensor attached to Apple’s image processing software is probably a powerful combination.

Enhanced, faster lens for better night mode

It’s not just the sensor that can absorb more light – the lens itself can bring in more light than before thanks to its wider, f / 1.6 aperture. The number basically means that the hole through which the light passes is larger than before, so that more light can pass through within the same time. Along with the larger sensor, Apple reckons that the 12 Pro Max saw an 87% improvement on the iPhone 11 version, which itself was already one of the best in low-light photos.

However, the redesigned lens is not just about letting in more light. Apple also explained in its launch presentation that it has improved the optical brightness of the lens, which reduces the image distortion, especially at the edge of the image on the widest lens. All this means better, more professional images. Lovely stuff.

Apple ProRaw

Many of my best photos I took with the iPhone were used in raw by third-party apps. Raw images do not store data such as color information or sharpening, which allows greater control when editing in mobile applications such as Adobe Lightroom Mobile. However, the downside of shooting raw in third-party apps is that you can’t take advantage of the image processing that Apple uses in its own camera app. The Deep Fusion processing for amazing HDR, for example, is just something you will get if you shoot with the iPhone’s original camera.

To address more to professionals, Apple launches Apple ProRaw in its camera app, which utilizes many of its image processing features but does not permanently embed data such as white balance, so you can still make the changes in post-production. Apple says it’s the best of both worlds, and on paper I’m tempted to agree, but I’ll have to reserve my final judgment until I can not only take images in this new format, but also edit the images. .

It is noteworthy that Google has already done much the same with its Pixel phones’ “computational raw” feature, which Stephen Shankland, senior editor of CNET, calls “great”.

HDR video and enhanced stabilization

It’s not just still photos that have improved. The phone also now offers HDR with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps, which according to Apple is the first time that it is offered on any device. In theory, it will help control bright highlights and lighten dark shadows, much like HDR does when taking still photos.

The optical image stabilization was also improved by moving the image sensor to counteract movements and vibrations, rather than moving the heavier lens, as was previously the case. How much difference it makes remains to be seen if I can take out the phones for a proper test, but with better image quality and better stabilization I am very excited about the types of videos I can produce with this phone. .