Comparison of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 11 cameras - how much better is the new product?

When it comes to smartphone requirements, the best camera usually tops the list. Even though it's easy to see how far cameras have come iPhone Since the introduction of the first generation, it has become much more difficult to understand the differences between the models. To get a closer look at what's currently available, let's compare the new generation of iPhone with previous releases.

Photographic capabilities of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Release date: September 2022 | Main cameras: 12 MP f/1.5, 12 MP f/1.8 ultra-wide-angle, 12 MP f/2.8 telephoto 3x zoom | Front camera: 12 MP | Weight: 204 g Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm | Memory: 128 GB/256 GB/512 GB/1TB

The camera isn't much improved over the iPhone 12 Pro, but the fact remains that the iPhone 13 Pro is the best iPhone for photographers right now. Its photography capabilities are represented by three lenses, boasting a standard, ultra-wide-angle and telephoto configuration with equivalent focal lengths of 26mm, 13mm and 78mm respectively.

In terms of improvements, there is a new cinematic video mode for video shooting, as well as a new macro mode and improvements to the camera's low-light capabilities. The telephoto lens is also improved over the iPhone 12 Pro, with a 3x zoom range up from 2x.

While the iPhone 13 Pro Max is technically the best thing Apple has to offer right now, there's no real difference in camera technology between it and the 13 Pro, with the Max's main selling point being better battery life. This means that for us, the iPhone 13 Pro is the best iPhone for photographers, in terms of price and quality. If you already have a 12 Pro, you probably don't need to upgrade. Learn more about the iPhone 13 pro camera .

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini cameras

With advanced dual-lens cameras on the back and a stunning 12MP True Depth camera on the front, aspiring photographers won't be disappointed with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini. Going all out, Apple has added the same specs to both phones, meaning fans of small smartphones won't miss out on the latest camera technology.

There are two camera modules on the back, with a 12MP wide-angle lens and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens. Updated from previous iPhone models, the main wide-angle lens now uses an f/1.6 aperture, allowing the rear camera to receive 27% more light. Combined with Night Mode on both lenses and Apple's new Deep Fusion technology, taking photos in low light has never been easier.

And that's not all, you'll also find optical image stabilization on both iPhones, 2x optical zoom and 5x digital zoom, as well as Apple's own portrait mode and depth control. Zoom in without sacrificing photo quality, experiment with new styles and explore the effect of blurred backgrounds - bokeh . You can even shoot with confidence knowing Smart HDR 3 is always there. New to iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini, this feature automatically adjusts your camera settings, correcting white balance and enhancing detail and color for the best results.

4K Dolby Vision HDR at up to 30fps is now possible on any iPhone 12 series. This professional 10-bit HDR video format, a first for smartphones, means you can look forward to creating stunning, cinematic videos straight from your phone. There's also pass-through support so you can record in real time and then edit and playback the video in Dolby Vision.

Photographic styles

The iPhone 13 introduced cool filters, Apple calls them “Photographic Styles.” Cupertino residents noted that the styles differ from filters in that they do not change the skin tone and color of the sky, while changing the warmth of the frame.

The 13 series phones have four styles:

Saturated - increases the saturation of colors in the photo;
Contrast - adds contrast;
Warm – adds a golden tint to the photo;
Cool - produces photos with a blue tint.

You need to apply styles before creating a photo; they cannot be used on finished photos.

Camera iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max

If you're tempted by the iPhone 12 but are looking for more advanced camera specs, then you'll love the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. With a triple-lens camera (Pro models only), you can shoot like a pro right from your smartphone.

iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max have better photography options. There's a 12MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 12MP telephoto lens, all three of which feature a night mode for beautifully clear and bright results in low light. However, iPhone 12 Pro Max has a larger sensor on the wide-angle lens, which gives a huge advantage6 (87%) when shooting in the dark. The Pro Max also has impressive zoom capabilities: you can look forward to 5x optical zoom and 12x digital zoom, 2.5x zoom and 2x zoom out. Even when shooting from afar, clear and detailed images are guaranteed.

The iPhone 12 Pro has a lot to offer too. It performs well in low light and has its own advanced zoom features with 4x optical zoom, 10x digital zoom, and 2x zoom in and out. You'll have everything you need to take macro and close-up photos or shoot from afar, and Apple-exclusive features like Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3, and Apple Pro RAW will help you take photos and edit them later.

As with iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini, you can record video in superb 4K Dolby Vision. For Pro models, there's a choice between 30fps and 60fps, and the spec features don't stop there. In addition to shooting in real time with 10-bit HDR quality, you can edit with Dolby Vision directly on devices and even play your home movie for friends via AirPlay.

The display is simply amazing. Thanks OLED

I’m very glad that Apple has completely switched to OLED displays in the new line.

Now on any new iPhone it’s as pleasant as possible to watch videos and play . Compared to the LCD in my old iPhone 11, the screen simply sparkled with new colors. Everything is bright and rich, the 1080p picture is clear and super detailed.

Brightness remained at the same level - 625 nits versus 800 nits for Pro models. However, both devices have a maximum of 1200 nits. What makes the twelfth iPhone usable even in very bright sun. Everything is visible.

And what I've always liked. Black colors are now truly black instead of greyish. It’s quite easy to check: open a monotonous black picture and turn off the screen. You won't notice the difference. Such amazing depth.

The new OLED screen in the iPhone 12 has a resolution of 2532x1170 pixels and a density of 460 pixels per inch. The iPhone 11 has 1792x828 pixels, 326 pixels per inch.

To understand how cool this is: when I run a YouTube video in 4K resolution at a distance of 5-10 cm from my eyes, I see a lot more details . The same goes for photographs. The picture remains as clear as possible.

And OH MY GOD, am I glad the bezels are thinner. While walking around with the iPhone 11, I stopped noticing them after a while, but occasionally they caught my eye. But now they are almost invisible . And in such contrast with last year’s “mid-budget” iPhone, this “innovation” looks amazing.

Personally, I'm pleased. My eyes don't get tired, my head doesn't hurt. The OLED panel in the iPhone 12 has a lot of advantages to give up the device blindly.

And I advise you to try it. Although I know for sure that not everyone will like them, as practice shows.

iPhone SE (2020) Camera Features

iPhone SE (2020) has the best single camera on an iPhone , so the second-generation iPhone SE is a great choice if you're looking to stick to a mid-range budget for your next phone. New for 2022, the new iPhone SE has been equipped with a 12MP rear camera and a 7MP front-facing camera delivering professional-looking photos in both bright and low light.

iPhone SE supports many of the photo capabilities found on premium Apple phones, including Portrait Mode with all six Portrait Lighting effects. You'll be able to get creative with your subject, and on the front and rear cameras you can access depth control, which will use artificial intelligence to estimate the monocular's depth of field so you can adjust the amount of background blur in each photo. Simply use the switch to add more or less blur to your photo—you can do this even after you take the photo.

Next-generation Smart HDR helps enhance every photo you take. It intelligently adjusts highlights and shadows to provide the best possible lighting for your image, removing any overexposed or unnaturally dark areas.

Last but not least is a video from the iPhone SE. You can record 4K videos at 60fps with the rear camera, and when you record stereo audio, the audio will be crisp and crystal clear. You can even use the new QuickTake feature to take photos as you shoot—ideal for capturing memorable moments that you can then share on social media.

Deep Fusion Technology

This technology is very helpful when shooting at night and in low light. The secret is that Deep Fusion technology tries to save the frame, working together with the Neural Engine system. The latter analyzes all the pixels of photographs taken with different exposures. The final frame is formed by combining the most successful areas with the maximum amount of detail.

iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max camera

The main three-module camera can be found on both the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, Apple’s flagships released in September 2019. With the help of an additional lens, the functionality of smartphones in photography has been raised a notch higher, here all three lenses have a resolution of 12 megapixels.

The 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens has a 120-degree field of view. This means you'll be able to see four times as much, making it ideal for capturing breathtaking landscapes. The 12MP wide-angle lens delivers lightning-fast autofocus – even in low light. Finally, the 12-megapixel telephoto lens provides 2x optical zoom so you can better control your perspective . You can quickly and easily switch between all three lenses manually, so you'll never miss an interesting moment.

Both the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max include a new feature called Night Mode, which ensures low-light images are sharp, well-exposed, and with clear color. Portrait mode has also been improved, adding new effects for more attractive photos.

4K video recording, slow-motion selfies (also known as Slofies) and the new 12MP True Depth selfie camera are all available to you on both phones.

Sometimes algorithms draw something that isn't there

After taking a bunch of photos, I came across a not-so-pleasant surprise: sometimes the camera algorithms add details that don’t exist in reality. For example, in the first picture above, artificial intelligence duplicated the currency exchange rate, turning it upside down and placing it at the top of the building standing in the middle; in the second photo he completed a mirror copy of the Foxtrot sign and the monitors in the window. There are very few such examples, so it is difficult to accurately name cases in which algorithms complete drawing of non-existent objects.

Photography capabilities on iPhone Xs and Xs Max

As Apple's current flagship devices, it's no surprise that both the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max are not short on the manufacturer's most advanced cameras. Both have the same specs, the main difference between these two phones comes from the screen size with the iPhone Xs measuring 5.8 inches while the iPhone Xs Max is a whopping 6.5 inches.

Back to the cameras: On the back of the iPhone Xs and Xs Max you'll find an innovative 12-megapixel dual-camera setup. Both modules - wide-angle and telephoto, both are equipped with dual optical image stabilization, which helps eliminate blur in photographs. The main camera also has 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom. You can also record 4K video at 24, 30, or 60 fps, shoot slow-motion video, and use either 2x optical zoom or 6x digital zoom when shooting.

You'll also find a phenomenal 7-megapixel True Depth camera on the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max. Besides capturing selfies from the best angle, it makes possible some of Apple's most requested features. By tracking over 50 facial muscles, you'll be able to use Face ID to unlock your phone and use Animoji and Memoji on both phones.

Smart HDR is an advanced Auto HDR technology debuting in 2022 that intelligently combines multiple photos at different exposure levels to create a perfectly composed, well-lit photo. There's also a portrait mode, now with improved bokeh. Depth of field control is also new for Apple in 2022, and this feature allows you to adjust the depth of field of an image even after you press the shutter button.

ProRes function

This feature is useful for those who shoot video on an iPhone, and then professionally process and edit it. With ProRes mode, you can capture detailed, ultra-sharp video and send it directly to Final Cut Pro on your Mac for editing. The ProRes format preserves detail and clarity while minimizing data compression. Overall, you will be pleasantly surprised by the quality and finished result.

iPhone XR

iPhone XR (cf. 11) cameras , released alongside the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max, have many of the same great features, including Smart HDR, a new and improved Portrait mode with depth-of-field control. In fact, there are only a few differences worth mentioning, the most notable of which is the main camera.

Unlike the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max, the iPhone XR has a single-lens 12-megapixel rear camera. However, with an f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization and five times digital zoom, you can still count on quality photos even in low light conditions.

As for the front camera, it is exactly the same. 7-megapixel True Depth and works equally well on the iPhone XR as on the Xs and Xs Max, and it includes Animoji and Memoji.

You can shoot in 4K, record 1080p HD video at 30fps or 60fps, and shoot slow-motion video whenever you want.

Eh, 5G...

One of the leading words at the fall presentation was 5G. This is an important innovation that allows you to work in networks with speeds of at least 1 Gbit/s.

On topic : Apple has allowed downloading iOS updates via 5G in the iPhone 12. Wi-Fi is not needed

However, it is not yet possible to test the technology. Now 5G does not work in Russia . Only in closed demo areas.

We'll check next year or 2022.

iPhone 8

The little brother of the iPhone 8 Plus, you will find a 12-megapixel single-lens rear camera on the iPhone 8. However, unlike the iPhone XR, this phone does not support portrait mode.

However, there is optical image stabilization and a slow-sync True Tone Quad-LED flash to help take pictures in darker conditions. Auto HDR is also available, ensuring bright objects such as the sky are accurately displayed when other areas of the image are much darker.

The front-facing camera is still 7MP, but you won't find Apple's True Depth camera system on the iPhone 8. Instead, it uses the Facetime HD camera for selfies and video calls using Facetime or Skype.

Finally, on the video side, you'll be able to shoot in 4K and 1080p HD. The recording capability on the main camera can offer digital zoom up to 3x, as well as support for slow motion.

The choice of colors is nothing like that! Options for everyone

This year, Apple has again updated the color palette of the iPhone 12.

There are five colors to choose from: white, black, green, red and, new, blue.

Personally, I liked two cases from the new line. The blue iPhone 12 looks fresh, and the black has acquired an unusual shade.

In general, here's what I think about these body colors:

1 . White : has a yellowish tint, closer to ivory. The frames are the same. Classic.

2 . Black : also more classic, but with one nuance. This year it has a blue or maybe even slightly purple tint to it. Not everyone may come.

Fun fact: even on the iPhone box, the edges are not black, but dark purple.

3 . Blue : a completely new color, there is some depth. No photo or video will convey the real color of the device; it is better to look at it in person.

4 . Green : Last year, the iPhone 11 looked more vibrant in this color. Now it has become somehow completely dull.

5 . Red : also dimmer. It still looks pretty good though.

If last year everyone in the editorial office agreed that green was the best in the new line, now opinions differ. For example, Nikita doesn’t like black and green, Mikku doesn’t like white, blue and green, but he’s a fan of pale red.

iPhone 8 Plus

The dual-lens 12-megapixel camera on the iPhone 8 offers both a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens. Optical image stabilization, 2x optical zoom, 10x digital zoom, and 4K recording are also possible with the iPhone 8 Plus.

However, Portrait mode is only available on the rear camera, and there's no advanced bokeh effect or depth-of-field control feature. However, portrait lighting remains the same, with its 5 fantastic effects. Auto HDR is also available to you, but not Smart HDR.

Like the iPhone 8, the iPhone 8 Plus features a 7-megapixel Facetime HD camera. You won't be able to create your own Memoji or Animoji or use Face ID to unlock your device, but you can certainly take amazing selfies whenever you want.

*** It is known that the iPhone camera starting with iOS11 uses an effective image compression codec, High Efficiency Video Codec (HEVC) .

"Cinema Effect"

Of course, the most interesting thing is the “Cine Effect” mode, which blurs the background in the video. The result is a bokeh effect, like in portrait photographs. With this mode, you can easily shoot a Hollywood-style video or surprise your followers on TikTok and Instagram. The videos look like they were shot on a professional camera.

Turning on the Cinema Effect is very simple. Just go to the “Camera” application and select the “Cinema Effect” mode at the bottom. After shooting a video, you can edit the focus: for example, transfer it from one object to another.