Which iPhone Has the Best Camera? (Best iPhone Camera)
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It’s hard to keep up with the latest smartphone developments. And choosing the best iPhone camera is no different. After a period of incremental change in camera specs, the latest iPhone 14 had significant improvements. We’ve considered all of the camera specs of all of these cameras and the iPhone 14 Pro sensor size puts it in a class of its own.
The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max are our top picks. They introduce the biggest sensor Apple has ever used. With 48 MP, up to 240 fps slow motion, and sensor-shift image stabilization, it is a worthy flagship for the tech giant.
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What Is the Best iPhone Camera?
All of the current iPhones offer excellent cameras. The image processing makes it easier than ever to achieve amazing results. We’ll look at the best iPhone cameras in more detail. But first, here’s a summary of the best available models.
Our Top Pick
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max 128 GB
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max 128 GB
- 48 MP main sensor
- Sensor-shift image stabilization
- 77mm telephoto lens
- 4K video at up to 60 fps
- 240 fps slo-mo at up to 1080p
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Best Value iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 13 Pro 128GB Alpine Green + Subscription
Apple iPhone 13 Pro 128GB Alpine Green + Subscription
- Three-camera system
- 12 MP on all cameras
- 4K video at up to 60 fps
- Sensor-shift image stabilization
- Portrait mode for enhanced bokeh
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Best Value iPhone 14
Apple iPhone 14
Apple iPhone 14
- Two 12 MP rear cameras
- 4K video at up to 60 fps
- Sensor-shift image stabilization
- Has the Dynamic Island feature
- TrueDepth front camera with AF
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Best Value Pro Model
Renewed Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB Gold – Unlocked
Renewed Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB Gold – Unlocked
- Three rear cameras
- Telephoto camera with enhanced bokeh
- Slo-mo up to 240 fps in 1080p
- Macro shooting
- Sensor-shift image stabilization
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Best Budget iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 13 512GB Midnight + Carrier Sub
Apple iPhone 13 512GB Midnight + Carrier Sub
- 4K video at up to 60 fps
- 12 MP front and rear cameras
- Night mode
- Sensor-shift image stabilization
- Fast f/1.6 main camera
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Which iPhone Has the Best iPhone Camera?
The current flagship iPhone leads the way for quality and versatility. But the other iPhone cameras in this review are all worth a look. Especially if your budget won’t stretch to a brand-new iPhone 14 Pro.
1. iPhone 14 Pro Max
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Release Date
16/09/2022
Main Camera
48 MP
Telephoto Camera
12 MP
Ultra-Wide Camera
12 MP
Front Camera
12 MP
Max Video Resolution
4K/60 fps
Max Video fps
240/1080p
Image Stabilization
Sensor-shift
Key Features
True-Depth front camera with autofocus, Dynamic Island feature
Best For
Anyone looking for a top-spec iPhone with incredible cameras
×
When Apple released the iPhone 14 in September 2022, it marked a significant jump in camera specs. The previous flagship—the 13 Pro Max—had a 12 MP main camera. The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max pushed this to 48 MP. Interestingly, they use this 48 MP capacity to give what Apple calls “optical-quality zoom.” In effect, you shoot in 48 MP RAW and can zoom (aka crop) to a 12 MP 2x telephoto.
We’ve put the Pro and Pro Max together in this review. That’s because their photography capabilities are the same. The difference is in the size of the screen. If you don’t mind the extra size, you’ll get to appreciate your photos much more on the bigger screen.
The 48 MP main camera on the iPhone Pro/Pro Max is a 24mm f/1.78 seven-element lens. It is notable for its quad-pixel construction and its sensor-shift image stabilization (IS). This is used to give super-smooth video as well as helping to keep your shots sharp.
A 12 MP 2x telephoto 48mm f/1.78 “lens” is achieved by using a sensor crop from the main camera. Both have 100% focus pixels, which means both have edge-to-edge autofocus.
The 12 MP ultra-wide lens is a 13mm f/2.2 six-element lens. The 120-degree field of view will give you GoPro-like images and video. Like the main camera, it has 100% focus pixels.
The final lens on the back of the phone is a 12 MP 77mm f/2.8 six-element telephoto lens. It has optical IS in both photo and video modes.
So the camera configurations are impressive. They are certainly the best ever found on an iPhone and they rival many Android devices. But smartphone cameras are not all about lens sizes and specs. What enables your—let’s be honest—tiny smartphone camera lens to produce stunning results is the software.
Once the light from the lens hits the sensor, smartphone manufacturers apply lots of tweaks. These make up for the shortcomings of lens real estate, which is smaller than a fingernail.
One example of this is the portrait-friendly 77mm lens. It benefits from its large-ish maximum aperture to produce bokeh and throw the background out of focus. But additional processing will enhance that effect.
Video is well-covered on the iPhone 14 Pros. With a headline figure of 4K at up to 60 fps, you also get Apple ProRes video. And there are other modes, including Cinematic mode, which shoots at 4K HDR at 30 fps. You can also get that GoPro look with 240 fps slo-mo at 1080p. With the stabilization and ultra-wide lens, it’s quite the feature.
The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max are the clear winners for the best iPhone camera award. If you want the best viewing experience, then go for the Max. If you like a smaller phone, the iPhone 14 Pro is for you.
2. iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max
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Release Date
24/09/2022
Main Camera
12 MP
Telephoto Camera
12 MP
Ultra-Wide Camera
12 MP
Front Camera
12 MP
Max Video Resolution
4K/60 fps
Max Video fps
240/1080p
Image Stabilization
Sensor-shift
Key Features
Excellent nighttime shooting capabilities and all-day battery life
Best For
Anyone looking for a lower-priced three-camera system
×
We’ll consider the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max together as well. The cameras are the same, with the difference being screen size and battery performance. The iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max has one of the best cameras on any smartphone, whether iOS or Android. And you get an excellent set of camera hardware and features.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a 12 MP sensor resolution. And that’s for the cameras at the front and rear of the phone. The front camera has a wide-angle lens with an aperture of f/2.2. It’s nothing revolutionary. But you can snap some stunning selfies!
Other photographers will be more interested in the rear camera. It’s a triple-camera unit with three separate lenses. There’s an ultra-wide lens with an f/1.8 aperture. There’s an f/1.5 wide-angle lens. And there’s a telephoto lens with an f/2.8 aperture to complete the trio. The three lenses give you incredible shooting options. It’s a versatile smartphone for photographers.
The native camera app is packed with photography features. There’s a portrait mode for front and rear cameras. There’s depth control for accurate shooting. And there’s a night mode for after-dark photography. The Smart HDR is great for stills, but you also get HDR video recording.
The 13 Pro Max is a fantastic video camera too. You can shoot 4K Dolby Vision videos at a frame rate of 60 fps. And you also have Cinematic mode for pro-looking videos. It adds a shallow depth of field to the footage. And it can shift focus from one subject to another automatically.
We recommend the version with 512 GB of memory. But you can get the 1 TB model if you need more storage. The battery life is excellent. And one of the reasons the iPhone 13 Pro Max beats the iPhone 13 Pro? It has a much improved battery life. And the bigger screen allows you to see your photos more clearly.
3. iPhone 14/14 Plus
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Release Date
23/11/2022
Main Camera
12 MP
Telephoto Camera
N/A
Ultra-Wide Camera
12 MP
Front Camera
12 MP
Max Video Resolution
4K/60 fps
Max Video fps
240/1080p
Image Stabilization
Sensor-shift
Key Features
True-Depth front camera with autofocus, Dynamic Island feature
Best For
Anyone looking for the latest iteration of the iPhone, but who’s happy with a dual camera system
×
The main difference between the iPhone 14/14 Plus and the Pro versions lies in the camera. It’s immediately obvious as there is a cluster of two, not three, lenses on the back. What’s missing is the telephoto lens. And this also means there is no ProRes 4K or macro video.
Other than that, photographic performance is the same. The iPhone 14 Plus offers the larger screen. But the choice between these two and the Pro versions is entirely down to how important the extra camera is for you.
4. iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max
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Release Date
23/10/2020
Main Camera
12 MP
Telephoto Camera
12 MP
Ultra-Wide Camera
12 MP
Front Camera
12 MP
Max Video Resolution
4K/60 fps
Max Video fps
240/1080p
Image Stabilization
Sensor-shift
Key Features
Portrait mode for better bokeh, macro mode for photo and video
Best For
Anyone who wants a three-camera iPhone but is on a tighter budget
×
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the older version of the 13 Pro Max. We’re a few years on from the release date in 2020. But the iPhone 12 Pro Max remains one of the best iPhone cameras for photography. Apple is well aware that cameras are a big selling point in smartphones. And the iPhone 12 Pro Max answered that demand.
The front and rear cameras both have a 12 MP sensor. You can expect impressive image quality. The front camera has a wide-angle lens with a large f/2.2 aperture for low light. It gives you light and airy self-portraits. And it’s great for casual blogs.
The serious camera specs are found on the rear camera. It’s a triple-camera unit, much like the one on the 13 Pro Max. Each iPhone camera lens has a different focal length, giving you more photography options:
- An ultra-wide-angle lens has a 13mm focal length with a f/2.4 aperture
- A standard wide-angle lens has a 16mm focal length with an f/1.6 aperture
- A telephoto lens has a 52mm focal length with an f/2 aperture
The apertures aren’t as wide as those on the 13 Max Pro. But they still give you plenty of light for high-quality photography. That’s why it’s still one of the best camera phones.
The camera has a 5x optical zoom. And an optical zoom means no pixelation when you zoom in. You also have optical image stabilization to reduce camera shake.
You get a handful of excellent photo modes for different lighting. These include Night, Smart HDR, and Deep Fusion modes. They improve image details and textures in medium to low light. Plus, there’s 4K Dolby Vision HDR video recording.
The latest iPhone cameras have topped the 12 Pro Max. But not by much. It remains one of the best camera phones on the market. And its age makes it a more budget-friendly option for smartphone photographers. It’s not the best iPhone camera. But it’s close.
5. iPhone 13/13 Mini
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Release Date
24/09/2022
Main Camera
12 MP
Telephoto Camera
N/A
Ultra-Wide Camera
12 MP
Front Camera
12 MP
Max Video Resolution
4K/60 fps
Max Video fps
240/1080p
Image Stabilization
Sensor-shift
Key Features
Night mode and portrait mode with advanced bokeh control
Best For
Getting a recent iPhone without breaking the bank
×
You will notice a pattern with the iPhone 13. It’s pretty much the same as its Pro/Pro Plus siblings, but without the telephoto camera. That’s why it comes after the older 12 Pro in this review. The third camera makes the latter stand out for photography. But in every other respect, the iPhone 13 matches its more expensive counterpart.
The iPhone 13 Mini packs the same features into a smaller body. And it does so at a decent cost saving. It’s definitely the way to go if you want a better price or a smaller phone.
Buyer’s Guide—What to Look For in the Best iPhone Camera
There’s some technical stuff you’ll want to know to help you find the best iPhone camera. You must look at a few camera specs when hunting for the best iPhone camera. And knowing this information helps you make the right decision.
Sensor Resolution
Sensor resolution is one of the best indicators of image quality. We measure resolution in megapixels (MP). The number of megapixels refers to the number of pixels on the camera’s sensor. The general rule is the higher the MP count, the better the image quality. Looking at the MP shows you which iPhone camera has a higher resolution.
You should be looking for an iPhone camera with a 12 MP resolution or higher. That gives you wonderful image quality. Older models have a lower pixel count. While that does mean a downgrade in quality, they can be cheaper. You also need to check the MP for the front and rear cameras. The front camera sometimes has a lower resolution.
Optical and Digital Zoom
Most iPhone cameras have zoom capabilities. You won’t see anything much beyond a 2x to 4x zoom range. But that can help you get the shot you want. You also need to know the difference between digital and optical zoom.
Optical zoom is where the lens elements move to change the focal length of the lens. That’s a mechanical process. You might experience chromatic aberration with this type of zoom. But the overall quality of your image stays the same.
Digital zoom is where the camera zooms in digitally. Rather than increase the focal length, the camera enlarges part of the image. This means the quality of your image decreases the more you zoom in.
Image Stabilization
Image stabilization reduces the effect of camera shake. That means you get a sharper image without signs of motion blur. Not all iPhones have stabilization. But it’s a handy feature that adds to the iPhone camera quality.
Some cameras have optical stabilization. This helps counteract movement in the camera lens. Plus, there’s sensor-shift stabilization. This reduces the movement of the sensor. Some cameras have one or the other. But the best iPhone cameras have dual image stabilization.
Conclusion: The Best iPhone Camera
The iPhone 14 Pro Max marks a significant leap for Apple’s phone camera offerings. It threatens to take a bite out of the action camera market. And it offers a credible alternative to Micro Four Thirds cameras for video.
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