iPhone 16 Pro VS. A Professional Photographer (eye opening camera test and review)

Summary

In this video, the host, a professional photographer, shares a comprehensive review of the iPhone 16 Pro's camera system, focusing on the new Ultra wide, telephoto, and native 24mm lenses. The host discusses improvements, particularly in resolution and detail, and compares it to the iPhone 15 Pro. Key insights are provided about raw photo quality, camera settings, and how to get the most out of the iPhone's capabilities. The review also addresses the value of upgrading from older iPhones, highlighting that only serious iPhone photographers will see the most benefit from the 16 Pro's upgrades.

Takeaways

• 😀 The iPhone 16 Pro offers the best iPhone camera yet, but it may not be the top smartphone camera overall.
• 😀 The video is focused on evaluating the iPhone 16 Pro’s camera system from a professional photographer’s perspective.
• 😀 RAW photo capture is essential for getting the most out of the iPhone 16 Pro's camera, as JPEG files are processed with computational adjustments.
• 😀 The iPhone 16 Pro features a new 48MP Ultra Wide lens with improved resolution, resulting in more natural-looking images compared to previous models.
• 😀 Despite improvements, the Ultra Wide lens still has some softness in the corners, a known issue with iPhone ultrawide photos.
• 😀 The 5x Telephoto lens on the iPhone 16 Pro shows significant improvement, providing much more detail and better results than the iPhone 15 Pro.
• 😀 The native 24mm camera lens remains largely unchanged from the iPhone 15 Pro and doesn’t bring significant improvements.
• 😀 For serious photographers using RAW files, the iPhone 16 Pro is a strong upgrade, particularly with its improved Ultra Wide and Telephoto lenses.
• 😀 The new camera button feature is seen as a marketing gimmick, offering an awkward user experience compared to traditional touchscreen methods.
• 😀 If you already have an iPhone 15 Pro and use it casually, there isn’t a compelling reason to upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro unless you’re a professional or serious photographer.
• 😀 The Desert Titanium color of the iPhone 16 Pro was a letdown, looking more like rose gold than the tactical brown that was expected.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the 'smartphone vs. professional photographer' series?

The main objective is to evaluate how closely smartphone cameras, specifically iPhones, can replicate professional camera quality, using the expertise of a professional photographer.

Why does the reviewer use Apple Raw to shoot photos on the iPhone 16 Pro?

The reviewer uses Apple Raw because it provides more data for the photos, allowing for a more accurate representation of what the iPhone can truly achieve, without the computational elements and software adjustments baked into the JPEG files.

What is a common mistake people make when shooting with an iPhone, according to the reviewer?

A common mistake is thinking they're shooting in raw format when they're actually shooting JPEG, which doesn't capture the full potential of the camera.

What improvements were noted in the iPhone 16 Pro's ultra-wide lens compared to the iPhone 15 Pro?

The iPhone 16 Pro's ultra-wide lens has a clearer uptick in resolution, making the images feel more natural, especially when compared to the iPhone 15 Pro. However, there is still some softness in the corners.

How does the telephoto lens on the iPhone 16 Pro compare to previous models?

The telephoto lens on the iPhone 16 Pro is much improved, producing far more detailed images than the iPhone 15 Pro, especially in the raw files. The reviewer is impressed by the sharpness and clarity, particularly when comparing side by side.

What did the reviewer expect from the iPhone 16 Pro's native 24mm focal length, and was it different from what was experienced?

The reviewer expected no major improvements in the native 24mm lens compared to the 15 Pro, and their hypothesis was confirmed. The raw files from the iPhone 16 Pro’s 24mm camera were similar to previous iPhones, without any noticeable breakthroughs.

What did the reviewer think about the new camera button feature on the iPhone 16 Pro?

The reviewer found the new camera button feature awkward and uncomfortable to use. They felt that using the iPhone’s existing touch interface for exposure compensation was much more intuitive.

What is the significance of the raw files for the iPhone 16 Pro’s camera capabilities?

Raw files are crucial because they allow users to capture the full potential of the iPhone 16 Pro’s camera. They provide more flexibility for editing and retain more detail compared to JPEGs, which have computational adjustments baked in.

What does the reviewer think about upgrading from an iPhone 15 Pro to the 16 Pro?

The reviewer suggests that upgrading from the 15 Pro to the 16 Pro doesn’t make much sense unless you are someone who takes iPhone photography seriously. The improvements are significant for those who use raw files and pay attention to details, but for casual users, the 15 Pro still holds up.

Was the reviewer satisfied with the 'Desert Titanium' color of the iPhone 16 Pro?

No, the reviewer was disappointed with the 'Desert Titanium' color, as it turned out to be more like rose gold, which didn’t match the tactical brown look they were expecting based on promotional materials.