iPhone 16 Pro Camera: Photographer's Review | 1 Month Later

Summary

The iPhone 16 Pro Max, marketed as a professional photography tool, impresses with its advanced camera system featuring a main 1X camera, an upgraded ultrawide, and a 5x telephoto lens. The reviewer tested it in Malta, highlighting the exceptional photo quality achieved with ProRAW editing. Video capabilities, particularly in ProRes and Apple Log, rival traditional cameras, especially with 4K at 120 FPS for slow motion. While the upgrade from the iPhone 15 Pro may not be necessary, those on older models will find it worthwhile, thanks to new features like USB-C and a 120Hz display, making it a powerful choice for both amateurs and professionals.

Takeaways

• 📱 The iPhone 16 Pro Max is marketed as a professional camera replacement for photography and videography.
• 🎥 Apple's slogan 'Hollywood in your pocket' emphasizes its aim to showcase the phone's capabilities in professional settings.
• 🌍 The reviewer tested the iPhone 16 Pro Max in Malta, capturing photos and videos, and was pleasantly surprised by the results.
• 📷 The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max feature a three-camera system with a 48-megapixel main camera, an upgraded ultrawide camera, and a 5x telephoto lens.
• 🖼️ ProRAW files offer greater flexibility in editing compared to standard iPhone images, allowing for better post-processing.
• 🎨 Apple's photographic styles allow users to customize the camera's processing non-destructively, although the reviewer still prefers editing in Lightroom.
• 🆕 The new camera control button provides quick access to the camera but can feel awkward to use.
• 💻 Video quality is impressive, especially in ProRes and Apple Log formats, rivaling traditional mirrorless cameras.
• 📽️ The iPhone now supports 4K at 120 FPS for slow-motion video, a significant enhancement for mobile videography.
• 📊 While not a complete replacement for professional cameras, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is ideal for casual photographers and behind-the-scenes filming.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the iPhone 16 Pro Max according to the video?

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is marketed as a device suitable for photography and videography, with Apple promoting it as a 'professional camera' that offers high-quality image and video capabilities.

What did the reviewer think about the improvements from the iPhone 15 Pro to the iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The reviewer found that many online comments deemed the iPhone 16 Pro disappointing due to a lack of significant improvements over the iPhone 15 Pro. However, the reviewer emphasizes that not all upgrades need to be groundbreaking each year.

How did the reviewer describe their experience with the camera system on the iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The reviewer was impressed with the photo quality from the main camera and found the ultrawide and telephoto lenses fun to use, though they noted some limitations in low-light performance and detail loss at higher zoom levels.

What editing software did the reviewer use for the images taken with the iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The reviewer used the Lightroom mobile app to edit photos taken in Pro Raw format with their own presets, noting that these files provide greater flexibility compared to standard iPhone images.

What is the 'camera control' feature mentioned in the video?

The 'camera control' feature allows users to quickly open the camera with a single press, but the reviewer found the position and functionality awkward and less user-friendly than expected.

How does the video quality of the iPhone 16 Pro Max compare to traditional cameras according to the reviewer?

The reviewer stated that video quality from the iPhone 16 Pro Max, especially when shooting in ProRes and Apple Log formats, resembles that of higher-end mirrorless cameras, which surprised them.

What are the new video capabilities introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The iPhone 16 Pro Max introduces 4K video recording at 120 FPS, allowing for high-quality slow-motion footage, and it can record in ProRes and Apple Log formats.

Did the reviewer consider the iPhone 16 Pro Max a suitable replacement for traditional cameras?

While the reviewer did not plan to completely replace their traditional cameras, they acknowledged that the iPhone 16 Pro Max could serve as a practical alternative for hobby photographers and for filming behind-the-scenes content.

What suggestion did the reviewer make to Apple regarding the iPhone's camera lenses?

The reviewer suggested that Apple should consider adding a 55 mm lens with the same sensor size as the main camera to fill the gap between the current lens options, which they found lacking.

What was the reviewer's conclusion about upgrading to the iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The reviewer concluded that while upgrading from the iPhone 15 Pro may not be necessary, it is worthwhile for users on older models, noting the benefits of USB-C and the improved photo and video capabilities.