Shooting becomes better and more fun with the iPhone 13 (Pro). The camera lenses have been improved and there are new camera functions. We discuss the new features with you in this article.
Camera features iPhone 13
Apple has given both the camera of the iPhone 13 (mini) and iPhone 13 Pro (Max) a major upgrade. As in previous years, the Pro models have the best camera systems, but many new camera features are also available for the cheaper iPhone 13 and 13 mini.
First, let’s take a look at the three new camera features coming to all iPhone 13 models. Later in the article you can read about the camera features that are exclusive to the iPhone 13 Pro (Max).
1. Movie Mode
Do you like to take portrait photos with your iPhone? This beautiful depth effect can now also be applied to your videos. Apple calls the Movie Mode feature, which lets you record depth-effect video of people, pets, and other subjects.
The Movie Mode feature focuses on the subject while blurring the background. If someone else comes into the picture, there are automatic focus changes. You can also determine what the camera should focus on by tapping the iPhone screen. Ideally, the focus can also be adjusted after filming. You do this in the Photos app, or via iMovie.
2. Smart HDR 4
If you take a photo, your iPhone shoots several in a row using HDR, with different exposure settings. These photos are then merged to give your photos more light and dark details.
With the iPhone 13, this technique (now called Smart HDR 4) has become smarter. The software recognizes up to four people in a scene and improves the colours, contrast and exposure, making sure everyone looks their best.
3. Photographic Styles
Photographic Styles are filters that smartly edit your photos. This way you can enhance or weaken certain colors of a photo, without affecting the skin color. So the Photographic Styles are applied to parts of a photo, rather than affecting the whole picture.
There are four photographic styles: ‘Vivid’ (makes colors brighter and more colorful), ‘Rich Contrast’ (deeps colors and darkens shadows), ‘Warm’ (brings out gold tones) and ‘Cool’ (brings blue shades forward).
Camera features iPhone 13 Pro (Max)
Some camera functions are limited to the iPhone 13 Pro models. The three features we mentioned earlier are also available there.
4. Macro photography
Photographing something like an animal, plant or object at a very short distance can make for beautiful pictures. The iPhone had trouble with that, but the iPhone 13 Pro (Max) knows how to handle macro photography. The improved ultra-wide angle lens focuses from just two centimeters away.
You can also make macro videos and the functionality continues to work with slow motion and time lapse. The Pro models also have an improved telephoto lens that allows you to film and photograph closer up.
5. Better Night Mode
The iPhone 13 Pro can handle low light even better. The ultra-wide angle lens has a much wider aperture, allowing more light to hit the sensor. According to Apple, this provides a 92 percent better result in low light.
Also new is that the Night mode is also available on the telephoto lens, so that all Pro cameras can handle it. Furthermore, portraits in Night mode are now also possible. For this, the iPhone uses the LiDAR scanner, which is only present in the Pro models.
6. Filming in ProRes
ProRes – which will be available via an iOS update later this year – will allow users to film and edit in ProRes or Dolby Vision. This is an advanced video format, aimed at professional video editors.
Videos in ProRes have higher color fidelity and lower compression. It’s similar to the Apple ProRAW file format, but for video.
iPhone 13 (mini): camera specs
The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini have a dual-lens camera system. These are the specifications:
- Wide angle: aperture ƒ/1.6
- Ultra wide angle: aperture ƒ/2.4
- 2x optical zoom
- 5x digital zoom
- Optical image stabilization with sensor shift
- Portrait mode
- Night mode
- Smart HDR 4
- Photographic Styles
iPhone Pro (Max): Camera Specifications
The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max have a dual-lens camera system. These are the specifications:
- Telephoto lens: aperture ƒ/2.8
- Wide angle: aperture ƒ/1.5
- Ultra wide angle: aperture ƒ/1.8
- 3x optical zoom
- 15x digital zoom
- Optical image stabilization with sensor shift
- Portrait mode
- Night mode
- Smart HDR 4
- Photographic Styles
- Apple ProRAW
- Photographic Styles
- Macro photography
Would you like to know more about the innovations? Check out the articles below:
Also read: This is the iPhone 13 Pro (Max): the innovations at a glance
Also read: iPhone 13 officially announced: new iPhone has smaller notch