One of the reasons why the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro (Max) are great devices is of course the collection of different cameras. The time that we walked around with a classic photo camera is long gone. Not only has the camera itself renewed, thanks to artificial intelligence, Apple has also improved the software for the camera system.
All new models take beautiful photos and videos, but the pro model with advanced camera system is ideal for professional photography. The iPhone 17 scores on good and the iPhone Air has a less impressive camera system.
Fusion camera system for iPhone
All four iPhone models for 2025 have a Fusion camera system. This marketing term has been created to indicate that the entire system consists of lenses with 48MP and advanced camera-optware. We explain what is new for the iPhone 17 (Pro).
Camera system iPhone 17
The iPhone 17 is equipped with a powerful 48-megapixel dual fusion camera system consisting of a main camera (equal to the iPhone 16) with aperture ƒ/1.6 and a new 48MP-Vragroehoeklens with aperture ƒ/2.2.
- Advanced dual camera system with lens surface of sapphire crystal
- Anti -reflection coating only for fusion main camera
- 48 -MP Fusion Main camera: 26 mm, aperture ƒ/1.6, optical image stabilization with sensor shift, 100% focus pixels, support for photos with super high resolution (24 -mp and 48 -MP)
- Also makes the 12 -mp 2x telephoto lens of optical quality possible: 52 mm, aperture ƒ/1.6, optical image stabilization with sensor shift, 100% focus pixels
- 48 -MP Fusion Ultra Wood angle: 13 mm, aperture ƒ/2.2 and a viewing angle of 120 °, Hybrid Focus Pixels, support for photos with super high resolution (24 -mp and 48 -MP)
- 2x optically zoom in, zoom out 2x optically; 4x optical zoom
- Up to 10x digital zoom in photo
- Up to 6x digital zoom with video
- Camera control
- True Tone Flash
Advanced Pro Fusion camera system
The iPhone 17 Pro (Max) has an advanced Pro Fusion camera system with a Lidar scanner and three 48-megapixel lenses: a wide-angle, ultragro area and a televelens. The Televelens has been renewed with a 56% larger sensor and offers up to 8x optical zoom without loss of quality, while the digital zoom reaches up to 40x.
- Pro camera system with lens surface of sapphire crystal
- Anti -reflection coating for all lenses
- 48 -MP Fusion Main camera: 24 mm, aperture ƒ/1.78, optical image stabilization of the second generation with sensor shift, 100% focus pixels, support for photos with super high resolution (24 -mp and 48 – MP)
- Also makes the 12 -mp 2x telephoto lens of optical quality possible: 48 mm, aperture ƒ/1.78, optical image stabilization of the second generation with sensor shift, 100% focus pixels
- 48 -MP Fusion Ultra Wood angle: 13 mm, aperture ƒ/2.2 and a viewing angle of 120 °, Hybrid Focus Pixels, photos with super high resolution (48 -mp)
- 48 -MP Fusion Televelens: 100 mm (4x), aperture ƒ/2.8, Hybrid Focus Pixels, Optical 3D image stabilization with sensor shift and autofocus, Tetraprisma
- Also makes the 12-mp 8x telephoto lens of optical quality possible: 200 mm, aperture ƒ/2.8, Hybrid Focus Pixels, optical 3D image stabilization with sensor shift and autofocus, tetraprisma
- 8x zoom in with optical quality, zoom out 2x optically; 16x Zoom range of optical quality
- Up to 40x digital zoom
- Up to 15x digital zoom with video
- Camera control
- Lidar -Scanner
- Adaptive True Tone Flash
Single camera for iPhone Air
The iPhone 17 Air has a single 48-megapixel wide-angle camera on the back, comparable to that of the regular iPhone 17 but without ultragwood angle or telephoto lens. The camera uses 1 micron pixels and is equipped with sensor shift for stable images.
- Single camera system with lens surface of sapphire crystal and anti-reflection coating
- 48 -MP Fusion Main camera: 26 mm, aperture ƒ/1.6, optical image stabilization with sensor shift, 100% focus pixels, support for photos with super high resolution (24 -mp and 48 -MP)
- Also makes the 12 -mp 2x telephoto lens of optical quality possible: 52 mm, aperture ƒ/1.6, optical image stabilization with sensor shift, 100% focus pixels
- Up to 10x digital zoom in photo
- Up to 6x digital zoom with video
- Camera control
- True Tone Flash
18MP Center Stage Camera for Selfies
All four iPhone models of 2025 are equipped with an 18-megapixel Center Stage camera on the front. This is equipped with a square sensor that is twice as large as those of previous front cameras. This ensures sharper, more detailed selfies and a wider image angle, so that you can make standing and lying photos and videos without turning the phone.
The smart center internship function uses AI to automatically keep you in the middle of the image, also during video calls or if you move, and adjusts the frame dynamically in group photos so that everyone remains good.
Software new functions
Usually Apple adds new software functions to the camera system every year, the new possibilities are really limited this year.
Dual capture
The new 18MP Center Stage camera at the front and the A19 (Pro) chip ensure that you can film the standard camera app for the first time, up to 4K Dolby Vision with 30 fps, with both the front and rear camera (dual capture).
This means, for example, that you can film yourself while you also record an event or environment, which is ideal for vlogs, interviews or recording reactions during events.
More Pro-Features
This year the list of new pro-camera functions has been limited to support for Genlock, Prores Raw and Log 2 recording profiles.
iPhone Air and iPhone 17 (Pro) Camera: Conclusion
The iPhone Air, iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro each offer a strong camera system, but with different focus. The iPhone Air has a single 48-megapixel wide-angle camera that mainly impresses with its slim design and solid images, ideal for daily use. The iPhone 17 adds an ultra -wide angle lens for more versatility and a stronger front camera with 18 megapixels for sharp selfies.
The iPhone 17 Pro takes mobile photography to a higher level with a triple 48-megapixel system including an advanced telephoto lens with 8x optical zoom, Lidar scanner for better performance in low light, and extensive video functions.
For those who want maximum photographic quality and creative possibilities, the iPhone 17 Pro is the best choice, while the iPhone 17 offers strong options for users with less complex requirements. The iPhone Air has a great camera for daily use, but lacks flexibility.