You can downplay all the hype from Apple on new models introduced today that are lighter, more powerful, cuter and such. But when it comes to the iPhone camera, Apple did indeed introduce two major upgrades that has me very excited.
First of all, the one that will affect everyone who does the upgrade: an improved Selfie camera that will now have a wider point of view. What this means: you won’t struggle as much to get groups together into the photo. I love this.
Apple is using software magic to automatically transition a vertically shot Selfie to horizontal (thus opening it up for more people in the photo) just by turning the phone on its side. It’s also increasing the resolution on the Selfie camera, from 12 megapixel to 18 megapixel.
For the photo nerd in your life, Apple is upping the telephoto from 5x to 8X on the Pro models, for the equivalent of 200mm, as compared to the previous 120mm. That’s a big jump and answers my number one request to Apple CEO Tim Cook in Saturday’s newsletter. Thanks for reading Tim!
However, if you’re used to using the telephoto camera at 5x on the 16, 15 and 14 Pro models, that option will be gone.
Instead, the new camera lineup will be .5 (13mm) 1x (24mm), 4X (100mm, that’s new) and the 8X offering.
You’ve heard me rant about digital zoom in the past, and how it all it is is a crop that results in a pixelated photo. So 4x in the new lineup will be a digital crop, and Apple will do everything in its power to convince us that with AI and computational photography, the digital 4x zoom will look just as cool as optical.
Call me very skeptical, and I look forward to do the tests when I get to spend some serious time with the new phones.
Apple also says it will higher megapixels for all three optical iPhone lenses on the Pro models. Great!
The new Air is ultra-thin, and ultra-light, and it’s being positioned for those who look at iPhones as fashion accessories. It has a new companion case with a carry strap that I predict will be a big hit with women.
But the camera! Just one optical lens, what Apple calls it’s “Fusion” camera, with lots of digital zoom.
The new phones, plus an improved AirPod 3 with real-time language translation and improved battery life, go on pre-order Friday, and on sale to the general public the following Friday, the 19th.
Should you buy? I’ll be able to craft a more informed answer after I get my hands on the phone, but to any photographer reading, I think the answer is obvious. Wouldn’t you rather have 200mm in your pocket than 120mm?
Back at `ya!
Jeff
I researched the release today and got really excited about the 200mm zoom. Then I told myself to see if you had commented on the 17 pro max yet. I can hardly wait for you to test it out!!!