iPad Pro Has the iPad pros camera become worse?

[Silly John Fatty]

I had a third generation iPad Pro 12.9 and now got a sixth generation model (also 12.9) and the camera feels absolutely worse. How is that possible?

I also jumped from a 2016 iPhone SE to an iPhone 13 mini and while the minis camera is a little better (especially at low light) it is definitely worse on macro. I can’t get as good closeups as on the 2016 SE.

But the drop in quality from the third generation to the sixth generation iPad Pro is absolutely insane. What the hell are these guys at Apple doing?

 

[Coolpher]

I don’t know what to say. I’m curious what others would say. I’ve had every generation iPad Pro 12.9 except for the 2022 I feel like the front facing/FaceTime camera has gotten better even though it’s not quite as good as the 15 Pro Max and the rear cameras are on par with the iPhone 12 and 13 I’d love to hear what other people have to say before the first pro 12.9 I had the first third fourth air 2 a few min let’s just say I’ve had a fair share of ipads in my past

 

[SalisburySam]

iPadPros have cameras? I’ve never once taken a picture with any of our four iPadPros. Ever. Not once. Nada since the birth of the 1st gen. Don’t see that changing.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

iPadPros have cameras? I’ve never once taken a picture with any of our four iPadPros. Ever. Not once. Nada since the birth of the 1st gen. Don’t see that changing.

My 3rd gen iPad Pro had an absolutely amazing camera, much better than the 6th gen right now. I took such amazing pics with it and the camera was better than the one on my 13 mini as well.

 

[Digitalguy]

Camera went backward from 2nd to 3rd gen. Second gen pro was the same as iPhone 7. Since I haven't seen much difference, but I only have the M1 after the 2018 models
So I would say peak camera was 2017

 

[bluedoggiant]

Camera went backward from 2nd to 3rd gen. Second gen pro was the same as iPhone 7. Since I haven't seen much difference, but I only have the M1 after the 2018 models
So I would say peak camera was 2017

Interesting, so hardware wise, the 2017 iPad Pro is the last iPad to share hardware with same-generation iPhone?

 

[blkjedi954]

Interesting, so hardware wise, the 2017 iPad Pro is the last iPad to share hardware with same-generation iPhone?

I believe this to be the case. I owned the 10.5 and the camera was one of the considerations at the time. Now own a M1 and use iPhone cameras exclusively.

 

[bluedoggiant]

I believe this to be the case. I owned the 10.5 and the camera was one of the considerations at the time. Now own a M1 and use iPhone cameras exclusively.

But was the 2018 iPad Pro truly a step back or they just simply stop the parts sharing with the iPhone?

 

[TBoneMac]

But was the 2018 iPad Pro truly a step back or they just simply stop the parts sharing with the iPhone?

It was definitely not a step back.

 

[blkjedi954]

It was definitely not a step back.

Looks like they stopped the parts sharing In 2018. iPhone 8 had OIS, 6 element lens, 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom. A feature set that was absent from the 2018 iPad Pros.

 

[Digitalguy]

Interesting, so hardware wise, the 2017 iPad Pro is the last iPad to share hardware with same-generation iPhone?

as far as I know yes

 

[Digitalguy]

It was definitely not a step back.

I have done several camera comparisons, especially in low light, and my 10.5 pro is definitely the best of the bunch. So yes, 2018 was definitely a step back.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

Well, and in my case, the 2023 was another step back to the 2018 😂 That’s crazy, how can this even be? Cameras should get better, not worse.

 

[Pakaku]

Part of the blame would be that increased over-reliance on enforced AI-"enhancement" in the camera software, I presume