iPhone SE (2016) SE 2 camera comparisons to SE/8/11, plus first day camera impressions

[primarycolors]

Hey all!
I got my SE this afternoon and have not been able to stop tinkering with it.

I thought some may like to see how the new SE measures up against the original SE, the 8, and the 11 Pro, so I've put together an album of the same shot taken on several devices. I tried to cover several lighting conditions and subject distances. Unfortunately I only had the 8 for the Low Light comparisons.

Below is the Imgur album. The first half is comparison shots, the second half is just various photos I took on it through the day.

https://imgur.com/a/7hJnt1K

Here's also a video shot in 4K at 30 FPS with the extended dynamic range.

Final first-day thoughts:

• Photos taken in daylight are nearly indistinguishable from iPhone 11 photos. Next-gen Smart HDR captures several light levels very well.
  • That said, it does not auto-focus as well as the 11 series, so you will have to "tap to focus" more often.
• Software-based Portrait Mode is quite impressive. It separates even my fluffy hair quite well.
  • I've found it also semi-reliably works with pets! With one condition. You have to be in frame with the pet and overlap visually, so it recognizes you and the pet as one entity.
• Front camera looks good in daylight. Any other situation is disappointing. In low light, skin gets washed out.
• The SE is better with low light shots than expected. Though noise is higher, the visibility and color are comparable to iPhone 11 with night mode off, and a massive step up from iPhone 8.
  • You just really need to keep the camera still.
  • Fine details, such as carpet, can still get blurred together.
  • I would actually argue the SE has a pseudo-night mode that isn't advertised. Taking in a photo in the dark, one can see a quick fade-in animation before the shutter snap, much like the 11 series do.

I. Love. This. Phone.

 

[oVerboost]

Nice photos and comparison pictures.
Got mine yesterday. The camera in everything but low light is awesome!

 

[StageMomma]

Nice. Low light isn’t as bad as reviewers made it sound. Your cat is cute. 😊

 

[TrickyTreeRed]

Nice job!

The low light differences between the first generation SE and the 8 compared with the 2020 SE and the 11 Pro are quite telling. The daylight shots are no as obvious on first glance, but that's a testament to the importance of quality photo software.

 

[lilith666]

Great comparison. The thing that i realised , se2 has a bit warmer tone in photos compared to the 11 pro but overall looks great.

 

[majkom]

All seem same to me, se or se2 or 11, almost no difference

 

[JSRinUK]

All seem same to me, se or se2 or 11, almost no difference

I did a couple of amateur tests yesterday comparing my 1st Gen SE and 2nd Gen SE using my dog as a subject (in pretty much ideal - sunny afternoon - conditions). I was surprised at just how good the original SE is. There are clear differences between the two SEs, but the original SE still held up pretty well. Definitely no slouch if you're out there taking daylight snapshots.

It's all different on the selfie camera, though, as you would expect. The 1st Gen SE is a bit rubbish, to a degree I would call "barely acceptable". The 2nd Gen SE is just leagues ahead.