iPad Which iPad for photography?

[InlawBiker]

Here's my workflow, I have a PC laptop I love, but I want an iPad for travel to cull my photos and do basic editing on the road. I'll sync my keepers in the Cloud and they'll be ready when I get home to edit on the PC. I use Adobe stuff, Lightroom classic, Photoshop, and Panasonic G9 with some good lenses.

I had bought a basic iPad 8th gen 128 right before the 9th gen came out. I returned it to swap for the 9th gen but I'm wondering if I should go with the Air 4 or 11" Pro m1 instead. To be honest the 8th gen iPad did pretty well with basic photo editing. Size was perfect for casual movie watching or browsing too. I was surprised. Is it really necessary to step up to the Pro? I don't want to over-buy since my PC does most of the work, but I don't want to under-buy either.

 

[ericwn]

The Pro, Air and mini are just nicer in many aspects than the basic iPad. Especially if you do more than just cull it may be a nice treat for yourself.

Only the base iPad line has the lightning ports these days, the others have switched to USB-C already which may make it easier dealing with newer cameras and other devices directly.

 

[rui no onna]

Only the base iPad line has the lightning ports these days, the others have switched to USB-C already which may make it easier dealing with newer cameras and other devices directly.

If connecting peripherals, I'd choose an iPad with USB-C as well. Apple certified refurb 2018 and 2020 iPad Pros are good alternatives to the Air 4 and M1 Pro 11 if wanting to spend less.

 

[MBAir2010]

The basic ipad one is not up to par.
that used to take good photos, now bland Ones

 

[Devyn89]

If connecting peripherals, I'd choose an iPad with USB-C as well. Apple certified refurb 2018 and 2020 iPad Pros are good alternatives to the Air 4 and M1 Pro 11 if wanting to spend less.

The 2018 iPad Pro is probably my favourite apple device of all time. I’d buy a refurbished one in a heartbeat.

 

[InlawBiker]

Yeah the consensus seems to be, go for a USB-C type model for the long run. I'll also investigate the refurbished units too, thanks! for @MBAir2010, I don't use the iPad itself to take photos, I use my Micro 4/3 camera for that.

 

[MBAir2010]

Yeah the consensus seems to be, go for a USB-C type model for the long run. I'll also investigate the refurbished units too, thanks! for @MBAir2010, I don't use the iPad itself to take photos, I use my Micro 4/3 camera for that.

one upon a time, i had a nice nikon something that ceased to work one day over this summer
i feel stupid toting that iPad 5 houses down to take alligator videos but the best camera....
i just wanted to state the iPod $329- is not the way to go!

happy photographing!

 

[rui no onna]

one upon a time, i had a nice nikon something that ceased to work one day over this summer
i feel stupid toting that iPad 5 houses down to take alligator videos but the best camera....
i just wanted to state the iPod $329- is not the way to go!

happy photographing!

Why not a phone, though? Even my old iPhone 7 takes better pictures compared to the basic iPads.

 

[MBAir2010]

Why not a phone, though? Even my old iPhone 7 takes better pictures compared to the basic iPads.

thanks,
I'm pondering that
since i down own a phone.
or maybe an itouch might work too

 

[rui no onna]

thanks,
I'm pondering that
since i down own a phone.
or maybe an itouch might work too

The iPod touch has even worse cameras than iPad.

What about Android smartphones? Admittedly, I'm not familiar with which models/price point would give acceptable image quality. You don't need to get service in order to use on-device features of a smartphone.

 

[MBAir2010]

The iPod touch has even worse cameras than iPad.

What about Android smartphones? Admittedly, I'm not familiar with which models/price point would give acceptable image quality. You don't need to get service in order to use on-device features of a smartphone.

i can't do google which is android, eh?
my older itouch g4 took better photos than the ipad

i will figure something out soon
which is sad cause i saw over 50 egrets, 10 herons, 2 gray ibis, a rare leopard frog
and a soft shell turtle i escorted 20 minutes in our pond on my 4 mile bike trip to CVS
the photos of that would be great!

 

[rui no onna]

my older itouch g4 took better photos than the ipad

i will figure something out soon
which is sad cause i saw over 50 egrets, 10 herons, 2 gray ibis, a rare leopard frog
and a soft shell turtle i escorted 20 minutes in our pond on my 4 mile bike trip to CVS
the photos of that would be great!

I used to have one as I alternated between the iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4th gen as my ebook reader (with Stanza app) back in the day. I distinctly recall thinking the camera on the iPod sucked. Iirc, the rear camera on the iPod was same quality or worse than the 720p FaceTime camera on iPhone 4.

Pretty sure the iPad 5th gen has better rear camera than the iPod touch 4th gen. Although really, a cheap used iPhone would be better than either. Service and optional and even without SIM, you can still use it to dial 911.