Zoom is not a big concern for me. Apple should have been honest about using same camera sensors, rather than blowing gimmicky marketing trumpet about camera improvements.
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iPhone 15 Pro Max Why so many media spread false information about the iPhone cameras?
- Thread starter DaveXX
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As someone who has called out the benefits of stacked sensors "gathering more light" that was reported here before, it really isn't a new thing.
The answer to "why" is that the writers just aren't informed. They aren't camera experts and they don't know what the terms mean and just use the terms interchangeably. Those who know what they're talking about don't use the term "zoom". They use the right term, "telephoto", to describe those 5x telephoto lens.
But at the same time, it really comes back down to how do you define the word "zoom". If you're saying zoom as the action of zooming, then yes, you don't optically cover the range from 28mm to 120mm. But a 120mm lens is indeed 5x optically longer zoom"ed" than the 24mm lens. So the term "zoom" is also not strictly wrong.
So it becomes less of a factual point but more grammatical. Semantics.
The answer to "why" is that the writers just aren't informed. They aren't camera experts and they don't know what the terms mean and just use the terms interchangeably. Those who know what they're talking about don't use the term "zoom". They use the right term, "telephoto", to describe those 5x telephoto lens.
But at the same time, it really comes back down to how do you define the word "zoom". If you're saying zoom as the action of zooming, then yes, you don't optically cover the range from 28mm to 120mm. But a 120mm lens is indeed 5x optically longer zoom"ed" than the 24mm lens. So the term "zoom" is also not strictly wrong.
So it becomes less of a factual point but more grammatical. Semantics.
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This also is an important point. While some feel Apple’s information is not clear enough for “photography enthusiast” levels, it’s also not accurate to say that the digital zoom is the same as in a cheap digital camera. The systems behind the creation of the photos on the two separate devices make the results markedly different. We’re at the point where data can be captured for every photo at high enough quality that certain photographic processes can be reshaped after the photo has been taken. That makes it even less likely that folks will take an interest in “what they need to do before taking a picture to give it a particular look”. Just take the pic, fiddle around with some settings and they have the result they wanted.
It’ll be interesting to see as it’s possible settings under which the photo was taken won’t match the actual look of the photo! Will they re-burn the data each time we edit the photo so that the settings make sense?
You can't rely on the media or influencers opinions alone. They can provide input to guide your decision but it's ultimately up to you and your needs.
If Apple makes their first new iPhone camera systems ever that do not improve from earlier iPhone camera systems, then Apple will appropriately take a big hit to their brand respect. Note that I do not include the lower end. I reference Pro and Pro Max models only, because the lower end is the lower end and buyers there need to expect less competence.
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Has anyone suggested there were other plans for the cameras this year and they didn't make the cut?
It felt like the rumors kept suggesting the camera would be a big change this year.
It felt like the rumors kept suggesting the camera would be a big change this year.
You describe a huge issue. Competent photography is all about “what they need to do before taking a picture..." Mostly starting with conscious thought. The superb accessibility of iPhone picture taking has led many users to think that they do not have to think, and learn how to be a photographer; untrue. Apple of course exacerbates this misconception via their marketing.
We already see this all the time in comments here. Folks whining about Apple over processing their images when the camera is just a tool.
Apple uses Sony camera sensors.
1'" Sony IMX 989 sensor or its customized version for Apple is what they could have used for iPhone 15 Pro/Max. Its already being used in Vivo X90 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Pro, OPPO Find X6 Pro, Sony Xperia Pro-I and Sharp Aquos R7 since March'23.
Sony IMX 989 Sensor Phones: Best mobiles with IMX989 Camera sensor in India (2024) - Smartprix
As smartphone camera technology continues to evolve, the Sony IMX 989 sensor is poised to become one of the most sought-after features in mobile photography. With its impressive native resolution of 50.3 and 4-in-1 pixel binning technology, the Sony IMX 989 offers superior image quality and...
www.smartprix.com
They just withheld, for next iteration. I bet Apple will bring this in iPhone 16 series.
It 100% depends on how many Sony can commit to making. If they can’t reliably make deliver at least 200 million in a year, then it’s a non-starter. I almost want to look up how many Xaiomi, Vivo and Sharp phones sell in a year, almost.
Then Apple should have been honest, and categorically mentioned that we have improved software and photonics engine to get better output from last year's sensors.
I disagree. You are suggesting that a vendor should get deep into the technicality weeds, which is something a vendor should not do. The real performance of the new camera system is all that matters.
Unlikely, but we will see. My evaluation will be rational and thought out after meaningful usage, not some nonsense fabricated out of thin air before 15s are even on the street. And certainly not based on artificially sensational UTube clickbait videos that will start dropping like chicken scat in the next few days.
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You know, I too want to be proven wrong, and wish iPhone 15PM to have a fantastic camera. But this time there is something about Apple media event that is not giving confidence. They went to 3nm(which should be inherently efficient), slightly increased battery capacity w.r.t. 14PM, but no increase in battery life over 14PM. These might be subtle markers..... We will see.
i’m always surprised that people want to deny facts….
Is there any doubt that the IP15PM has a 120mm fixed prime lens instead of the 77mm prime lens it had before? Its announced in the keynote by apple, it is written on their pages… so what do you mean with ”thin air”?
Are there any hints it could be different?
If you make a photo on 100mm digital zoom from a 24mm fixed prime lens the zoom factor is 4x. It means 1/16 of the sensor surface and 3MP of the 48MP.
These are facts which are true since decades. Everyone who knows anything about cameras know that and would never deny it even the biggest apple fanboy.
And it is something you can test yourself with every iphone on the market. The only thing which has to be proven is if apple used the same sony sensors like last year or not. But this was never questioned in this topic.
That the IP15Pro has better quality on focal lenghts like 77mm compared to the IP15 ProMax is a fact based on physics. Which are by the way true on every other iphone as well…
And it has nothing to do to be an expert or not. A photo which is digital cropped will loose quality no matter what magic technology is used. There is no photographer in the world who would deny that.
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Well, that’s assuming they used last year’s sensors. At this point, no one has confirmed one way or another.
For The 100mm example you could also use the 120mm picture as the middle of the resulting picture and digital zoomed one from the 24mm arround it so the center of the picture would not have the low resolution as result of zoom.
I don‘t know wich of the two possibilities apple is using in their phones
I’m struggling to see why it matters, or what your point is.
What you say is correct. And the reverse is also true: the 15PM has better quality on focal lengths of 120mm.
So what are you on about? You prefer a 77 to a 120? What’s that got to do with anything at all?
Whenever I meet my friends taking photos, I always advice them to only use the 3 bubbles fixed length, don't further zoom in or out.
And this is the right conclusion i think. And this is the only thing you should consider buying the 15 Pro Max or Pro (based on cameras). Do you want 77mm or 120mm (you can’t have both). But its not about better/more/worse or less what most ppl think. Its a different camera setup for different needs. Maybe we see in the IP16 a fourth camera (3x AND 5x) or the zoom which was already rumored.
At the end of the day, it should come down whether the features meet your needs and whether the cost justifies the upgrade unless you're like me and want the most current model.
Threads like these make me realize I have always been zooming it wrong on my iPhone 12 Pro Max. I never actually pressed the „0,5 1x and 2,5“ buttons on my iPhone and instead always zoomed in and out with my fingers, always assuming everything is optical between 0,5 and 2,5
But this tells also that the quality of the photos were good enough and you never realised that you got them cropped .
I'm sorry, what? You mean digital cameras don't mess with the image you're trying to take? That has nothing at all to do with the zoom. You have an optical zoom (say 50mm) and then a digital zoom beyond that (which is sensor cropping and blowing the image up). Which is what this whole thread is about.
Which was my point. I don't explain. I just tell people to use the hard numbers and don't pinch or scroll zoom or it'll look bad. Most of the time that's all that's needed.