The 48 megapixel fusion camera with a 2x Telephoto option which essentially gives you two optical quality cameras in one, is a game changer in the new iPhone 16.
In addition to wider angle shots, the new 12MP Ultra Wide camera with autofocus, enables macro photography (an extreme close-up of a small object), and gathers up to 2.6x more light for even greater image quality.
The new iPhone 16 standard models have a redesigned rear camera bump that aligns the sensors vertically instead of diagonally, similar to how they appeared on the back of the iPhone X, XS, XR, 11 and 12.
Vertically aligning the cameras makes them capable of recording spatial photos and videos for viewing on Apple's Vision Pro headset. The Pro models have the same triple camera system we are used to, including the main, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses.
More notably, is the new Camera Control button on the side of the device which is meant to elevate the camera experience on the iPhone 16 lineup.
This dedicated button is an innovative integration of both hardware and software to make it even easier to capture moments and memories, placing the iPhone on par with digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs), a win for iPhone focused photographers.
Camera Control can launch the camera in a quick click, take a photo, and start video recording so you don’t miss the moment. The new camera preview feature makes it easy to frame the shot and adjust other control options, such as zoom, exposure, or depth of field by simply sliding your finger on the smooth Camera Control button.
The innovative Camera Control will also unlock a tool called visual intelligence through Apple Intelligence, making it possible to learn about objects or places in just a single click.
By clicking and holding the button to take a picture of a restaurant for example, your phone can pull up its trading hours or ratings, while pointing it on an event flyer can quickly add it to your calendar.
The new Photographic Styles feature has a deeper understanding of skin tones and allows you to adjust highlights, colour and shadows of a picture in real-time.
“Unlike filters, which often use a one-size-fits-all approach by adding a colour to an entire scene, adjustments are applied to specific colours of a selected style,” says Apple.
The last update in the Pro models’ camera systems includes four new microphones for capturing videos in Spatial Audio and a software feature that allows you to creatively adjust sound using the Machine Learning powered Audio Mix.
Audio mix lets you choose from three different sound options, the ‘in-frame’ which isolates the speaker’s voice and enhances it, the ‘studio’ effect which makes it sound like the video was recorded inside a professional studio, and the ‘cinematic’ option that positions vocal tracks in the front with environmental noises in surround sound.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16, Plus, Pro and Max open on Friday, September 13 and the devices will be available next Friday, September 20.
IOL