'iPhone 13' adding ProRes video recording, doubling down on pro camera features
The "iPhone 13" cameras will offer a new video version of Portrait mode, as part of a number of changes to improve the imaging capabilities of the 2021 models.
The iPhone camera has always been a major selling point of the smartphone, with Apple leaning on it to market the range via its Shot on iPhone initiative. A Tuesday report claims that the camera's capabilities will be further enhanced in 2021, with new features arriving with the "iPhone 13" range.
The biggest enhancement to the camera will be a modified Portrait mode, according to Bloomberg, which will give users the chance to record video with the same bokeh, lighting, and background effects as the current still image version.
A new filter-like system will be introduced, to help users improve the colors and appearance of photographs they take. This includes making images warmer or cooler, and altering contrast for a more dramatic look.
Of note is that it will apparently use AI to apply the wanted changes to objects and subjects within a photograph, rather than across the entire image.
Meanwhile, the addition of ProRes video recording will allow for higher-quality footage to be captured from the iPhone. ProRes is a format used by professional filmmakers, which could lend the iPhone to movie and TV show productions even more than it already can.
ProRes consumes more storage capacity than standard video, but still manages to preserve image quality while shrinking the size compared to raw video. The algorithm design for the codec allows for fast encoding and decoding, which has helped Apple win an Engineering Emmy in 2020.
In 2020, for the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple introduced ProRAW, an image format that combined the benefits of shooting images in RAW format with computational photography features.
Apple is anticipated to introduce the "iPhone 13" range in the fall, as part of its annual refresh of the product line. Rumors have claimed various camera changes, including an increase in sensor resolution, bigger lenses, and the addition of autofocus on the Pro models.
There has also been some debate over whether Apple will stick to the existing 3-cameras and 2-cameras on the Pro and Standard models respectively, or will move to a 4-camera setup. Meanwhile, LiDAR is said to be staying only on the Pro models for another year.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in June, the "iPhone 13 Pro" models will add a new ultra-wide camera lens with autofocus, a feature that will apparently spread to the non-Pro models released in 2022.
Read on AppleInsider
The iPhone camera has always been a major selling point of the smartphone, with Apple leaning on it to market the range via its Shot on iPhone initiative. A Tuesday report claims that the camera's capabilities will be further enhanced in 2021, with new features arriving with the "iPhone 13" range.
The biggest enhancement to the camera will be a modified Portrait mode, according to Bloomberg, which will give users the chance to record video with the same bokeh, lighting, and background effects as the current still image version.
A new filter-like system will be introduced, to help users improve the colors and appearance of photographs they take. This includes making images warmer or cooler, and altering contrast for a more dramatic look.
Of note is that it will apparently use AI to apply the wanted changes to objects and subjects within a photograph, rather than across the entire image.
Meanwhile, the addition of ProRes video recording will allow for higher-quality footage to be captured from the iPhone. ProRes is a format used by professional filmmakers, which could lend the iPhone to movie and TV show productions even more than it already can.
ProRes consumes more storage capacity than standard video, but still manages to preserve image quality while shrinking the size compared to raw video. The algorithm design for the codec allows for fast encoding and decoding, which has helped Apple win an Engineering Emmy in 2020.
In 2020, for the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple introduced ProRAW, an image format that combined the benefits of shooting images in RAW format with computational photography features.
Apple is anticipated to introduce the "iPhone 13" range in the fall, as part of its annual refresh of the product line. Rumors have claimed various camera changes, including an increase in sensor resolution, bigger lenses, and the addition of autofocus on the Pro models.
There has also been some debate over whether Apple will stick to the existing 3-cameras and 2-cameras on the Pro and Standard models respectively, or will move to a 4-camera setup. Meanwhile, LiDAR is said to be staying only on the Pro models for another year.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in June, the "iPhone 13 Pro" models will add a new ultra-wide camera lens with autofocus, a feature that will apparently spread to the non-Pro models released in 2022.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
I still use FF DSLR for serious photography since it allows a lot more dynamic range and I have the flexibility to choose settings. Given its bigger sensor, it's able to collect more light and be able to get more signal out of noise which in turn makes the image look clean. That's something you just cannot do that with a camera with tiny sensors.
Pro tip: if you want "pro" results, try ditching the stock camera and photo apps and train yourself on the iPhone apps used by... wait for it... pros.
nobody would argue that Apple’s built-in apps are the most sophisticated. Apple has stated many times over the years that that’s not their aim. Their aim is to make it possible for third parties to build upon what Apple has done by providing them whatever they need to do that, while Apple’s own apps are there to give excellent, easy to use basic features, and to enable new hardware abilities that show off the system, while allowing those third parties to expand upon the capabilities Apple provides.
so, using Apple’s devices and software, one can do pretty high quality work. But some features need third party apps to go beyond that. That’s nothing new. “Real” camera companies also provide software. It’s rarely in a league with that provided by third parties. Are you complaining about that?
The irony is; the dynamic range on the iPhone is sometimes better because it processes images in such an advanced way, the end-result is more pleasing much 'easier'. Unless you really take the time post-processing, in which case the DSLR can win in the hands of the right user.
For the high-end stuff I still grab these cameras, like you said because of the low-light / noise, and the shooting ergonomics on set.
Sometimes the better product is not the one with the best features. I own a Tesla S, but I find the Tesla 3 to be the better product. Its features are inferior, but it's selling so well because it caters to a larger audience for a much better price-point. The total package is better.
Great optical quality isn't everything in a world where people consume most content on Instagram, and not in the cinema.
max tech made a great video about video on iphone 13
https://youtu.be/dayCO0zMxAo
You cannot link the camera icon on your home-screen to your app of choice.
…And therefore you cannot replace the photo storage from iCloud to anything you like.
I agree that it should be possible to set a default camera app.