iPhone 12 vs 12 Pro: What Are the Camera Differences?

TL;DR

The iPhone 12 features two rear cameras, while the 12 Pro adds a telephoto lens and lidar technology. Both models support Dolby Vision for video and improved low-light photography, but the 12 Pro benefits from ProRAW support for enhanced photo editing. Overall, both deliver impressive smartphone photography but have limitations compared to professional cameras.

Transcript

[Applause] [Applause] these are the new iphones the 12 and the 12 pro which i believe are shipping out today and for me as a filmmaker photographer by far the most important features are the cameras so i spent all day yesterday trying to get cinematic footage and beautiful photos and today we're going to review these guys with a heavy heavy emphasi... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏁 The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro have a square design with different finishes, and the matte finish is preferred.
• 🎮 Dolby Vision enhances video quality by improving color, brightness, and contrast, though it may appear overexposed at first glance.
• 🎥 The cameras perform impressively for a smartphone but still fall short compared to professional cameras in terms of quality and control.
• 📳 The lidar technology in the iPhone 12 is not fully utilized, offering limited functionality beyond augmented reality and nighttime portrait mode.
• 🧘 ProRAW, a future update for the iPhone 12 Pro, will provide photographers with more control and flexibility in editing their photos.
• 😀 The exposure slider in the native camera app helps trigger HDR in challenging lighting situations, improving detail in both the foreground and background.
• ⌛ There are limitations to the time-lapse feature, as it only engages when the phone is stationary, which restricts its usability for certain creative applications.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Dolby Vision and how does it enhance the iPhone 12 camera?

Dolby Vision is a form of HDR that improves color, brightness, and contrast in videos. It uses dynamic metadata to optimize each frame for better viewing experience and is especially useful when filming in log format.

Q: How does the iPhone 12 camera quality compare to professional cameras?

While the iPhone 12 cameras provide impressive quality for a smartphone, they still can't match the capabilities of dedicated cinema or mirrorless cameras with larger sensors and more control over depth of field.

Q: What are the limitations of current iPhone camera features?

The lidar technology in the iPhone 12 is currently underutilized, mainly used for augmented reality and nighttime portrait mode. Additionally, there is a lack of control over HDR, resulting in difficulty capturing both the foreground and background in certain lighting conditions.

Q: Are there any notable differences between the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro cameras?

The iPhone 12 Pro offers additional features such as Dolby Vision at 60 frames per second, support for ProRAW, and a telephoto lens. The regular iPhone 12 lacks these features but still provides excellent camera quality.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The new iPhone 12 and 12 Pro have a familiar square design and come in matte and shiny finishes.

• Both phones feature wide and ultra-wide cameras, while the 12 Pro also includes a telephoto lens and lidar technology.

• The camera improvements include Dolby Vision for video, ProRAW for photos, and better low-light capabilities.