List of Top 8 Best iPhone Camera Including iPhone 16 Series

Some of the best camera phones on the market today are powerful enough to rival professional mirrorless or DSLR cameras. But finding the best iPhone for photography isn’t as simple as choosing the latest or most expensive model in the lineup.

Apple’s photography track record has been fairly consistent, with little variation between iPhone generations. If you don’t care about owning the latest iPhone, you’ll have plenty of choices.

These categories are designed to help you quickly figure out which iPhone is best for you based on your specific needs and budget. Whether you’re looking for the best overall performance or the cheapest option, this table will point you in the right direction.

What iPhone has the Best Camera for Video?

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is generally considered to have the best camera for video in the iPhone lineup. The larger sensor captures more light, resulting in better low-light video performance.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers superior video stabilization, ensuring smooth footage even when filming while in motion. The cinematic mode feature adds a shallow depth-of-field effect to your videos, similar to what you see in movies.

For capturing fast-moving action, Action mode offers super-smooth stabilization. The iPhone 16 Pro Max can record high-quality 4K video at 60 frames per second for smooth playback, or 24 frames per second for a cinematic look.

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Which iphone has the best camera for selfies?

The iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro are currently considered to have the best selfie cameras in the iPhone lineup. Both models feature a 12MP TrueDepth front-facing camera with advanced features like autofocus, Portrait mode, and Cinematic mode, allowing you to capture stunning selfies with professional-level depth effects.

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Which iphone has the best camera quality?

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is generally considered to have the best overall camera quality in the iPhone lineup. It boasts a quad-camera system with a 48MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, a 12MP telephoto sensor, and a LiDAR scanner. These features allow you to capture great photos and videos in a variety of lighting conditions.

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Which iPhone has the best camera zoom?

The iPhone 15 Pro Max also leads the pack when it comes to camera zoom. The telephoto lens offers 3x optical zoom and up to 15x digital zoom, allowing you to capture distant subjects in impressive detail.

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What iphone has best camera overall?

Based on a combination of features including camera quality, zoom capabilities, and versatility, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is widely considered to have the best camera in the iPhone lineup. However, choosing the best iPhone for your needs may depend on factors such as your budget and specific requirements.

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Best iPhone Camera Full Phones Review

1. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is slightly larger than its predecessor, but not thinner. The bezels have also shrunk, going from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches, giving it a much larger screen. It’s also more usable, and can now be lowered to 1-nit at night if you don’t want to wake anyone up!

Apple seems to be moving more aggressively towards the ‘Pro’ side. It can record ProRes video via USB-C, and it has four ‘studio-quality’ mics. It also has ‘ProMotion’. The smooth 120Hz screen means there’s absolutely no jitter when scrolling. These days, only Apple considers this a ‘Pro’ feature, but it’s noticeable!

This feature definitely adds a natural touch for me, as someone used to using a ‘real’ camera. The fact that the button can be adjusted to EV compensation mode makes using your phone as a camera feel a lot more ‘pro’ than tapping the screen to adjust exposure compensation.

A future software update will also bring a half-press focus feature. It doesn’t make much sense on a phone camera, but I’m sure some retro photography fans will love it!

In terms of technology, I use the wide-angle less often than the telephoto, so it would have been nice if Apple had decided to upgrade that image sensor to 48 megapixels, but it’s still nice to see two 48-megapixel cameras (main and ultra-wide) in a three-camera system now.

The new computational photography system is sort of like a built-in, very flexible filter system that you can change before or after you shoot, and while it’ll take some getting used to, I’m sure some creatives will love it. It shows the potential of computational photography. There’s RAW photos, ProRes Log video, and now 4K at 120fps.

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2. iPhone 15 Pro Max

At the top of the list is Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max, which may contradict everything we’ve already said about the fact that the latest iPhone isn’t necessarily the “best.” But while we’ll stick to that statement, if we boil it down to the on-paper specs, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is technically the best iPhone for photography, given the (subtle) camera tweaks and updates compared to last year’s iPhone 14 Pro Max model.

It has the exact same main camera as its predecessor, but with an upgraded sensor that uses pixel binning (so it actually only outputs 24MP rather than 48MP). There’s also an upgraded 120mm telephoto lens, now offering 5x optical zoom instead of 3x, but this does bend light in a periscope-like manner to create a magnified image, so quality isn’t guaranteed here.

The iPhone 15 series gives you the option to customize the primary lens, and the phones can now shoot 48MP HEIF and Apple Raw. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has also been updated with higher resolutions in more focal length options, including 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm.

All of this to say, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the best iPhone for photographers who are looking for image quality and post-processing capabilities above all else, but there’s a thin line between this model and the iPhone 14 Pro Max, so if you want to save some money, you can stick with last year’s iPhone instead.

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3. iPhone 14 Pro Max

The previous flagship model, the 13 Pro Max, featured a 12MP primary camera. This has been improved to 48MP in the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. What’s interesting is that this 48MP capability, according to Apple, provides “optical quality zoom.” In fact, you can shoot 48MP RAW and zoom in or out with the 12MP 2x telephoto lens.

I combined the Pro and Pro Max for this review. This is because they have the same photo capabilities. The only difference is the screen size. If the extra size isn’t an issue, the photos will look much better on the larger screen.

A 24mm f/1.78 7-element lens powers the 48MP primary camera on the iPhone 14 Pro/14 Pro Max. It stands out with its sensor-shifting image stabilization (IS) and Quad Pixel architecture. This keeps the photos sharp and the video incredibly smooth.

Using a sensor crop from the primary camera, they created a 12MP, 2x telephoto, 48mm f/1.78 “lens.” Both offer 100% focus pixels, so you get edge-to-edge autofocus on both.

A 13mm f/2.2 6-element lens that makes up the 12MP ultra-wide lens. Thanks to its 120-degree field of view, you can get GoPro-like photos and videos. It offers 100% of the focus pixels of the main camera.

The additional lens on the back of the phone is a 12-megapixel, 77mm f/2.8 6-element telephoto lens. It has optical IS in both photo and video modes.

So the camera setup is impressive. But there’s more to a smartphone camera than just the specs and lens size. Software is what makes a small smartphone camera lens take such amazing photos.

The smartphone manufacturer makes numerous adjustments when the light from the lens reaches the sensor. This feature compensates for the disadvantages of a small lens, which is smaller than the tip of your finger.

This 77mm lens, which is great for portraits, is an example. It utilizes a rather large maximum aperture to create bokeh and blur the background. However, the results are even stronger with more processing.

The iPhone 14 Pro offers good video coverage. It also offers Apple ProRes video, which offers 4K headline figures at up to 60 frames per second. There are other settings, including a cinematic mode that records in 4K HDR at 30 frames per second.

You can also get slow motion at 240 frames per second in 1080p, like a GoPro. That’s a pretty cool feature, especially with the ultra-wide lens and image stabilization.

In the past, the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max were the clear champions in the best iPhone camera category. That is, before the iPhone 15 came out. But they’re still great phones. If you want the best possible viewing experience, go with the Max. If you prefer a smaller phone, the iPhone 14 Pro is the phone for you.

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4. iPhone 13 Pro

The iPhone 13 Pro is now more affordable than ever, especially considering the recent launch of the iPhone 15 series. It has a 12MP main sensor, which is a step down from the 48MP sensors in the new iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

However, it’s still quite capable of taking photos and is now considered a great value (if you can get it, of course). The 13 Pro is a huge step up from the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max (which we’ve covered in this guide) in terms of camera specs, and already had a pretty impressive camera array.

Physically, the sensor is similar to the previous generation: a three-lens array with wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto options. The difference, however, is in the improved maximum aperture and increased optical zoom.

When we reviewed the iPhone 13 Pro, we found that the overall image quality was vastly improved across the board. And we’re not talking about subtle differences that only a trained eye would notice. We compared shots from the iPhone 13 to shots from the iPhone 12, and the difference was immediately apparent.

Colors popped more, there was more detail, and there was better contrast. The built-in stabilization was also amazing, so you don’t need a gimbal. To get the most out of this iPhone, check out our iPhone 13 Pro camera tips.

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5. iPhone SE (2022)

Apple’s iPhones have long been characterized as premium, and some would say they’re overpriced. Apple tried to counter this perception with the budget iPhone SE in 2020, which was great news for anyone looking for a cheap iPhone for photography.

However, the new 2022 SE model uses the same lenses as the original 2020 model: a 12MP rear camera with an f/1.8 wide-angle lens, and a 7MP front camera with an f/2.2 wide-angle lens.

There’s only one lens on the back of the phone (wide-angle, with no ultra-wide or telephoto lens). So it can’t compete with some of the best iPhones for photography listed above, but if you just need a solid point-and-shoot iPhone to document your day at the lowest price possible, the iPhone SE is plenty competitive.

The upgrade the 2022 iPhone SE camera offers over the 2020 model is the A15 chip, which offers improved processing power. While this device doesn’t have Night mode, Dolby Vision HDR, or Cinematic mode for video, it does offer some important features like Portrait mode.

When we reviewed the iPhone SE (2022), we tested the camera against the top-of-the-line iPhone 13 Pro, and while the colors in the photos were less vibrant and had less dynamic range when compared side by side, the level of detail was actually the same.

The iPhone SE brightens shadows more than the iPhone 13 Pro, which some users who don’t want to edit may actually prefer.

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6. iPhone 12 Pro Max

Going down a generation, we have the iPhone 12 series that was released in 2020, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max has long been the king of iPhone cameras, and it’s still a sound investment today.

Apple packed all of its best camera tech into its biggest and most expensive phone of the time, and unlike the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which has the same camera as the smaller 13 Pro, there are a lot of differences between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 12 Pro (below) that photographers will have to choose from.

For starters, the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max have the same ultra-wide lenses, but the 12 Pro Max has better wide-angle and telephoto cameras than the 12 Pro. The Max has a wide-angle lens with a 47 percent larger sensor than the Pro, which makes its Night mode feature much faster and more powerful.

The Pro Max also has a longer telephoto lens (2.5x compared to 2x on the Pro), which allows for better optical zoom (5x compared to 4x on the Pro) and digital zoom (up to 12x instead of 10x on the iPhone 12 Pro).

It also has Apple’s sensor-shifting optical image stabilization, which improves photo quality by stabilizing the sensor itself rather than the lens.

So when it comes to photography, I think there’s a clear winner when choosing between the iPhone 12 Pro and Max, but you won’t notice much of a difference in image quality here, so you might not be able to justify the upgrade or spend the extra money.

The choice really comes down to your budget and your interest in long-distance photography.

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7. iPhone 13 mini

If you’re looking for a mini Apple handset, the iPhone 13 mini is the latest iteration. Apple discontinued the mini series with the 14 series due to poor sales. But you shouldn’t consider this smartphone as your next camera phone option, as it has a great dual-lens 12MP camera and is currently very affordable.

If you’re not a fan of shopping for refurbished Apple tech, Back Market is currently selling the iPhone 13 mini for $340/£270. That’s a huge steal considering it originally cost around $699/£679, which is almost double what you can get for today.

For more price comparisons, check out our best iPhone 13 mini price guide and check out the deals. But back to the camera… The 12MP camera on the iPhone 13 mini and the standard iPhone 13 is exactly the same.

In fact, the iPhone 13 mini is essentially the same phone as the iPhone 13, but in a smaller package. That means you won’t have to compromise on quality if you prefer to shoot with a smaller smartphone.

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Choose the best camera iPhone

Here are some technical details that will help you find the best iPhone camera. When looking for the best iPhone camera, you should look at some camera specifications. And knowing this information will help you make the right decision.

Optical and Digital Zoom

iPhone cameras have a zoom feature. It is rare to see anything beyond the 2x to 5x zoom range. However, it can help you get the shot you want. You should also know the difference between digital zoom and optical zoom.

Optical zoom is when the lens element moves to change the focal length of the lens. This is a mechanical process. This type of zoom can introduce chromatic aberration. However, the overall image quality remains the same.

Digital zoom is when the camera zooms in digitally. Instead of increasing the focal length, the camera crops out and enlarges part of the image. This means that the more you zoom in, the lower the image quality.

Image Stabilization

Image stabilization reduces the effects of camera shake. This means you get sharper images without any signs of motion blur. Not all iPhones have stabilization, but it is a handy feature that improves the quality of your iPhone camera.

Some cameras have optical stabilization. This helps to compensate for the movement of the camera lens. Additionally, there is sensor-shift stabilization. This reduces the movement of the sensor. All of the iPhone cameras in this review have image stabilization.

Sensor Resolution

Sensor resolution is one of the best indicators of image quality. Resolution is measured in megapixels (MP). The number of megapixels refers to the number of pixels in the camera sensor. Generally, the higher the number of MP, the better the image quality. By looking at the MP, you can tell which iPhone camera has a higher resolution.

You should look for an iPhone camera with a resolution of 12 MP or higher. This will give you excellent image quality. Older models have fewer pixels. This means that the quality will be lower, but they can be cheaper.

You should also check the MP of the front and rear cameras. The front camera sometimes has a lower resolution than the rear camera.

Conclusion

When choosing the best iPhone for photography, it’s easy to start with the latest release first. And yes, the latest iPhone is technically the best iPhone for photography, but while it does offer improvements in specs and features over last year’s iPhones, that doesn’t mean it’s the iPhone you should buy or the best iPhone for your lifestyle or budget.

It’s a good idea to first figure out how much you want to spend, and then look at the desirable features that make that iPhone a great asset for photography. Remember, megapixels aren’t always the most important thing.