iPhone 12 Pro 12 pro vs 12 pro max camera

[Johnny Be]

Hi,

I run a iPhone 11 pro - using it alot to take photos. I like the size of it and quality.
How much Better is the 12 pro max from the 12 pro? Is it only in low light? Ive heard that it should have an huge 87 pct improvement?

I am not sure if i should go with the 12 pro or max. My consern is the size. I dont like an huge Phone, but again if the camera is so much Better - i might consider it.

Any1 knows..

 

[naturalguy]

On paper it’s a big improvement but I think we need to see some real world reviews. I don’t like the idea of a bigger phone but the camera is the most important feature for me. I wish they had the exact same camera. I am waiting to see reviews before making a decision

 

[mcvaughan]

Same boat.

 

[The Game 161]

Big improvement on paper. 47% larger sensor I believe so better for low light

 

[solo118]

I went out for dinner last night and took some low light photos of my plate, and with friends. I must say the low light ability amazed me! Kudos to Apple

 

[Johnny Be]

I can not belive if they make the max so much Better than the 12 pro.

 

[Knowimagination]

We wont have any real idea until the pro max is in reviewers hands sadly.

 

[islack]

I upgraded to the 12 Pro, considering returning it and order the 12 Pro Max to finally make up my mind.

Low light performance is amazing on the 12 Pro, there are some lens flare on deepfusion that is bothering me. I am hoping the 12 Pro Max new sensor gets rid of it if so I will keep the 12 Pro Max.

 

[Johnny Be]

Really Hope to see some valide reviews soon of the 12 pro max cpmpared to 12 pro and 11 pro.

 

[Keith Molloy]

The Pro max is only 100 euro more expensive then the regular pro where iam from. Usually Apple charge you that much extra just for the bigger display. To think that this year they are gonna give us a bigger display and a much improved camera is silly. This is Apple guys. If the camera was much improved on the max then id expect Apple to up the price even more. I reckon the difference will be negligible. If you want a bigger display and a little better battery life then get the max but dont expect much improvement with the camera. Just my opinion.

I personally want the max regardless but am worried that the design change may affect the max negatively and it may feel chunky sharp and square with the round edges now gone!

 

[earthdog]

Hi,

I run a iPhone 11 pro - using it alot to take photos. I like the size of it and quality.
How much Better is the 12 pro max from the 12 pro? Is it only in low light? Ive heard that it should have an huge 87 pct improvement?

I am not sure if i should go with the 12 pro or max. My consern is the size. I dont like an huge Phone, but again if the camera is so much Better - i might consider it.

Any1 knows..

Is the camera better yes considering its use case. The real money is on the Image Stabilization. If you are happy with the pictures and HDR Video then the 12 Pro may be your pick. The improved Image Stabilization is the real big feature but will be most noticeable for extensive action video.

 

[afonsomduarte]

I’m also starting to have doubts. I already ordered a 12 Pro but the delivery is scheduled for Nov 19 so I don’t know..

That sensor shift OIS sure sounds appealing and maybe worth it since I shoot a lot of video but other than that, having that big of a phone in my pocket might be an inconvenience. I had a 7 Plus in the past and it was okay I guess.

Still, I don’t know if I should cancel my order and wait for the Max or not.

 

[redman042]

We just don't know how much of a real-world difference it will make, or how dark the shooting conditions need to be to see the difference in a meaningful way. We have to wait for the reviews.

But after years with Apple's largest phone, I opted for the regular sized 12 Pro this year. I am a photography buff but decided it was time for my camera/phone to be comfortable as well as capable. The large iPhones were never really comfortable for me. The regular ones are substantially lighter and easier to handle, and the night mode on them is still outstanding.

 

[QuarterSwede]

MKBHD just did a 12 Pro review and basically said to wait for the Pro Max because of the camera. He almost certainly just got the Pro Max and is under NDA. He goes really far to say wait for the Pro Max without saying specifics about why and says his review of it is coming very shortly. It must be a huge improvement.

 

[BuggyGT]

(removed bad info)

 

[UltimateSyn]

The 12 Pro Max reviews should be coming out next Tuesday/Wednesday so you will have some time to decide before the pre-orders start on Nov. 6th.

Well, no. The reviews will come out the week leading up to the launch, not the week leading up to the pre-order (assuming they follow the same order as the first wave, and I can’t see why you would assume otherwise).

 

[BuggyGT]

Well, no. The reviews will come out the week leading up to the launch, not the week leading up to the pre-order (assuming they follow the same order as the first wave, and I can’t see why you would assume otherwise).

Yes you are right, sorry got my dates mixed up! Ugh the week of November 10th.

 

[johnnylarue]

I fully expect the Max camera/sensor to be noticeably better... unless Apple’s engineers have no idea what to do with those specs, which would surprise me tremendously.

That said, even if this thing was a DSLR killer (which it won’t be), I still couldn’t justify carrying that 10lb slab of glass with me everywhere I go. That $100 price difference loses its appeal once I factor in the cost of having all of my pants pockets retrofitted to accommodate it. :/

 

[afonsomduarte]

MKBHD just did a 12 Pro review and basically said to wait for the Pro Max because of the camera. He almost certainly just got the Pro Max and is under NDA. He goes really far to say wait for the Pro Max without saying specifics about why and says his review of it is coming very shortly. It must be a huge improvement.

This was the very video that made me rethink my purchase. It sounded like he was being "held hostage" if you know what I mean, like he wanted to say more but couldn't due to NDA like you mentioned.

But then again, Marques tends to prefer bigger phones so maybe a little biased? Maybe not and genuinely worth the extra 100$...

 

[redman042]

I fully expect the Max camera/sensor to be noticeably better... unless Apple’s engineers have no idea what to do with those specs, which would surprise me tremendously.

That said, even if this thing was a DSLR killer (which it won’t be), I still couldn’t justify carrying that 10lb slab of glass with me everywhere I go. That $100 price difference loses its appeal once I factor in the cost of having all of my pants pockets retrofitted to accommodate it. :/

This.

It comes down to what's comfortable for you. If the Max is comfortable enough, by all means, go for the better camera! If it is not, then you will still get an outstanding camera with the regular Pro that will basically match or come close to the Max in the majority of shooting situations that you are likely to encounter.

 

[537635]

Reopening this thread. Some thoughts about 12 pro vs. 12 pro max wide camera, which I haven't seen addressed elsewhere.

- 12 Pro Max has substantially longer minimal focus distance. This means no more nice macro shots. I was quite disappointed discovering this, although it's quite logical... larger sensor, similar size lens... needs the lights source from further away.
- In everyday use it quite easy to see much less noise and blur (faster shutter) on the Pro Max.
- Movie stabilisation is much better on the Pro Max.

It's a difficult choice. The Max brings its bulk and lack of macro, but in the majority of situations excels when it comes to photos and videos.

 

[Eggtastic]

Reopening this thread. Some thoughts about 12 pro vs. 12 pro max wide camera, which I haven't seen addressed elsewhere.

- 12 Pro Max has substantially longer minimal focus distance. This means no more nice macro shots. I was quite disappointed discovering this, although it's quite logical... larger sensor, similar size lens... needs the lights source from further away.
- In everyday use it quite easy to see much less noise and blur (faster shutter) on the Pro Max.
- Movie stabilisation is much better on the Pro Max.

It's a difficult choice. The Max brings its bulk and lack of macro, but in the majority of situations excels when it comes to photos and videos.

Also returning this thread so feel free to chime in anyone...

What did you decide @537635 ?

I just got the last Pro Max 256 graphite from xfinity ($250 for a a new line and $212 for my X when I do send it in). They didnt have any regular pros in stock and they are back ordered. I still have 12 days to make a return on this and order a back ordered 12 pro 256 gb graphite. I enjoyed everything but the feel of the phone in hand. I workout regularly so this will be an adjustment.

I am coming from an X so it's a substantial upgrade for me regardless pro vs pro max and I do take a lot of photos with it. I just think I would prefer the comfort of the pro but I know others have said you get used to it. I also only have one other apple device (rMB, no watch, iPad, etc) so it would make sense for the pro max if anything.

Ill be testing this out until I have to return / keep it.

 

[SRLMJ23]

Also returning this thread so feel free to chime in anyone...

What did you decide @537635 ?

I just got the last Pro Max 256 graphite from xfinity ($250 for a a new line and $212 for my X when I do send it in). They didnt have any regular pros in stock and they are back ordered. I still have 12 days to make a return on this and order a back ordered 12 pro 256 gb graphite. I enjoyed everything but the feel of the phone in hand. I workout regularly so this will be an adjustment.

I am coming from an X so it's a substantial upgrade for me regardless pro vs pro max and I do take a lot of photos with it. I just think I would prefer the comfort of the pro but I know others have said you get used to it. I also only have one other apple device (rMB, no watch, iPad, etc) so it would make sense for the pro max if anything.

Ill be testing this out until I have to return / keep it.

I would say keep the iPhone 12 Pro Max. You state you take a lot of pictures with your iPhone so I just do not see why you would want to essentially downgrade the camera. It has been shown in many videos and written about in many articles that the Pro Max camera is significantly better than the iPhone 12 Pro. Also, you get the extra screen real estate which is always nice, and I promise you will get used to it super quick. I have had plus size cell phones since they came out and had the iPhone 11 Pro Max last year and I got used to them very quickly.

Especially coming from an iPhone X, you are probably already noticing a massive improvement in pictures and if you take video, there is a massive performance upgrade there. Not to mention shooting photos in Apple ProRAW and then editing them to how you would like, or if it came out great (which is rare because RAW photos have more noise because it retains every detail) just keeping it as is.

Once again, I would strongly encourage you to stick with the iPhone 12 Pro Max, however, it is your money you are spending so obviously do what you want to do. I am just giving you my personal opinion from using it, and I have a launch day iPhone 12 Pro Max, so I have been using it for as long as the general public possibly could have.

This is probably the best article I have read about the difference in cameras between the Pro and Pro Max and the other iPhone 12's. It was written by the makers of Halide (an amazing camera/photo editing app) and the clear winner is the Pro Max. Do not take my word for it, take theirs, they are the professionals:

The iPhone 12 Pro Max: Real Pro Photography

Over at Halide HQ, we’ve been busily working away on a very deep, technical analysis of what’s new in iPhone 12 cameras this year. All four of ’em. On

petapixel.com

Quote from the article talking about the iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. all the other current iPhones and all iPhones before it:

"If you are an advanced user, the type that uses more than just the stock apps, this phone offers a lot.

Compare it to when Apple releases a new chip. They’re already ahead of the curve, and then they release an even newer chip that blows the old one away. Some will ask: “What can this even be used for?” Before you know it, you have console-quality graphics and amazing AR experiences.

We’d compare this camera to a next-generation chip. In daily use, an average person won’t notice the signal to noise ratio or longer lens, or superb stabilization and sensitivity. But as developers like us build apps for it, and this camera system works its way into future iPhones over the next few years, we can expect even the ‘traditional’ camera market to be forced to step up.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is a Pro photographer’s iPhone. And we couldn’t be more excited to start building for it."

Hope this helps and you keep your iPhone 12 Pro Max because if you take a lot of pictures like you said you did, I think you will benefit greatly from it! The iPhone 12 Pro Max camera module is truly superior to any other iPhone current or former, it is that simple.

 

[sparksd]

I'm amazed at the results using ProRAW on my 12 Pro MAX. My phone camera now will get now a lot more work as a lightweight alternative to my DSLR & compact gear.

 

[ToddH]

Hi,

I run a iPhone 11 pro - using it alot to take photos. I like the size of it and quality.
How much Better is the 12 pro max from the 12 pro? Is it only in low light? Ive heard that it should have an huge 87 pct improvement?

I am not sure if i should go with the 12 pro or max. My consern is the size. I dont like an huge Phone, but again if the camera is so much Better - i might consider it.

Any1 knows..

Hi,

I run a iPhone 11 pro - using it alot to take photos. I like the size of it and quality.
How much Better is the 12 pro max from the 12 pro? Is it only in low light? Ive heard that it should have an huge 87 pct improvement?

I am not sure if i should go with the 12 pro or max. My consern is the size. I dont like an huge Phone, but again if the camera is so much Better - i might consider it.

Any1 knows..

This will help:
https://blog.halide.cam/the-iphone-12-pro-max-real-pro-photography-267ad4ac94e2

The larger sensor in the max has larger pixels therefore letting in more light. On sunny days you can’t really tell the difference between the two. Night time is where the max has the advantage. In the photos below you can see that the max has more light grasp than the 12 pro. You can easily see fainter stars in the max image vs the pro. Both were 23 minutes at iso 6400. I used the nightcap app for these shots. Read the article, it’s very helpful.

12 pro max

12 pro