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Merkava_4

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 4, 2010
727
92
California
Do I need a service provider in order to use the iPhone camera? In other words, does the phone have to be "networked" to use the camera? The reason why I ask is because I'm considering buying the iPhone to use as a camera since the camera is so awesome. I don't need the phone hooked up to a service provider because I don't need a smart phone; if that makes sense.
 
I wondered if and when something like this would happen where the iPhone kinda becomes an iPod touch with an amazing camera. Let us know how it goes!
 
Do I need a service provider in order to use the iPhone camera? In other words, does the phone have to be "networked" to use the camera? The reason why I ask is because I'm considering buying the iPhone to use as a camera since the camera is so awesome. I don't need the phone hooked up to a service provider because I don't need a smart phone; if that makes sense.
Thats silly... you can use the camera whether you're on the surface of the sun or in your hometown. It doesn't need internet or a mobile data connection at all, it's an essential phone function.
 
This seems to be a strange way of getting a good camera. If that's all you're after, you can get a very excellent (and better) camera for less than the price of a new iPhone.
Agree 100%.

A dedicated camera would be far superior and way better value/$ if you're just comparing the dedicated camera with the iPhone's cameras.
 
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Everything works with no sim card save for texting and calling of course
That can be worked around by using the Google Voice app and WiFi.

iMessage will also work over WiFi, just using an email address instead of a phone number.
 
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I agree with some others, the cost of a new iPhone you would be better off getting a dedicated camera and it doesn't have to be a bigger DSLR/Mirrorless camera as there are smaller APS-C cameras and some that could fit in a pocket (depending how big your pockets are).
 
I wondered if and when something like this would happen where the iPhone kinda becomes an iPod touch with an amazing camera. Let us know how it goes!
I had a 3GS as a secondary phone in late 2011 until September 2012 when the iPhone 5 launched.

Talkatone with a Google number and iMessage over WiFi (using an email address) gave me a 'WiPhone' that could call, text and use iMessage while on WiFi. It worked pretty well.
 
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This seems to be a strange way of getting a good camera. If that's all you're after, you can get a very excellent (and better) camera for less than the price of a new iPhone.
Will that dedicated camera do portrait mode with background blurring? Will that camera do video with subject tracking? Will that camera do slow motion video? Auto focus, white balance, low light, probably. For the price of an iPhone that is a fairly low end camera when optics are included. And can have apps to modify the image. Lastly, will that camera fit in a shirt pocket.

I do professional sports photography, weddings, events, etc. Lot of expensive gear. I am traveling to Europe this summer. The only camera I am bringing is my iPhone.

The ability of a phone camera exceeds what was available 15 years ago in almost any camera. The technology is amazing.
 
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Will that dedicated camera do portrait mode with background blurring? Will that camera do video with subject tracking? Will that camera do slow motion video? Auto focus, white balance, low light, probably. For the price of an iPhone that is a fairly low end camera when optics are included. And can have apps to modify the image. Lastly, will that camera fit in a shirt pocket.

I do professional sports photography, weddings, events, etc. Lot of expensive gear. I am traveling to Europe this summer. The only camera I am bringing is my iPhone.

The ability of a phone camera exceeds what was available 15 years ago in almost any camera. The technology is amazing.
Dedicated cameras also got much more advanced than 15 years ago. Portrait mode? Yes having like f 2.8 or 1.8 will give you plenty of background blur and not look artificial since it isn't. Video tracking is a thing in modern Mirrorless cameras too. Slow motion modern cameras you can get 120 fps 4k which is better, but I know the 14 Pro can do higher in 1080p but slow motion video is somewhat niche depending how many frames we are talking about using, but even then outside of like B-Roll I don't know personally anyone that just shoots slow motion on their phone, but I do understand there are instances where you know something is going to happen like your kid jumping in a pool or something like that sure.

I am more familiar with the Sony lineup, but a good small form camera which is cheaper than the iPhone 14 pro is the Sony ZV-E10 It specifically has many of the features you asked about and even has a dedicated "bokeh button" to give additional blur if desired it also has a "slow and quick mode" which does between 1fps and 120fps, built in stabilization, Larger sensor than the iPhone (it is APS-C), and with the 16-50mm it is $799 so about $200 cheaper than the iPhone 14 Pro

The biggest thing I suppose is the weight/dimensions which pretty much anything besides like a insta 360 or something will be bigger than the iPhone. The iPhone 14 pro is 206g and Sony 343g as far as weight goes.

Do keep in mind that there are other options of small form cameras that are highly capable while being still small and my example that camera can still fit in some pants pockets (depending on size pockets) and certainly in small bags/purses/others. We all know the iPhone takes great pictures and videos, but also remember the storage limits of the iPhone especially if you are buying just for photo/video the only 128gb one costs $999 and OP doesn't want a cellular plan on it, so unless OP is willing to get a used iPhone I honestly don't know if that price/camera ratio is high enough that is for OP to decide.
 
Dedicated cameras also got much more advanced than 15 years ago.
All very much true.

With even 128 GB on the iPhone that will store a lot of images as they are compressed. With one of my current cameras at 20 megapixel resolution, a 64 Gig memory card, I can easily store 3,000 JPEG images. Using higher resolution is not needed for press publication.

It is really amazing how many images can be stored in memory, either internal or on memory cards.

And none of my cameras will play music or access my email. However, the year is young.

Enjoy your Sony, an excellent camera.
 
We went from requiring a 24 month contract to buy an iPhone for texting/calling to not needing a cellular plan at all to do any of that thanks to FaceTime/iMessage/WhatsApp and ubiquitous WiFi. In fact if you want cellular service you can just download an app and pay for a month's worth of 5G thanks to eSim tech. Funny how times change. Telcos really fumbled the bag and lost all leverage.
 
All very much true.

With even 128 GB on the iPhone that will store a lot of images as they are compressed. With one of my current cameras at 20 megapixel resolution, a 64 Gig memory card, I can easily store 3,000 JPEG images. Using higher resolution is not needed for press publication.

It is really amazing how many images can be stored in memory, either internal or on memory cards.

And none of my cameras will play music or access my email. However, the year is young.

Enjoy your Sony, an excellent camera.
You are correct I guess we just need more info from OP to better assist. Just knowing they want a iPhone camera without cellular but not mentioning needing thing like email on Wi-Fi or something would help. My suggestion is just on the basis of using camera only and you are correct too you can hold a lot of data on just the 128GB especially if it is only used as a camera I was just thinking of the RAW sizes of the photos and recording 4k
 
Sounds like a good idea also using the iPhone as a dedicated Camera for your own personal use without data really makes the iPhone feel like a real camera, Keep the same settings set up iCloud on wi-fi, don't install apps other than camera related applications and WAHLAAH you have your very own iCamera, cheers :cool:
 
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