Camera Comparison: iPhone 14 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max

[thalegold]

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max introduce some major improvements in camera technology, adding a 48-megapixel lens and low-light improvements across all lenses with the new Photonic Engine. We've spent the last week working on an in-depth comparison that pits the new iPhone 14 Pro Max against the prior-generation iPhone 13 Pro Max to see just how much better the iPhone 14 Pro Max can be.

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Though there's a 48-megapixel lens, the iPhone 14 Pro models are using pixel binning to combine four pixels into one, resulting in a standard 12-megapixel photo unless 48-megapixel images are enabled through the ProRAW toggle. When comparing a 12-megapixel image from the iPhone 14 Pro Max to a 12-megapixel image from the iPhone 13 Pro Max, there's not an immediate difference in quality, especially when lighting is ideal.

You will see some improvements in shadows and highlights for improved HDR, and the colors can be more vibrant on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but it's a subtle difference in most cases.

Where you'll notice the biggest upgrade is turning on ProRAW for those higher quality 48-megapixel images. There is so much more detail in the 48-megapixel image compared to the 12-megapixel image from the iPhone 13 Pro Max, but file size is a major downside. 48-megapixel images can be over 60MB in size, which will quickly eat up your iPhone storage. Still, if you want to take a special photo in the highest quality, toggle on that ProRAW option and you'll see notable improvements over what you can get from the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Apple is using the 48-megapixel camera for a new 2x telephoto option, which crops in to the image from the full resolution. This adds a whole new focal length to the iPhone 14 Pro models, with the iPhone 13 Pro models limited to 3x telephoto. 2x telephoto is a great length for portraits or if you just want to zoom in a bit, and because it's the main camera, the quality is better than you get with the telephoto lens even with the crop.

According to Apple, the Photonic Engine that is designed to enable Deep Fusion earlier in the computational photography process brings at least 2x improvement to all of the camera lenses, but it's hard to see that improvement in full in side by side Night Mode photos from the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

There's less noise and less light reflection in the iPhone 14 Pro Max Night Mode photos, so there is a difference, but it's not night and day. Some of the iPhone 14 Pro Max photos can also look brighter, but there are no drastic upgrades here because the iPhone 13 Pro Max was already great.

As for video, Apple added Action Mode, which is meant to mimic the stabilization you get with a gimbal, plus there are improvements to Cinematic Mode. Cinematic Mode now works in 4K at 24fps, up from the max 1080p resolution on the iPhone 13 Pro Max, so it's just more flexible for those who like to shoot in 4K.

Action Mode does indeed improve stabilization when you're shooting video while moving, so it's useful for filming a pet or a child while running, or taking action shots. Since it's limited to 2.8K resolution, you probably won't want to have it enabled at all times because it's a downgrade over 4K, but it's a solid feature if you need the extra stabilization. In many cases, you may not need the stabilization boost provided by Action Mode as the built-in default stabilization is good enough.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max cameras are a definite improvement over the iPhone 13 Pro Max cameras, but the new features for most people will only be used every now and then rather than on a daily basis. If you've already got an iPhone 13 Pro Max, it's probably not worth upgrading just for the camera alone, but there are of course other features to consider like Dynamic Island, always-on display technology, Emergency SOS via Satellite, and Crash Detection.

What do you think of the iPhone 14 Pro Max camera compared to the iPhone 13 Pro Max camera? Let us know in the comments below and make sure to watch the full video to see both smartphones in action.

Article Link: Camera Comparison: iPhone 14 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max

Well according to these pictures, the iPhone 13 Pro Max looks way better than the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Dark mode looks better. Much better light. Color is much better. The iPhone 13 far exceeds the iPhone 14 with only the exception of a wider view for the Wide shot.

 

[vegetassj4]

hope the can fix lens flare somehow

J.J. Abrams has entered the chat.

 

[Bistroengine]

What's the significance of these photos being taken by the 14 Pro Max vs. the 14 Pro? Maybe I missed something during the last event but don't they both have the exact same camera hardware? I know in the past the Max version had active image stabilization on one of the CMOS sensors and the standard 'Pro' version did not. Did the active image sensor stabilization get axed in favor of the new software-based 'Action' mode?

 

[Rocko99991]

Most people don't know and don't care that 1) ProRaw pictures are that raw, unprocessed-which to them looks dull, lifeless, blah. 2) The ProRaw images have significantly more potential to be superior photos vs 12mp. Just have to be willing to want this and do the work.

 

[mcilwraith]

i def prefer the 12MP iPhone 13 pro photos in almost all examples. great! £1000 saved. thank you

 

[840quadra]

Interesting. I am also in Cleveland comparing these phones with the Pixel 6.

 

[citysnaps]

I'm reluctant to post this picture because it's pretty much a ho-hum spur of the moment snap in my neighborhood, and I'm really not into camera tests.

But I was curious how my new 14 PM would handle a hand-held before-sunrise situation. The improved image stabilization no doubt helped. Overall I'm pleased as it gives me an indication of what I can expect making more serious photographs with my phone in low light.

 

[Menneisyys2]

Still not a patch on Mirrorless or DSLR. And I don’t know if it’s compression or technique, but 48MP look to be blurred in some images. Perhaps link the original files.

The extreme corners are indeed blurred as the lens certainly can't resolve 48 Mpixel there. Which is pretty normal for a wide lens serving a large(ish) sensor.

I've posted some controlled tests in my iPhone 11 vs. iPhone 14 Pro [Max] threads where this is also visible; see for example https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...heif-vs-12mpixel-raw-vs-48mpixel-raw.2361405/

 

[aberdeenmeadows]

When I first got the iPhone 14 Pro, there happened to be a car show so I thought, why not? I like classic cars and I do use a Nikon Z sometimes to photograph them and other times an iPhone, but I don't work at getting the perfect shot. It's just for grins and giggles - historical photos for me.

So, I was taking a bunch of pictures and then went to sit down and went to look at them and WOW! These were amazingly awesome! Holy crap the details!!!!

I even used the copy function on the photo to pop the car - pasted it into a message to my friend and he went gaga. He updated his phone iPhone XR so he could do that, too. I even did the same to his car. I think it did a fantastic job - I could clean up what it didn't do.

 

[Menneisyys2]

What video improvements are we talking about here?

They claim their sensor-shift OIS is better but it looks the same to me maybe a hair better. I couldn't care less about that gimmicky 4K Cinematic Mode or Action Mode since I'm not a maniac shooting video while running.

Prolly the low-light performance, which is (at least compared to the 11 series) dramatic? See for example my (controlled!!) comparisons here at MR forums: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ro-max-controlled-comparative-videos.2361410/

 

[Menneisyys2]

The blurriness you see is most likely due to improper sharpening of the image in post, rather than an inherent softness in the picture.

Nope, that's the lens - see above. Which isn't completely unheard-of: a 24mm equiv ((under around 40mm equiv) the wider, the worse corner sharpness) mobile lens serving a BIIIG sensor - that's a bad omen with regards to corner sharpness. Not even Apple can beat the laws of physics.

 

[Menneisyys2]

Flagship Samsung phone currently takes better pictures.

Nope, it doesn't, the 48 Mpixel mode is genuinely excellent.

 

[Menneisyys2]

It's a nice incremental improvement, but aside from 2x zoom and action mode, nothing earth shattering. I suspect the periscope lens rumored for iPhone 15 Pro Max (Ultra) will be the next big thing.

The 48 Mpixel mode (when properly used) is a major improvement.

 

[Rocko99991]

What an app that you can easily 'process' the Proraw images that has a shallow learning curve?

 

[Menneisyys2]

Definite improvements but with file size so large, will your average users ever use proRAW to receive the benefits of 48MP?

It's manageable - if you really need the (vast) resolution advantage the 48 Mixel ProRAW mode provides, you will learn to live with the sluggishness of transfer / edit / export. I have.

And, of course, ProRAW, even in 12 Mpixels "only", also allows for avoiding the oversharpening in the stock HEIC / JPG photos otehrwise exported by iPhone.

 

[George Dawes]

Tbh the fact it does SO many things and has a REALLY impressive point and shoot camera built in never fails to impress

On a phone !!!

 

[Menneisyys2]

What an app that you can easily 'process' the Proraw images that has a shallow learning curve?

MacOS Preview reads and exports them just fine if you don't want to edit the files, just want to export them to JPG or HEIC.

 

[Menneisyys2]

Folks, here are four comparative(!) threads worth checking out if you want to know how the 14P(M) compares to all 11-series iPhone models:


Comparative iPhone 14 Pro Max tests with the wide (1x) 48 Mpixel camera: JPG vs. HEIF vs. 12Mpixel RAW vs. 48Mpixel RAW https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...heif-vs-12mpixel-raw-vs-48mpixel-raw.2361405/

WOW! Low-light video on the iPhone 14 Pro (Max) is so much better than on the iPhone 11 (Pro (Max))! (Controlled (!!!) comparative videos!) https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ro-max-controlled-comparative-videos.2361410/

And now for some bad news guys: good-light panorama quality NOT AT ALL improved in the last three years - on the contrary https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...the-last-three-years-on-the-contrary.2361607/

Low-light panorama tests: iPhone 11 vs. iPhone 14 Pro (Max) - wellwellwell... https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...11-vs-iphone-14-pro-max-wellwellwell.2362051/

 

[Menneisyys2]

What's the significance of these photos being taken by the 14 Pro Max vs. the 14 Pro? Maybe I missed something during the last event but don't they both have the exact same camera hardware? I know in the past the Max version had active image stabilization on one of the CMOS sensors and the standard 'Pro' version did not. Did the active image sensor stabilization get axed in favor of the new software-based 'Action' mode?

They're the same.

 

[semka]

Missing SIM card slot in the US models is a major downgrade for me.

 

[Rocko99991]

MacOS Preview reads and exports them just fine if you don't want to edit the files, just want to export them to JPG or HEIC.

Looking for something on the phone if possible.

 

[Bawstun]

Don't think so, but the differences between the flagships over the past several years have been minuscule. Even with a sensor that has over 2x the number of pixels, the Samsung still doesn't edge out the iPhone in detail.

No way, just about every single photo linked in that video looks better on the S22. Colors are more vibrant, indoor photos are brighter and more realistic - doesn’t even come close. The latest Pixel devices have also surpassed the iPhone camera. It just isn’t that great anymore, Apple has completely lagged behind what is possible.

I mean, just look at the difference here. It is almost embarrassing - iPhone 14 to the left.

“The iPhone is equipped with a 3x optical zoom lens while the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has both 3x and 10x optical zoom on board.

It's really no contest here; 10x optical zoom is simply better in any number of different applications. From scenery to school recitals, to sports photography, the closer you can get to your subject, the better. Put simply, in the 3x image above (on the left), the iPhone 14 Pro will tell you there's a bell in the tower. The Galaxy s22 Ultra's 10x zoom (below) will let you count the rivets in it.”

Read More: https://www.slashgear.com/1020433/i...ootout-battle-of-the-best/#?utm_campaign=clip

 

[Menneisyys2]

No way, just about every single photo linked in that video looks better on the S22. Colors are more vibrant, indoor photos are brighter and more realistic - doesn’t even come close. The latest Pixel devices have also surpassed the iPhone camera. It just isn’t that great anymore, Apple has completely lagged behind what is possible.

The post you linked to spoke about details, in which the iPhone's 48 Mpixel mode is indeed better, at least according to the comparison videos (for example, that of MaxTech) I've seen. (I haven't myself compared it to other contemporary high-res phones. Will do it with the venerable, 41 Mpixel Nokia 808.)

 

[marsure]

I sent my iphone 14 pro max back. The camera would not zoom and focus. And when i started the camera up, it took a while. Zero signal on Verizon 5G where my 13 pro was fine. When it did work, I tested the 5g and was getting 2MB down. Would not download a image. My 13 Pro on 5g was much better in the same spot. Now the battery. I watched the battery meter drop from a full charge while popping email. Very disappointing. Would not make it through the day. My 13 pro holds a better charge. If and when they fix these issues, I may buy another. Till then, I stick with what works.

 

[Octavius8]

Is possible to manually take 12MP (pixel binning) RAW?. That would be a great balance between huge files and slow captures and mushy HVEIC 12MP photos. 4 times smaller photos (but still bigger than HVEIC) but with greater detail would be my perfect scenario with the current tech.