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In a new review for the iPhone 6s, DxOMark concluded that the camera on the 2015 iPhone line deserved a score of 82, equal to that of the score it gave for the iPhone 6 one year ago. The website measured seven factors (exposure and contrast, color, autofocus, texture, noise, artifacts, and flash) to determine an overall score for the camera on the iPhone 6s, giving the lowest marks to texture and noise (via CNET).

Scores-photo-800x523.jpg
From our tests, images are generally well-exposed and for the most part colors are vivid and pleasing outdoors. However, there are occasional differences in exposure noticeable between consecutive captures in very bright outdoor scenes, typically due to the inconsistent activation of the HDR mode.

There is also a slight but consistent underexposure in extremely low light levels (5 lux); the result however is still quite usable and an improvement over the iPhone 6. White balance is reliable though inevitably some inaccuracies were noticeable at times, with a slight yellow cast visible in some outdoor scenes. Although this cast was present in captures from the iPhone 6 the cast was slightly stronger and more noticeable on the 6s.
A score of 82 is the same as the iPhone 6 in 2014, but also behind the 87 given to the Sony Xperia Z5 and the 86-scoring Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. Apple's rivals also won in a series of similar video tests, scoring between four and six points higher than the 80 awarded to the iPhone 6s.

DxOMark's closing statement regarding the new iPhone line is a bit similar to the overall consensus found elsewhere online regarding the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. The French optics and image processing firm described the smartphone as a "good balance of performance and top-notch user experience," but not an entirely compelling upgrade from an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, especially when considering solely the camera and video tests conducted by the firm.

Article Link: Camera Lab Test Scores iPhone 6s on Same Level as iPhone 6
 
Very satisfied with the camera in the 6S Plus. Pretty big jump up from the 5S I was using prior to it, and actually a bit better than the 6 my mrs has. Being able to crop more, as well as get better results when downsizing is a plus.
 
Data analytics is one thing, but real-world use is entirely different, especially when you're creating something as subjective as a photograph.

I didn't have the 6, but coming from a 5s, the 6s' photos are incredible. My wife and I have a photography background and, for day to day use, have very much put away are DSLRs in favour of our new iPhone cameras. If you're not printing the photos but just posting them on social media, the iPhone 6s camera is really something. I have to keep asking my wife if she took her latest photo with her iPhone or DSLR.
 
I knew it, they just half-assesly bumped up the pixel count on the same sensor size.

If the pixel count is higher, but the noise, artifacts, color, etc. are no worse, than that is a great improvement. Typically, higher pixel count means more noise, more artifacts, worse color, etc. The fact they got higher pixels without sacrificing the other attributes is great.

This means the picture is just as good as before, except you can crop it more without worrying about loosing detail, or you can zoom further in after taking the photo than you could before.
 
Data analytics is one thing, but real-world use is entirely different, especially when you're creating something as subjective as a photograph.

I didn't have the 6, but coming from a 5s, the 6s' photos are incredible. My wife and I have a photography background and, for day to day use, have very much put away are DSLRs in favour of our new iPhone cameras. If you're not printing the photos but just posting them on social media, the iPhone 6s camera is really something. I have to keep asking my wife if she took her latest photo with her iPhone or DSLR.

I work as a photographer, and to a certain extent I agree with you. Handled correctly the 6S (Plus in my case) is capable of producing great shots. However, it's not replacing my full-frame dSLR anytime soon, for lots of reasons. But it is truly impressive how far they've come from the ****** cameras they had in the first 2-3 iterations of the iPhone. One area where they still lag helplessly behind however, is bokeh, or lack thereof, which is simply not possible with a single sensor as small as this one. At least not yet, you should never say never after all.

But all in all, a truly impressive camera. Another thing I like is how well it handles colour reproduction, it is quite impressive indeed.
 
To be brutally honest, while the iPhone is still in the top tier of cameras, it has fallen a bit behind in terms of performance. I feel that this is purely due to the size Apple allocates to the component. They are held back by having to make the lens fit the thin body. I really hope Apple allows for a much thicker lens in the iPhone 7. I'd trade a bulge for a significantly improved camera.
 
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To be brutally honest, while the iPhone is still in the top tier of cameras, it has fallen a bit behind in terms of performance. I feel that this is purely due to the size Apple allocates to the component. They are held back by having to make the lens fit the thin body. I really hope Apple allows for a much thicker lens in the iPhone 7. I'd trade a bulge for a significantly improved camera.
As would I. However I think we might be a minority in this case, considering a lot of people whined about the increase in weight with the 6S.
 
I have the 6s + and i can tell the camera is better

Hmmmm well I have the 6/6 and 6s/6s Plus and can say categorically that the camera is infinitely better in the newer iPhones. The new iPhone cameras are pretty much certainly the best available in any smartphone anywhere.

Very satisfied with the camera in the 6S Plus. Pretty big jump up from the 5S I was using prior to it, and actually a bit better than the 6 my mrs has. Being able to crop more, as well as get better results when downsizing is a plus.

Let me jump on this bandwagon. I had the 6, which now is being used by my wife. To e naked eye or the normal user, it should be apparent that the 6s pictures look better. I was not expecting much of a difference, but clearly see and was surprised by the improvement. The live picture, however, was turned off after the first day.
 
At least it's not worse than last year and 4K recording is a big bonus .

I can't see the huge difference others are claiming , though video is a big winner for me.
 
Let me jump on this bandwagon. I had the 6, which now is being used by my wife. To e naked eye or the normal user, it should be apparent that the 6s pictures look better. I was not expecting much of a difference, but clearly see and was surprised by the improvement. The live picture, however, was turned off after the first day.

+1 on the live pictures . Gimmicky feature at best , annoying at worst.
 
To be brutally honest, while the iPhone is still in the top tier of cameras, it has fallen a bit behind in terms of performance. I feel that this is purely due to the size Apple allocates to the component. They are held back by having to make the lens fit the thin body. I really hope Apple allows for a much thicker lens in the iPhone 7. I'd trade a bulge for a significantly improved camera.
I took a different approach. I upgraded to the 6s AND bought a Nikon dslr. After all the analysis, there is no way that a phone camera can duplicate the quality of the dslr. The 6s, for me takes a better picture than I expected, but for important shots I will always pull out the real deal.
 
Let me jump on this bandwagon. I had the 6, which now is being used by my wife. To e naked eye or the normal user, it should be apparent that the 6s pictures look better. I was not expecting much of a difference, but clearly see and was surprised by the improvement. The live picture, however, was turned off after the first day.
Yup I'd agree with that. I only put on live when I see a purpose for it, which is pretty seldom, but it does happen. I wish they'd at least include an option to raise the frame rate a bit. But for most pictures I take it's pretty pointless, that being said, I'd rather have the option than not.
 
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