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iPhone 14: How to Use Action Mode to Capture Smooth Video

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Apple's newly launched iPhone 14 models include a new Action mode when recording video. Here's everything you need to know about the feature to start taking advantage of it.

action-mode-iphone-14.jpg

What is Action Mode?

In a nutshell, the new Action mode has been designed by Apple to help capture smooth-looking video that adjusts to significant shakes, motion, and vibrations, even when video is being captured in the middle of the action.

According to Apple, it uses the full camera sensor with more overscan and advanced roll correction to achieve this effect.


The feature is built into the iPhone's stock Camera app, and when enabled, should allow you to capture video that looks almost as if you were using a gimbal to do so. Action mode can record in up to 2.8K at 60 fps, and it supports Dolby Vision HDR, ensuring very good video quality.

Which iPhone Models Support Action Mode?

You don't even need a Pro device to make use of the feature, since all iPhone 14 models support Action mode out of the box, including iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Here's how to start capturing video with it.

How to Use Action Mode When Shooting Video

  1. Launch the Camera app on your iPhone.
  2. Swipe the camera mode menu so that "Video" is highlighted.
    record-video-button.jpg

    Tap the Action mode button (it looks like a person running) above the viewfinder so that the icon turns yellow.
    When you're ready to start recording, tap the red Record button.
    action-mode-icon.jpg
And that's it. Just toggle it on like so, for great-looking video without having to carry stabilizing equipment like a gimbal.

Article Link: iPhone 14: How to Use Action Mode to Capture Smooth Video
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/iphone-14-use-action-mode-stabilize-shaky-video/
Does anyone know if there is a technical reason this is not included on the iPhone 13 Pros? Since the 14s have the same processor as the 13 Pros, it seems like this should work fine on them.
 
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richie510 said:
Does anyone know if there is a technical reason this is not included on the iPhone 13 Pros? Since the 14s have the same processor as the 13 Pros, it seems like this should work fine on them.
Click to expand...
I think it has something to do with the camera being moved up to 48 megapixels? Not sure tho it is really weird...
 
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richie510 said:
Does anyone know if there is a technical reason this is not included on the iPhone 13 Pros? Since the 14s have the same processor as the 13 Pros, it seems like this should work fine on them.
Click to expand...
There's probably no reason this couldn't work on any iPhone released in the past two or three years. GoPro and other sports cams do with tech that isn't nearly as sophisticated as that found in iOS 16.
 
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AppleTheorist said:
I think it has something to do with the camera being moved up to 48 megapixels? Not sure tho it is really weird...
Click to expand...

That’s not it because this feature is also available on iPhone 14 which has a 12 MP camera. It is most likely Apple wanting to give iPhone 14 some unique features even though iPhone 13 Pro could handle this.

Btw, you can always stabilize the video post recording in iMovie.
 
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jav6454 said:
The article forgot to mention how this type of video is cropped, which means you don't get full resolution as a normal non-Action video.
Click to expand...
I'm guessing it works by throwing away unused parts of a higher resolution video?
 
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SteveJobs2.0 said:
That’s not it because this feature is also available on iPhone 14 which has a 12 MP camera. It is most likely Apple wanting to give iPhone 14 some unique features even though iPhone 13 Pro could handle this.

Btw, you can always stabilize the video post recording in iMovie.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that makes sense. It was that or add another camera onto all the new 14 lineup lol.
 
richie510 said:
Does anyone know if there is a technical reason this is not included on the iPhone 13 Pros? Since the 14s have the same processor as the 13 Pros, it seems like this should work fine on them.
Click to expand...
Only thing I can think of is that it utilizes the new gyroscope that is supposedly more sensitive (hence also the safety features). In theory, if it was just processor, non reason even the regular 13s couldn't do it since it's really just a single core difference and some ram. Ram shouldn't really be an issue here.
 
840quadra said:
Honestly the 13 Pro did really well without this feature. Essentially could run filming kids on a scooter and the finished video looked as good (maybe better) than a GoPro. Be curious to test this out myself tough!
Click to expand...

Exactly my thoughts. the 13 pro already had optical image stabilization (and older phones too I believe), and video was pretty smooth. Is this just a more advanced feature of this? Because all videos I took while moving were extremely stable and smooth
 
ApplePhy said:
Exactly my thoughts. the 13 pro already had optical image stabilization (and older phones too I believe), and video was pretty smooth. Is this just a more advanced feature of this? Because all videos I took while moving were extremely stable and smooth
Click to expand...
Yeah it's basically added Electronic Image Stabilization combined with the new gyro scopes they're using for crash detection etc. My guess. But you are correct that optical stab is good enough for most uses though.
 
840quadra said:
Honestly the 13 Pro did really well without this feature. Essentially could run filming kids on a scooter and the finished video looked as good (maybe better) than a GoPro. Be curious to test this out myself tough!
Click to expand...

Any idea why the video in the op showing Action Mode on/off would show such a dramatic difference then?
 
richie510 said:
Does anyone know if there is a technical reason this is not included on the iPhone 13 Pros? Since the 14s have the same processor as the 13 Pros, it seems like this should work fine on them.
Click to expand...
Not same. A15 vs A16.
 
tripleburst said:
Probably because they're on a scooter and not walking. It's basically acting like a dolly.
Click to expand...
I see. Thank you. That makes more sense than my thought which was they were grossly exaggerating the swaying while moving to make Action Mode appear to be more amazing.
 
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