iPhone 14 Pro is Cinematic Mode optical or digital?

[Freida]

Hello,

just wondering if the cinematic mode is all optical using the lenses to judge the distance etc. or all digital and postprocess kinda thing?


The reason I'm asking this is that when watching this review I can see it all digital and looks horrible. Even when she changes the aperture it still gives it away as not optical.

So, is it optical or its all postprocessing and kinda like a gimmick feature if you are after optical/cinema mode?

 

[Supermallet]

It's all digital, and I don't think Apple has ever claimed otherwise.

 

[Freida]

Thats actually a shame. I was hoping that if we have f1.78 then it could be optical and therefore very good for movies

It's all digital, and I don't think Apple has ever claimed otherwise.

 

[Supermallet]

Thats actually a shame. I was hoping that if we have f1.78 then it could be optical and therefore very good for movies

Well, there are two different things going on. Optically, the main sensor does have enough depth of field that, combined with auto focus, can do some rack focus that will look natural (i.e. optical). However, this is not a feature of cinematic mode, and in fact, I believe cinematic mode overrides this by choosing in software where and when to put the focus.

 

[Freida]

I guess it might be better to have it off, then? I'm upgrading from SE so I will have to see all these things

Well, there are two different things going on. Optically, the main sensor does have enough depth of field that, combined with auto focus, can do some rack focus that will look natural (i.e. optical). However, this is not a feature of cinematic mode, and in fact, I believe cinematic mode overrides this by choosing in software where and when to put the focus.

 

[Supermallet]

Honestly, from the moment they announced cinematic mode I assumed it would be more of a gimmick than a serious tool. I don't think computational filmmaking has the same set of concerns as computational still photography and a "portrait mode for video" would not have been high on my list. On the other hand, Action Mode looks to be a real winner this year.

 

[Freida]

Hmm, probably.

For me, action mode looks like a gimmick too though. The stabilisation is already very good and when seeing some tests from the reviewers there was hardly any difference. Its also limited so it doesn't go all the way to 4K.
Could be cool in certain cases though I guess

Honestly, from the moment they announced cinematic mode I assumed it would be more of a gimmick than a serious tool. I don't think computational filmmaking has the same set of concerns as computational still photography and a "portrait mode for video" would not have been high on my list. On the other hand, Action Mode looks to be a real winner this year.

 

[Supermallet]

I think as a tool for filmmakers, action mode is far more useful in real world applications than cinematic mode. Allowing the camera operator to capture fast moving/shaky action smoothly without a gimbal or other external apparatus is going to allow for shots that are more inventive and interesting. This means you can take a wider range of shots with just the phone in your pocket. I do agree that the OIS on the phone is already very good, and there may be times where you want to see more shake and would leave Action Mode off, but in terms of real world use I think it will be far more useful than Cinematic Mode. And while it doesn't shoot at 4K, it shoots at 2.8K so you can up-rez that footage without it looking too bad (or you have headroom if your workflow is 2K).

 

[Freida]

We shall see. For me I would rather shoot 4k without it and then if needed do any stabilisation in final cut then the other way around.
4K is still the best approach

I think as a tool for filmmakers, action mode is far more useful in real world applications than cinematic mode. Allowing the camera operator to capture fast moving/shaky action smoothly without a gimbal or other external apparatus is going to allow for shots that are more inventive and interesting. This means you can take a wider range of shots with just the phone in your pocket. I do agree that the OIS on the phone is already very good, and there may be times where you want to see more shake and would leave Action Mode off, but in terms of real world use I think it will be far more useful than Cinematic Mode. And while it doesn't shoot at 4K, it shoots at 2.8K so you can up-rez that footage without it looking too bad (or you have headroom if your workflow is 2K).