Photographer Austin Mann Shares iPhone 12 Pro Max Camera Review

[MacRumors]

When it comes to testing the camera features in new iPhone models, photographer Austin Mann's detailed reviews are second to none. iPhone 12 Pro Max reviews went live this morning, and Mann's in-depth camera test is also now available.

Mann's review a must-read review for anyone who is interested in the iPhone 12 Pro Max for its camera, because this is the first year in some time that Apple has introduced different cameras in the Pro and Pro Max models. The Pro Max has a larger sensor and larger pixels, plus a different telephoto lens.

Despite the improvements in the iPhone 12 Pro Max over the Pro, Mann said that in his testing, he could "barely see a difference" between the two iPhones in most lighting conditions. The exception was semi-low-light scenes, such as just after sunset or in a night urban scene.

In these situations, the iPhone 12 Pro needed two seconds of Night Mode recording, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max needed just one second because of the larger amount of light let in by the sensor. That resulted in better photos from the Pro Max because there's less shake and subject movement.

Mann also saw improvements when shooting in very low light scenes in Night mode with a tripod and a 30-second exposure, and there's also, of course, the 5x optical zoom range enabled by the 2.5x optical zoom lens in the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The 12 Pro Max's telephoto lens has a longer focal length and a faster minimum shutter speed, so you can zoom in further.

All in all, Mann said that while he came into the review expecting the iPhone 12 Pro Max to notably outperform the iPhone 12 Pro, the differences between the two were limited to "very specific scenes." He enjoyed the extra telephoto length of the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the low light capabilities, but he wasn't a fan of the massive size that made it hard to operate as a single-handed camera.

Both models are a "massive jump in imaging capability" and Mann says that regardless of which model is selected, people will "thoroughly enjoy" shooting with the new camera.

Mann took a whole range of photos in all lighting conditions in Zion National Park in Utah, and it's well worth clicking over to his full review to see what the iPhone 12 Pro Max camera is capable of.

Article Link: Photographer Austin Mann Shares iPhone 12 Pro Max Camera Review

 

[jcshas]

The iPhone 12 Pro for me. I rest my case.

 

[FooArk]

All in all, Mann said that while he came into the review expecting the iPhone 12 Pro Max to notably outperform the iPhone 12 Pro, the differences between the two were limited to "very specific scenes.

 

[Blackstick]

To see cell phones doing astrophotography just baffles my mind!

 

[TroyBoy30]

its all about screen size baby! max or bust

 

[UltimateSyn]

That milky way photo is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Just sayin...]

Doesn’t Austin Mann rave about every iPhone camera that comes down the pike? Is he a part of Apple marketing?

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[agsystems]

The iPhone 12 Pro for me. I rest my case.

Same here- but like everyone was suspecting the magic sauce here is the A14 across the board - whichever iPhone 12 you pick, you should be fine

 

[AppleUser2]

I feel a software update coming. Apple just doesn’t seem to be getting the most out of the new cameras in the Max.

 

[LasersGoPewPew]

Oof. I dislike the size but I ordered the Max solely for camera and battery life. Otherwise the size of 12 Pro is perfect for me.

 

[e1me5]

The difference between them are so minimal that I decided the 12 Pro is the best option to get. And only because the Pros will get that AppleRawPro capabilities and the regular 12s won't(for now) so they are not a substantial camera upgrade than my 6s.

 

[smuzzy]

Wait... iPhone can do long exposure??

 

[nwcs]

I guess I’ve used larger sensor cameras too long. That first astrophotography looks heavily processed with heavy noise reduction and a tremendous loss of stars. Still, it’s a better phone camera than before.

 

[sofila]

Doesn’t Austin Mann rave about every iPhone camera that comes down the pike? Is he a part of Apple marketing?

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"Magical", "amazing", "amazing"...imagine that

 

[votdfak]

It's 12 Pro for me.

 

[agsystems]

Doesn’t Austin Mann rave about every iPhone camera that comes down the pike? Is he a part of Apple marketing?

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Yes, he is an Apple fan but at the end of review he would have a list of things that require improvements and his recommendations are highly accurate - bottom line don’t get the Max for the Camera alone - I am getting it because I like huge phones

 

[Greatness617]

I wish there was more useable rows on home screen and a bigger difference in the Max some how it would be more compelling at this time is 12 Pro for me. 😇

 

[Makosuke]

The difference between them are so minimal that I decided the 12 Pro is the best option to get. And only because the Pros will get that AppleRawPro capabilities and the regular 12s won't(for now) so they are not a substantial camera upgrade than my 6s.

I won't tell you not to believe your eyes if you think photos look similar, and as always with photography your mileage may vary. I opted for the 12 Pro myself, but the difference between the 6s and the 12-regular is not what I'd characterize "not a substantial upgrade".

I didn't have a 6s, but can say with a great deal of confidence that the difference between a 7 and the current generation is quite substantial. My wife was using a 7 at the same time as I was using an X, and even leaving aside the multi-camera benefits I could easily tell the difference between her photos and mine at a glance.

The difference between an X and 11 Pro (again, leaving aside multi-camera benefits) was noticeable but much less dramatic, and the difference between an 11 Pro and 12 Pro is minor--mostly challenging-light edge cases.

If you had an 11, XS, or maybe even an X, I might agree that the 12-regular wouldn't be a big step up, but coming from a 6s the quality improvement of any of the last two or three generations of iPhone should be immediately noticeable and I would argue pretty substantial.

Basically, over the years iPhone cameras have been on a gradual asymptote toward the hypothetical ideal camera, and while the last few models are definitely up in the flatter part of the curve, the 6s was still somewhere on the knee.

 

[Razeus]

I feel a software update coming. Apple just doesn’t seem to be getting the most out of the new cameras in the Max.

They talk a good game, but there's only so much that little sensor can do.

 

[unobtainium]

So the advantages of the Pro Max are:
- screen size
- bigger battery
- better camera

The disadvantages are:
- Heavier and more unwieldy

I think I could live with the smaller screen size of the Pro, and now it’s looking like the cameras are fairly similar too...so that just leaves battery life as a major factor, which admittedly is a big deal to me. Dilemmas...

 

[Makosuke]

its all about screen size baby! max or bust

I'm in complete agreement! Which is why I have a regular and wouldn't touch a Max, unless and until the screen can extend past the edges of the physical device. Unlike screens, my hands are of a fixed and finite size, and my pockets are finite as well.

 

[The Game 161]

No matter what you choose you will be very happy with the results

 

[now i see it]

Once again, another reviewer commenting on the "massive size" of the Pro Max, yet it's virtually the same size as the Plus iPhones - only 2.4mm longer

 

[Cosmosent]

Something doesn't make sense.

Just looked into Apple's Oct 13th Press Release, & it clearly says it's the Wide in the 12 Pro Max that got the sensor increase (to 1.7 um pixels), & that it's 47% bigger.

But, that would imply the status quo with ALL other Flagship iPhones is ONLY 1.2 um (specifically, 1.16 um) !

I believe many of us (who looked into it in the past) thought it was 1.4 um, same as Google !

And here I'm naturally referring to the pixel size.

 

[blicked]

I’d love it if they just had three phone sizes, and then Pro and non-Pro models of each. The Pro series all have identical high end “pro” features, they’re just different sizes. The regular series is more basic and less expensive, but still the same three sizes. Six models total. Make the small ones a bit thicker to accommodate more battery size, and that’s it.

Can you tell I want a Mini Pro that isn’t a downgrade in camera?