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Other Pro vs Non-Pro iPhones (photography question)

S

swandy

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 27, 2012
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I have never gotten a "Pro" iPhone - currently using the iPhone 12. Considering whether to upgrade/trade in now and get one of the iPhone 13 models (and then probably use it till the 15 comes out) or get one of the 14 models this year.
I love photography - been involved it on various levels for over 50 years, though not what I would consider a "pro" - and never really "depended" on my iPhone when I really cared about the image quality. (Yeah - call me a photo snob.)
Debating on whether to stick with the standard models (again either a 13 or 14) or finally venture into a Pro model.
For those who have been using the Pro models - are they worth the difference when considering primarily Photography? Is there enough of a difference between the basic models and the Pro models (aside from the extra telephoto lens and the "better" screen, which at my age (nearing 70) I might not even appreciate the difference LOL).
Thanks for any opinions.
 
For me personally- having the “telephoto” magnified lens is a deal breaker. I use it all the time. The regular focal length lens is too wide for so many things.
If you’re into taking photos with an iPhone- definitely get a model that has the telephoto lens.
 
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The telephoto gives you many more options with your shots.
 
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I take little to no macro or telephoto style photography so the Pro models in that department would be less of a need. Those two aspects are the only key differences so ask yourself if you think you’ll be taking those types of photographs. The standard iPhones match the Pro models in everything else picture related.
 
I’m an avid professional iPhone photographer & have been a photographer since 1990. I know the iPhone cameras very well and I also recommend the pro model iPhone especially if you shoot RAW. I use third party apps all the time along with the default camera app. There are other options that include the Beastgrip equipment and external lenses if you dont choose a pro iPhone, but that is extra gear to carry. I currently have two iPhone 13 pro max phones because of additional lines on my account, I use them both daily and shoot ProRaw all the time. So I do recommend the 13 or 14 pro iPhone if you are into photography like I am. The iPhone 13 Pro max is awesome and I love the photos I get from it.
 
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I’m an avid hobbyist photographer too and it’s worth pointing out the standard iPhone produces a very good photograph as well. It doesn’t have macro or mechanical telephoto capabilities, but for 90% of pics it has what it takes.
 
I think the Pro is worth the 200 euro extra that you pay. Another lens for a decent camera will easily cost you that, so it’s actually not a bad deal.
 
wait until the 14.. many of us are not happy with the 13 pro and the over processed photos , hopefully the 14 might be better
 
Guacamole said:
wait until the 14.. many of us are not happy with the 13 pro and the over processed photos , hopefully the 14 might be better
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yeah, not trying to start a debate about it as there's already a super long thread where I've said my thoughts but I am hoping for an improvement on the 14 (pro) personally. but who knows because 12 pro had the same problem and no one seems to care a whole lot. people will also try to convince you it's user error when this just... doesn't happen with other phones and cannot be turned off even when the user doesn't want an automatic AI oil painting look. it's capable of taking good photos, but the terrible auto editing kills them at times
 
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I went from a 13 pro to a 13 mini just to give myself a few months trying out the mini before 14s come out. I will say that I loved the macro, mainly because my daughters and I share a lot of recipes and things like that, and it’s nice to be able to take up-close, clear photos of things like that (I realize this isn’t a big use case for a lot of people).

That being said, I have actually gotten better regular and portrait photos (I’m just a point and shoot kinda gal, so take that with a grain of salt) with the mini than I was getting with my 13 pro, which was a total surprise.
 
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There’s one flaw of the regular 13 that no one has highlighted. The minimum focal distance on the 13 is rather bigger than past iPhones. So if you take close up shots, the camera will not focus.
 
Thank you all for your opinions. I am leaning towards waiting for the 14 and getting the non-Pro version.
I was more interested in whether the PRO cameras actually take better quality photos than the non-PRO versions of the same model iPhone because I have basically been very happy with the results from my iPhone 12 to this point.

(1) Reply to ToddH: I don't shoot RAW with my iPhone. When I feel the need for RAW, I will take out one of my two digital cameras and not my iPhone.

(2) Reply to Bodhitree: Rarely take macro photos with the iPhone and when I am going someplace (like a ballgame or the zoo) where a zoom lens would be needed, I will again take either my DSLR or my Sony camera. And to be honest the different lenses on a digital camera - especially a telephoto lens - makes more of a image quality difference than what Apple (or any other phone maker) can do with their small lenses IMHO.
 
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swandy said:
Thank you all for your opinions. I am leaning towards waiting for the 14 and getting the non-Pro version.
I was more interested in whether the PRO cameras actually take better quality photos than the non-PRO versions of the same model iPhone because I have basically been very happy with the results from my iPhone 12 to this point.

(1) Reply to ToddH: I don't shoot RAW with my iPhone. When I feel the need for RAW, I will take out one of my two digital cameras and not my iPhone.

(2) Reply to Bodhitree: Rarely take macro photos with the iPhone and when I am going someplace (like a ballgame or the zoo) where a zoom lens would be needed, I will again take either my DSLR or my Sony camera. And to be honest the different lenses on a digital camera - especially a telephoto lens - makes more of a image quality difference than what Apple (or any other phone maker) can do with their small lenses IMHO.
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but you are still going to have issues focusing on anything up close.... that maybe a hassle.. just sayin! :)
 
13 or 13 pro?
For the difference in price (10%?), I can't imagine going for the less versatile of the two.
 
ssledoux said:
I went from a 13 pro to a 13 mini just to give myself a few months trying out the mini before 14s come out. I will say that I loved the macro, mainly because my daughters and I share a lot of recipes and things like that, and it’s nice to be able to take up-close, clear photos of things like that (I realize this isn’t a big use case for a lot of people).

That being said, I have actually gotten better regular and portrait photos (I’m just a point and shoot kinda gal, so take that with a grain of salt) with the mini than I was getting with my 13 pro, which was a total surprise.
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I had wondered if you jumped to the 13 series!
 
I'm about to make this exact jump. Just this afternoon I handed my other half the 12 and I'm currently using an older android until I get round to picking up the 13 Pro.
 
Splitrail said:
13 or 13 pro?
For the difference in price (10%?), I can't imagine going for the less versatile of the two.
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Sorry but by my math $799 to $999 isn’t 10%. And after I looked into trading my 12 the monthly payment to Apple was a difference of $16.50 to $24.99. Again not 10%.
 
jr866gooner said:
I'm about to make this exact jump. Just this afternoon I handed my other half the 12 and I'm currently using an older android until I get round to picking up the 13 Pro.
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Still haven’t decided if I want to get the 13 and then wait for the 15 or get the 14 and decide whether the jump to the 15 would be worth it.
 
swandy said:
Sorry but by my math $799 to $999 isn’t 10%. And after I looked into trading my 12 the monthly payment to Apple was a difference of $16.50 to $24.99. Again not 10%.
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Oh, so sorry.
That was the difference when I bought my phone in November.
It was 899 to 999.
 
The additional tele lens (which I personally use way more often than the UW) and especially ProRAW are no-brainers for me tbh.
 
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