How the iPhone camera has changed in 15 years. All the way from 2 to 48 megapixels

One of the main elements of any modern smartphone is the camera. Users activate it several times a day, take pictures, record videos and communicate via video.

However, 15 years ago, the iPhone case almost did not pay attention, and the difference between the versions of smartphones was discovered. This element was created according to the residual principle and its development was practically not delayed at Apple presentations.

We offer to recall how the iPhone camera module has changed from the first model to the latest current iPhone.

Smartphone camera for show

In the first generation of the iPhone, the Cupertinos did not purchase a mobile camera device, equipped with the largest module of its time. At the same time, competitors are already fully mastering a promising niche, releasing separate lines of camera phones.

For example, a Finnish phone manufacturer might have a model. Nokia N95 with a random 5-megapixel module (autofocus, optics Carl Zeiss and flash) and a VGA front camera for video calls.

◉ iPhone first generation – 2 MP. The camera of the first Apple smartphone does not have a large number of additional options and shooting modes. The device could not even shoot video. Such a feature can only be implemented using jailbreak tweaks from Sidia.

There was no response to the change in this mechanism. 1600 x 1200 responses.

◉ iPhone 3G – 2 MP. The camera of the second apple smartphone did not differ from the advanced one, the Cupertinians were in no hurry to improve this module.

◉ iPhone 3GS – 3.15 MP, f/2.8. The first camera upgrade in the iPhone to autofocus, auto white balance and the ability to shoot video. The quality of the video in the composition 480p at 30fps. Measurement resolution increased to 2048 x 1536.

The appearance of a front camera and a serious decision of the main module

Cupertino realized the presence of cameras on smartphones and began to seriously invest in the development of the module. Finally, in iPhones, the buns and options already familiar to other smartphones have appeared.

◉ iPhone 4 – 5 MP, f/2.8. Good for its time, the main camera module takes good photos, supports its improved autofocus and LED flash. The resolution of the photo in the composition is already 2592 x 1936.

Support for the first time HDR. The smartphone can shoot video in 720p at 30fps.

Another important innovation was the appearance of the front camera. It was a modest VGA module for video calls in resolution 480p and 30 fps.

◉ iPhone 4s – 8 MP, f / 2.4. In this generation of iPhones, for the first time appeared Retina– a display that offers an advanced camera module. Pictures from a large gadget on a high-quality screen did not look very good. The risk of reducing the resolution of the module has increased, slightly tightened the aperture ratio and added a panorama shooting mode.

It was possible to get a photo in resolution 3264 x 2448 or video 1080p at 30fps. The front camera module remains the same.

◉ iPhone 5 – 8 MP, f/2.4. The main module did not change in size, but the front camera was pulled up.

Now it was 1.2 MP, f/2.4 a matrix that can recognize faces in the frame and shoot video 720p 30fps.

◉ iPhone 5s – 8 MP, f / 2.2. The camera in this generation has slightly tightened up, improving the aperture ratio of the module. For observation in case of deficiency in Greece, an improved two-color flash was installed. The camera learned to record Slo-mo with often 120 fps in resolution 720p.

The front camera has not received significant improvements.

Optical stabilization and 12 MP output

The camera was installed on one of the main chips of smartphones and paid more and more attention to each presentation of the iPhone. There were beautiful renderings of the internals of the module and masterpiece shots on the iPhone’s camera, usually which were usually not detected.

◉ iPhone 6 – 8 MP, f/2.2. In the sixth generation of the iPhone and without registration changes. The developers slightly tightened the already well-proven module and added a dual flash. In older models iphone 6 plus module further increased optical image stabilization.

An important change was the shooting of video 1080p and 60 fps and support Slo-mo 720p and 240fps. Shooting mode added Time interval and continuous burst shooting when the start button is closed.

◉ iPhone 6s – 12 MP, f/2.2. The improved “six” was more fortunate, it already went to a 12-megapixel module that can shoot video in 4K, 30 fps.

As a frontal installed already shameless 5 MP, f/2.2 modulewho taught to shoot panoramas (the most useless mode for the front camera), added speed HDR and front flash using the display.

A new mode has arrived Live photowhen several enlarged frames were captured before and after the shooting, in order to subsequently intercept them into a beautiful animation.

Dual camera and portrait photo mode

◉ iPhone 7 – 12 MP, f/1.8. The module received an improved aperture scheme, the optical component was also pumped. The lens began to consist of 6 elements, and the flash – of 4 diodes.

For the first time, the iPhone mobile processor received a special chip for post-processing sensations with cameras. Photo resolution composition 4032 x 3024video could be filmed 4K and 30fps, 1080p and 120 frames or 720p and 240 fps.

Frontal randomness 7 MP f/2.2 with video support 1080p and 30fps.

◉◉ iPhone 7 Plus – 12MP wide, f/1.8 and 12MP telephoto, f/2.8. The iPhone Plus version turned out to be more innovative and technologically advanced that year. It became the first Apple smartphone with a dual camera module.

The developers decided to solve the problem of optical zoom in mobile devices, the role of which is performed by a telephoto lens. The control system switched from one sensor to another approximation. Investigation of only the poor aperture of the telephoto, which was not suitable for filming in conditions of shortage in Ireland. iPhone received double optical sound for the main camera.

There was a portrait observation mode using the bokeh effect (blurring of the rear light).

◉◉ iPhone X – 12MP wide, f/1.8 and 12MP telephoto, f/2.4. Next year, the line of iPhones is already occupied (then available iPhone 8 it was not yet obvious) received a dual camera with a telephoto lens. Module from iphone 7 plus some risks, added a new processor for software post-processing and a dual system of optical use.

The gadget received interesting opportunities for shooting video. In the protocol 1080p could shoot up to 240 fpsshooting in 4K deal with frequent cases 24/30/60 fps.

Front camera with sensors Face ID achieves more accurate face recognition and overlay on many different effects or masks. There is a software option to create animoji and portrait mode for the front camera.

◉◉ iPhone XS/XS Max – 12MP wide, f/1.8 and 12MP telephoto, f/2.4. The camera update in this generation turned out to be minor. Small improvements in modulation did not affect the quality of the photo too much. The post-processing system has become the best (thanks to the new processor), stereo sound recording for video has appeared.

More affordable model iPhone xp received only one wide-angle camera module.

Triple camera module and saving photos in RAW format

◉◉◉ iPhone 11 Pro/11 Pro Max – 12 MP, f/1.8, f/2.0, f/2.4 (width, telephoto and super wide). In this generation, flagship devices received a third camera module with an ultra-wide view. As in the situation with the telephoto lens, its weak side was poor aperture.

The smartphone could zoom in 2x (switching from the main module to the telephoto) and 2x to zoom out (switching from the main module to ultra-wide).

The update also received the front camera, now it was a module 12 MP, f/2.2who can shoot video 4K up to 60fps.

More affordable line iphone 11 equipped with a double module consisting of wide + extra wide.

◉◉◉ iPhone 12 Pro/12 Pro Max – 12 MP, f/1.6, f/2.0, f/2.4 (width, telephoto and super wide). Flagship iPhone models connected the module lidarwhich was used in some registration modes for the best frame rate detection.

The smartphone could receive pictures in the format AppleProRAW, which gave more opportunities for further post-processing. There is a new night photo mode. The camera could shoot video in 10-bit HDR And Dolby Vision HDR.

In the top model iPhone 12 Pro Max a new matrix measurement system has appeared touch shiftthe censorship of the wide-angle camera was increased, the telephoto lens was changed from 50 mm to 65 mm.

◉◉◉ iPhone 13 Pro/13 Pro Max – 12 MP, f/1.5, f/2.8, f/1.8 (width, telephoto and super wide). The developers have increased the size of the camera sensor, the module has become larger for the defenders. At the same time, the aperture parameter became, but this did not affect the quality of the photo. But the optical zoom in the transition from the main module to the telephoto has become larger (3x instead of 2x).

The matrix transfer system was also transferred to the usual “firmware”. Certain profiles appeared for taking photos, videos could be recorded with a cinematic effect (changing focus on different objects).

A more interesting innovation was the emergence of a macro mode. The camera module can focus on objects at a distance from 2 cm and take very interesting photos or videos.

Matrix 48 megapixels and representatives of human size

◉◉◉ iPhone 14 Pro/14 Pro Max – 48 MP, ƒ/1.78, 12 MP f/2.8, f/2.2 (width, telephoto and super wide). Although the aperture on the two sensors became larger again, due to the increase in the size of the sensors themselves, the quality of the sensors remained at the same level.

For the first time in many years, the main module received permission 48 MP. The matrix was enlarged and the engine system expanded for the second generation. It is curious that shooting in this mode is disabled by default and must be activated through the smartphone settings. Actual flagships are shot out of the box in the same resolution. 12 MP.

48-megapixel shots with a noticeable delay take up much more space in the smartphone’s memory and are only needed by those who are seriously involved in post-processing photos on a computer. Thanks to the innovation, a wider range of adjustment of the optical zoom of the picture has appeared. You can zoom in to 2x (the frame with a 48-megapixel sensor is cropped) or 3x with the transition to a telephoto lens.

Added mode for shooting video Action mode, is a software post-processing that smooths out shaking when running, walking, or quickly moving the camera. The cinematic effect now allows you to record video in 4K both on the camera and on the front camera.

Comparison of photo sizes for different iPhone models

This is such a long and interesting way for the iPhone camera for 15 years. Perhaps, when two “neighbors” are found, the evolution of development is not noticeable, but at the total distance of the prevalence of progress.

The Apple smartphone has become the most mobile camera in the world and has completely replaced compact cameras for mass consumption.