iPhone 14 Professional Overview: is that this one of the best iPhone for photographers?

Apple typically broadcasts a brand new iPhone each Autumn, with every new iteration promising ever higher photographic capabilities. This 12 months’s Apple’s new iPhone fashions embody the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Professional and iPhone 14 Professional Max, with every providing one thing to attraction to these for whom the digital camera is crucial specification of their smartphone.

On this evaluation, we’ll be concentrating on the iPhone 14 Professional, however it’s value noting that the iPhone 14 Professional Max has the very same digital camera setup – so by way of image high quality and so forth, you may as well take into account this to be a evaluation of that.

iPhone 14 Professional at a look:

£1,099 – iPhone 14 Professional, 128GB mannequin
£1,749 – iPhone 14 Professional Max, 1TB mannequin (storage sizes and costs in between, cameras the identical between each fashions)
48MP extensive digital camera, f/1.78 aperture, OIS
12MP extremely extensive digital camera, f/2.2 aperture
12MP 3x telephoto digital camera, f/2.8 aperture, OIS
12MP 2x telephoto (enabled by quad-pixel sensor)
4K video as much as 60fps
12MP front-facing digital camera, f/1.8 aperture, autofocus
6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR all-screen OLED show, 460ppi (iPhone 14 Professional)
6.7-inch Tremendous Retina XDR all-screen OLED show, 460ppi (iPhone 14 Professional Max)
Splash, water and dirt resistant
Working system – iOS 16
Processor A16 Bionic Chip

{Hardware}, Design and Options

iPhone 14 Professional. Credit score: Amy Davies.

It’s in all probability honest to say that the iPhone 14 Professional doesn’t symbolize an enormous transformation from its predecessor, however there are nonetheless some vital modifications to contemplate. For the primary time, Apple has pushed previous the 12-megapixel barrier, giving us a 48-megapixel sensor for the primary wide-angle digital camera. This can be a quad-pixel sensor, that means that by default, photos will nonetheless be output at 12 megapixels because the digital camera makes use of pixel binning to create the picture.

You possibly can benefit from the total 48-megapixel output when you select to shoot in uncooked format. Apple doesn’t formally disclose the dimensions of its sensors, however it’s reported that the sensor is a 1/1.28inch kind. The 48MP sensor is accompanied by 24mm (equal lens) with an aperture of f/1.78 and OIS (optical picture stabilisation). That is barely narrower than final 12 months’s iPhone 13 Professional, which had an f/1.5 aperture – however, if studies that the sensor is bigger this time round are true then it ought to nonetheless be higher for low mild.

Additional boosts to low-light functionality are promised from applied sciences corresponding to “Deep Fusion” – one thing which was launched a few iPhone generations again, and new for this mannequin, the “Photonic Engine”. Apple doesn’t go to nice lengths to elucidate what these items imply past trusting us to consider of their magic (aka computational pictures), however basically it seems to be taking a number of photographs and mixing them collectively for improved element in low-light situations.

iPhone 14 Professional night time pictures 1x. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

Becoming a member of the 48MP digital camera are two additional 12-megapixel sensors, one providing an ultrawide 13mm equal (f/2.2), and a 3x zoom lens – equal 77mm f/2.8 with OIS. New for this 12 months is a 2x zoom setting which makes use of the 48MP quad-pixel sensor to crop into the body.

There hasn’t been any evolution of the iPhone’s native digital camera app, which stays pretty easy in operation, however which features a Portrait mode plus a Night time mode which is able to robotically activate when mild is low. Extra on the digital camera app under.

You should buy the iPhone 14 Professional or the iPhone 14 Professional Max in a variety of storage choices. The smallest out there is 128GB, which is the dimensions I’ve been utilizing for fairly a while with varied iPhone fashions and by no means had any issues with operating out of house. That stated, you may’t broaden the storage, so when you really feel such as you’re going to wish extra, capacities as much as 1TB can be found, after all at a worth premium.

When it comes to design, Apple hasn’t in any sensible phrases modified the outward look of the iPhone 14 Professional, with it utilizing the identical squared off rounded edges that we’ve seen for a few generations. What’s barely completely different nevertheless is the show. The iPhone “notch” has gone, and has been changed with a pill-shaped cutout which transforms right into a “dynamic island” when the telephone is doing sure issues – corresponding to face recognition.

In actual phrases, it means you get a bit bit extra show to play with, however not an enormous quantity. One other new function is the “At all times on” show, which implies you may see shows such because the time even when the telephone is in sleep mode. That is one thing which has been out there on Android telephones for a number of years, however the excellent news is that it doesn’t appear to have any main implications for battery life.

The iPhone 14 Professional being held in hand. Credit score: Amy Davies.

The iPhone 14 Professional’s 6.1-inch display screen makes for a decently sized telephone which isn’t too awkward to carry. Some might favor the bigger 6.7-inch Max model, significantly when you like to look at films or play video games in your smartphone – however it’s a bit bit extra cumbersome to make use of for day-to-day duties.

The telephone has a Ceramic Protect entrance, in addition to a Textured matt glass again and stainless-steel design. All of that is designed to be comparatively powerful and scratch resistant – however it’s in all probability nonetheless a good suggestion to make use of a case, significantly because the telephone is kind of slippy with out one. The telephone can be splash, water and dirt resistant with a score of IP68, that means it has been examined to face up to being dunked beneath water (down to six metres) for as much as half-hour.

Apple makes fairly a giant deal of its video functionality, however it’s fascinating to notice that the corporate is sticking with 4K, quite than shifting in direction of 8K like a few of its rivals (significantly the Samsung S22 Extremely). Nonetheless, there’s the choice to shoot at as much as 60fps, and there’s additionally HDR with Dolby Imaginative and prescient, plus a ProRes choice for video (although you’ll want a telephone with at the very least 256GB storage to make use of ProRes at 4K). Cinematic mode, the place a shallow depth of subject impact is created has been included as soon as once more, with functionality of taking pictures at 4K as much as 30fps.

One other specification that Apple is coy about is battery. We don’t know the precise measurement of the battery, however we’re instructed it may present as much as 23 hours of video playback. In our assessments, we’ve discovered it simply lasts a whole day even with comparatively heavy use.

When you’re taking pictures a variety of 4K video, you would possibly need to carry a battery pack round with you. Quick charging is on the market, with as much as 50% cost in round half-hour with a 20W charger. Wi-fi charging can be doable. As has been the case for a few generations, a charging plug isn’t included within the field. That is apparently for “environmental” causes, with the concept being that the majority of us already personal greater than sufficient plugs (in all probability a good summation). A USB-C to Lightning cable is supplied.

Apple iPhone 14 Professional Digicam App

Apple has been utilizing the identical native digital camera app for its iPhones for fairly a while now, albeit with some tweaks and extra options integrated through the years.

It’s disappointing in any case this time that Apple nonetheless sees match to disregard pleas for an “superior” or “professional” mode inside the native digital camera app, however there are a whole lot of various third-party apps out there which provide you with this performance when you require it.

It’s additionally honest to say that the native app being easy might be seen as a profit, providing you with scope to focus on composition and the like, quite than worrying an excessive amount of about settings – for a lot of that might be a constructive factor.

The usual mode you’ll in all probability use most continuously is the “Photograph” mode. From right here, you may entry all of the completely different lenses (plus the 2x digital zoom choice), in addition to shoot in uncooked format and create “Reside” pictures (whereby a small video accompanies your shot).

iPhone 14 Professional digital camera app. Credit score: Amy Davies.

Tapping across the display screen will change the main focus level if it is advisable to, and you may as well dial in some publicity compensation by shifting your finger up and down the display screen so as to add or take away brightness. Holding down your finger on the display screen will create an AE/AF lock, so you may focus and recompose if you want.

iPhone 14 Professional Night time mode Telephoto. Credit score: Amy Davies.

It’s additionally on this customary mode that different settings, corresponding to Night time and Macro, can be utilized – albeit they’re robotically activated relying on if the telephone picks up the suitable circumstances – i.e., darkish for Night time mode and being near one thing for Macro. You will have the choice to change off these modes as soon as they’re activated when you favor.

Night time mode has been round on iPhones for some time and basically works by grabbing a number of brief exposures and mixing them into one picture for one of the best outcomes. The telephone will robotically decide how lengthy it must document brief exposures for, normally relying on precisely how darkish it’s. If the telephone detects it’s on a steady floor, it would seemingly expose for longer. It’s vital to maintain comparatively nonetheless for the photographs to match up collectively.

iPhone 14 Professional Macro mode. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

Macro mode was launched for the iPhone 13 Professional so it’s no shock to see it again for the 14 Professional. When you carry the telephone near a topic, you’ll see it robotically snap into macro mode. It makes use of the ultra-wide-angle lens to do that, so that you would possibly typically discover you get a greater end result by turning off macro – which is able to see the digital camera return to the usual 48MP lens. It’s value experimenting with close-ups to see the way it works for you.

Swiping up on the composition window will see some extra settings you need to use, together with altering the facet ratio (4:3, Sq. and 16:9 can be found), including a filter, or utilizing completely different Image Kinds. Once more, it’s value experimenting with all of those to see which produces the look you want one of the best. Image Kinds can be tweaked to match your individual preferences too.

The opposite taking pictures modes out there within the native app embody a Portrait mode (for creating shallow depth of subject results), which is primarily meant for use for folks, but additionally works effectively with different topics corresponding to pets, a Video mode, and a Panoramic mode.

The iPhone 14 Professional digital camera app. Credit score: Amy Davies.

Efficiency – Picture High quality

Apple has been producing extraordinarily succesful cameras in its smartphones for a few years, so we didn’t count on the iPhone 14 Professional to be any completely different. Whereas it’s true that it’s not a very huge leap in high quality from its predecessor, that’s maybe extra of a testomony to how good the telephones are within the first place, quite than a very damning indictment.

It really works effectively in a very good number of conditions, producing pleasing photos in all types of circumstances. As we’d count on, one of the best outcomes are seen from the primary lens, with the brand new 48-megapixel sensor producing glorious outcomes (albeit not a noticeably huge enchancment from the iPhone 13 Professional). The ultra-wide-angle lens additionally produces glorious outcomes, with little distortion, although it struggles a bit in very low mild to supply the identical form of clear photos that the primary sensor can muster up (as we’d count on).

iPhone 14 Professional digital camera 1x zoom. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

iPhone 14 Professional digital camera 2x zoom. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

iPhone 14 Professional digital camera 3x zoom. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

iPhone 14 Professional 10x zoom. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

The place the 48MP sensor is available in significantly helpful is when taking pictures on the new 2x choice, as not solely do you get glorious flexibility to decide on between 1x, 2x and 3x choices, however it additionally produces good photos in low mild due to the broader aperture lens along with the superb Night time mode. The 1x sensor will robotically kick in when you’re taking pictures at very low mild and need to shoot at 3x too. It’ll simply crop into the picture it takes.

Additional digital zoom is on the market, however we’d in all probability keep away from utilizing that in most conditions until completely determined to get nearer to the topic.

Macro mode is one thing we noticed within the final iPhone and as soon as once more right here it produces glorious outcomes whenever you need to get very near a topic. The element produced is great, and it’s nice to have that choice out there.

Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

One other mode which has been round for some time is Portrait mode. It continues to work effectively right here, producing pleasing outcomes even with comparatively fussy outlines. New right here for the 14 Professional is the choice to decide on between 1x, 2x and 3x, so there’s a bit extra flexibility when in comparison with the 13 Professional.

iPhone 14 Professional digital camera Portrait mode. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

Apple iPhone 14 Professional Worth for Cash

Apple isn’t precisely identified for producing low cost smartphones, however compared to different flagship smartphones, the iPhone 14 Professional isn’t too badly priced.

The smallest capability iPhone 14 Professional is cheaper than the bottom capability Samsung S22 Extremely, for instance, making it fairly competitively priced.

After all, it nonetheless prices over £1000, making it costly for anyone on a strict funds. In order for you an iPhone however have extra restricted funds, your choices are to search for an older model (the iPhone 13 Professional for instance, which isn’t massively dissimilar) or plump for the non-Professional model of the iPhone 14 – the place you’ll lose the extra lens and some different options.

An alternative choice, significantly if you wish to lower your expenses, is to take a look at the Google Pixel 7 Professional, which is on the market for £849.

Apple iPhone 14 Professional Verdict

Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

There’s a lot to love in regards to the iPhone 14 Professional, and it undeniably produces some glorious imagery. It’s honest to say that it’s one of the best iPhone but for photographers – however that’s just about one thing we are saying each time a brand new one is launched.

Pretty much as good as it’s, it’s not overwhelmingly thrilling, and when you’ve already acquired an iPhone 13 Professional, there’s not an enormous quantity right here to warrant an improve. When you’ve acquired a 12 Professional or older, it’ll be extra of a leap and subsequently extra worthy of the outlay.

Photos instantly from the digital camera are superb, with shiny, vibrant, and well-detailed photos. The brand new 48-megapixel sensor doesn’t essentially produce photos that are a world away from these made by the 12-megapixel sensor of the iPhone 13 Professional in unusual or well-lit circumstances, however it proves to be helpful for digital zoom and in low-light situations.

Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

It’s a criticism we levy on the iPhone collection just about each time a brand new one is launched, however we’d like to see extra in the way in which of an fanatic or skilled mode – even when it was a bit hidden away inside the native app. Sure, there are third-party apps out there, however it’s a disgrace to not have a extra complete providing instantly from Apple.

A lot of folks might be devoted iOS customers, during which case, the iPhone 14 Professional is definitely one of the best iPhone there’s to this point for pictures. Go for the Max when you favor a bigger display screen, because the cameras are the identical between them. When you’re not loyal to Apple, we’d nonetheless advocate the Samsung S22 Extremely as one of the best total smartphone for pictures – significantly if funds isn’t a problem. With the latter machine, you get an additional lens and extra flexibility in taking pictures modes.

Total – the iPhone 14 Professional is a wonderful smartphone for pictures, and it’s very straightforward to advocate. Photos and video are glorious, and utilizing it is usually easy. It’s not excellent, however when you’re a fan of iOS it’s unlikely you’ll be upset.

4.5 stars