Apple’s iPhone 6s camera makes a huge leap in quality
Apple has completely overhauled the camera on the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, giving it a much higher-resolution sensor and 4K video. It has fitted its flagship iPhone 6s and 6s Plus with a 12-megapixel sensor, giving it 50 percent more pixels than the iPhone 6. The new phones will also be Apple’s first to go beyond 1080p video with 4K. Apple hasn’t touched the pixel count on its last three iPhone models, which have stayed at 8-megapixels, (despite other improvements). However, it clearly felt the need to counter rivals like Samsung’s Galaxy S6, which has an excellent 16-megapixel camera.
Apple got by with 8-megapixels on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus cameras because they reproduce colors accurately, perform well in low light and focus quickly and accurately. The new models don’t sacrifice any of those qualities thanks to an improved sensor and faster A9 processor, according to Apple’s Phil Schiller. He said “the goal was add add pixels without degrading quality,” so the sensor has 50 percent more pixels, including 50 percent more focus pixels.
Meanwhile, Apple said it’s doing 4K video in a different way than most manufacturers by capturing every frame discreetly at a full 8-megapixels — rather than capturing the differences between frames. That should result in better looking video even when the shooter or subject is moving. However, it’ll also make for very large files, so if you’re looking at a base 16GB iPhone model, 4K video will eat up your memory quickly. You also won’t get the full 4K effect on a new Apple TV, which is limited to 1080p playback.
For selfie-junkies, the front facing camera has been upgraded to 5-megapixels. Apple also brought a flash to the front camera with a clever cheat. The phone uses the Retina display as a flash, in a feature that Apple calls the “Retina flash.” When you take the shot, the display lights up to triple the brightness, providing enough illumination for a face at arm’s length.
Apple just launched a new 3D Touch feature on the iPhone, and you can use it for images too, via a new feature called “Live Photos.” Here’s how it works: the Live Photos option is turned on by default, and when you take a snap, it extends capture for a few seconds after you hit the shutter. You can then force-press on those type of shots and see motion in a photo or hear sound. Apple also gave its Watch a bit of Live Photos love, letting you use those photos as a face on the wearable. Other apps, like Facebook, will eventually support Live Photos as well.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Cameras, Apple
Tags: apple, iphone2015, iPhone6S, iPhone6SPlus
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