Has Apple done it again!?
September 14th marked the most recent Apple Event. We were acquainted with some of the same products we've grown oh so used to. Ipads, smartwatches, and of course the favorite iPhone. All due to see some fun and useful updates.
Yet of all these products updates the iPhone 13 Pros camera capabilities are what has us excited.
The soon-to-be-released iPhone 13 Pros telephoto zoom has been bumped from 2.5x to 3x.
Which on paper may not seem like a lot, but in the user's hand will be noticeable. This feature is not one that has gone unseen before by consumers. In fact, this is in all honesty just catching them up with the Galaxy's current zoom capabilities.
What's Going To Set The iPhone 13 Pro Apart?
What's really going to set Apple's iPhone 13 Pro apart is the super-wide-angle lens, their new cinematic mode, and the ProRes function.
With the super-wide-angle lens, we'll see a much wider aperture and improved night mode. Increasing the quality of shots taken in the dark. The super-wide also has a new macro function, letting you capture shots of objects as close as 2 centimeters (a little more than three-quarters of an inch) from the phone.
The 13 Pro's wider apertures and bigger telephoto zooms will already go a long way to improving the overall quality of video you can capture, but the new Cinematic Mode (if it functions as they say) will help add an extra pro touch to your mobile filmmaking.
iPhone 13 Pro Cinematic Mode
In Cinematic Mode, the camera is set to dynamically hold focus on a subject's face as the subject moves through the scene. If the person gazes away from the camera, the focus will move too -- just like how focus would be shifted manually on certain pro cinema cameras. There is also a tap to shift focus (tap twice on a face to lock focus on it). Yet we do notice that the focus and depth data isn't baked into the video clip. Meaning you'll have to go back and edit the amount of bokeh and the focus points in your video after you've shot it.
Apple ProRes
Now let's talk Apple ProRes. Apple ProRes will be included with the 13 Pro later this year. For those of you not familiar, ProRes is a video codec Apple developed ProRes to compresses the video file retain excellent image and color data, allowing for much greater control and quality when it comes to postproduction editing. ProRes is nothing new. You've probably see ProRes used in commercials and feature films you've watched. Yet this will be the first time it's been seen on a mobile device.
The 13 Pro will be able to shoot in ProRes at 4K resolution at 30 frames per second, and we will in fact see professional cinematic quality achieved via iphone videos. Like this video below:
But don't get too excited. This video was shot by The Hurt Locker Director and two-time academy award-winning director Kathryn Bigelow, with the assistance of Oscar-winning cinematographer Greig Fraser. Meaning we're talking big talent and big-budget here. So don't be mad if your recording of your kid singing to Frozen in front of the fireplace isn't this high a quality.
Nevertheless, this brighter, faster display will be helpful when shooting in sunny conditions, the 1TB max storage option will be useful for storing all those 4K ProRes videos, and the new A15 bionic processor is your best friend for processing all that fancy new video.
Is The iPhone 13 Pro Worth Buying?
Truth be told this isn't an overwhelming milestone revolution in photography. Can't say we're not a bit disappointed not to see a bigger zoom lens added. Which wouldn't be a surprise if we were to see that soon on a Galaxy, setting the iPhone's camera right back to where we are with the 12. But still, we must give credit where credit is due. The 12 Pro Max was already superb for photography and good with video. The upcoming 13 Pro is certain to take all the elements that made the 12 Max so great and give each area a nice upgrade.
The Answer
Unless you're due for an upgrade, see an amazing deal, or need that vindication from other... No. This upgrade probably won't be worth the upgrade over the 12 Pro Max if you're already there. Unless of course, you are looking for the ultimate (current) top dog in the mobile photography and videography game.
Our Take On The iPhone 13 Pro
With iPhone 13 Pro, Apple is positioned to not only disrupt but to give creatives a novel approach in how they create their stories in the mobile visual medium. We will see experienced videographers/cinematographers come out with creations where you will say, "That was shot on an iPhone!?" Despite this for the time being we will be sticking to the Sonys, Fujifilm, and Panasonic's of the world.
Cinematography is a craft that, like all, takes time to master. Unfortunately, time is one luxury that is guaranteed to be uncertain and limited. If you don't have the years to dedicate to this craft lucky for you, we've got you covered. Contact us today to get your free 30-minute consultation. Discover the benefits of video marketing. Tally Entertainment, where creativity, quality, and ROI collide.