iPhone 15/Plus I'm a Pro Photographer and ordered a Standard 15

[Miltz]

I’m writing this piece mainly to help some users who are on the fence or not sure which way to go this year. Obviously these are my opinions and experiences. Yours might be different and I completely respect that.


I know a lot of people watch Youtube videos which want to make you believe that the newest iPhone is as good or better than an professional camera system. As someone who watched almost all of these video over the years, had every new iPhone (except the 14) and a variety of professional cameras and lenses, I can tell you it’s simply not true.

I’m a professional photographer and I ordered the base model iPhone 15 256GB. Every year since the original iPhone came out I ordered the new model on launch day, and every year I’ve been disappointed. Apple’s camera marketing is excellent and the iPhone camera is a great tool to have in your bag, but at the end of the day it’s just a phone. The differences are so minor every year that it’s never been worth it. Last year was the first year I didn’t upgrade and I’m glad I didn’t. My sister got the 14Pro Max and when I compared it to my 13 Pro the differences were so minor, I felt happy I didn’t upgrade. A lot of people didn't notice the the 13 PRO has a f1.5 lens and the 14 PRO has a f1.78 lens. Any changes made by having a larger sensor were pretty much equalized by the slower lens, hence such small differences in final image quality. But I digress. The most important thing is any time I’ve grabbed my phone to take pictures, I never enjoyed using it as a camera. That’s one thing that is crucial to myself and a lot pros is how a camera feels, and since this camera feels like a phone because it is a phone it’s really not engaging at all. I always found it very distracting to have my phone with me and trying to use it to takes images beyond casual snaps. I currently have the iPhone 13 Pro and I never used ProRaw except when I was testing it out. I didn’t find it useful for the quality of the raw files it produces and I won’t miss not having it on the regular 15. Tele-Photo lens? I also never used it and even with all Apple’s magic f2.8 on a smart phone is terrible in all but excellent light. I did use the ultra wide lens a bit and since the 15 has one I’m very happy about that. The ultra wide camera has always been a poor performer when it comes to image quality so it’s kind of a moot point to complain how awful the sensor and lens is, the images only look good small for IG. The 10Gbit USB-C port sounds great, but I only time I plug my phone into my laptop when I’m going to trade it in so I can transfer all my photos and videos. Yes it’s slow, but for something that I do once a year or two it has no value in my life. The promotional video of Apple showing Professional photographers using the 15Pro Max tethered to a computer to sell everyone on USB-C and USB3 speeds made me laugh out loud. Unless someone is being paid to do a promotion for Apple, no professional photographer is going to take out their phone in a professional studio to shoot a client. This might be obvious to me but some people might actually believe it... Please don't. The 15 is also much lighter than the 13Pro which I’m looking forward to. The fact that it can shoot up to 48 Megapixels is more than enough for the applications those photos will be used for. It’s my opinion that the base 15 is the best bang for the buck, and the money I didn’t spend on phone for features I won’t use will go towards paying for my real camera equipment and or going away to use it.

For anyone wondering why I’m even getting a 15, it’s because I need a new battery for my current phone, and I simply hate how heavy my phone is. So rather than spend $89 on a battery I rather just trade in and have a lighter phone too.
Finally I want the new wireless chip in the 15 which is the x70 for better service.

I want to point out a very important detail everyone seems to either be lying about or just not knowing. Everyone is saying the the 15 has the same camera as the 14Pro models. This is NOT true. The 15 has a F1.6 lens and the 14Pro has a 1.78lens. I don't know if the sensor size is the same but I believe it is, so in fact the 15 should produce better images than the 14Pro as it will be able to gather more light.

Update: The main Sensor in the 15 is not the same at the 14Pro. It's smaller yet still has the same megapixel count so the images look worse than the 14Pro not better.

 

[Supermallet]

You do you. I wouldn’t expect a plumber to show up to a job with nothing but a Swiss Army knife and I wouldn’t expect a professional photographer to show up to a job with nothing but an iPhone, or any phone. If I was invested in pro grade camera gear I wouldn’t care so much about the camera in the iPhone either.

 

[Expos of 1969]

I’m writing this piece mainly to help some users who are on the fence or not sure which way to go this year. Obviously these are my opinions and experiences. Yours might be different and I completely respect that.


I know a lot of people watch Youtube videos which want to make you believe that the newest iPhone is as good or better than an professional camera system. As someone who watched almost all of these video over the years, had every new iPhone (except the 14) and a variety of professional cameras and lenses, I can tell you it’s simply not true.

I’m a professional photographer and I ordered the base model iPhone 15 256GB. Every year since the original iPhone came out I ordered the new model on launch day, and every year I’ve been disappointed. Apple’s camera marketing is excellent and the iPhone camera is a great tool to have in your bag, but at the end of the day it’s just a phone. The differences are so minor every year that it’s never been worth it. Last year was the first year I didn’t upgrade and I’m glad I didn’t. My sister got the 14Pro Max and when I compared it to my 13 Pro the differences were so minor, I felt happy I didn’t upgrade. A lot of people didn't notice the the 13 PRO has a f1.5 lens and the 14 PRO has a f1.78 lens. Any changes made by having a larger sensor were pretty much equalized by the slower lens, hence such small differences in final image quality. But I digress. The most important thing is any time I’ve grabbed my phone to take pictures, I never enjoyed using it as a camera. That’s one thing that is crucial to myself and a lot pros is how a camera feels, and since this camera feels like a phone because it is a phone it’s really not engaging at all. I always found it very distracting to have my phone with me and trying to use it to takes images beyond casual snaps. I currently have the iPhone 13 Pro and I never used ProRaw except when I was testing it out. I didn’t find it useful for the quality of the raw files it produces and I won’t miss not having it on the regular 15. Tele-Photo lens? I also never used it and even with all Apple’s magic f2.8 on a smart phone is terrible in all but excellent light. I did use the ultra wide lens a bit and since the 15 has one I’m very happy about that. The ultra wide camera has always been a poor performer when it comes to image quality so it’s kind of a moot point to complain how awful the sensor and lens is, the images only look good small for IG. The 10Gbit USB-C port sounds great, but I only time I plug my phone into my laptop when I’m going to trade it in so I can transfer all my photos and videos. Yes it’s slow, but for something that I do once a year or two it has no value in my life. The promotional video of Apple showing Professional photographers using the 15Pro Max tethered to a computer to sell everyone on USB-C and USB3 speeds made me laugh out loud. Unless someone is being paid to do a promotion for Apple, no professional photographer is going to take out their phone in a professional studio to shoot a client. This might be obvious to me but some people might actually believe it... Please don't. The 15 is also much lighter than the 13Pro which I’m looking forward to. The fact that it can shoot up to 48 Megapixels is more than enough for the applications those photos will be used for. It’s my opinion that the base 15 is the best bang for the buck, and the money I didn’t spend on phone for features I won’t use will go towards paying for my real camera equipment and or going away to use it.

For anyone wondering why I’m even getting a 15, it’s because I need a new battery for my current phone, and I simply hate how heavy my phone is. So rather than spend $89 on a battery I rather just trade in and have a lighter phone too.
Finally I want the new wireless chip in the 15 which is the x70 for better service.

I want to point out a very important detail everyone seems to either be lying about or just not knowing. Everyone is saying the the 15 has the same camera as the 14Pro models. This is NOT true. The 15 has a F1.6 lens and the 14Pro has a 1.78lens. I don't know if the sensor size is the same but I believe it is, so in fact the 15 should produce better images than the 14Pro as it will be able to gather more light.

Once you have your new 15, grateful if you would post your impressions about the phone in general and the camera side of things.

 

[FranApple]

I tend to agree. The iPhone takes great photos for a smartphone and it's more than sufficient for most people. But if you really enjoy photography, it's hard to be satisfied with smartphone photos. There's still a vast difference in image quality.

 

[Halfpastdead]

This is a very measured and honest explanation of reality. I am also a photographer (hobby) with expensive, dedicated camera gear. I also a thinking of the 15 (Plus) this year - mainly as I’m missing the screen realestate and battery in my 14 Pro (battery already at 87% health).

 

[fs454]

Eh, I'm a career photographer and cinematographer and couldn't be more excited each year for the improvements however minor they may seem and think it'd be a mistake on my end to go low end. The workflow stuff this year is worth it alone - ProRes to SSD, log gamma, quick offloading over USB C for anything else, Capture One support god forbid that's needed in the event of equipment failure or a last minute pro shoot setup. 120mm optical is going to be amazing, the ability to shoot 24mp/48mp with less of a shutter lag in HEIC when necessary, etc all make it worth it even over my existing 14 Pro Max.

In my line of work we are asked to shoot iPhone for many, many gigs. Whether it be supplemental to our three main cameras at an arena concert or just because they want the iPhone vibe for an ad/commerical/social piece for more organic engagement, we're whipping out our phones often on set even when the other camera in the room is an Alexa.

And lastly, I couldn't feel more opposite in terms of enjoying it. I own Fujifilm bodies, Canon RF stuff, Sony A7rIII and A7sIII, Canon C500 Mark II, and a Ronin 4D and far and away the device I love the most for off-duty photography is my phone. You can squeeze insane quality out of it and that's part of the fun. It's simple, no fiddling with gear or carrying equipment, and the results are insane.

It's around $750 per year on the upgrade program to just always have the latest, and that's well worth it for me considering I use it a hundred times a day for all sorts of uses, and it's an indispensable tool on the job.

 

[ukms]

Two very interesting (and opposing) views from two ‘pro‘ photographers. I have a lifelong friend who is a tv Producer/Director in the UK and he very much shares the view of fs454, in that iPhones have a place in many professional situations. I suppose its much like a few years ago many would have scoffed at many elements of TV shows being shot with a GoPro, now its the norm.

It’s also fair to say that ‘pro’ photographers cover a spectrum of experience and ability much like a pilot can be a newly qualified Cessna 150 pilot or an F16 pilot. So opinions and use cases will vary.

 

[ibookemo]

I’m writing this piece mainly to help some users who are on the fence or not sure which way to go this year. Obviously these are my opinions and experiences. Yours might be different and I completely respect that.


I know a lot of people watch Youtube videos which want to make you believe that the newest iPhone is as good or better than an professional camera system. As someone who watched almost all of these video over the years, had every new iPhone (except the 14) and a variety of professional cameras and lenses, I can tell you it’s simply not true.

I’m a professional photographer and I ordered the base model iPhone 15 256GB. Every year since the original iPhone came out I ordered the new model on launch day, and every year I’ve been disappointed. Apple’s camera marketing is excellent and the iPhone camera is a great tool to have in your bag, but at the end of the day it’s just a phone. The differences are so minor every year that it’s never been worth it. Last year was the first year I didn’t upgrade and I’m glad I didn’t. My sister got the 14Pro Max and when I compared it to my 13 Pro the differences were so minor, I felt happy I didn’t upgrade. A lot of people didn't notice the the 13 PRO has a f1.5 lens and the 14 PRO has a f1.78 lens. Any changes made by having a larger sensor were pretty much equalized by the slower lens, hence such small differences in final image quality. But I digress. The most important thing is any time I’ve grabbed my phone to take pictures, I never enjoyed using it as a camera. That’s one thing that is crucial to myself and a lot pros is how a camera feels, and since this camera feels like a phone because it is a phone it’s really not engaging at all. I always found it very distracting to have my phone with me and trying to use it to takes images beyond casual snaps. I currently have the iPhone 13 Pro and I never used ProRaw except when I was testing it out. I didn’t find it useful for the quality of the raw files it produces and I won’t miss not having it on the regular 15. Tele-Photo lens? I also never used it and even with all Apple’s magic f2.8 on a smart phone is terrible in all but excellent light. I did use the ultra wide lens a bit and since the 15 has one I’m very happy about that. The ultra wide camera has always been a poor performer when it comes to image quality so it’s kind of a moot point to complain how awful the sensor and lens is, the images only look good small for IG. The 10Gbit USB-C port sounds great, but I only time I plug my phone into my laptop when I’m going to trade it in so I can transfer all my photos and videos. Yes it’s slow, but for something that I do once a year or two it has no value in my life. The promotional video of Apple showing Professional photographers using the 15Pro Max tethered to a computer to sell everyone on USB-C and USB3 speeds made me laugh out loud. Unless someone is being paid to do a promotion for Apple, no professional photographer is going to take out their phone in a professional studio to shoot a client. This might be obvious to me but some people might actually believe it... Please don't. The 15 is also much lighter than the 13Pro which I’m looking forward to. The fact that it can shoot up to 48 Megapixels is more than enough for the applications those photos will be used for. It’s my opinion that the base 15 is the best bang for the buck, and the money I didn’t spend on phone for features I won’t use will go towards paying for my real camera equipment and or going away to use it.

For anyone wondering why I’m even getting a 15, it’s because I need a new battery for my current phone, and I simply hate how heavy my phone is. So rather than spend $89 on a battery I rather just trade in and have a lighter phone too.
Finally I want the new wireless chip in the 15 which is the x70 for better service.

I want to point out a very important detail everyone seems to either be lying about or just not knowing. Everyone is saying the the 15 has the same camera as the 14Pro models. This is NOT true. The 15 has a F1.6 lens and the 14Pro has a 1.78lens. I don't know if the sensor size is the same but I believe it is, so in fact the 15 should produce better images than the 14Pro as it will be able to gather more light.

Some valid points here.

I do think there are a few edge case features that the Pro has over the regular. The imaging pipeline seems a little more advanced in certain areas enabling some extra features.

I think you’ll be really happy though with your upgrade, it’s a really good jump from your current phone. Happy days.

 

[Macalicious2011]

Two very interesting (and opposing) views from two ‘pro‘ photographers. I have a lifelong friend who is a tv Producer/Director in the UK and he very much shares the view of fs454, in that iPhones have a place in many professional situations. I suppose its much like a few years ago many would have scoffed at many elements of TV shows being shot with a GoPro, now its the norm.

It’s also fair to say that ‘pro’ photographers cover a spectrum of experience and ability much like a pilot can be a newly qualified Cessna 150 pilot or an F16 pilot. So opinions and use cases will vary.

Exactly. For some photographers, the iPhone isn’t a good enough camera period.

I‘ve recently starting creating YouTube vidoes and the upgrade from a 13 Mini to 15 Pro is well worth it for USB-C features, but that’s for a different thread.

 

[Velin]

 

[xxFoxtail]

I personally really like the AOD and promotion. I'm sure I can get used to the older display again - as I've been having to use low power mode a lot recently on my 14 Pro.

I'm more likely to just get the battery replaced on my 14 Pro, but sort of tossed the idea of getting a standard iPhone 16 next year instead of a new Pro.

I like the 14 Pro as a camera that I always have with me, but I'll still use my 20 year old DSLR as a dedicated telephoto camera for those long range shots - mostly photos of animals in trees or whatever. And the iPhone for everything else.

I'd love to have the USB-C port on my iPhone, but everything else about the 15/15 Pro doesn't really seem like much of an upgrade for me.

 

[Halfpastdead]

I'd be curious to know your thoughts on the standard 15's camera vs the 14 Pro.

I think minus the third lens, there is next to no difference with those of the 14 Pro. In fact you’ll get the other software benefits not extended to the 14 Pro variations.

i am slightly worried about promotion and AOD, although I’ve recently turned off AOD on my 14 Pro to save battery, and havnt missed it.

i think the trade off of a much lighter body (the Plus is even lighter than 14 Pro) and bigger screen will keep me happy until next year when hopefully the features of the Pro 16 will justify the upgrade a little more.

 

[dz5b609]

.

 

[Bananasaurus]

I’m writing this piece mainly to help some users who are on the fence or not sure which way to go this year. Obviously these are my opinions and experiences. Yours might be different and I completely respect that.


I know a lot of people watch Youtube videos which want to make you believe that the newest iPhone is as good or better than an professional camera system. As someone who watched almost all of these video over the years, had every new iPhone (except the 14) and a variety of professional cameras and lenses, I can tell you it’s simply not true.

I’m a professional photographer and I ordered the base model iPhone 15 256GB. Every year since the original iPhone came out I ordered the new model on launch day, and every year I’ve been disappointed. Apple’s camera marketing is excellent and the iPhone camera is a great tool to have in your bag, but at the end of the day it’s just a phone. The differences are so minor every year that it’s never been worth it. Last year was the first year I didn’t upgrade and I’m glad I didn’t. My sister got the 14Pro Max and when I compared it to my 13 Pro the differences were so minor, I felt happy I didn’t upgrade. A lot of people didn't notice the the 13 PRO has a f1.5 lens and the 14 PRO has a f1.78 lens. Any changes made by having a larger sensor were pretty much equalized by the slower lens, hence such small differences in final image quality. But I digress. The most important thing is any time I’ve grabbed my phone to take pictures, I never enjoyed using it as a camera. That’s one thing that is crucial to myself and a lot pros is how a camera feels, and since this camera feels like a phone because it is a phone it’s really not engaging at all. I always found it very distracting to have my phone with me and trying to use it to takes images beyond casual snaps. I currently have the iPhone 13 Pro and I never used ProRaw except when I was testing it out. I didn’t find it useful for the quality of the raw files it produces and I won’t miss not having it on the regular 15. Tele-Photo lens? I also never used it and even with all Apple’s magic f2.8 on a smart phone is terrible in all but excellent light. I did use the ultra wide lens a bit and since the 15 has one I’m very happy about that. The ultra wide camera has always been a poor performer when it comes to image quality so it’s kind of a moot point to complain how awful the sensor and lens is, the images only look good small for IG. The 10Gbit USB-C port sounds great, but I only time I plug my phone into my laptop when I’m going to trade it in so I can transfer all my photos and videos. Yes it’s slow, but for something that I do once a year or two it has no value in my life. The promotional video of Apple showing Professional photographers using the 15Pro Max tethered to a computer to sell everyone on USB-C and USB3 speeds made me laugh out loud. Unless someone is being paid to do a promotion for Apple, no professional photographer is going to take out their phone in a professional studio to shoot a client. This might be obvious to me but some people might actually believe it... Please don't. The 15 is also much lighter than the 13Pro which I’m looking forward to. The fact that it can shoot up to 48 Megapixels is more than enough for the applications those photos will be used for. It’s my opinion that the base 15 is the best bang for the buck, and the money I didn’t spend on phone for features I won’t use will go towards paying for my real camera equipment and or going away to use it.

For anyone wondering why I’m even getting a 15, it’s because I need a new battery for my current phone, and I simply hate how heavy my phone is. So rather than spend $89 on a battery I rather just trade in and have a lighter phone too.
Finally I want the new wireless chip in the 15 which is the x70 for better service.

I want to point out a very important detail everyone seems to either be lying about or just not knowing. Everyone is saying the the 15 has the same camera as the 14Pro models. This is NOT true. The 15 has a F1.6 lens and the 14Pro has a 1.78lens. I don't know if the sensor size is the same but I believe it is, so in fact the 15 should produce better images than the 14Pro as it will be able to gather more light.

 

[Halfpastdead]

This probably is the worst year for this reasoning with the 24MP 'standard' mode on the 15 pro. That's actually a massive change, especially for day to day shots.

The 15 also does this, not a pro only feature.

 

[bandrews]

I’m writing this piece mainly to help some users who are on the fence or not sure which way to go this year. Obviously these are my opinions and experiences. Yours might be different and I completely respect that.


I know a lot of people watch Youtube videos which want to make you believe that the newest iPhone is as good or better than an professional camera system. As someone who watched almost all of these video over the years, had every new iPhone (except the 14) and a variety of professional cameras and lenses, I can tell you it’s simply not true.

I’m a professional photographer and I ordered the base model iPhone 15 256GB. Every year since the original iPhone came out I ordered the new model on launch day, and every year I’ve been disappointed. Apple’s camera marketing is excellent and the iPhone camera is a great tool to have in your bag, but at the end of the day it’s just a phone. The differences are so minor every year that it’s never been worth it. Last year was the first year I didn’t upgrade and I’m glad I didn’t. My sister got the 14Pro Max and when I compared it to my 13 Pro the differences were so minor, I felt happy I didn’t upgrade. A lot of people didn't notice the the 13 PRO has a f1.5 lens and the 14 PRO has a f1.78 lens. Any changes made by having a larger sensor were pretty much equalized by the slower lens, hence such small differences in final image quality. But I digress. The most important thing is any time I’ve grabbed my phone to take pictures, I never enjoyed using it as a camera. That’s one thing that is crucial to myself and a lot pros is how a camera feels, and since this camera feels like a phone because it is a phone it’s really not engaging at all. I always found it very distracting to have my phone with me and trying to use it to takes images beyond casual snaps. I currently have the iPhone 13 Pro and I never used ProRaw except when I was testing it out. I didn’t find it useful for the quality of the raw files it produces and I won’t miss not having it on the regular 15. Tele-Photo lens? I also never used it and even with all Apple’s magic f2.8 on a smart phone is terrible in all but excellent light. I did use the ultra wide lens a bit and since the 15 has one I’m very happy about that. The ultra wide camera has always been a poor performer when it comes to image quality so it’s kind of a moot point to complain how awful the sensor and lens is, the images only look good small for IG. The 10Gbit USB-C port sounds great, but I only time I plug my phone into my laptop when I’m going to trade it in so I can transfer all my photos and videos. Yes it’s slow, but for something that I do once a year or two it has no value in my life. The promotional video of Apple showing Professional photographers using the 15Pro Max tethered to a computer to sell everyone on USB-C and USB3 speeds made me laugh out loud. Unless someone is being paid to do a promotion for Apple, no professional photographer is going to take out their phone in a professional studio to shoot a client. This might be obvious to me but some people might actually believe it... Please don't. The 15 is also much lighter than the 13Pro which I’m looking forward to. The fact that it can shoot up to 48 Megapixels is more than enough for the applications those photos will be used for. It’s my opinion that the base 15 is the best bang for the buck, and the money I didn’t spend on phone for features I won’t use will go towards paying for my real camera equipment and or going away to use it.

For anyone wondering why I’m even getting a 15, it’s because I need a new battery for my current phone, and I simply hate how heavy my phone is. So rather than spend $89 on a battery I rather just trade in and have a lighter phone too.
Finally I want the new wireless chip in the 15 which is the x70 for better service.

I want to point out a very important detail everyone seems to either be lying about or just not knowing. Everyone is saying the the 15 has the same camera as the 14Pro models. This is NOT true. The 15 has a F1.6 lens and the 14Pro has a 1.78lens. I don't know if the sensor size is the same but I believe it is, so in fact the 15 should produce better images than the 14Pro as it will be able to gather more light.

100% with you on that. The iphone camera for me does little more than taking photos for reference (remembering how something was wired before I dismantle it, to send a picture of something to someone instead of explaining it....). It brings me zero joy.

My cameras (I've got 8 and yes it is a problem) however inspire me every time I pick them up. I carry my little Fuji XE4 with 27mm lens everywhere and captured some of the most incredible memories from glastonbury this year. I took a couple on my phone but they didn't even get close to capturing the atmosphere... and by the end of each day I hadn't completely rinsed my phone battery.

 

[Premal212]

I think for me it's about the forgiveness, with a phone you've gotta be really stable, lights gotta be perfect, the moon needs to align with the Jupiter and Saturn...

But with a pro camera you can take more challenging shots and they still come out very good, low light - not a problem, subject moving really fast - not a problem.

 

[plufz]

For anyone wondering why I’m even getting a 15, it’s because I need a new battery for my current phone, and I simply hate how heavy my phone is. So rather than spend $89 on a battery I rather just trade in and have a lighter phone too.
Finally I want the new wireless chip in the 15 which is the x70 for better service.

Thank you for your review. I hope this lands the right way, because it is not a rhetoric question. But how do you feel about the environmental impact of buying a new phone primarily for getting a new battery? I try to use my hardware for many years and repair it for as long as possible (even though repairs often are too pricey imho compared to buying new things). When my phone is out of warranty I usually buy much cheaper batteries from third party service providers (that I trust to use quality hardware).

Sorry if this feels lecturing! I just think it is an important topic and I am genuinely interested in how other people think about this.

 

[Miltz]

Two very interesting (and opposing) views from two ‘pro‘ photographers. I have a lifelong friend who is a tv Producer/Director in the UK and he very much shares the view of fs454, in that iPhones have a place in many professional situations. I suppose its much like a few years ago many would have scoffed at many elements of TV shows being shot with a GoPro, now its the norm.

It’s also fair to say that ‘pro’ photographers cover a spectrum of experience and ability much like a pilot can be a newly qualified Cessna 150 pilot or an F16 pilot. So opinions and use cases will vary.

You are correct that "Pro" photographers cover a wide spectrum for sure. I can tell you the only people who ever use a phone at a shoot is the client themselves to sometimes post on social media, or the person they hired to shoot behind the scenes for their social media. I have never seen a photographer or videographer ever use a smartphone at a shoot. If I did that my clients would probably never use me again, not to mention I could never get the results they demand with a phone. Furthermore clients today are more savvy than ever, they pay very close attention to what you're using and how you are using it. Just like smartphones are getting better, so is Pro camera equipment at the same pace. No client is going to pay to do a shoot with the same phone they have in their pocket. It's ridiculous. Unless of course you're like the person I met 2 years ago who told me they a professional photographer who shoots weddings for $199. When I asked him how is that possible, he said "Bro I use my phone and get to eat for free". For those wondering that 120mm F2.8 lens on the 15Pro Max is really equal to 120mm F22 which gathers 256 times less light than a real 120mm F2.8 showed in their keynote. Apple is hoping 98% of the people have no idea what I'm talking about. I'm can't image a Pro photographer saying they are excited about 120mm F22 lens. I'm not.

 

[Miltz]

Thank you for your review. I hope this lands the right way, because it is not a rhetoric question. But how do you feel about the environmental impact of buying a new phone primarily for getting a new battery? I try to use my hardware for many years and repair it for as long as possible (even though repairs often are too pricey imho compared to buying new things). When my phone is out of warranty I usually buy much cheaper batteries from third party service providers (that I trust to use quality hardware).

Sorry if this feels lecturing! I just think it is an important topic and I am genuinely interested in how other people think about this.

I feel very good about it actually. Apple is going to take my phone, service it, and sell it in other countries as refurbished. Refurbished iPhones are Apple's bread and butter in a lot of countries. The phone will not end up in a landfill.

 

[Halfpastdead]

For those wondering that 120mm F2.8 lens on the 15Pro Max is really equal to 120mm F22 which gathers 256 times less light than a real 120mm F2.8 showed in their keynote

Agree.

Great for a casual snap on super bright days, that’s about it (if you want to use or view it in any size, away from the phone). Don’t get me wrong, the 15 PM camera is impressive, but we need to remember it’s a phone and stay somewhat grounded in reality.

 

[Miltz]

Once you have your new 15, grateful if you would post your impressions about the phone in general and the camera side of things.

I will definitely test it out. I expect the main camera to be only slightly better than the 13Pro and the wide angle might be worse because the 13Pro ultra wide is F1.8 while the 15 is F2.4 That is a massive difference. No one with a 13Pro should upgrade to the 15 for the cameras.

 

[okkibs]

I don't know if the sensor size is the same but I believe it is, so in fact the 15 should produce better images than the 14Pro as it will be able to gather more light.

The 14 Pro and 15 Pro have bigger (same size but otherwise not identical) sensors than the 15. "Better images" is questionable regardless as much of the quality comes down to the on-device processing and even then unless you regularly print poster size it might not be relevant at all. I doubt anyone will be able to reliably tell the difference between photos shot on the 14 Pro, 15 and 15 Pro. If you know what you're looking for at 100% perhaps, but that's not real-life usage.

 

[StudioMacs]

As a retired photographer and videographer, the last thing I want to do when I go on vacation is to haul a bunch of lenses and gear around.

The old saying “the best camera is the one you have” definitely still holds true. Plus, I find it enjoyable to work with the limitations of the iPhone to get creative shots even if they aren’t shot on Canon L glass and a full frame sensor.

Shooting LOG video on the Pro and grading it in post sounds like it might be worthwhile. I’ll know this weekend when I try it out.

 

[plufz]

I feel very good about it actually. Apple is going to take my phone, service it, and sell it in other countries as refurbished. Refurbished iPhones are Apple's bread and butter in a lot of countries. The phone will not end up in a landfill.

I agree that it is even worse with landfills and it is great that Apple have that program. I'm not sure I follow the rest of your argument. Wouldn't adding more second hand iphones to the market just decrease the price and make those people upgrade more often? It must be a lower impact if everyone uses their stuff for a longer time, right...?