I recently got to see inside Apple’s iPhone 16 camera labs. The technology is next level. Thoughts?
The amount of effort they put into the camera is mind-blowing. The quality of photos and videos is something else.
Capturing 4K at 120fps, with no frame skipping or lag, and even recording Dolby Vision in real-time—this is rare for handheld consumer cameras. You can tell they really put thought into every detail.
@Dallas
I wish they’d add an option for a constant frame rate. The current variable frame rate causes audio sync issues, so I have to transcode my videos every time. A performance mode would fix this, but it seems unlikely Apple will implement it.
@Kellen
Can you explain what constant vs variable frame rate means? I’m trying to understand the issue.
Harper said:
@Kellen
Can you explain what constant vs variable frame rate means? I’m trying to understand the issue.
Sure. With a constant frame rate, each frame is spaced evenly, like 33.33ms for 30fps. Variable frame rate means the spacing can vary—some frames might be 28ms, others 40ms. This can cause audio sync issues.
To fix it, you can transcode the footage to equalize the frame timing, but that’s an extra step. The variability happens because the phone prioritizes other tasks while recording. A dedicated performance mode could keep the camera as the main task and fix this.
@Dallas
If they release a 2TB iPhone with the next lineup, we wouldn’t need external SSDs for 4K 120fps videos. Fingers crossed.
@Dallas
There are mirrorless cameras that record in log and RAW at 4K 120fps and even 8K 60fps.
Hadi said:
@Dallas
There are mirrorless cameras that record in log and RAW at 4K 120fps and even 8K 60fps.
I never said those cameras don’t exist
@Dallas
You said, ‘4K 120 is not usual for consumer handheld cameras.’ Just pointing out there are options, even if they’re niche.
Hadi said:
@Dallas
You said, ‘4K 120 is not usual for consumer handheld cameras.’ Just pointing out there are options, even if they’re niche.
‘Not usual’ doesn’t mean ‘none exist.’ It just means most cameras don’t have it. The iPhone and the few you mentioned are exceptions.
Hadi said:
@Dallas
You said, ‘4K 120 is not usual for consumer handheld cameras.’ Just pointing out there are options, even if they’re niche.
Exactly. I said it’s not usual, and it really isn’t. Thanks for pointing that out.
It’s frustrating that you need a third-party app like Halide to bypass the baked-in sharpening and processing. The default RAW options don’t let you turn it off. It defeats the purpose of DNG RAW. I wish Apple would just give us the option to disable all the processing.
Linden said:
@Dallas
Small sensors make 4K 120fps easier because of faster readout speeds. Look at the Osmo Pocket 3—it does 4K 120fps with a 1-inch sensor for $500.
Calling it ‘the easiest’ is a big stretch. Did you even read the rest of my comment?
@Dallas
The Pocket 3 does it better, so what’s your point?
Linden said:
@Dallas
The Pocket 3 does it better, so what’s your point?
Where’s your source for that claim? Also, the Pocket 3 doesn’t record Dolby Vision or log in real-time. It uses HEVC. Here’s the link: Osmo Pocket 3 - Specs - DJI
@Cass
I feel the same. iPhone photos look so overprocessed now. If they added an option to turn off all the filters, it would make a huge difference.