Apple’s iPhone 11 Pro was the first iOS device to feature three rear cameras. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 Pro models followed the same design. But why does the iPhone have three cameras? What do the three cameras do? Head below to learn the answers.
⇒ Quick Note: The iPhone 13 Pro is a real photography monster. Check out the articles below to learn more about its camera capabilities:
- iPhone 13 Brings Incredible Camera Improvements for Videos and Photos
- How to Record ProRes Video on iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro
- How To Use Cinematic Mode on iPhone 13
- Here’s How to Use Auto Macro Mode on iPhone 13 Pro
- How To Use Macro Mode on Any iPhone
Why Do iPhones Have 3 Cameras?
The three cameras your iPhone is equipped with sport three different types of lenses: telephoto, wide, and ultra-wide. The telephoto lens captures zoomed-in images without losing image clarity. The wide-angle lens takes standard wide-angle photos. Then, the ultra-wide lens introduced with the iPhone 11 Pro captures ultra-wide 120-degree images.
When you’re zooming in, you’re not just looking closer at the pixels. You’re actually switching to a specialized camera equipped with a different piece of glass.
As you can see, each camera is equipped with a different lens that has a specific job do to. Together, they provide iPhone users with extra functionalities. The telephoto and wide-lens cameras allow the device to take better pictures using a wide variety of angles and options such as zoom mode, portrait mode, and so on. The ultra-wide camera captures more of the user’s surroundings. It’s the main camera your device uses for taking landscape photos.
Your iPhone’s cameras are not working separately, they work together and provide users with more options. For example, the wide and ultra-wide lenses capture the same image simultaneously. This allows you to quickly turn a standard wide-angle photo into an ultra-wide image.
Add AI Power Into the Mix
What is truly amazing is the way the software combines the images and frames taken with those cameras into a better image or video. That’s the magic of iOS. Deep Fusion (Apple’s neural image processing technology) uses artificial intelligence to merge images and frames of different exposures into a single image or video. The aim is to create the highest-quality image or video possible.
Also, if one of the lenses didn’t capture certain image parts properly, the other cameras kick in and solve the problem. Three cameras can capture more light than one which helps users take better pictures.
Apple pairs the three cameras at the factory. When you’re recording a video, you can actually record different angles and magnification at the same time. All the cameras are focused on the same point and use the exact same settings in terms of color, speed, exposure, and so on. That’s why switching from one focus mode to another is so easy.
All these capabilities make the iPhone an excellent choice for taking high-quality photos and recording really amazing videos.
Conclusion
iPhone Pro models feature three cameras. Each camera has a specific job do to. The telephoto lens is used for zooming in. The wide-angle lens takes standard wide-angle photos. The ultra-wide lens takes ultra-wide 120-degree photos. Apple’s Deep Fusion technology combines the images captured by these three cameras to create the highest-quality possible photos and videos.
Do you agree that Apple has the best camera phones on the market? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer. She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies — AI and DNA computing in particular.
Renée Shock McClure says
I’m very disappointed. Seriously how many people use their phone to take Landscape photography? Everyone uses their phone for photos of family and friends. I really thought there would be more portrait lenses and maybe some editing tools. I guess I’ll buy some editing tools but probably won’t work on this iPhone 12. I’m trying Android next time. So unhappy. Apple is really behind.
Lorie says
Please just draw me an arrow to which of the 3 is primary . Trying to set it up with my binoculars
Chris Cloud Bradley says
Would you please incorporate light polarization in each lense and of each camera with the intelligence to orient the polarization of the natural light. Your thoughts ❓
Pin says
Agree that Apple has very good camera systems. Even the camera systems in the old iPhones are as good or better than newer smartphones of other manufacturers.
Alan williams says
Hi I have dropped my iPhone 13 max and put a little hole in the top left camera lens this does not seam to change most photos only the portrait mode
I am trying do decide if to just keep using it as is as I don’t have apple care check with apple the cost to change but it seems to be over $900 from what I can see
Or get if fixed elsewhere which voids the warranty which is only 5 month old if I keep using it will it drastically affect the quality of photos video ???
Julie Lingscheit says
I have a similar issue. Dropped it and damaged the glass on the lower left lens. Please tell me what you ended up doing? Did you get it repaired? If so, how much DID it cost?