iphone camera

11 'iphone camera' stories June 2013 - March 2016

Apple granted patent for one-shot panoramic photo feature, using optical image stabilization [U]

Ben Lovejoy Mar 15 2016 - 6:57 am PT

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Update: Some are suggesting that the patent could simply be for tiny shifts that would allow the iPhone camera to fill in missing detail that falls between pixels, though it’s unclear how this would differ from a technique already in use by Hasselblad. Thanks to James for the Hasselblad link.

iPhones have long allowed you to create panoramic images by taking multiple photos which the camera stitches together. But an Apple patent granted today could allow future iPhones to take panoramic photos effectively with a single shot. Apple describes this as ‘super resolution mode.’

The reality would be that the iPhone would still take multiple photos to switch together, but the process would be automated so the user experience would be taking just one shot …

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13 tips for getting the best results from your iPhone camera

Ben Lovejoy Feb 8 2016 - 7:32 am PT

24 Comments

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Tim Cook’s embarrassment at the Super Bowl seems a timely opportunity to put together something that’s been on my to-do list for a while now: a quick guide to getting the best results from your iPhone’s camera.

As a keen photographer, I’ve been amazed just how far cameras have come in the past few years. Where I once used to carry a compact camera with me everywhere just in case, my iPhone has for several years now been my ‘always on me’ camera (currently the iPhone 6s). And where I used to carry a DSLR for travel photography, I now only carry my Sony a6000.

Since low-light was the problem Mr. Cook had, I’ll start with some tips specifically designed to help in low-light situations.

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Apple patent shows how it might lose the camera bump despite ever-thinner iPhones

Ben Lovejoy Jan 26 2016 - 6:42 am PT

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While those of us who would happily trade thinner iPhones for better battery-life may be in the minority, even fans of ultra-thin phones expressed disappointment at the camera bump in the iPhone 6 and 6s. The problem Apple faced is that the laws of physics determine just how thin you can make a sensor and lens arrangement for any given aperture while retaining quality. But a patent application originally filed in 2013, continued last July and granted today could provide a solution.

Instead of the usual flat sensor, the patent describes a ‘spherically curved photosensor’ that would allow the distance between the lens elements and the sensor to be reduced, allowing for a thinner camera module …

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iPhone rumor roundup: Asian sources claim we’ll see thinner phones, more powerful chips & bigger cameras

Mike Beasley May 26 2015 - 10:19 am PT

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A trio of new rumors from a handful of Asian sources have popped up over the holiday and today, each predicting a different facet of the upcoming ‘iPhone 6S‘. While these are still just very unverified whispers at the moment, odds are that at least one of these will end up coming at least partially true.

Here’s a roundup of the latest iPhone rumors, in no particular order:

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Sketchy analyst claim says Apple will stick to 8MP camera in iPhone 6s

Ben Lovejoy Feb 11 2015 - 6:58 am PT

10 Comments

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A Taiwanese analyst speaking about the company which makes most of the lenses for iPhones claims that Apple will be sticking to an 8MP camera in the next-generation iPhone 6s, reports Taipei Times.

Jeff Pu said that the camera specifications of the next-generation iPhone, dubbed iPhone 6S, will stay the same as the current iPhone 6 at 8-megapixels, limiting potential catalysts to push [Apple lens supplier] Largan’s stock price higher in the second half of the year.

Pu’s reasoning–that limited supplies of higher-resolution CMOS sensors have lead Apple to make the decision–seems somewhat spurious for a company renowned for its supply chain management, but the idea isn’t an unreasonable one.

While those who know little about photography may buy on numbers, cramming more megapixels into a small sensor can actually hurt image quality. One of the key reasons the iPhone camera is so good is that Apple uses a relatively large sensor with a low pixel density, an approach which is particularly beneficial in low-light photography. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus cameras were ranked joint 1st in the highly-respected DxOMark mobile tests.

You can see a comparison of images from almost every generation of iPhone camera courtesy of the developers behind the Camera+ app, and check out our own test of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus cameras here.

Via GforGames

CES 2015: Olloclip debuts 2X telephoto lens + CPL for iPhone 6/6 Plus, Seek shows 3X zoom thermal camera

Jeremy Horwitz Jan 5 2015 - 10:19 pm PT

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Having released an updated iPhone 6/6 Plus version of its popular 4-in-1 Lens late last year, Olloclip arrived at the 2015 CES with two important new items to show: a new iPhone 6/6 Plus version of its previously excellent Telephoto and Circular Polarizing Lens for iPhone 5/5s, and completely redesigned versions of its lens accessory-compatible cases for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Separately, Seek Thermal – maker of the $200 Seek Thermal Camera reviewed on 9to5Mac last month – has just shown a second version of the temperature-sensitive camera that’s set to be released in the next few months. Currently unpriced but planned to sell for a small premium over the original model, the Seek Thermal Camera with Zoom will be capable of zooming in up to three times by using a twisting front lens. More details and photos follow…

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Former iPhone camera engineers create 360-degree video camera

Ben Lovejoy May 1 2014 - 5:21 am PT

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CENTR, a startup created by a group of former iPhone camera engineers, has developed a video camera that creates 360-degree views, allowing viewers to pan around the image during playback.

CENTR allows you to capture your experiences and share them in a whole new way. Capture 360° video in real-time on a camera that fits in the palm of your hand. With decades of experience working on cameras at Apple, the CENTR team knows what it takes to bring beautiful design and groundbreaking technology together in one product …

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Purported iPhone 6 pictures show protruding camera, rounded edges

Benjamin Mayo Mar 31 2014 - 8:40 am PT

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Images posted on Weibo claim to show an iPhone 6 under testing at Foxconn, via GforGames. The validity of these images cannot be confirmed, but the shots do line up with previous rumours. The iPhone 6 depicted here has a protruding camera (similar to the current design of the iPod touch), rounded edges and a considerably thinner profile than the current iPhone 5s.

Supposedly, these photos come from inside Foxconn itself. Drawings published on Friday reflect these images somewhat. A protruding camera component is part of the schematics, for example. Evidence of a thin chassis for the next-generation iPhone were originally found in January, albeit those pictures were as sketchy as these latest images.

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Phil Schiller tweets links to iPhone 5s photos in National Geographic

Ben Lovejoy Oct 8 2013 - 4:11 am PT

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Apple’s Senior VP of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller tweeted a link to a National Geographic feature in which photographer Jim Richardson used his iPhone 5s for a photo feature on Scotland in the definitive landscape photography magazine.

iPhoneography http://t.co/1MYjDgV2sj

— Philip Schiller (@pschiller) October 8, 2013

Richardson said that the transition from his usual Nikon kit wasn’t an easy one.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t struggling to make pictures. Walking down the Royal Mile surrounded by all things Scottish nothing seemed worth a picture. Out of desperation I took a few glib shots. Awful! Surrounded by great subjects I could see nothing. Made me feel worse.

But that using it over four days, he came to be impressed …
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2013 iPhone Photography Awards showcase some stunning photos

Ben Lovejoy Aug 14 2013 - 6:34 am PT

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There’s an old adage in photography that it’s about the photographer, not the camera. By phone standards, the iPhone camera is a decent one, but it’s not the most obvious choice for creative photography. The annual iPhone Photography Awards show just what can be achieved in the right hands.

I’ve picked out my three favourites, above and below. Think you can do better? Post some links in the comments …
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A quick look at the iOS 7 video recording zoom feature

Scott Buscemi Jun 13 2013 - 8:01 pm PT

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Prior to iOS 7, the native camera application’s video option could not zoom while recording. There have been many third-party applications, such as MoviePro, which have had zooming before, however, they usually require post-processing once the video is over and they don’t integrate right into the lock screen like the native app.

The quick video below shows the new zoom function in action. Be sure to enable HD mode to see just how crystal-clear the video is even with full zoom. The video zoom doesn’t pan in as close as the still image zoom, but it still manages to work up to about 2-3x or so. To top it off, there is no post-processing necessary after the video is taken. It saves to your device just like a regular video and can be replayed instantly.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YDWdv9kR0M]