The iPhone 18 Pro introduces manual camera controls for aperture, shutter speed, and white balance

The iPhone 18 Pro features significant updates to its native camera application, providing users with manual control over aperture, shutter speed, and white balance. The inclusion of a variable aperture lens allows for physical adjustment of the lens opening, which directly influences background blur and light intake. While the device offers these manual settings, it notably lacks an ISO control, preventing it from being a fully manual system. The camera system also introduces post-capture cinematic mode adjustments, enabling users to modify depth-of-field effects after a video has been recorded. The device retains the 48-megapixel 100mm equivalent telephoto lens seen in previous iterations. The reviewer notes that while the native camera app has improved, third-party applications like Dazz Cam and Moment remain popular for their specific film emulations and specialized lens support. The iPhone 18 Pro's camera UI remains consistent with previous models, but the new manual settings menu provides a more granular approach to mobile photography, allowing for creative experimentation in various lighting conditions.

Tech4K StaffVideo report

The iPhone 18 Pro features significant updates to its native camera application, providing users with manual control over aperture, shutter speed, and white balance. The inclusion of a variable aperture lens allows for physical adjustment of the lens opening, which directly influences background blur and light intake. While the device offers these manual settings, it notably lacks an ISO control, preventing it from being a fully manual system. The camera system also introduces post-capture cinematic mode adjustments, enabling users to modify depth-of-field effects after a video has been recorded. The device retains the 48-megapixel 100mm equivalent telephoto lens seen in previous iterations. The reviewer notes that while the native camera app has improved, third-party applications like Dazz Cam and Moment remain popular for their specific film emulations and specialized lens support. The iPhone 18 Pro's camera UI remains consistent with previous models, but the new manual settings menu provides a more granular approach to mobile photography, allowing for creative experimentation in various lighting conditions.

The iPhone 18 Pro features a new variable aperture lens that allows for physical adjustment of the lens opening. Users can now adjust aperture, shutter speed, and white balance directly within the native camera application.

The camera system lacks manual ISO control, which limits the device from being a fully manual photography system. Cinematic mode now supports post-capture depth-of-field adjustments for videos that feature a human face.

The device retains the 48-megapixel 100mm equivalent telephoto lens found in the previous generation. The front-facing camera utilizes an 18-megapixel square sensor that supports both vertical and horizontal filming.

Chapter guide

IntroductionOverview of the iPhone 18 Pro's new manual camera capabilities.Camera UI and Manual ControlsDemonstration of the new manual settings menu including aperture, shutter speed, and white balance.Variable Aperture LensExplanation of how the variable aperture lens functions and its impact on background blur.Cinematic Mode UpdatesDemonstration of post-capture cinematic mode adjustments.Shutter Speed and ND FiltersDiscussion on using ND filters to manage light intake when using slower shutter speeds.Front-Facing CameraReview of the 18-megapixel square sensor on the front camera.Telephoto Lens PerformanceComparison of the 48-megapixel 100mm telephoto lens against the Oppo Find X10 Ultra.

Worth noting

  • The video is sponsored by Torras, which provided the cases and screen protectors featured in the review.
  • The reviewer's assessment of the iPhone 18 Pro is based on two weeks of personal use and may not reflect all professional testing standards.

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