how big is the difference?
Are you in doubt between the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 Pro and are you curious about how the cameras perform? Then read on quickly. In this article we compare the photos of both devices.
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iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro cameras compared
Apple has significantly improved the cameras of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro compared to their predecessors. The sensors are larger and also let in more light. As usual, the Pro models have an edge, but do you really see that difference? In this comprehensive comparison, we answer that question.
By the way, if you want a size smaller: the cameras of the iPhone 13 are the same as those of the iPhone 13 mini. If you prefer to go a little bigger: the results you get with the iPhone 13 Pro are identical to those of the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 13 Camera Comparison
Primary camera
The iPhone 13 inherited the primary camera from the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The device therefore performs considerably better than the regular iPhone 12. However, Apple has given the iPhone 13 Pro an even larger sensor, which is also slightly brighter. Do you see that difference? Let’s compare some photos. In this entire article you always see the regular iPhone 13 on the left, the iPhone 13 Pro on the right.
This seems like a ‘spot the difference’ game, because in daylight the cameras perform very similarly. In the first photo you can see more flare in the photo of the iPhone 13. The iPhone 13 Pro handles direct sunlight a bit better. In terms of colours, contrast and details, the phones hardly differ from each other.
Ultra wide angle lens
The ultra-wide angle lens is ideal for buildings, groups of people or simply if you want a different perspective. According to Apple, the copy of the iPhone 13 Pro is a lot better than that of the regular iPhone 13. It lets in more light, which should be a big advantage in the dark. Can you see the difference even when the sun is shining? We compare some photos again.
For most people, the differences between the 13 and the 13 Pro are probably negligible again. However, they are there. The photos of the 13 Pro appear to be slightly sharper at the edges. You can see this, for example, in the leaves of the tree in the first photo.
Telephoto vs digital zoom
The main difference between the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 Pro is of course the number of cameras. The regular variant has two on the back, the Pro three. With the extra telephoto lens you can get the image three times closer without loss of quality. You can also zoom in with the regular iPhone 13, but that is digital. We compare some photos again.
While the photos of the iPhone 13 don’t look all that bad, the iPhone 13 Pro wins this comparison with ease. The pictures look visibly sharper. So if you want to zoom in regularly, the Pro is a better choice.
Night mode
When night falls, you naturally use the Night mode. That feature uses artificial intelligence to improve your photos. Because the 13 Pro has a larger primary sensor and lets in more light, this device should in theory shoot better photos. Is that true?
In the first photo, the Pro opts for a slightly warmer shade than the regular iPhone 13. The results are otherwise comparable. The second photo does show some difference. The photo of the Pro is slightly lighter and a bit sharper in the corners. You can see that especially at the top left.
As mentioned, the ultra-wide-angle lens of the iPhone 13 Pro lets in a lot more light from the copy of the normal iPhone 13. That should provide clearer photos in the dark. Are you watching?
The difference is clearly visible in the first example. The snapshot that the iPhone 13 Pro produces is not only lighter, but also sharper. Take a good look at the buildings to the left and right of the bridge. In the second example, the Pro also performs better, but actually both photos are a bit too soft for our taste.
For fun, we also took a look at how the digital zoom of the iPhone 13 performs in the dark compared to the telephoto camera on the Pro.
Remarkably, the photo of the iPhone 13 is lighter than that of the 13 Pro. That is, of course, because the regular iPhone 13 uses the primary sensor and zooms in on it. The telephoto lens of the 13 Pro lets in less light, but is much sharper.
Other differences
The iPhone 13 Pro not only has better cameras, but also more functions than the regular iPhone 13. So you can shoot in Apple ProRAW. If you like to edit your photos extensively, you’ll get better results.
You can also get started with ProRes video later this year. That is a file format with which you can edit your movies professionally. We wonder how many people will use it. It requires quite a bit of time and technical know-how. In addition, ProRes takes a lot of storage space, so your phone is full in no time.
Conclusion
We can well imagine that many people do not find the camera differences between the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 Pro that exciting. You can also shoot great pictures with the basic model. If you only occasionally take a photo for social media, that is more than enough.
The iPhone 13 Pro is especially suitable for people who do not want to walk around with a compact camera or SLR, but who do like to take the time to take good photos. Thanks to the better sensors and Apple ProRAW, the Pro gives you a very capable camera system.
Are you going for the iPhone 13 or for the iPhone 13 Pro? Let us know in the comments. Would you like to read more such articles? Then sign up for our daily/weekly newsletter and download the free iPhoned app.
