iPhone 16: A Photographer Reaction

My new best camera…

Even as a serious, professional photographer, in late 2024 I make more photos with my iPhone than with any other piece of gear. Apple just announced the iPhones 16, and I’ve broken down what’s new, what’s improved, and what’s unchanged to look at how the iPhone 16 will perform for photographers. Watch my thoughts on video, or read the transcript below.

iPhone 16 Photographer Reaction

This transcript was created through magic… and by magic, I mean AI-powered transcription and formatting services.

Apple just announced the iPhone 16 in the regular, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max models, and there are some notable updates for the most important camera system on the planet. Whether you’re interested in image resolution, color, convenience, or control, there’s something new for you. Let’s dive in and look at the implications for photographers.

There’s a major new hardware feature across all the models, and we’re going to chat about that first. Then, I’ll get into the specifics where things differ among the various cameras. Stick around, because I’ve got a free resource to help you make the best possible photos with your iPhone, whether you keep your existing phone or plan to upgrade to one of the new iPhone 16 models.

Rumors called it the Capture button, but Apple calls it Camera Control. It’s a new button on the side of all iPhone models, and it’s all about photography. There’s a reason real pro camera models have all those buttons on top—when you’re in the heat of a photography moment, you want to focus on the scene (pun intended) and not spend all your time fiddling with software controls. The Camera Control gets us closer to that experience with an iPhone.

The iPhone 15 Pro models got the Action button last year, and I was curious how it would work if Apple added yet another side button. Would it get awkward trying to quickly identify which button was which? Unlike the existing buttons that protrude from the side of the iPhone, the new Camera Control button sits flush with the device, making it easy to identify by touch. The Camera Control offers both straightforward functionality and advanced possibilities. A click opens the camera app, and another click takes a photo—just like a regular camera.

But it’s not just a press button; the surface is touch-sensitive. A light tap can bring up a software interface where you can swipe to make adjustments, like zoom or focus depth. Swiping acts much like rotating a button on a traditional camera. Apple indicates that a software update later this year will allow the Camera Control to function like a traditional shutter button with focus control. You’ll be able to press to set focus, recompose, and then finish the press to take the shot. I’m excited to see how seamless this will be.

I’m also pleased that the Camera Control isn’t limited to Apple’s Camera app. It works with third-party apps. In the keynote, they showed integration with Snapchat for still photos and Keynote for a framing grid selection. I’m looking forward to using it in the Halide app, and I’m sure other photo and video apps will adopt it soon.

Apple also introduced Apple Intelligence, set for release in December for five English-speaking markets, with more coming next year. Photographically, I’m excited about Visual Intelligence, which leverages the new Camera Control button. Visual Intelligence can tell you about what your phone is looking at—whether it’s reviews of a restaurant or information about a flower in your neighbor’s garden. They also demonstrated using it to frame a scene and ask ChatGPT for advice on capturing the best shot.

Apple revisited some general Apple Intelligence features that were first unveiled in June, and I’m excited about the photographic possibilities. AI-powered search in the Photos app will allow you to find specific images without relying on keyword metadata, and that search extends to videos as well. In their example, Siri identified where a particular person performed a backflip in a video. In theory, Siri is getting smarter with deeper third-party app integration, depending on Apple’s language capabilities and developers’ use of the App Intents framework. I’m cautiously optimistic. Check back with me in six months.

Now, let’s look at specifics for the different iPhone models. The regular iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are 6.1 and 6.7 inches diagonally, with stronger material and a more durable ceramic shield. We hear about durability every year, but it matters—we use and abuse our phones, and the less they break, the more we enjoy them. Unlike the Pro phones, the regular models come in fun colors. They also get the Action button, which was exclusive to the Pro phones last year. Now, anyone with a new iPhone 16 has the option to configure quick access to various features. With the new Camera Control, I’ll probably use the Action button for other functions.

The regular iPhone 16 now features a 48-megapixel Fusion camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens that includes macro capabilities. All the new models can capture spatial photo and video, thanks to the new lens placement. The iPhone 16 also gets the A18 chip, which uses 30% less power, translating to longer battery life—a welcome improvement.

Now, for the Pro models. If you’re serious about photography like I am, you’re probably interested in these. They’re bigger now—6.3 inches for the Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max, the largest iPhones ever. Some people think that’s a good thing, though I’m not convinced. The Pro phones come in muted colors—black, white, natural, and a new desert titanium.

One complaint about the iPhone 15 Pro models was overheating. I experienced this myself. While Apple didn’t directly admit to the issue, they did announce a new internal design around the chip, which should result in cooler phones. The Pro and Pro Max feature the A18 Pro chip with improved speed, power efficiency, and optimization for video and AI features.

The main camera remains at 48 megapixels, but we now get an upgraded 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera. The 5X Pentaprism telephoto lens that was exclusive to the Pro Max last year is now available on the regular iPhone 16 Pro, meaning the camera capabilities of the two models are identical. For me, that’s an easy choice. I’ll be buying the non-Max version since I prefer the smaller size, and I can save a little money while still getting the best camera system.

Apple also introduced an upgraded photographic styles pipeline, allowing customization and post-capture adjustments. People are calling it real-time color grading, which seems accurate. They also showed off some new video features, including 4K 120fps slow motion. They had a funny clip where an actor was in slow motion during an explosion, because of course, big explosions require slow motion. And, once again, Apple noted that the event video was shot on an iPhone and edited on a Mac. I wonder—has Google or Samsung produced major videos like this on their devices? If you know the answer, leave a comment, because I’d love to find out.

In addition to the new iPhones, I’ve put together my favorite iPhone photography tips and tricks from the last 14 years—many of which go beyond the usual advice you hear everywhere. That info will drop later this week, so if you want to be the first to know, hit the link in the description.

All of Apple’s new phones start at the same price as the previous models. Pre-orders open on Friday, the 13th, and phones will be available on September 20th. iOS 18 is coming on September 18th, along with updates for other Apple operating systems, including MacOS and VisionOS.

So, what do you think? Let me know in the comments. And if you’re curious how my thoughts from last year held up, check out my video and see for yourself!