The new wide-angle module performs even worse than the predecessor, a telephoto is completely missing and the super-wide-angle still looks quite weak next to the competition. But it offers a quit good normal camera. As a photo smartphone, iPhone 12 Pro is still a limited choice.
Wide angle (main camera) – 1.6/4.2 mm
(full-frame equivalent: 26 mm), 12 MP sensor, JPEG WITH 12 MP
Our measurements are based on iOS version 14.2. Overall, the performance of the wide-angle has decreased a bit compared to the 11 Pro. Differences in the detail drawing also already appear in bright lighting conditions (5000 lux). The 12 Pro draws the structures a bit less well than its direct predecessor: This applies to the center of the image as well as to the edges and corners, and equally to high-contrast and low-contrast structures. However, the differences are particularly large in low light (200 lux) - the gap to the 11 Pro is largest here. In darkness (5 lux), the measured values converge, and differences are also less noticeable visually. Depending on the ligh situation, the somewhat softer JPEG settings of the 12 Pro are noticed positively, but they are sometimes too soft. The 12 Pro suppresses noise a bit more effectively.
Normal focal length – 2/6 mm (full-frame equivalent: 52 mm),
12 MP sensor, JPEG WITH 12 MP
Even with this camera, the 12 Pro falls short of its predecessor. The tendencies in the comparison with the 11 Pro can also be observed here, although the distances are smaller. Compared to the wide-angle camera of the 12 Pro, the normal optics can convince in high light (5000 Lux): At the same reproduction scale, it captures the subjects a bit more detailed than the main camera. It is a pity that the zoom factor is too small to compete with real telescameras. Furthermore, the dual zoom camera degrades more when the light fades, and then its performance falls behind that of the wide-angle camera. In darkness (5 lux), the device switches to the wide-angle camera and takes the photos with a digital dual zoom. These shots show stronger quality losses. In such situations, it is best to shoot with the main lens without using the digital zoom.
Super wide angle – 2.4/1.5 mm (full-frame equivalent: 13 mm),
12 MP sensor, JPEG WITH 12 MP
The ultra-wide-angle module of the 12 Pro has been visibly improved despite probably having the same hardware. First of all, the almost completely corrected distortion is noticeable - as a result, the images look much more pleasing than the corresponding shots from the 11 Pro. The detail representation is even slightly better in high light and even significantly better in darkness compared with the 11 Pro, even though the main camera remains the better choice for night shots. Only in low light the super-wide-angle module - like the tele camera - has a sag. The closer the camera is to the subject, the better it unfolds its potential.
Device |
Apple iPhone 12 Pro |
Average market price |
1461 Euro |
Functionality |
|
Image formats |
JPEG, RAW |
Focusing |
Phase-AF |
ISO sensitivity |
ISO auto |
Exposure control |
auto |
Shutter speed, Exposure correction |
auto |
White balance |
auto |
Features |
|
Display |
OLED, 6,1", 2532 x 1170 Pixels |
Internal memory, Memory card, USB |
512 GB, , USB 3.1, Type C |
Video |
3840 x 2160 Pixels, 60 F/s |
Size, Weight, Battery capacity |
147 x 72 x 7 mm, 187 g, 2815 mAh |
Test results |
|
measured at |
5000 | 200 | 5 Lux |
Wide angle (main lens) |
|
5000 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure |
1,6/4,2 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 32, 3 ms |
200 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure |
1,6/4,2 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 200, 17 ms |
5 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure |
1,6/4,2 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 400, 200 ms |
Image stabilization |
IS |
Resolution Center High/Low (LP/IH) |
1628 / 1334 | 1305 / 1009 | 1247 / 1038 |
Resolution Edge High/Low (LP/IH) |
1554 / 1108 | 1144 / 824 | 1363 / 984 |
Resolution Corners High (LP/IH) |
1469 | 1076 | 1207 |
Dead leaves High/Low (LP/IH) |
830 / 791 | 531 / 472 | 666 / 722 |
Artefacts High/Low |
45 / 48 | 36 / 51 | 42 / 52 |
Noise (VN)/Color accuracy (deltaE) |
1,5 / 14,9 | 1,4 / 12,5 | 3,8 / 11,4 |
Distortion (%)/Vignetting (%) |
0,2 / 18 | 0,2 / 19 | 0,2 / 52 |
Points |
62,8 | 53,9 | 49,6 |
Score Wide angle lens |
74 |
Normal lens (2x zoom) |
|
5000 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure |
2,0/6,00 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 25, 6 ms |
200 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure |
2,0/6,00 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 320, 20 ms |
5 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure |
1,6/4,20 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 400, 200 ms |
Image stabilization |
IS |
Resolution Center High/Low (LP/IH) |
1554 / 1237 | 1112 / 837 | 672 / 520 |
Resolution Edge High/Low (LP/IH) |
1418 / 1107 | 1030 / 705 | 695 / 506 |
Resolution Corners High (LP/IH) |
1296 | 943 | 694 |
Dead leaves High/Low (LP/IH) |
738 / 563 | 287 / 271 | 364 / 416 |
Artefacts High/Low |
42 / 47 | 44 / 57 | 30 / 29 |
Noise (VN)/Color accuracy (deltaE) |
0,8 / 15,0 | 1,5 / 12,4 | 3,9 / 12,2 |
Distortion (%)/Vignetting (%) |
0,3 / 15 | 0,3 / 13 | 0,4 / 31 |
Points |
66,9 | 43,5 | 23,4 |
Score Normal lens (2x zoom) |
63 |
Tele lens |
|
5000 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure |
|
200 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure |
|
5 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure |
|
Image stabilization |
|
Resolution Center High/Low (LP/IH) |
|
Resolution Edge High/Low (LP/IH) |
|
Resolution Corners High (LP/IH) |
|
Dead leaves High/Low (LP/IH) |
|
Artefacts High/Low |
|
Noise (VN)/Color accuracy (deltaE) |
|
Distortion (%)/Vignetting (%) |
|
Points |
|
Score Tele lens |
0 |
Super wide angle lens |
|
5000 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure |
2,4/1,50 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 25, 8 ms |
200 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure |
2,4/1,50 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 500, 17ms |
5 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure |
2,4/1,50 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 1250, 200 ms |
Image stabilization |
|
Resolution Center High/Low (LP/IH) |
1328 / 1106 | 1003 / 750 | 1052 / 782 |
Resolution Edge High/Low (LP/IH) |
1054 / 818 | 759 / 415 | 866 / 419 |
Resolution Corners High (LP/IH) |
793 | 521 | 645 |
Dead leaves High/Low (LP/IH) |
725 / 642 | 274 / 217 | 536 / 527 |
Artefacts High/Low |
33 / 50 | 63 / 78 | 37 / 50 |
Noise (VN)/Color accuracy (deltaE) |
1,4 / 14,4 | 2,3 / 11,5 | 4,1 / 11,7 |
Distortion (%)/Vignetting (%) |
0,1 / 34 | 0,1 / 38 | 0,1 / 80 |
Points |
58,6 | 30,5 | 34,6 |
Score Super Wide angle lens |
55 |
Score 5000 | 200 | 5 Lux |
58 | 42 | 33 |
Overall score camera qb |
47 |
Apple iPhone 12 Pro
47
satisfactory