Ive had this iPhone 12 mini for five months now.
Expectations
Phone cameras have been better than old point-and-shoot cameras for years now.
Sensor technology is better, and phones can use their powerful computer brains to process images instantly.
Onur Binay / Unsplash
The iPhone even has a special chip dedicated to the kind of AI needed to process image data.
DSLR and film users can only dream of such ease.
The only way to ruin a photo is with bad composition.
Charlie Sorrel / Lifewire
Thats not to say the iPhone is perfect.
There are alternative camera apps available, like the excellent Halide.
Flash for Effect
Night Mode is impressive, but Ive been even more surprised by the flash.
Charlie Sorrel / Lifewire
I use a manual flash onmy Fujifilm X-Pro3and fire it straight at my subjects for a deliberately harsh result.
I tried the same with the iPhone 12, and it does a pretty great job.
Highlights rarely get burned out, and the pre-flash is fast enough that it doesn’t slow down shooting.
Charlie Sorrel / Lifewire
But used with intention, the images can be startling.
Combined with the flash or with night mode, you’re able to get some interesting images.
I just held it by my side and shot without looking.
Charlie Sorrel / Lifewire
Try that with a regular camera and see what you get.
Why Bother With A Real Camera?
If the iPhone is so good, why even bother with that X-Pro3?
Charlie Sorrel / Lifewire
Good as it is, the iPhone has several shortcomings.
Try that with any phone.
The other reason to use a camera is control.
On the X-Pro3, every important function has a button or a dial.
You also can swap lenses and use external flashes.
