Lab – What is the wide-angle photo module of the iPhone 13 worth? – Digital

IPhone 13 has arrived at Digital. The general appearance of the smartphone is very close to that of the iPhone 12, but there is a change of course reserved for the back photo unit. We looked at its main module (wide-angle).

The new generation of iPhone is now available, comprising not only the Mini, Pro and Pro Max models, but also the iPhone 13, which is equipped, like its predecessor, with a dual photo module, but promises to offer increased quality results.

Like an air of Pro Max

The forces involved are as follows: the iPhone 13 has two sensors of 12 megapixels each, like the iPhone 12 for that matter. The first is decked out with a wide-angle lens equivalent to 26 mm and opening at f / 1.6. The second is entitled to an ultra wide-angle (equivalent to 13 mm), opening at f / 2.4 and offering a field of vision of 120 °. If these characteristics are largely reminiscent of those of the iPhone 12, a few details recall another smartphone that proved its worth last year in the field of images: theiPhone 12 Pro Max.

It is from this device that the iPhone 13 borrows the characteristics of its main module: the size of its pixels (1.7 µm) and optical stabilization by moving the sensor. To see more clearly, here is a summary table of the characteristics of the wide-angle modules of the three devices, their ultra-wide-angle module being identical, on paper at least.

The arrival of the iPhone 13 on the market poses two questions. The smartphone charged at the same price as theiPhone 12 when it comes out (but with 64 GB of additional storage), is it really doing better than its predecessor? And since it seems to have the same wide-angle module as the iPhone 12 Pro Max, is it up to its predecessor? We took the latest Apple smartphone to our laboratories to see more clearly, and for each isolated comparative shot, we have six areas distributed throughout our test scene.

iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12 – wide-angle

The gain in quality between our iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 is undeniable. Not so sure that, by day, the size of the sensor is really in question, and that that of the associated optics is not at the origin of the perceived improvements, associated moreover with the software processing provided by Apple. It should be noted in passing that we compared the photos taken at the launch of the iPhone 12 (under iOS 14) to those obtained with that of the iPhone 13 (iOS 15).

Anyway, the results delivered by the iPhone 13 offer more detail, thanks to microcontrasts slightly more present in the center of the image. At the periphery, the difference is more significant: the sides of the image gain in sharpness. The effect is particularly noticeable on small print or on cartography. Also note that the color of the image is less warm with the iPhone 13.

enlarge

The difference is even more visible at night. The size of the sensor allows the iPhone 13 to pick up more light, making it adept at rendering more small elements, presumably using fine-tuned processing algorithms. The peripheral areas of the image are sharper and the colorimetry a little more natural: here again, the advantage goes without question to Apple’s latest product.

enlarge

With Apple’s automatic night mode, that is to say with a long exposure, the iPhone 13 is again doing well. The color is cooler, but the overall sharpness is better, in all respects. the image.

enlarge

iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12 Pro Max – wide angle

This 2021 cuvée is successful at Apple. The wide-angle module of the iPhone 13 easily compares with that of the iPhone 12 Pro Max, and delivers pictures very similar to those produced by its predecessor on our day tests. The contrasts even seem very slightly more marked, in particular on certain elements located on the sides of the image. Here too we can see a colorimetry subtly tending towards blue.

enlarge

At night, the difference is even smaller. The iPhone 12 Pro Max delivers shots that are a little less bright than its successor, but its processing ensures better reproduction of certain details (the black and white wheel at the top left). For the case of the fiber ball at the top right, the processing operated by the iPhone 13 makes it possible to find more information in the image. In short, our different zooms in the image show great abilities of the two smartphones, day and night.

enlarge

In the light of these comparisons, the iPhone 13, whose full test is underway in our laboratories, shows that its ultra-wide-angle module lives up to our expectations – and its technical sheet. It is more effective than the iPhone 12 which it succeeds, and rises to the height of the iPhone 12 Pro Max, of course for the case of ultra wide-angle photos.

The Pro Max have additional advantages

It should also be remembered that this comparison only concerns the main module of the iPhone 13, and that the Pro Max models play the card of a versatility to which the smartphone can not claim: in addition to the common ultra wide-angle to the whole range of Apple, they are equipped with a telephoto lens. Visit our columns for a detailed review of the iPhone 13 Pro Max photo block!