Introduction
On this 12 months’s new iPhone vary there are 4 fashions, two of which bear the “Professional” moniker, the iPhone 13 Professional and the iPhone 13 Professional Max. In contrast to with the 12 Professional sequence, the digital camera arrange in each the iPhone 13 Professional and the bigger Max model is identical, so most of what’s stated in our evaluation can be utilized to the larger mannequin.
The iPhone 13 Professional contains a triple lens arrange, with a large, super-wide and telephoto choice on board. The extensive angle lens is equal to 26mm and has an f/1.5 aperture, whereas the ultra-wide angle is an enchancment from the iPhone 12 Professional mannequin and now options an f/1.8 aperture (it stays at 13mm equal). The telephoto lens can be longer than its predecessor, now being a 3x optic (78mm equal), with an f/2.8 aperture. Apple is at all times reluctant to disclose the precise specification of its sensor sizes, but it surely has claimed that the brand new fashions function bigger sensors than the predecessor.
There are another new specs for the iPhone 13 Professional sequence, together with sensor-shift optical picture stabilisation, one thing which beforehand was solely out there for the 12 Professional Max model, Cinematic Mode for video, Photographic Types for stills, plus the brand new A15 Bionic Chip with 5-core GPU which Apple claims is the quickest chip ever present in a smartphone.
A set of different specs have been introduced over from the iPhone 12 Professional, together with Night time mode, the flexibility to shoot in uncooked format, Portrait mode and 4K video recording at as much as 60p. ProRes video recording can be out there through a later firmware improve, however you will have the iPhone with at the least 256GB of storage. By way of the specs in a roundabout way referring to images, there’s a 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR display, compatibility with MagSafe equipment (corresponding to wi-fi chargers), and 5G connectivity.
On the time of writing, the iPhone 13 Professional retails for £949 for the iPhone 13 Professional 128GB, with as much as 1TB of cupboard space out there, which is able to set you again £1,449. If you wish to go for the Max model, costs vary between £1,049 and £1,549. There are 4 completely different colors out there for the iPhone 13 Professional sequence, that are Sierra Blue (which we’ve been utilizing for this evaluation), Silver, Gold and Graphite (black).
Simply as we noticed final 12 months, Apple don’t bundle a charging adapter with the iPhone 13 Professional (simply the Lightning cable is included). It’s cited that that is for environmental causes, with the idea that almost all customers have already got one they will use – however if you happen to don’t you’ll must price range for a type of too.
Ease of Use
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The design of the iPhone 13 Professional is nearly an identical to the iPhone 12 Professional. Preserving to the identical squared off edge aesthetic as its predecessor, the 13 Professional is nearly the identical measurement as earlier than, being simply 0.25mm thicker than earlier than. It’s somewhat bit heavier at 203g (vs 187g), however the distinction in real-world use isn’t instantly apparent.
As earlier than, we’ve received a 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR Show for the display, which makes use of a Ceramic Protect designed for toughness, alongside Surgical-grade stainless-steel. Each of those specs collectively ought to make the iPhone 13 Professional fairly adept at withstanding the odd knock or scrape, although we’d nonetheless suggest investing in a case for the cellphone. Regardless of being nearly the identical measurement as its predecessor, if you happen to’ve already received an iPhone 12 Professional, you’re going to want to put money into a brand new case because the lens items on the rear take up far more house than earlier than.
On the again of the cellphone you’ll see the three lenses are gathered collectively on the highest left hand aspect, whereas there’s additionally a flash unit and what seems like a big black gap, which is the “LiDAR Scanner”, used for measuring depth and designed to make autofocusing sooner in sure situations, corresponding to low gentle.
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Similar to its predecessor, the iPhone 13 Professional has angular edges, one thing which was a design departure from the iPhone 11 Professional and earlier than. There’s 4 completely different colors to select from, with them being somewhat bit extra muted in comparison with the choices out there for the iPhone 13 (customary). A brand new choice for the 13 Professional sequence is Sierra Blue, which we’ve been utilizing for this evaluation.
For those who’ve used an iPhone earlier than then you definately’ll be very aware of the native digital camera app, which you’ll launch instantly from the lock display by performing a “lengthy press” on the digital camera icon. In case your cellphone isn’t locked, you can even entry the digital camera by tapping the suitable icon on your property display. Inserting the digital camera in your iPhone’s “dock” could be a good technique to entry it shortly, regardless of which web page of the menu/app display you’re on.
As anybody who has used an iPhone earlier than can be conscious, the native app may be very easy and simple to make use of. Whereas there may be an argument to be made for this sort of simplicity, it could be good for the “Professional” mannequin on the very least to incorporate some form of extra superior or professional mode, identical to we see on Android telephones. That stated, there are after all loads of apps you’ll be able to obtain to present you that performance, and increasingly more settings modifications are beginning to creep into even the easy iPhone’s native digital camera app.
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The native digital camera app will launch by default in “Picture” mode, which is what you’re prone to spend most of your time utilizing. When on this mode, you’ll be able to faucet across the display to alter the main focus level – metering will even take its cue from the energetic AF level. You too can faucet on the display and see a small solar icon seem – transfer your finger up and down on the display and also you’ll have the ability to alter brightness. For those who maintain down your finger when choosing the AF level, then AE/AF lock will even have interaction, supplying you with the chance to focus and recompose with out the native app attempting to regulate focus or publicity.
In the direction of the underside of the display (or to the left if you happen to’re capturing in panorama format), you’ll see the place you’ll be able to change between the iPhone 13 Professional’s three completely different lenses. These are represented by three circles studying 0.5x, 1x and 3x. You too can pinch to zoom to have interaction the digital zoom past 3x – however that is one thing we’d most likely advise reserving for if you’re determined to get nearer to the topic.
On the high of the display there are a variety of different choices. You may change the flash on or off, change off Stay Photographs (whereby a brief video clip can be recorded together with your photos). With this mannequin, you additionally get the choice to have interaction uncooked format capturing – photos can be seize within the common DNG format which might be learn by a number of programmes. There’s no choice to document in each DNG and JPEG/HEIF, however, it’s comparatively straightforward to transform – even within the cellphone itself – to the extra common format if you happen to want an image for one thing corresponding to attaching to an electronic mail. While you use apps corresponding to Instagram, the uncooked information can be recognised as regular, so there’s no must covert the information at this level both.
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Additionally on the high of the display is a small arrow. For those who faucet this, you’ll reveal a set of additional settings you’ll be able to change. These are the flexibility not solely to modify the flash from Auto to Off, but in addition to All the time On as nicely, plus the identical performance for Stay Photographs. There’s additionally the chance to decide on a unique facet ratio (4:3 is the default, however you’ve additionally received Sq. – 1:1 or 16:9 to pick out from), alter publicity compensation, change on a Timer and add some digital filters.
A brand new addition right here is the Photographic Types, which might be activated on the level of seize and are subtly completely different from the digital filters. The choices listed here are Normal (no Model utilized), Wealthy Distinction, Vibrant, Heat and Cool. Every of the kinds can be modified by adjusting Tone and Heat. As soon as a Photographic Model has been chosen, an icon will seem within the high proper hand nook of the display to point one is getting used. It is a helpful reminder to save lots of you from capturing all of your photos in a single specific Model – particularly as these can’t be eliminated put up seize. It’s additionally value noting that these can’t be used when capturing in uncooked format.
Night time mode is one thing we’ve seen on iPhones for a few generations now, however as earlier than, it’s not a selectable mode. Relatively, it’ll routinely activate if the sunshine is low in a scene. You’ll know if it has been activated by the presence of a small moon icon within the high left hand nook of the display. The mode works by capturing a sequence of small exposures and merging them collectively. The size of time the cellphone shoots for will usually rely upon how darkish the scene is, however you can even take management over it by urgent the small icon on the high of the display and urgent the word mode icon. For those who’re going to shoot for an extended time period, it’s value utilizing one thing to stabilise the cellphone, corresponding to a mini tripod or related. Word that this icon is not going to seem if gentle is vibrant.
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A helpful function which we first noticed within the iPhone 11 sequence is the flexibility to see exterior of the body if you’re capturing in the usual Picture mode and utilizing both the 1x or the 3x lens. The native digital camera app makes use of knowledge captured by the opposite lenses to show exterior the body on the edges of the composition window – this may be very helpful for ensuring you at all times seize the decisive second.
Different capturing modes can be found in addition to Picture mode, which might be accessed by swiping left or proper from the primary Picture mode, or you can even faucet the phrases as they seem on the backside of the display. The modes are divided into stills modes and video modes, with video modes discovered on the left, and picture modes on the suitable. That leaves you with Video, a brand new Cinematic mode, Slo-Mo and Time-Lapse for transferring photos, and Portrait and Pano for stills.
With video mode, you get the choice to document in 4K or HD at body charges between 24 and 60fps. You may select completely different resolutions and body charges by a easy faucet within the high proper hand nook of the display. You too can document video whereas in Picture mode by holding down the shutter launch button, however it’ll merely document in no matter settings you had been beforehand utilizing.
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In Video mode, you should utilize all three of the lenses, and as with the Picture mode, you’ll be able to faucet across the display to regulate AF level and publicity. You too can change the flash to on, off or Auto (when it use it’ll activate as a steady gentle).
You even have the choice to document in Dolby HDR, which produces extra vibrant imagery, but it surely’s value noting that this can solely be displayed as it’s captured on a suitable gadget (such because the iPhone itself). You may select to modify off Dolby HDR if you happen to favor from the primary settings menu, which might be useful if you happen to’re attempting to save lots of house.
A brand new mode for the iPhone 13 sequence is Cinematic. This mode permits the creation of shallow depth of area impact movies, which is one thing we’ve seen on Android telephones for some time however it’s new for iPhone. The cellphone will routinely choose an “aperture” to document at (or a simulation thereof), however you can even alter this your self manually. One of these video works nicely for topics with very apparent outlines, corresponding to folks or pets, and it does nicely to modify between topics the place there are a number of topics within the scene. Cinematic mode is barely able to recording in Full HD, reasonably than 4K.
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There would be the choice to document in Apple’s ProRes format for video, however on the time of writing, this has not been made out there but. It is going to additionally solely be out there to fashions with at the least 256GB storage, for the reason that information created by it will likely be so massive.
Slo-Mo mode is fairly self-explanatory – you should utilize it to create gradual movement movies at both 240fps (full HD) or 120fps (720p). You should use any of the three lenses in slow-mo mode, and activate the flash if you happen to’re in a darkish space, in addition to alter publicity compensation.
Time-Lapse is one other pretty easy mode, supplying you with the choice to document a number of stills in succession and merge them collectively in a time-lapse film. Once more, any of the three lenses can be utilized, and publicity might be adjusted. To make use of the mode, faucet the document button, tapping it once more if you’ve recorded as many photos as you’d like to make use of. You may go away the mode working for so long as you want, however a gentle floor or a tripod will end in the perfect completed video.
Going again to the Stills modes, there’s Portrait mode, which you should utilize to create shallow depth of area results. It is a mode that’s been round for some time, and it may be used with quite a lot of completely different topics – not only for folks. Once more although, it’ll work finest – or most convincingly – for topics with a really outlined define. On this mode you’ll be able to alter the simulated aperture, whereas there are additionally quite a lot of completely different lighting choices which might be chosen on the backside of the display.
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These are Pure Gentle (the default choice), Studio Gentle, Contour Gentle, Stage Gentle, Stage Gentle Mono and Excessive Key Gentle Mono. Though these lighting results are created on the level of seize, you can even add or take away them after the very fact in playback too if you need. In Portrait mode you can even alter publicity, add a timer, add a digital filter and change on the flash. With the iPhone 13 Professional – versus the iPhone 13 – you’ve additionally received the choice to create environmental photographs (the place extra of the encompassing scene is in view), or to faucet the 3x button to create nearer, extra conventional model portraits.
Pano mode can be utilized by sweeping the digital camera throughout a scene after urgent the shutter launch button, the ensuing picture can be merged collectively by the cellphone routinely.
Though many of the changes you have to make can be carried out through the native digital camera app, there are another settings which may solely be made in the primary / total settings part of the cellphone. Choices right here embrace the flexibility to modify on a grid for composition, the flexibility to protect the final settings you employ – reasonably than have them reset each time you shut the app – and making use of lens correction.
After you’ve taken your shot, you’ll be able to carry out quite a lot of enhancing choices instantly within the cellphone itself. That ranges from easy edits corresponding to cropping or rotating, in addition to extra intensive edits corresponding to adjusting Distinction, Shadows, Highlights, Saturations and extra. While you’ve been recording Stay Photographs, you’ll discover that there are extra enhancing choices together with the flexibility to decide on a unique body from the accompanying video or create long-exposure kind results by merging collectively varied photographs from the video.
Picture High quality
We’ve lengthy been impressed by the standard of images from the iPhone sequence, and the iPhone 13 Professional builds on the corporate’s heritage to provide its finest ever performer but. Having used each the cheaper iPhone 13 on the identical time, it’s additionally clear that there are noticeable variations in picture high quality, significantly when capturing in low gentle.
That stated, the iPhone 13 Professional’s finest efficiency nonetheless is available in good gentle, with vibrant, vibrant photos which include degree of element. Night time mode places in an admirably good job, and it’s good to see the enhancements to the ultra-wide angle lens. Usually talking, if you happen to’re solely taking a look at photos in your cellphone (or at small sizes corresponding to through Instagram / Fb, then you definately’ll be very happy with the outcomes), and it’s solely when inspecting photos very carefully at massive sizes {that a} lack of element / smudginess turns into extraordinarily obvious.
There are three lenses to select from with the iPhone 13 Professional, and once more, it’s good to see an enchancment right here within the type of the 3x lens, versus the 2x discovered on the iPhone 12 Professional. That is far more sensible in most situations, and it performs nicely too. As already talked about, the ultra-wide angle has improved in low gentle, but it surely additionally places in efficiency in good gentle when it’s not attainable to take an extra step again.
Portrait Mode as soon as once more places in efficiency, and with the flexibility to create both environmental photographs or nearer, extra conventional model portraits, you’ve received good flexibility right here. We usually favor these made with the 1x lens, however the nearer photographs are fairly convincing too.
Including Photographic Types is an fascinating transfer from Apple, supplying you with the choice to shoot in several methods, or with a unique look. You may select to make use of completely different ones every time, however if you happen to discover that you just significantly like one Model, this might develop into your signature look.
With the ability to shoot in uncooked format is an efficient advantage of the iPhone 13 Professional over its cheaper sibling, the iPhone 13. With this, you may make array of changes in put up manufacturing, and it’s value switching on if you happen to’re an fanatic photographer who makes use of enhancing as a part of their workflow. It will be good to have the ability to shoot in uncooked and JPEG / HEIF on the identical time, although.
Video seize can be properly spectacular, as we’d count on from the iPhone sequence. Movies shot in Dolby HDR actually pop from the display, which is one thing you’ll be able to reap the benefits of if you happen to’re primarily going to observe your movies on the gadget itself. Cinematic Mode introduces a brand new enjoyable choice that works nicely in most situations and we will see being in style.
Focal Vary
Extremely-Vast
Normal
Telephoto
Macro
Night time Mode
Flash
Flash Off
Flash On
Flash Off
Flash On
Flash Off
Flash On
Selfie – Flash On
Portrait Mode
1x
3x
Picture Types
Normal
Wealthy Distinction
Vibrant
Heat
Cool
Pattern Pictures
It is a number of pattern photos from the Apple iPhone 13 Professional digital camera, which had been all taken utilizing the 12 megapixel JPEG setting. The thumbnails beneath hyperlink to the full-sized variations, which haven’t been altered in any means.
Pattern RAW Pictures
The Apple iPhone 13 Professional permits customers to seize RAW and JPEG format information. We have supplied some Apple RAW (DNG) samples so that you can obtain (thumbnail photos proven beneath will not be 100% consultant).
Pattern Motion pictures & Video
It is a pattern film on the high quality setting of 3840×2160 pixels at 60 frames per second. Please word that this 22 second film is 145.7Mb in measurement.
It is a pattern film on the high quality setting of 3840×2160 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please word that this 17 second film is 54.1Mb in measurement.
It is a pattern film on the high quality setting of 3840×2160 pixels at 24 frames per second. Please word that this 18 second film is 46.1Mb in measurement.
It is a pattern film on the high quality setting of 1920×1080 pixels at 60 frames per second. Please word that this 16 second film is 26.2Mb in measurement.
It is a pattern film on the high quality setting of 1920×1080 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please word that this 18 second film is 20.5Mb in measurement.
It is a pattern Cinematic Mode film on the high quality setting of 1920×1080 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please word that this 24 second film is 37.5Mb in measurement.
It is a pattern Slowmotion film on the high quality setting of 1280×720 pixels at 240 frames per second. Please word that this 30 second film is 39.5Mb in measurement.
It is a pattern Slowmotion film on the high quality setting of 1920×1080 pixels at 120 frames per second. Please word that this 20 second film is 37.2Mb in measurement.
Product Pictures
Conclusion
As per our expectations, the iPhone 13 Professional produces some wonderful outcomes, and is the perfect iPhone thus far for these whose main concern is the standard of the on-board digital camera.
For those who’ve already received an iPhone 12 Professional, the replace isn’t huge right here, however there’s sufficient small upgrades to make the general proposition fairly tempting. That stated, selecting to skip this mannequin and make extra of a bounce to the iPhone 14 can be a reasonably prudent judgement too.
You may additionally be questioning whether or not it’s value going for the cheaper iPhone 13, saving a bit of money. The reply there may be usually a private one, however the worth distinction isn’t that massive – so until your price range is extremely tight, photographers and people with an enthusiasm for images will undoubtedly higher served by the iPhone 13 Professional.
For the additional £170 it’ll set you again, you get the flexibility to shoot in uncooked format, an additional telephoto lens, higher low gentle functionality and a greater processor. You’ll additionally get the ProRes video format if you happen to put money into the 256GB model, which if you happen to’re closely into videography could be the factor that swings it for you as nicely.
General, photos and video instantly from the iPhone 13 Professional are as wonderful as we’ve come to count on from the iPhone sequence, with some noticeable enhancements made most noticeably to the ultra-wide angle lens, however small enhancements being seen throughout the board.
There’s no denying that the iPhone 13 Professional is an costly smartphone – however then the identical is true of different flagship fashions from Android, and at the least with each the 13 Professional and Professional Max providing the identical specs when it comes to the digital camera, you don’t must shell out further to get the perfect digital camera.
For those who’re strongly within the iPhone / iOS / Apple system then there’s each probability that you just’ll go for the iPhone 13 Professional by default, however even these exterior it’ll possible discover that it’s a superb, easy performer.
| Scores (out of 5) | |
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| Design | 4.5 |
| Options | 4.5 |
| Ease-of-use | 4.5 |
| Picture high quality | 4.5 |
| Worth for cash | 4 |
Predominant Rivals
Listed beneath are a number of the rivals of the Apple iPhone 13 Professional.
The Apple iPhone 12 Professional Max is billed as the last word iPhone for photographers, boasting a bigger sensor for the primary digital camera, a 2.5x zoom lens and a a lot larger display and total measurement than the usual Professional model. With costs beginning at round £$1099, is that this actually the perfect iPhone for images? Learn our in-depth iPhone 12 Professional Max evaluation now, full with full-size pattern photographs and movies…
The Apple iPhone 12 Professional is one among 4 new iPhones launched for 2020, becoming a member of the Mini, Professional Max, and the usual mannequin. With costs beginning at round £$999, is that this the perfect iPhone for photographers? Learn our in-depth iPhone 12 Professional evaluation now, full with full-size pattern photographs and movies…
The Apple iPhone 13 is one among 4 new iPhones launched for 2021, launched similtaneously the Mini, Professional and Professional Max fashions. With costs beginning at round £$779, is that this match for eager photographers? Learn our in-depth iPhone 13 evaluation now, full with full-size pattern photographs and movies…
The OnePlus 9 Professional is the most recent flagship smartphone for 2021 from OnePlus. Discover out if that is the perfect smartphone for photographers and videographers by studying our in-depth OnePlus 9 Professional evaluation, full with full-size pattern photographs and movies.
The Galaxy S21 Extremely is Samsung’s new flagship smartphone for 2021. That includes a quad-camera setup with 108 megapixels and a 10x optical zoom, 8K video recording, a 5000mAH battery and 5G connectivity, is that this the last word smartphone for eager photographers? Discover out now by studying our skilled Samsung Galaxy S21 Extremely evaluation, full with full-size pattern photographs and movies…
The Sony Xperia 1 III is a brand new flagship smartphone for 2021 that has lots to supply eager photographers and videographers. This consists of 20fps burst capturing, real-time AF monitoring and actual time eye AF for people and animals, 16mm, 24mm, 70mm and 105mm focal lengths, and superior Picture Professional and Cinema Professional apps. Learn our in-depth Sony Xperia 1 III evaluation, full with full-size pattern photographs and movies, to search out out if this new smartphone can justify its £1199 / $1299 price-tag…
Assessment Roundup
Critiques of the Apple iPhone 13 Professional from across the net.
The iPhone 13 Professional is a strong improve on final 12 months’s mannequin with a sooner and slicker display, a greater digital camera with 3x optical zoom, longer battery life and a small worth lower.
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The iPhone 13 Professional and 13 Professional Max are telephones designed for individuals who care concerning the particulars. The enhancements over final 12 months’s iPhones are important however not apparent at first look.
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The Apple iPhone 13 Professional and the iPhone 12 Professional share numerous similarities. Nonetheless, upon lifting the iPhone 13 Professional the extra heft and the elevated measurement of the digital camera lenses are instantly noticeable.
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The iPhone 13 Professional is the one of the crucial highly effective telephones ever. Regardless of the bigger digital camera hump and lack of Contact ID, the most recent iPhone is a beast with a stellar show and wonderful cameras. It’s additionally $100 cheaper than the equally spectacular iPhone 13 Professional Max.
Learn the total evaluation »
