All of the New iPhone 13 Camera Features: Macro, Cinematic Mode, Photographic Styles, Sensor Improvements and More

With the launch of the iPhone 13 mini, ‌iPhone‌ 13, ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro, and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max, Apple introduced several updated camera features, some of which are hardware based and some of which are software based.

iphone 13 pro max cameras
Notably, the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max now have identical camera systems, a departure from the different cameras featured in the ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro and the 12 Pro Max. As usual, the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro models have the best camera systems, while the more affordable ‌iPhone‌ 13 models have step-down cameras that lack some of the Pro capabilities.

iPhone 13 and 13 mini Camera Specs

The ‌iPhone‌ 13 and 13 mini feature a dual-lens camera system. The Wide lens features an f/1.6 aperture, while the Ultra Wide features an f/2.4 aperture. The updated Ultra Wide camera offers better low light performance, and the updated Wide camera lets in 47 percent more light.

There is no Telephoto lens in the ‌iPhone‌ 13 and 13 mini, so these models are limited to 2x optical zoom out and digital zoom up to 5x.

Sensor-shift optical image stabilization, a feature once limited to the Pro models, is available across the ‌iPhone‌ 13 lineup.

iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max Camera Specs

The ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro and Pro Max include a three-lens camera system with an f/2.8 Telephoto lens, an f/1.5 Wide lens, and an f/1.8 Ultra Wide lens.

The Wide and Ultra Wide lenses are upgraded compared to the lenses in the ‌iPhone‌ 13 models and should result in notably better performance in low light conditions. The Wide lens features a wider aperture that lets in 2.2x more light and the largest sensor in an ‌iPhone‌ yet.

The Ultra Wide lens captures up to 92 percent more light, which should bring a drastic improvement in quality.

The 77mm Telephoto lens features 3x optical zoom in, up from 2.5x in the 12 Pro Max, and with the addition of the Ultra Wide lens at 2x zoom out, there is a 6x optical zoom range and support for 15x digital zoom.

There's also a LiDAR Scanner, which is not available on the ‌iPhone‌ 13 and 13 mini.

New Camera Features for All iPhones

Apple introduced several new features that take advantage of the more advanced image signal processor included in the A15 chip.

  • Cinematic Mode - Uses rack focus to seamlessly shift the focus from one subject to another when capturing video. It holds focus on the subject while blurring the background, and can automatically change the focus when a new subject is about to enter the scene. Blur and focus can be adjusted after capturing video as well through the Photos app.
  • Smart HDR 4 - Recognizes up to four people in a scene and optimizes contrast, lighting, and even skin tones for each person so everyone looks their best.
  • Photographic Styles - Photographic Styles are smart, adjustable filters that can do things like boost or mute colors without affecting skin tone. Styles apply selectively to an image, unlike a filter that's applied to the entire image. Photographic Styles include Vibrant (boosts colors), Rich Contrast (darker shadows and deeper colors), Warm (accentuates golden undertones), or Cool (accentuates blue undertones). Tone and Warmth are customizable for each style, so you can get the exact look that you want.

Existing camera capabilities like Night Mode, Portrait Mode, Portrait Lighting, and Deep Fusion are also supported.

Pro Camera Features

There are several features that are limited to the Pro models and that won't be available on the ‌iPhone‌ 13 and ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini.

  • Macro Photography - The Ultra Wide camera on the Pro models can focus at 2cm, which makes it ideal for macro photos. You can take macro photos or macro videos, including slow motion and time-lapse.
  • Telephoto Night Mode - ‌Night Mode‌ is available for the Telephoto lens for the first time. ‌Night Mode‌ is available on all the Pro cameras.
  • Night Mode Portraits - ‌Night Mode‌ portraits require the LiDAR Scanner, which continues to be limited to Pro models.
  • Telephoto Cinematic Mode - Since the Pro models are the only models with a Telephoto lens, Telephoto Cinematic Mode is a pro feature. It works with the Wide, Telephoto, and TrueDepth cameras.
  • ProRes - ProRes, which is coming later this year, lets users record and edit in ProRes or Dolby Vision.
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple tv 4k new orange

New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:09 pm PDT by
A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Rumors Faster Wi-Fi Support The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 16 New Features

Friday July 11, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are only two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:A redesigned Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that all iPhone 17 models will have a redesigned Dynamic Island interface — it might ...
macbook pro blue green

M5 MacBook Pro No Longer Coming in 2025

Thursday July 10, 2025 12:38 pm PDT by
Apple does not plan to refresh any Macs with updated M5 chips in 2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are now planned for the first half of 2026. Gurman previously said that Apple would debut the M5 MacBook Pro models in late 2025, but his newest report suggests that Apple is "considering" pushing them back to 2026. Apple is now said to be...
iphone 16 pro pro max

iPhone 17 Pro Models With BOE Displays Will Be Sold in China Only

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:59 pm PDT by
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models with displays made by BOE will be sold exclusively in China, according to a new report. Last week, it emerged that Chinese display manufacturer BOE was aggressively ramping up its OLED production capacity for future iPhone models as part of a plan to recapture a major role in Apple's supply chain. Now, tech news aggregator Jukan Choi reports...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to Expect

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:30 am PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable 5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iPhone 17 Air Colors Thumb 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air Rumored to Come in These 9 Colors

Friday July 11, 2025 12:30 am PDT by
The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air will be available in a total of nine color options, according to new information coming out of Asia. The iPhone 17 Air's expected color options. According to the leaker going by the account name "yeux1122" on the Korean blog Naver, accessory manufacturers are now producing camera protector rings for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air in colors to match their...

Top Rated Comments

IsaacM Avatar
50 months ago
Super happy about both Pro phones having the same camera.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Edsel Avatar
50 months ago
We are so fortunate to have this "pocket" technology. My father introduced me to photography and dark room developing when I was 10 years old, in the early 1960's. My first "serious" camera was a pre-war (WWII) Leica. I took some amazing photos. However, photography then was a thoughtful process. It took a lot of experience to know your film types, your camera, and your darkroom processes. Mistakes were made, negatives ruined, timing ruined composition, so many ways to lose your "focus".

Many accolades to the engineers who have transformed amateur film photography into professional ranked results. Incredible work! Thank you.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
50 months ago

Seems like a very solid camera upgrade. I was surprised by the announcement of macro photography support.
No astrophotography. I was hoping it would be there.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JoshuaBru Avatar
50 months ago
I can’t wait for the Pixel 6 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro cameras to go head to head. Exciting times for smartphone photography
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
50 months ago
This is a very compelling upgrade. The color blue is beautiful. Ready to get my hands on it. Apple, please take my money already.



Attachment Image
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
50 months ago
no pro is gonna shoot cinema video in 1080p
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)