In a live streaming presentation that has become the standard for new Apple product announcements, the Cupertino-based company announced the latest iPhone 14, with a few cool new features that filmmakers can enjoy.
Those features include improved low light performance, more accurate color, and an advanced image stabilization feature that eliminates the need for a handheld gimbal.
Image Credit – Apple
The iPhone is usually on a tick-tock development cycle where the tick provides major improvements and innovations, while the tock offers refinements, or what we call “fins.” And this year is no different.
With improved cameras, a slightly larger display, and a CPU that’s just a bit faster, the iPhone 14 has a modest improvement in performance. But let’s face it, all anyone wants to talk about is Dynamic Island.
What is the Dynamic Island? It’s the end of the notch. Instead of that large gouge at the top of the retina screen, the iPhone 14 has a pill-shaped hole that adjusts in size depending on how the user interacts with it.
To interact with it, press on the Island and hold until it activates. The Island also expands to advise users of various notifications and supports third-party apps.
Image Credit – Apple
With that out of the way, we can get on to the camera features. With the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, shooters have a new image stabilization feature called “Action Mode,” which uses the full image sensor and motion data from the iPhone to smooth out the video, so no gimbal is necessary. It’s very similar to GoPro’s HyperSmooth.
The iPhone 14/14 Plus also has a 12MP main camera with 1.9 micron-sized pixels and a faster f1.5 aperture which provides a 49% improvement in low light image capture through the Photonic Engine, which utilizes data from just about every module the phone uses to improve the image.
The front-facing True Depth camera also gains autofocus and expands Apple’s Deep Fusion computational photography for better low-light images.
Image Credit – Apple
Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 Pro offers the same Pro Camera video features, but with a larger 48MP quad pixel sensor and f1.78 aperture camera.
The sensor can combine four pixels to create one “uber pixel” for better low light gathering at 12MP. The pixels can also be individually addressed to create a faster, higher-performing 48mp image.
With a 1600 nit Super Retina OLED display that offers the same 2,000,000 to 1 contrast ratio as Apple’s Pro XDR display, the iPhone Pro has an always-on display that refreshes at minimal power to expand the phone’s battery life.
While the standard iPhone 14 uses last year’s A15 Bionic chip, the iPhone 14 Pro gets the next generation A16 Bionic, for greater performance, especially when shooting in ProRaw, ProRes with DolbyVision HDR, and an updated Cinematic Mode that can now capture at 4K 24p or 30p.
Image Credit – Apple
Other than that, there really isn’t a lot to say about the new iPhone 14. Sure the Phone expands its health and training features, but really, nothing to write home to bother about.
All told, Apple spent about 30 seconds talking about video improvements, and nearly five minutes on photography.
There was one thing though that was pretty cool. The iPhone 14 now has the ability to contact emergency services via satellite. So, if you’re a documentarian out in the bush and you need help, you just point the phone at the open sky, find a communication satellite, and help is just a text message away.
The phone will also emit a loud shrill that can be heard up to 600 feet away so rescuers can find you. There’s also crash detection, which uses the phone’s accelerometer and GForce sensor to detect an image up to 250gs and can even sense when the airbag has deployed, before automatically calling emergency services.
The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are available in Midnight (black), Starlight (white), Blue, Purple, and Retail (Red) with retail prices starting at $799 or $899 respectively.
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus will be available for preorder through the Apple Store website beginning at 5 AM PT on September 9th, with the iPhone 14 shipping on September 16th.
The iPhone 14 Plus will ship two weeks later on October 7th. Those looking to upgrade can also lower the price by trading in a qualifying older iPhone and getting up to $800 off.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 Pro will be available in Black, Silver, Gold, and Deep Purple, with retail prices starting at $999 for the iPhone Pro, and 1099 for the iPhone Pro Max.
Users can also trade in their previous pro model and get up to $1000 off. Preorders begin on September 9th, with shipping on September 16th, while supplies are available.
[source: Apple]
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