The latest iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus do not compromise when it comes to photos and performance, writes Izwan Ismail
I LOVE taking photos. For the past seven years, photography has become my favourite pastime.
As a hardcore dSLR camera user, I’m particular about picture quality. That is why I am quite sceptical when it comes to smartphone cameras.
Lately, however, smartphone makers have made many improvements when it comes to camera technology, resulting in better-quality photos. In fact, I’ve started to enjoy phone-graphy more and more.
The latest iPhone models, for instance, offer better camera features and capabilities that one can only expect from a dSLR.
IMPROVED CAMERAS
Design-wise, both the iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus look similar to the iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus. You can even re-use the same casing. What’s different is the metal back has been replaced with glass.
If you’re looking for a completely new design, perhaps you should just wait for the iPhone X which will be available very soon.
If you have the 7 version, you’ll quickly feel at home with the 8 series. As users’ expectations of the camera (and video capability) have gone up, Apple has incorporated some improvements.
The phones feature an improved 12MP camera with a larger and faster sensor, a new colour filter and deeper pixels.
The new Apple-designed image signal processor (ISP) is said to deliver advanced pixel processing, wide colour capture, faster autofocus in low light and better HDR images.
Apple retains the dual-camera feature at the back with the same 12-megapixel f/1.8 aperture lens and a secondary 12-megapixel f/2.8 aperture telephoto lens.
The new camera also delivers the highest quality video capture ever in a smartphone with better video stabilisation, 4K video up to 60fps and 1080p slo-mo up to 240 fps. The Apple-designed video encoder provides real-time image and motion analysis for optimal quality video.
So how do all this technical jargon and improvements fare in the real world?
TESTS AND RESULTS
I subjected the iPhone 8 Plus to various photography tests, from landscape to portrait, and even close-up shots.
One new camera feature that will attract users is the Portrait Lighting mode.
Although still in the Beta stage, the feature allows more creative portrait photos coming straight out of the phone.
Tapping the Portrait function in the camera menu will open up five light lighting assists, which are natural light, studio light, contour light, stage light and stage light mono.
The natural light, studio light and contour light will give a slightly different lighting style to the face, for instance, the subject’s face in sharp focus against a blurred background, a clean look with your subject’s face brightly lit, or dramatic shadows with highlights and lowlights.
The stage light and stage light mono gives a unique dark background, highlighting just the face and part of the body of the person, which is a very nice feature and a first in a phone camera.
If you want to change the type of lighting after taking a portrait photo, you can do so by editing the picture without having to retake the photo.
The essence of a portrait photo is having a natural skin tone and the pictures taken by the camera are pleasing and natural. This is the result of the camera’s processing capability, resulting in better colour and tonal rendering.
However, since this feature is still in Beta, the camera sometimes cannot crop the person’s face perfectly, especially for the stage light and stage light mono modes. The side edges of the face will come out looking not as smooth.
Photos produced by the iPhone 8 Plus are detailed and vibrant, and the dual camera can take some pretty good close-up shots.
In low-light situations, the camera produces clean images. The shutter also works perfectly with zero shutter lag. The 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom are really handy, enabling one to get close to the subject from a distance.
The f1.8 aperture gives nicely-rendered bokeh, close to the ones produced by dSLR cameras.
VIDEOS
Much have been improved in this sector. The iPhone 8 now shoots video in higher frame rates of 4K 60fps, 1080p 120fps, 1080p 240fps and macro slow motion tracking in 1080p 120fps.
The 4K mode will get you video quality like those you normally see on TV displays in electronic stores — with bright colours and detailed textures. The phone’s slow motion mode works well too, giving clean and smooth slow motion clips.
DESIGN
The iPhone 8 has an all-new glass design and quality (said to be the most durable glass ever in a smartphone), a new steel substructure and a stronger, aerospace-grade 7000 Series aluminum band (for additional reinforcement).
The phone also offers the new True Tone technology, using a four-channel ambient light sensor to automatically adjust white balance to match the light around you for a better viewing experience. The screen is thus easy on the eyes, allowing users to look at it longer without suffering from dry eyes.
The Retina display also gives a wide colour gamut. Under the hood is the A11 Bionic which powers the phone. It is Apple’s most powerful and smartest chip ever with six-core CPU design that offers optimal performance and battery life.
The phone is therefore optimised for 3D games and AR experiences. With a glass back and an embedded charging system, I foresee that Apple is heading towards a wireless direction. The phone is rated IP67 which is water- and dust-resistant.
AUGMENTED REALITY
One new feature in the iPhone 8 is the Augmented Reality capability. The phone is designed with the hardware and software deeply integrated for AR. Carefully calibrated cameras, new sensors (including gyroscope and accelerometer) and the powerful A11 Bionic allow for an incredibly realistic AR experience in a smartphone.
Try downloading AR games like AR Dragons or My Country or even certain apps from App Store and you will be brought into a new interesting AR realm.
This feature will open up new opportunities and possibilities, not just in the gaming and app areas but also the education field. The iPhone 8 is available from RM3,649, while the dual-camera 8 Plus retails from RM4,149.
Verdict: 4.5/5