Enhanced stabilization - this will sacrifice the amount that you can “zoom out” on a video in order to produce a video that isn’t shaky. I highly recommend keeping this on. Action mode lower light - this feature uses the ultra-wide lens while shooting. It allows you to move the camera around a LOT and the end result is buttery-smooth. This process needs a lot of light because it’s using the ultra-wide lens, which needs more light to perform well. If you turn this on, they will let you use it in lower lighting conditions than usual, but the quality of the stabilization and overall image will not be of amazing quality. Off is the default choice here. Auto FPS - I actually hate this feature. It will drop your video frame rate if the light levels are very low. When the frame rate is lower, the sensor has more time to capture light in each frame. Basically it sacrifices your frame rate for a brighter image. In reality, the transition is clunky and 24fps looks really bad for anything other than cinema. I gave it a try for about a week, I’ve left it off ever since. HEIF max vs ProRAW - Use HEIF or HEIF Max as your default (HEIF max allows you to zoom in further to your images). ProRAW captures a LOT more data in your images, which allows you to make heavy edits with lighting and color. If you have no intention heavily editing a photo, keep this off… the photos it takes are huge (upwards of 50x larger than HEIF files). ProRES - If you don’t already know what this is, do not use it. This is for filmmakers. This produces MASSIVE video files that will eat up your storage very quickly. Prioritize faster shooting - What’s more important to you? Taking better photos or being able to snap many pictures back to back quickly, but at a lower quality? I keep this off, I want all my photos to be in the highest quality… but your needs may be different than mine. Answer from macmaverickk on reddit.com
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Apple Support
support.apple.com › guide › iphone › change-advanced-camera-settings-iphb362b394e › ios
Change advanced camera settings on iPhone - Apple Support
Learn about advanced iPhone camera ... change the default resolution of the Main or Fusion cameras from 24 MP to 12 MP. Go to Settings > Camera > Formats > Photo Mode, then choose 12 MP or 24 MP....
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Moment
shopmoment.com › articles › top-5-iphone-camera-settings-for-photography
Top 5 iPhone Camera Settings for Better Photos | Moment
September 15, 2025 - Note: ProRAW isn’t available with Live Photos, Portrait Mode, or video recording. Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and toggle on Apple ProRAW & Resolution Control under Photo Capture.
Discussions

What are the best camera settings for people who want the best quality without being required to do editing?
Enhanced stabilization - this will sacrifice the amount that you can “zoom out” on a video in order to produce a video that isn’t shaky. I highly recommend keeping this on. Action mode lower light - this feature uses the ultra-wide lens while shooting. It allows you to move the camera around a LOT and the end result is buttery-smooth. This process needs a lot of light because it’s using the ultra-wide lens, which needs more light to perform well. If you turn this on, they will let you use it in lower lighting conditions than usual, but the quality of the stabilization and overall image will not be of amazing quality. Off is the default choice here. Auto FPS - I actually hate this feature. It will drop your video frame rate if the light levels are very low. When the frame rate is lower, the sensor has more time to capture light in each frame. Basically it sacrifices your frame rate for a brighter image. In reality, the transition is clunky and 24fps looks really bad for anything other than cinema. I gave it a try for about a week, I’ve left it off ever since. HEIF max vs ProRAW - Use HEIF or HEIF Max as your default (HEIF max allows you to zoom in further to your images). ProRAW captures a LOT more data in your images, which allows you to make heavy edits with lighting and color. If you have no intention heavily editing a photo, keep this off… the photos it takes are huge (upwards of 50x larger than HEIF files). ProRES - If you don’t already know what this is, do not use it. This is for filmmakers. This produces MASSIVE video files that will eat up your storage very quickly. Prioritize faster shooting - What’s more important to you? Taking better photos or being able to snap many pictures back to back quickly, but at a lower quality? I keep this off, I want all my photos to be in the highest quality… but your needs may be different than mine. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/iPhoneography
13
33
January 15, 2024
iPhone 16 Pro camera settings
Hi man, don't listen people saying that you made a mistake on buying the 16. It's a great product and it came with nice changes especially from the 16. If you want to improve the quality of the pictures, you must go to the camera settings and switch to "ProRaw". This will allow your phone to use the full potential of the 48MP. Also, it's better to chose High efficiency. You got a great product, please enjoy it ! Cheers More on reddit.com
🌐 r/iphone
31
81
September 21, 2024
What are the best camera settings for 16PM?
Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and turn on “ProRAW and Resolution Control and set Pro Default to HEIF Max. This allow you capture full 48 MP photos. The camera is much improved from the iPhone 12. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/iphone
5
7
September 20, 2024
Iphone 15 pro max camera settings
Gonna camp here with the hopes of finally getting a resolution to this. I’ve been so let down by the camera More on reddit.com
🌐 r/iphone
10
27
May 1, 2024
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Mimeo Photos
blog.mimeophotos.com › iphone-camera-settings-a-guide-to-taking-better-ios-photos
The Best iPhone Camera Settings
May 27, 2025 - With options ranging from Vivid and Mono to Silvertone and Dramatic, the iPhone’s built-in camera filters can you help tweak your images in just a few simple taps. ... Exposure refers to the brightness of your photo. If it’s underexposed, it means the photo is too dark, and if it’s overexposed, it means the photo is too light. When you tap your photo to focus your subject, the iPhone automatically sets your exposure level.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/iphoneography › what are the best camera settings for people who want the best quality without being required to do editing?
r/iPhoneography on Reddit: What are the best camera settings for people who want the best quality without being required to do editing?
January 15, 2024 -

There’s been posts and lengthy articles on this topic but responses vary and they’re often complicated.

I’ve ruled out ProRes Log, but everything else I’m not sure about.

Here are some examples:

Enhanced Stabilization

Action Mode Lower Light

Auto FPS

HEIF Max or ProRAW Max

Apple ProRes

Prioritize Faster Shooting

Top answer
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Enhanced stabilization - this will sacrifice the amount that you can “zoom out” on a video in order to produce a video that isn’t shaky. I highly recommend keeping this on. Action mode lower light - this feature uses the ultra-wide lens while shooting. It allows you to move the camera around a LOT and the end result is buttery-smooth. This process needs a lot of light because it’s using the ultra-wide lens, which needs more light to perform well. If you turn this on, they will let you use it in lower lighting conditions than usual, but the quality of the stabilization and overall image will not be of amazing quality. Off is the default choice here. Auto FPS - I actually hate this feature. It will drop your video frame rate if the light levels are very low. When the frame rate is lower, the sensor has more time to capture light in each frame. Basically it sacrifices your frame rate for a brighter image. In reality, the transition is clunky and 24fps looks really bad for anything other than cinema. I gave it a try for about a week, I’ve left it off ever since. HEIF max vs ProRAW - Use HEIF or HEIF Max as your default (HEIF max allows you to zoom in further to your images). ProRAW captures a LOT more data in your images, which allows you to make heavy edits with lighting and color. If you have no intention heavily editing a photo, keep this off… the photos it takes are huge (upwards of 50x larger than HEIF files). ProRES - If you don’t already know what this is, do not use it. This is for filmmakers. This produces MASSIVE video files that will eat up your storage very quickly. Prioritize faster shooting - What’s more important to you? Taking better photos or being able to snap many pictures back to back quickly, but at a lower quality? I keep this off, I want all my photos to be in the highest quality… but your needs may be different than mine.
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5
Are you talking about still photography or videography? Generally speaking it is virtually impossible to get the image you have in your mind without doing any editing at all.
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Apple Support
support.apple.com › guide › iphone › camera-basics-iph263472f78 › ios
iPhone camera basics - Apple Support
Touch and hold the zoom control ... zoom in or out (depending on your model). On supported models, lightly double-press the Camera Control to open an overlay that shows the available camera settings......
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iPhone Photography School
iphonephotographyschool.com › home › tutorials › iphone camera
10 iPhone Camera Settings Every Photographer Should Use
January 31, 2022 - The Auto exposure time is the time recommended by the camera. However, you can increase the exposure time if you wish. Simply drag the Exposure Time slider right to the Max setting. If you would prefer not to use Night mode, drag the slider left to the Off setting. When you’ve selected the Night mode exposure time, tap the shutter button to take your shot. Hold your iPhone really still until the exposure is complete.
Find elsewhere
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Mashable
mashable.com › home › tech
Best iPhone camera settings, according to an expert | Mashable
... Make sure the following are toggled on: Camera Mode, Creative Controls, Macro Control, Exposure Adjustment, Night Mode, Portrait Zoom, ProRaw & Resolution Control, Live Photo.
Published   November 18, 2024
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Wistia
wistia.com › learn › production › best-iphone-camera-settings-for-video
The Best iPhone Camera Settings for Video - Wistia Blog
September 19, 2025 - Grab your phone, open the “Settings” app, scroll down to “Camera,” and let’s dive in! Shooting in 4K resolution will instantly boost the quality of your videos, but keep in mind that your video file sizes will be a bit larger.
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NYTimes
nytimes.com › technology › personal tech
Take Command of Your Powerful New Smartphone Camera - The New York Times
1 month ago - In the bottom center of the screen, there are now two buttons: Video and Photo. When you tap either one, a pop-up menu appears. ... As shown on the left in Apple’s Camera app for iOS 26, tap the Photo button to open a menu of settings.
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Roman Fox
snapsbyfox.com › blog › correct-settings-for-the-best-iphone-photos
Correct Settings For The Best iPhone Photos — Roman Fox
May 13, 2024 - When you open the camera app you have 4 lens choices. If you’re on the iPhone 15 you have even more… however they are not all real lenses. 0.5x is ultra wide. It can be great for architecture, landscape or getting unique angles and perspectives.
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9to5Mac
9to5mac.com › 2025 › 12 › 17 › iphone-settings-features-you-didnt-know-existed-video
iPhone settings & features you didn't know existed [Video] - 9to5Mac
1 week ago - However, there are times when I bring my iPhone camera close to a subject to capture the natural blur from the main sensor, and then it automatically switches to Macro mode, ruining the shot I am trying to take. Raise your hand if that ever happens to you! The good news is that you can turn this off in the settings.
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Apple Support
support.apple.com › guide › iphone › set-up-your-shot-iph3dc593597 › ios
Use iPhone camera tools to set up your shot - Apple Support
Tap the screen where you want to move the focus area. Next to the focus area, drag up or down to adjust the exposure. Tip: To lock your manual focus and exposure settings for upcoming shots, touch and hold the focus area until you see AE/AF Lock; tap the screen to unlock settings.
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MacPaw
macpaw.com › how to › tips & tricks › lifestyle
Best iPhone Camera settings you should be using for better photos
July 7, 2025 - If you’re not a fan of HDR, you can turn it off by tapping the badge in the Camera app. Alternatively, set it to Auto and let the Camera decide when to shoot in HDR. Your iPhone takes both an HDR and non-HDR photo by default. You can tell which version you’re looking at in the Photos app by the HDR badge in the top left corner of the picture.
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Verizon
verizon.com › support › knowledge-base-239372
Apple iPhone - Common Camera Settings | Verizon
Refer to this info for basic operation and advanced settings (e.g., flash, timer, front / rear camera, etc.) for the camera on your Apple® iPhone®.
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Asurion
asurion.com › connect › tech-tips › best-camera-settings-iphone14-iphone15
Best camera settings for iPhone 14 and 15 Pro | Asurion
June 30, 2025 - The default resolution on your iPhone 14 and 15 Pro is set to 24 Megapixels. Here’s how to change it: Open Settings > Camera > Formats.
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AppleInsider
appleinsider.com › apple a-z › apple software › ios 26 › tips
Inside Camera in iOS 26 -- The essentials of iPhone photography
November 3, 2025 - If you hold your finger down on your subject, it will show an "AE/AF Lock" notification, which refers to locking the automatic exposure and autofocus to the current settings for future shots. Tap the screen again to turn the lock off. ... If your iPhone has a Macro mode, it will use it automatically if it deems your subject is too close to the camera to pull focus without it.
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How-To Geek
howtogeek.com › home › apple iphone › 7 settings to unlock your iphone’s hidden camera powers
Unlock your iPhone’s hidden camera superpowers with these 7 settings
November 8, 2025 - If you cannot see the grid or level lines in your Camera app, go to Settings > Camera and toggle on "Grid" and "Level." ... For eligible iPhone models, users can take advantage of the Camera Control button (located in the lower right corner ...
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Shotkit
shotkit.com › iphone-camera-settings
Use These iPhone Camera Settings for BEST Results
January 10, 2025 - A single tap of the shutter may result in a blurry iPhone image of a moment that’s gone before you realize you missed it. To take burst photos, open the camera app, press the shutter button, and drag it to the left. The camera will continue to take rapid shots until you release the shutter. In camera settings, you can select to use the volume up button for burst (by default, a single tap of the volume up button also works as a shutter release).
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Startup News
startupnews.fyi › home › tech › confused by the iphone’s camera control button? 6 settings to change right away
Confused by the iPhone's Camera Control Button? 6 Settings to Change Right Away
November 9, 2025 - Snapping a quick photo on your iPhone can be tricky. You have to open the Camera app, set the zoom, exposure, and other controls, and then try to take the
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PCMAG
pcmag.com › home › how-to › operating systems › ios
Don't Miss Your Shot: 6 iPhone Camera Control Button Settings to Change Right Away | PCMag
November 10, 2025 - Snapping a quick photo on your iPhone can be tricky. You have to open the Camera app, set the zoom, exposure, and other controls, and then try to take the picture. By then, the subject of your intended photo may be gone.