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This issue seems to be a growing complaint with the 13 Pro series. It seems like the main problems are caused by the extreme conservatism in switching to the telephoto lens and excessive sharpening and processing due to smart HDR (and unlike older models, it can’t be turned off unless you use a third party app and shoot RAW). Some of this can be chalked up to software problems that might be fixed in the future. On the other hand, there are some hardware causes to your observations as well. The main lens on the 13 Pro is a new f/1.5 lens, which IIRC is the biggest aperture on an iPhone yet (the regular 13 is 1.6). Given that apertures are fixed on most smartphone cameras, I’d assume this is what explains the softness (lower f-stop number = bigger aperture = generally softer images). In exchange, you’d mainly get better low light performance, which might be why you get better results in your 13 Pro in most conditions except in bright light—in conditions with lots of light, you usually don’t want or need a huge aperture to collect more light, and smaller apertures (generally) give sharper (i.e. more things in focus in the frame) results. The 11 Pro had an f/2.0 lens which would be much sharper since the opening is smaller. EDIT: I also see from the DP review article that the telephoto lens on the 13 Pro/Max actually has a slower (smaller) aperture than the 12 Pro series since it’s much more zoomed in, as you’ve observed. Because of this, the telephoto lens in the 13 Pro has worse low light performance than the telephoto in the 12 Pro series. This is probably why the 13 Pro keeps preferring the main lens more often, given that the main lens gathers more light. Answer from jennesp on reddit.com
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Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 111870
iPhone 13 Pro Max - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
See the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max Product Environmental Reports ... 100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets, representing 98% of the rare earth elements in the device · 100% recycled gold in the plating of the main logic board · 100% recycled gold in the wire in the front camera and the rear cameras
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/apple › i hate the iphone 13 pro max's camera. am i the only one ?
r/apple on Reddit: i hate the iPhone 13 Pro Max's camera. am i the only one ?
March 7, 2022 -

it’s mostly due to the tele-lens

I always loved the 52mm equivalent on my 8+, XS Max and 11 Pro Max cause, it gives me a similar f.o.v. than the lensesd i use the most often on my different cameras. But now it’s a 77mm and it’s just too long to take almost every type of photos. Too long to shoot people, too long for animals, too long for landscape and architecture. the only time were i’ve been happy with this longer lens is the few times where i actually wished it was way longer like for filming the weird drone that was going around my building the other day.

But when i subjectively hate this 77mm, it’s also objectively bad, like, it’s very poor in low light and apple are not confident in it, so with most apps, like the default one, if you try zoomig 3x there’s like 75% chances it won’t actually use the tele lens, but instead digitally zoom on the main lens reducing it’s resolution to barely better than 1 megapixel (720p pictures and videos basically)

I’ve spoken with apple about it on the phone, spent hours trying to diagnose my iPhone of not behaving like it should but, the sad truth is that, my iPhone does totally behave as planned by apple. And i’m mad.

My partner still has his 11 Pro Max, and now everytime we go out together and i see a picture than could be taken i borrow his iPhone then airdrop myself the picture.

Also ! The main lens, has a much much bigger sensor, but the lens is actually much worse. In most situations i do take better photos with the main lens with the 13 Pro Max than the 11 Pro Max, but there are some situations, especially closer to the subject and in good light conditions, where the 11 Pro Max takes much sharper pictures.

And globally i also find the 13 Pro Max to use too much noise reduction and especially way too much Sharpening but that can be fixed by shooting RAW.

Anyway, anybody noticed apple not going the right decision with this iPhone ? I get that most of you will disagree with me. It’s okay.

I don’t think the 13 pro max is actually bad, i think for some (maybe even most) people it’s the best iPhone. But it’s not for me, and i really want to get back on the 11 Pro Max and seriously hope apple Brings back the "52mm or so" lens with the next iPhone.

Have a nice day everyone !

Top answer
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Both my 12 Pro Max and 13 Pro Max way overprocess images and I'm surprised people haven't complained about it more.
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This issue seems to be a growing complaint with the 13 Pro series. It seems like the main problems are caused by the extreme conservatism in switching to the telephoto lens and excessive sharpening and processing due to smart HDR (and unlike older models, it can’t be turned off unless you use a third party app and shoot RAW). Some of this can be chalked up to software problems that might be fixed in the future. On the other hand, there are some hardware causes to your observations as well. The main lens on the 13 Pro is a new f/1.5 lens, which IIRC is the biggest aperture on an iPhone yet (the regular 13 is 1.6). Given that apertures are fixed on most smartphone cameras, I’d assume this is what explains the softness (lower f-stop number = bigger aperture = generally softer images). In exchange, you’d mainly get better low light performance, which might be why you get better results in your 13 Pro in most conditions except in bright light—in conditions with lots of light, you usually don’t want or need a huge aperture to collect more light, and smaller apertures (generally) give sharper (i.e. more things in focus in the frame) results. The 11 Pro had an f/2.0 lens which would be much sharper since the opening is smaller. EDIT: I also see from the DP review article that the telephoto lens on the 13 Pro/Max actually has a slower (smaller) aperture than the 12 Pro series since it’s much more zoomed in, as you’ve observed. Because of this, the telephoto lens in the 13 Pro has worse low light performance than the telephoto in the 12 Pro series. This is probably why the 13 Pro keeps preferring the main lens more often, given that the main lens gathers more light.
Discussions

iPhone 13 Pro Max Camera Quality - Apple Community
Hello, i have been purchased iphone ... 13 with x the quality is too low. software update upto the date. Any suggestion why its poor quality of picture . [Re-Titled by Moderator] 4309 3 · Camera quality of 12 pro is poor My Iphone 12 pro camera quality is not adequate. I compared it with my friend's Iphone 12 camera and it was very poor as compared to it. 1090 1 · Camera quality Why my iPhone 12 Pro Max wide angle ... More on discussions.apple.com
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Astrophotography iPhone 13 Pro Max (shot on Camera RAW, edited in Lightroom)

These pictures are wicked! Great shots!

More on reddit.com
🌐 r/iPhoneography
20
168
April 22, 2020
Camera in iPhone 13 beats iPhone 12 Pro in DxOMark testing
People who are saying this is obvious: You do realize they're comparing the cheaper 13 against the former flagship 12 Pro, right? More on reddit.com
🌐 r/iphone
62
113
September 6, 2021
i hate the iPhone 13 Pro Max's camera. am i the only one ?
This issue seems to be a growing complaint with the 13 Pro series. It seems like the main problems are caused by the extreme conservatism in switching to the telephoto lens and excessive sharpening and processing due to smart HDR (and unlike older models, it can’t be turned off unless you use a third party app and shoot RAW). Some of this can be chalked up to software problems that might be fixed in the future. On the other hand, there are some hardware causes to your observations as well. The main lens on the 13 Pro is a new f/1.5 lens, which IIRC is the biggest aperture on an iPhone yet (the regular 13 is 1.6). Given that apertures are fixed on most smartphone cameras, I’d assume this is what explains the softness (lower f-stop number = bigger aperture = generally softer images). In exchange, you’d mainly get better low light performance, which might be why you get better results in your 13 Pro in most conditions except in bright light—in conditions with lots of light, you usually don’t want or need a huge aperture to collect more light, and smaller apertures (generally) give sharper (i.e. more things in focus in the frame) results. The 11 Pro had an f/2.0 lens which would be much sharper since the opening is smaller. EDIT: I also see from the DP review article that the telephoto lens on the 13 Pro/Max actually has a slower (smaller) aperture than the 12 Pro series since it’s much more zoomed in, as you’ve observed. Because of this, the telephoto lens in the 13 Pro has worse low light performance than the telephoto in the 12 Pro series. This is probably why the 13 Pro keeps preferring the main lens more often, given that the main lens gathers more light. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/apple
142
211
March 7, 2022
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AT&T
att.com › wireless support › device support
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max - Camera & Video Settings - AT&T
September 17, 2025 - 1. From the home screen, select the Settings app. Scroll to and select Camera. 2. Adjust Camera settings as desired. Note: If you are you having trouble taking pictures or video on your iPhone, click here.
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Austin Mann
austinmann.com › trek › iphone-13-pro-camera-review-tanzania
iPhone 13 Pro Camera Review: Tanzania — Travel Photographer - Austin Mann
September 14, 2022 - It effectively transforms the iPhone 13 Pro into a single-function device (a camera) instead of an Internet communication device with a camera inside, and I really like that for my creative workflow. Click to play the video below. As part of ongoing work here in Ruaha, we wanted to share the story of Dr. Ernest and the importance of the conservation work he and his team are doing throughout Tanzania. The following short film is shot entirely on iPhone 13 Pro/13 Pro Max with a DJI OM 4 gimbal.
Address   New York NY 10128 USA
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Amazon
amazon.com › Apple-iPhone-13-Pro-Max › dp › B09LPDM924
Amazon.com: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, 128GB, Sierra Blue - Unlocked (Renewed) : Cell Phones & Accessories
Buy Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, 128GB, Sierra Blue - Unlocked (Renewed): Cell Phones - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
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Amazon
amazon.com › DGSCSMY-Replacement-13Promax-Assemble-Screwdriver › dp › B0D7CKT5CS
Amazon.com: DGSCSMY for iPhone 13 Pro Max Rear Camera Replacement OEM Module for 13Promax Main Back 12MP Camera Lens Fix Assemble Full Repair Tools Kit with Magnetic Pad Screwdriver A2484 A2641 A2644 A2645 A2643 : Cell Phones & Accessories
【Improved】For iPhone 13promax main rear back camera replacement with Pro 12MP camera system (Main, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto) 5x, 1x, 3x optical zoom options, 4K video recording at 60 fps, Time-lapse video with stabilization, 2x optical ...
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 253678023
iPhone 13 Pro Max Camera Quality - Apple Community
80% of the time, when I pinch to zoom in the camera, it switches to a different lens which completely blurs and distorts the image. 2 months ago or so, the temporary solution was to “turn off Auto Macro”, which is no longer an option. I think the solution to this is on Apple to fix it. ... The iPhone 13 Pro Max should give you the best Video and Image quality.
Find elsewhere
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Quora
quora.com › How-does-the-camera-system-of-the-iPhone-13-Pro-Max-compare-to-professional-grade-cameras
How does the camera system of the iPhone 13 Pro Max compare to professional-grade cameras? - Quora
Answer (1 of 3): It doesn’t. For example the iPhone doesn’t have two memory card slots (in fact, it doesn’t even have one) - meaning, it’s possible to go to a photo shoot and then due to a malfunction lose all the photos. If this was someone’s wedding, you’d have to ask them to ...
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DXOMARK
dxomark.com › apple-iphone-13-pro-max-camera-test-retested
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Camera test - DXOMARK
September 20, 2022 - In this backlit indoor scene, you can see that image results from the 13 Pro Max and 13 Pro are as good as identical. Both cameras manage good exposure on the subjects, but limited dynamic range means the sky in the background is clipped fairly heavily. Detail is good on the front subject, but the larger sensor in the new models comes with a slightly more limited depth of field. As a consequence, the subject in the back is out of focus. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, backlit indoor scene, good subject exposure but limited dynamic range
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The Sweet Setup
thesweetsetup.com › blog › the iphone 13 pro camera review
The iPhone 13 Pro Camera Review – The Sweet Setup
October 29, 2021 - The wide camera moves from f/1.6 in the iPhone 12 Pro to f/1.5 in the iPhone 13 Pro. As the aperture number gets lower, more light can be let in at once. The ultra-wide camera can capture 92% more light than its predecessor, dramatically impacting the sharpness, detail, and noise control in ultra-wide photos. This is due to the improved f/1.8 aperture lens. The telephoto lens has been moved to a 3x lens as opposed to the 2.5x lens in the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
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Photofocus
photofocus.com › home › the comprehensive guide to iphone 13 for photo and video: lenses
The comprehensive guide to iPhone 13 for photo and video: Lenses - Photofocus
January 20, 2022 - Depending on which iPhone you choose, the number of lenses varies (with the Pro models having an additional telephoto option). The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max have identical camera systems.
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Quora
quora.com › How-good-is-the-iPhone-13-Pro-Max-camera
How good is the iPhone 13 Pro Max camera? - Quora
Answer: Somewhat other worldly combination of hardware and software, and it is that combination that makes it special. Good enough to shoot a movie! Well, nearly, but very good. However, if the main objective of your outing is to take lots of pictures, and videos, buy a good used mirrorless camer...
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Quora
quora.com › Whats-the-best-settings-of-camera-and-video-in-iPhone-13-pro-max
Whats the best settings of camera and video in iPhone 13 pro max? - Quora
Answer: Let’s unwrap this question. If there were “best settings” for the iPhone camera, then that would be the way the camera is built. You would have no options whatsoever because it already has the best settings. So, by your logic, Apple is stupid because they are tricking you with ...
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The Verge
theverge.com › tech › featured videos › apple
iPhone 13 Pro review: a better display, the best camera, and incredible battery life | The Verge
The camera systems on the iPhone 13 Pro and the 13 Pro Max are identical this year, which means you don’t have to buy the bigger and more expensive phone to get the best photos. And I do mean best photos because there isn’t another phone on the market that can match the iPhone 13 Pro.
Published   October 6, 2021
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DXOMARK
dxomark.com › smartphones › Apple › iPhone-13-Pro-Max
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max - DXOMARK
Overall Camera Score i · 141 · 45 Xiaomi Redmi A3 · BEST 175 · Top score Huawei Pura 80 Ultra · Photo i · 140 · 111 Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G · BEST 180 · Top score Huawei Pura 80 Ultra · Video i · 146 · 90 Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G · BEST 172 · Top score Apple iPhone 17 Pro · Read the test results Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max camera ·
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Digital Photography Review
dpreview.com › articles › all apple iphone 13 and 13 pro camera upgrades: explained
All Apple iPhone 13 and 13 Pro camera upgrades: Explained: Digital Photography Review
June 7, 2023 - Compared to the base 13 and 13 Mini models, the Pro models gain the following: Larger main camera sensor with 1.9µm pixels and wider F1.5 aperture · 77mm equivalent F2.8 '3x' telephoto camera with PDAF and OIS · Upgraded ultra-wide with a ...
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Apple Support
support.apple.com › guide › iphone › iphone-13-pro-max-iphb58c09dcb › ios
iPhone 13 Pro Max - Apple Support
Learn the location of the cameras, buttons, and other essential hardware features on iPhone 13 Pro Max.
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Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › IPhone_13_Pro
iPhone 13 Pro - Wikipedia
2 weeks ago - Both models can charge with MagSafe ... 13 Pro features four cameras: one front-facing camera for selfie and three rear-facing cameras which includes a telephoto, wide, and ultra-wide camera....
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GSMArena
gsmarena.com › apple_iphone_13_pro_max-11089.php
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max - Full phone specifications
Not just the best iPhone ever, but also the one with the 'biggest camera update ever' - that would be this year's iPhone 13 Pro, which we have here in Max size. Joining those larger and better...