iPhone 14 PRO MAX versus Sony RX100 VII
Oct 17, 2022 01:58:57 #
Coolhanduke wrote “iPhones versus Z0” (https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-754981-1.html) and concluded, “ I won't be getting rid of my Z9 or D850 anytime soon but the iPhone 14 pro will serve me well for my snapshots at events that I was going to buy a point and shoot for.” I perhaps have a different viewpoint.
There is an old water-powered mill in the valley below my home on a mountain north of the valley. On my way home from running an errand, I stopped on the way home to take a shot of the water mill. The sun was to my back and was just below the small mountain behind me. The sun was still high enough to brightly illuminate the trees on the mountain behind the mill on the other side of the valley. The trees are just starting to turn. I used my Sony RX100 VII (“M7”), which I often carry with me, to take the photograph (RAW). The focal length of the M7 used to take the shot was 62.4 mm at f/4.5 and 1/400s. Sadly, I neglected to take a shot with my iPhone 14 PRO MAX (“14PM”). The next day I tried to get there at about the same time, but the sun was now low enough that it was not directly illuminating the mountain behind the mill. The 14PM shot was taken at f/2.8, 1/24s, and a focal length of 77mm. This is the 2X camera setting.
Apple is a bit misleading in saying the 14PM is a 48MPixel camera. Yes, it has 48 MP, but the image data are captured only in 1X RAW (main camera). In non-RAW, 1X is 12 MP where blocks of 4 pixels are combined to make a larger pixel yielding a 12MP format. So how does Apple have a 2X camera when there are only three cameras? Simple, for the 2X camera, they don't make blocks of four pixels, but just use the central 12MP of the single pixels. This is true if normal or RAW in 2X. This trick allows them to use the same lens for both 1X and 2X. Clever. This means there are three lenses needed, viz., 13, 24, and 77mm. Also, Portrait uses the 77mm lens only. Pano can use all four magnifications, but not with 48MP in any of them; however, the 2X Pano is the only mode that provides single-pixel resolution.
The M7 is always 20 MPixel and optically changes the focal length and consequently, the FOV with a zoom lens. This optical zoom is 24 to 200mm or a ratio of 8.3:1 while the 14PM is 77/13 --> 5.9:1. Also, the M7 has a larger sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm) than the 14PM sensor or 14 PRO sensor (9.8 x 7.3 mm) [the 14 sensor size is 7.5 x 5.7 mm].
The photographs I took are shown below, the first being from the M7 and the second image being from the 14PM. My overall experience with my former 13 PRO MAX and my current 14PM is that I rate both as generally acceptable for most applications. My M7 always I feel does a better job although, in many situations, the difference will be small. Both cameras are inferior to my D810 and D850. To be clear, the 14 PRO MAX can be used for capturing many great images, particularly if captured in RAW and using the manual mode when appropriate. The RX100 VII is a wonderful pocket camera that produces high-quality imagery. The D810 and D850 both can produce superior imagery, but who carries the big camera and lens around with them unless for a specific shot?
There is an old water-powered mill in the valley below my home on a mountain north of the valley. On my way home from running an errand, I stopped on the way home to take a shot of the water mill. The sun was to my back and was just below the small mountain behind me. The sun was still high enough to brightly illuminate the trees on the mountain behind the mill on the other side of the valley. The trees are just starting to turn. I used my Sony RX100 VII (“M7”), which I often carry with me, to take the photograph (RAW). The focal length of the M7 used to take the shot was 62.4 mm at f/4.5 and 1/400s. Sadly, I neglected to take a shot with my iPhone 14 PRO MAX (“14PM”). The next day I tried to get there at about the same time, but the sun was now low enough that it was not directly illuminating the mountain behind the mill. The 14PM shot was taken at f/2.8, 1/24s, and a focal length of 77mm. This is the 2X camera setting.
Apple is a bit misleading in saying the 14PM is a 48MPixel camera. Yes, it has 48 MP, but the image data are captured only in 1X RAW (main camera). In non-RAW, 1X is 12 MP where blocks of 4 pixels are combined to make a larger pixel yielding a 12MP format. So how does Apple have a 2X camera when there are only three cameras? Simple, for the 2X camera, they don't make blocks of four pixels, but just use the central 12MP of the single pixels. This is true if normal or RAW in 2X. This trick allows them to use the same lens for both 1X and 2X. Clever. This means there are three lenses needed, viz., 13, 24, and 77mm. Also, Portrait uses the 77mm lens only. Pano can use all four magnifications, but not with 48MP in any of them; however, the 2X Pano is the only mode that provides single-pixel resolution.
The M7 is always 20 MPixel and optically changes the focal length and consequently, the FOV with a zoom lens. This optical zoom is 24 to 200mm or a ratio of 8.3:1 while the 14PM is 77/13 --> 5.9:1. Also, the M7 has a larger sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm) than the 14PM sensor or 14 PRO sensor (9.8 x 7.3 mm) [the 14 sensor size is 7.5 x 5.7 mm].
The photographs I took are shown below, the first being from the M7 and the second image being from the 14PM. My overall experience with my former 13 PRO MAX and my current 14PM is that I rate both as generally acceptable for most applications. My M7 always I feel does a better job although, in many situations, the difference will be small. Both cameras are inferior to my D810 and D850. To be clear, the 14 PRO MAX can be used for capturing many great images, particularly if captured in RAW and using the manual mode when appropriate. The RX100 VII is a wonderful pocket camera that produces high-quality imagery. The D810 and D850 both can produce superior imagery, but who carries the big camera and lens around with them unless for a specific shot?
Oct 17, 2022 06:28:35 #
Oct 18, 2022 09:21:54 #
Oct 18, 2022 14:52:19 #
Bob55 wrote:
Is that a picture of a comedian called Professor Irwin Corey?
Indeed.
Professor Irwin Corey, the Worlds Greatest Authority.
In his time, he was the precursor of forums such as this one. His spirit permeates these electronic "pages". Really good reason for coming here.
Oct 18, 2022 18:45:05 #
And this all has what to do with the original post? It sort of got hijacked.
Jul 8, 2023 20:32:48 #
Doc Barry wrote:
Coolhanduke wrote “iPhones versus Z0” (https://www... (show quote)
What the Heck are you comparing a Small RX100vii or a Sony Pro Max 14 to a Huge Nikon DSLR? I own both the iPhone Pro Max 14 and the RX100vii and the image quality is Incredible unless you’re a Pixel Peeper! I’ve printed 13x20 images Enlarged Beautiful! Your comparison is Ridiculous in my opinion.
Jul 9, 2023 00:15:55 #
markwilliam1 wrote:
What the Heck are you comparing a Small RX100vii or a Sony Pro Max 14 to a Huge Nikon DSLR? I own both the iPhone Pro Max 14 and the RX100vii and the image quality is Incredible unless you’re a Pixel Peeper! I’ve printed 13x20 images Enlarged Beautiful! Your comparison is Ridiculous in my opinion.
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