The iPhone 16 Pro camera is designed for serious photographers and videographers. With new features, increased control, and flexibility, it’s a powerful tool that offers more than just incremental improvements. However, with its vast options come some potential pitfalls. After testing the iPhone 16 Pro camera for some time, I’ve found some key changes to make for the best overall photo and video experience.
Let’s dig into some tips and settings so you can get the most out of the iPhone 16 Pro camera.
Video Performance and Settings: What Works Best
Slow-motion fans, take note—4K video at 120 frames per second is the standout video feature of the iPhone 16 Pro. This level of performance makes capturing fast-action scenes, like skateboarding events or sports, both fun and fluid.
Using the Right Gear
To increase stability when filming at high frame rates, I used a SmallRig iPhone setup, which adds handles and a hard-mount attachment. While MagSafe works fine for everyday use, having a more secure rig gave me peace of mind in situations where people might bump into me during events.
For further stabilization, the enhanced stabilization feature was activated. It’s a life-saver when precision is key. I also used an Apple Log color profile which, although flat, offers more flexibility in post-production color grading. This meant I had to bring external storage for anything filmed in 4K60 or 4K120, which resulted in huge file sizes, but it was worth the extra effort for pro-level footage.
However, a downside here is that 4K120 video is only available on certain lenses, forcing compromises based on what I needed versus what the phone could do. The iPhone 16 Pro’s native camera app also has some minor interface inconsistencies, especially when switching between frame rates and ProRes options. I found those controls clunky in a fast-paced setup and ended up preferring third-party apps like Blackmagic, Kino, and Moment.
Third-Party Apps for Flexibility
The native camera app is good enough for basic use, but it quickly shows its limitations when working on complex projects. Apps like Kino provide better flexibility and give you control over resolution and frame rates while also saving space by offering smaller file formats like ProRes LT or HEVC. Want to ditch Apple’s processing? These third-party apps are key. They allow for color grading and exposure tweaks in a way that Apple’s heavily processed images can’t match.
A word of caution: Apple’s noise reduction feature, which kicks in during native processing, is not present in these external apps. This means low-light footage can get grainier, especially with the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. While some grain is acceptable (and even adds character), you’ll need to manually tweak your settings to keep things manageable.
Photography: Styles, Control, and Precision
Photographic Styles
The new Photographic Styles in the iPhone 16 Pro allow for some pretty amazing custom looks straight out of the camera. You can choose between presets that adjust contrast, color tone, and overall warmth before you even take the shot, something that changes your photography workflow drastically.
After much trial and error, I’ve settled on the “Gold” Photographic Style as my default. It adds subtle but rich shifts to yellows and reds and works especially well in naturally lit scenarios. I typically adjust the tone setting within this style—anywhere from minus 40 to minus 80 depending on the scene—to bring out shadows and avoid Apple’s aggressive HDR effects, which can sometimes create unnatural lighting.
For more creative shots, the “Quiet” Photographic Style, with its deliberately muted color profile, has been a game changer. This style drains a lot of the color but helps transform otherwise ordinary photos into something special. Experiment with these and find what works for you, especially if you want to step away from the conventional iPhone look.
48MP Ultra-Wide Mode and Telephoto Zoom
Don’t forget to enable 48MP mode on the ultra-wide lens. Apple doesn’t have it on by default, and the difference in detail is noticeable. While it won’t revolutionize your shots, it will give you a slight bump in sharpness, making it particularly useful for landscape or macro photography.
Speaking of macro shots, the ultra-wide lens doubles as a macro lens, and those photos are absolutely stunning. Even if you’re someone who never thought you’d care about macro features, you’ll find yourself using it more than expected.
The 5x telephoto zoom also offers great detail, but at times, it does feel a little flat. The added compression can sometimes rob a shot of depth. Thankfully, you can always save depth data for additional bokeh while editing. It’s not perfect, but it’s a feature I appreciate having on hand.
RAW vs. JPEG XL
For photographers who love to tinker with their edits, shooting in RAW gives you unparalleled control over sharpness, contrast, and color grading. The iPhone 16 Pro supports the lossless JPEG XL format, which offers a balance between file size and image quality. However, be mindful that shooting in RAW means missing out on the convenience of Photographic Styles.
Personally, I find that most situations don’t require RAW shooting on the iPhone. The flexibility of Apple’s computational photography and the introduction of lossless Photographic Styles are more than enough for most mobile photography needs. But for the few times you absolutely need full control, RAW is still there.
Camera Control Button: Is It Useful?
This new feature, a camera-specific control button, seems to be Apple’s answer to more professional setups. But after weeks of putting it through its paces, I’ve found it more inconvenient than helpful. The shutter button is stiff, and switching settings takes forever. On top of that, the button’s placement doesn’t lend itself well to how I naturally hold the phone, especially during vertical shots.
That said, the button’s future looks promising, especially with Apple’s plan to introduce half-press for focus tracking. Until then, like many others, I’ve found myself mostly using it for launching the camera app and not much else. Luckily, it frees up the action button, which I now dedicate to launching a video recording app instead.
The Good, the Bad, and the Limitations
Creating content entirely on an iPhone—even professional-level content—comes with its own set of hurdles. A lot of my production time was spent working around the less obvious limitations of the device, such as file transfer issues, massive video file sizes (hello, corrupted video files!), and the clunky process of setting up an iPhone in a professional rig.
That said, the sheer fact of being able to shoot, edit, and produce a video on a smartphone is mind-blowing when considering the technological leap from even a few years ago.
Battery life, single USB-C ports, and fixed screens are limitations, but they are balanced by an ever-growing range of accessories and apps that can help turn your iPhone into a more complete setup. If used correctly, this camera can function beyond just casual shots and deliver fairly professional results.
Final Tips: Best Settings and Workflow
To sum up, here’s what I recommend for iPhone 16 Pro camera settings:
- For video, try using a third-party app like Kino, Blackmagic, or Moment. Shoot in Apple Log with HEVC or ProRes LT to save space, and skip Apple’s baked-in processing when possible. Add your own LUTs or color grades to make your work stand out.
- For still photography, experiment with Photographic Styles. Turn the tone settings down to enhance contrast and shadows. Use the Gold or Quiet presets depending on the scene, and enable 48MP for sharp ultra-wide shots.
- Keep the camera control button for launching the camera app, but don’t expect much more from it at this point.
Conclusion: A Versatile Tool for Many Needs
The iPhone 16 Pro may not replace your DSLR just yet, but it’s much more than “just a phone.” Its camera offers enough customization and flexibility for professionals if you’re willing to work through some of the challenges. Whether it’s the ultra-wide lens for macro, seamless style switching, or high-frame-rate slow-mo, this phone brings a lot to the table.
Think of it as another tool in your kit. Will it suit every situation? No. But when the iPhone 16 Pro camera can adapt, it’s an incredibly handy device you can whip out at any time.
So, have you tried adjusting your iPhone 16 Pro camera settings yet for videos or photos? What’s your favorite Photographic Style? Are you planning to use this as your go-to camera for everyday pro work or just for fun? Let me know your thoughts!
