Video capture received some major improvements in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The iSight camera still records at 1080p video, but in addition to 1080p at 30 fps, you'll be able to record full HD video at 60 fps, too. That ought to make smoother looking videos, with the downside of probably larger file sizes.
Slo-mo video on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus has also been improved. When it was included in the iPhone 5S, Slo-mo video at 120 fps was a neat feature that had pretty limited use cases. I'd imagine it's going to be the same with the new iPhones, although at 240 fps, you can probably give fast-moving objects and people a cooler effect. You'll also be able to record 240 fps at 720p, so you won't be sacrificing much quality at all.
Apple also calls the new image stabilization feature in the iSight camera "Cinematic video stabilization." Image stabilization, whether digital or optical, isn't new to smartphone camera technology, either. However, with other phones, it can give mixed and varied results. We're curious to try this out with varying intensities to see just how well it works.
iPhone 6 and 6 Plus: image stabilization
There is a big difference between the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus when it comes to the way image stabilization works. For the iPhone 6, there is digital image stabilization. This means that it's likely that software is doing a good chunk of the work in keeping your image sharp even if there is slight movement in the camera.
The iPhone 6 Plus, however, gets the better end of the deal with OIS, or optical image stabilization. With OIS, the lenses, or elements, or camera module - or a combination of any of those three - will move to counteract the motion of the phone itself. This is, historically, far better than digital image stabilization.
Again, these features will be interesting to test against each other. Right now, we're guessing that the iPhone 6 Plus with OIS will buy you more light and forgiveness to motion and camera jerkiness.
iLove the iSight camera
Most smartphone photographers agree that the iPhone has had the best all-around camera amongst all other smartphones. In some cases it performs even better than point-and-shoot and compact cameras. All the while, Apple continues to work to improve the iSight camera on the iPhone, and it's great.
Apple has always tried to take most of the guesswork away from having to shoot photos. The iSight cameras on the iPhone have always done a pretty good job at nailing exposure and reducing motion blur, along with taking decent photos in low light.
With the addition of filters and video features over time, the iPhone's camera has become more versatile than ever. I'd imagine that the new iSight camera features on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, coupled with the new features in iOS 8, will take Apple's philosophy on making a solid smartphone camera even further.
If you love photography, especially smartphone photography, these upgrades are enough reason to get excited about the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
- Check out our hands on review with Apple iPhone 6
