Photographer Compares iPhone 18 Pro Portrait Mode to Professional Cameras

Photographer Lee Zavitz released a video on September 30 comparing the performance of Apple's iPhone 18 Pro portrait mode against professional-grade cameras. The test indicated that the iPhone 18 Pro's portrait mode achieves results comparable to professional cameras in a majority of situations.

The comparison involved a Sony A7RIV camera paired with lenses such as the Tamron 35–150mm f/2–2.8 Di III VXD. Zavitz, known for his work in portraiture, videography, and camera reviews on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, noted a significant level of quality from the device.

The iPhone 18 Pro features a new Sony IMX 905 sensor, with its maximum aperture expanded to f/1.48, enhancing low-light performance. A new white balance lock function addresses issues with automatic adjustments, and texture control within 'Photographic Styles' allows for the addition of grain, which Zavitz suggests reduces a synthetic appearance in images.

Testing revealed subtle differences in background blur when adjusting the aperture from f/1.4 to f/4, with f/4 producing clearer, circular bokeh. Zavitz used the f/4 setting on the iPhone to emulate the f/2.8 aperture of professional cameras, avoiding overly aggressive background softening. While 1x and 4x zoom maintained clarity, 2x zoom showed a noticeable loss of detail as the resolution dropped from 24 megapixels to 12 megapixels.