Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
⬤ From £1199 ⬤ apple.com/uk
The most recent iPhone flagship model, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, has a number of features which make it particularly useful for landscape photography.
First off is the main sensor (1x lens, 24mm f/1.8 equivalent) which has a high 48MP resolution. By default, images are output at 24MP,a significant boost from the 12MP standard output of most other smartphones. You can also shoot at the full 48MP resolution if you prefer.
That high-resolution sensor gives you some interesting options for shooting at ‘different’ focal lengths which make use of different areas of the sensor. So, not only can you shoot at the default 24mm, there’s also 28mm and 35mm options, as well as a 2x, 48mm equivalent.
It’s also possible to shoot in Apple’s ‘ProRAW’ format, which gives you DNG files that you can work on in software either on your computer or on the phone itself.
An ultra-wide lens opens you up to 13mm equivalent, and while not quite as good a performer as the main lens, it’s great for capturing wide vistas and demonstrates plenty of detail. You can also shoot in raw format with this lens.
To round it out, there’s a 5x optical zoom lens, giving you a 120mm equivalent. Here’s where you can save a bit of cash – if you’re happy with a 3x optical zoom, you can plump for the iPhone 15 Pro instead and benefit from the same main and ultra-wide lens. You can save even more money by going for the ‘Non Pro’ iPhone 15 models, but you will lose the ability to shoot in raw format.
Perhaps the biggest downside of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the lack of a dedicated Pro mode. That being said, there are some positives of the native app, such as a level gauge and grid for lining up your horizons.