The iPhone 12 Pro Max still cannot really convince in JPEG mode. The wide-angle camera is okay, but not yet good. As a dual zoom, however, this mode is disappointing. The 2.5x zoom is only convincing in bright light, and the super-wide-angle has weak performance even then. On the other side the ProRAW function is new and exciting. It enables better pictures and makes the device more interesting for photo enthusiasts.

Wide angle (main camera) – 1.6/5.1 mm

(full-frame equivalent: 26 mm), 12 MP sensor, JPEG WITH 12 MP

We still used iOS 14.2 for the JPEG measurements. The wide-angle camera performs similarly to the 12 Pro. Noise is not an issue and the slightly softer JPEG tuning is more pleasing. At night (5 lux), image quality is similar to the 12 Pro and better than the 11 Pro. Compared to the competition, these JPEGs are ok, but not overachievers.

Normal focal length – 1.6/5.1 mm

(full-frame equivalent: 52 mm), 12 MP sensor, JPEG WITH 12 MP

Used as a dual zoom, the image quality of the wide-angle camera drops visibly. This is normal - after all, only a smaller section of the sensor is used for image capture and the data is then upsampled to 12 MP again. So the module degrades quite a bit. Thus, the resolution values drop by almost half. The pictures look low in detail and blurred.

Tele lens – 2.2/7.5 mm

(full-frame equivalent: 65 mm), 12 MP sensor, JPEG WITH 12 MP

At 7.5 mm the Max offers a 2.5x zoom - we're being generous and measuring this camera as a telephoto. In good light (5000 lux) and at the same magnification, the telephoto camera scores. Compared to the wide-angle, the tele loses in resolution, but gains in artifacts and noise. Even though the pictures are a bit less detailed, the result is one of the best in a telephoto comparison with other smartphones and can be used very well in good light. However, the performance decreases noticeably in diminishing light (200 lux). At night (5 lux), the camera switches to the main lens, crops the image, and converts everything back up to 12 MP. As a result, you not only get very washed out structures, but also many artifacts that strongly alienate some details.

Super wide angle – 2.4/1.5 mm

(full-frame equivalent: 13 mm), 12 MP sensor, JPEG WITH 12 MP

Apple has improved quite a bit in the ultra-wide angle compared to the 11 Pro - probably with the same hardware without AF. The module can now reproduce structures with higher resolution and distortion is corrected much better at the same time. However, it is still average compared to the rivals: It does not shine in good light. With increasing darkness or distance, the ultra-wide-angle continues to degrade strongly in some areas. We recommend the wide-angle camera for pictures where details are important.

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Device	Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Average market price	1559 Euro
Functionality
Image formats	JPEG, RAW
Focusing	Phase-, Laser-AF
ISO sensitivity	ISO auto
Exposure control	auto
Shutter speed, Exposure correction	auto
White balance	auto
Features
Display	OLED, 6,7", 2778 x 1248 Pixels
Internal memory, Memory card, USB	512 GB, –, USB 3.1, Type C
Video	3840 x 2160 Pixel, 60 B/s
Size, Weight, Battery capacity	147 x 72 x 7 mm, 187 g, 2815 mAh

Test results
measured at	5000 \| 200 \| 5 Lux
Wide angle (main lens)
5000 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure	1,6/5,1 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 32, 2 ms
200 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure	1,6/5,1 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 200, 17 ms
5 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure	1,6/5,1 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 500, 143 ms
Image stabilization
Resolution Center High/Low (LP/IH)	1567 / 1389 \| 1283 / 1122 \| 1273 / 1096
Resolution Edge High/Low (LP/IH)	1471 / 1053 \| 1207 / 887 \| 1167 / 921
Resolution Corners High (LP/IH)	1426 \| 1127 \| 1160
Dead leaves High/Low (LP/IH)	730 / 701 \| 553 / 502 \| 679 / 616
Artefacts High/Low	52 / 54 \| 39 / 50 \| 30 / 43
Noise (VN)/Color accuracy (deltaE)	1,9 / 14,8 \| 1,6 / 12,5 \| 3,6 / 13,8
Distortion (%)/Vignetting (%)	0,3 / 26 \| 0,2 / 23 \| 0,3 / 51
Points	59 \| 53,6 \| 48
Score Wide angle lens	71

Normal lens (2x zoom)
5000 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure	1,6/5,10 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 32, 3 ms
200 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure	1,6/5,10 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 200, 17 ms
5 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure	1,6/5,10 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 400, 200 ms
Image stabilization
Resolution Center High/Low (LP/IH)	731 / 692 \| 666 / 575 \| 672 / 499
Resolution Edge High/Low (LP/IH)	744 / 619 \| 664 / 504 \| 649 / 451
Resolution Corners High (LP/IH)	731 \| 636 \| 648
Dead leaves High/Low (LP/IH)	457 / 463 \| 304 / 277 \| 347 / 325
Artefacts High/Low	42 / 45 \| 29 / 35 \| 24 / 33
Noise (VN)/Color accuracy (deltaE)	1,8 / 11,9 \| 1,4 / 10,7 \| 3,3 / 12,6
Distortion (%)/Vignetting (%)	0,3 / 12 \| 0,3 / 13 \| 0,2 / 29
Points	35 \| 30,5 \| 18,9
Score Normal lens (2x zoom)	39

Tele lens
5000 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure	2,2/7,50 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 20, 8 ms
200 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure	2,2/7,50 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 400, 20 ms
5 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure	1,6/5,10 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 320, 250 ms
Image stabilization
Resolution Center High/Low (LP/IH)	1444 / 1116 \| 1020 / 735 \| 580 / 408
Resolution Edge High/Low (LP/IH)	1415 / 1088 \| 992 / 682 \| 554 / 369
Resolution Corners High (LP/IH)	1338 \| 929 \| 560
Dead leaves High/Low (LP/IH)	634 / 470 \| 276 / 263 \| 294 / 282
Artefacts High/Low	31 / 42 \| 41 / 47 \| 27 / 37
Noise (VN)/Color accuracy (deltaE)	0,9 / 14,7 \| 1,4 / 12,8 \| 3,6 / 13,1
Distortion (%)/Vignetting (%)	0,6 / 16 \| 0,6 / 14 \| 0,3 / 24
Points	63,3 \| 40,2 \| 8,8
Score Tele lens	63

Super wide angle lens
5000 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure	2,4/1,50 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 25, 8 ms
200 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure	2,4/1,50 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 400, 17ms
5 Lux - Lens, Res., ISO, Exposure	2,4/1,50 mm, 4032 x 3024 Px, ISO 1600, 143 ms
Image stabilization
Resolution Center High/Low (LP/IH)	1274 / 1107 \| 939 / 776 \| 956 / 758
Resolution Edge High/Low (LP/IH)	969 / 765 \| 675 / 413 \| 765 / 510
Resolution Corners High (LP/IH)	738 \| 470 \| 562
Dead leaves High/Low (LP/IH)	609 / 573 \| 250 / 220 \| 503 / 444
Artefacts High/Low	40 / 55 \| 64 / 77 \| 47 / 71
Noise (VN)/Color accuracy (deltaE)	1,5 / 14,4 \| 2,3 / 12,0 \| 6,1 / 12,3
Distortion (%)/Vignetting (%)	0 / 38 \| 0,1 / 38 \| / 77
Points	54,8 \| 30,4 \| 25,8
Score Super Wide angle lens	51

Score 5000 \| 200 \| 5 Lux	68 \| 52 \| 33
Overall score camera qb	57