How the iPhone 16's Camera Control Button Revolutionizes Your Photography Experience
The new Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro is designed to make iPhone photography more intuitive. It serves not only as a physical button but also as a touch-sensitive capacitive control surface. This button allows users to launch the Camera app (or another preferred camera app), navigate through various shooting options, and snap photos without moving their finger from the control. While physical shutter buttons aren’t new (you can use the volume button to snap photos), this Camera Control is exclusive to the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
How the Camera Control Button Works
The Camera Control button behaves like a traditional physical button with haptic feedback, similar to the MacBook trackpads. It is flush on the iPhone’s edge, and its smooth capacitive surface responds to fingertip motion. A light press brings up an onscreen overlay, allowing access to Camera Control options, taking advantage of iOS 18’s user interface enhancements.
Launching the Camera App
With iOS 18, users can remove the default Camera icon from the lock screen and use the Camera Control button to launch the app. This feature is arguably more convenient, as the button is positioned near where a thumb or finger naturally rests. Users can also configure a double-click requirement to avoid accidental launches.
Capturing Photos and Videos
The Camera Control button allows users to press to take a photo or press and hold to start recording video. Apple may introduce a future update that lets users customize this hold behavior for burst shots instead. A light press hides most interface elements for an unobstructed view of the subject. Users can also lock focus by pressing and holding the button, mimicking the half-press of traditional cameras.
Zooming and Switching Between Cameras
The Camera Control facilitates quick zoom adjustments and camera switching without moving fingers across the screen. A light press brings up a slider to adjust focal length, while a double press reveals options for selecting different cameras (e.g., Ultra Wide or Telephoto).
Adjusting Exposure and Depth
Exposure Compensation and Depth controls are accessible through the Camera Control. The Depth setting simulates aperture changes in Portrait mode, even though iPhone cameras have fixed apertures. The depth information is saved when the camera detects a person or pet as the main subject.
Photographic Styles
The Photographic Styles feature has been revamped for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, replacing stock filters with more customizable styles. These can be previewed and selected via the Camera Control overlay, providing real-time feedback on the styles.
Video Capture
The Camera Control options extend to video recording, allowing users to zoom, switch cameras, and adjust exposure. While Apple’s event suggested switching resolutions and frame rates (e.g., 4K 120 FPS), this feature isn’t yet available. Third-party apps can also use the Camera Control, as demonstrated by Lux Software’s Kino video app, which integrates the button for cycling through types of guides.
Non-Photography Uses
Apart from photography, the Camera Control button can also be configured to scan QR codes or launch the Magnifier tool. Apple has announced a forthcoming visual intelligence feature that uses the camera to identify objects or places. When the iPhone is locked, pressing and holding the Camera Control will open the camera to capture a photo and look up information about the scene, such as a restaurant’s details or a dog’s breed.
Availability
The Camera Control button is exclusive to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, which are currently shipping.