iPhone 16 Pro's Camera Impresses with New Features and JPEG XL Compression

Apple’s latest iPhone 16 Pro brings significant camera improvements, surpassing its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro. In a series of tests comparing the iPhone 16 Pro with the iPhone 15 Pro and Canon R5, several features stand out, notably the ultra-wide camera upgrade and the introduction of JPEG XL compression.

The 48-megapixel sensor, first introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro’s main camera, now appears in the iPhone 16 Pro’s ultra-wide camera. This sensor shines in both landscape and macro photography tests. In comparison shots, distortion is minimized, edge sharpness is improved, and the overall dynamic range remains impressive. The iPhone 16 Pro’s ability to match the Canon R5 in these aspects highlights its advancements, though the lens still limits the full potential of the ultra-wide camera.

In terms of JPEG XL compression, Apple has quietly introduced this format into the iPhone 16 Pro’s raw image capabilities. JPEG XL offers better compression while retaining more detail, particularly noticeable when zooming into 600%. The comparison between the iPhone 16 Pro’s JPEG XL lossy files and traditional JPEG files shows the new format’s superior image quality, even at a fraction of the file size. This update enables users to store more high-quality images without quickly consuming storage space.

While the ultra-wide sensor is a welcome addition, low-light performance still presents challenges, particularly in blue-hour scenarios. Despite this, the iPhone 16 Pro’s overall image quality is closer to professional standards than ever, making it a compelling choice for both enthusiasts and everyday users.

Apple’s focus on refining the raw file formats and compression methods, rather than purely on hardware, sets the iPhone 16 Pro apart from its predecessors, offering a more practical solution for photographers looking to maximize their device’s storage without sacrificing quality. The new camera control button remains under review for broader usability, and its potential for expanding creative controls through new film recipes or picture profiles could be a future development worth watching.