RAW Photo Comparison: iPhone 16 Pro Max, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and DSLR

A recent comparison of RAW photography performance between flagship smartphones and the Canon EOS RP DSLR reveals the strengths and limitations of smartphone cameras in capturing high-quality images. The test involved top-tier devices such as the iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, alongside the Canon EOS RP, which features a 26.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor.

Smartphone Camera Specifications

• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 48MP main sensor, 24 mm focal length, ƒ/1.78 aperture
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: 48MP main sensor, 24 mm focal length, ƒ/1.78 aperture
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: 50MP main sensor, ƒ/1.8 aperture
• Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: 48MP sensor, ƒ/1.7 aperture
• Canon EOS RP DSLR: 26.2MP sensor, ƒ/1.8 aperture

The test aimed to assess how these devices performed in real-world conditions, focusing on detail, color accuracy, and shadow handling in RAW format.

RAW vs. JPEG in Photography

Professional photographers often use RAW files for their superior control over details and color, although these files are significantly larger than JPEGs, sometimes exceeding 60MB per image. While most flagship smartphones now support RAW shooting modes, they generally prioritize JPEGs for compatibility and smaller file sizes.

Device Performance in RAW Photography

The iPhone 16 Pro Max stood out in the smartphone category, with its color accuracy and detail handling nearly matching the Canon DSLR. However, certain differences emerged:

• Canon EOS RP consistently produced the most accurate colors and retained detail in deep shadows better than any smartphone.
• iPhone 16 Pro Max managed to capture significant detail, particularly in bright conditions, though it occasionally brightened shadows excessively, reducing contrast.
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 delivered sharp imagery, but its colors were overly vibrant and not entirely true to life, especially in transitions between sunlit and shaded areas.
• Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold lagged behind in overall clarity and resolution, with images appearing less nuanced and more saturated than its competitors.

Practical Challenges and Observations

Transferring RAW images from smartphones to desktop systems presented unique challenges, with Apple devices occasionally compressing images during AirDrop transfers. Workarounds included using cloud storage services like iCloud and Google Drive to preserve image quality.

Conclusion

While the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 deliver impressive results, they still fall short of matching the aesthetic and technical performance of the Canon EOS RP. The DSLR’s larger sensor and lens system provide advantages that remain unmatched by current smartphone technology. Despite these limitations, the latest smartphones demonstrate that mobile photography continues to evolve, with each new generation narrowing the gap between smartphones and dedicated cameras.