Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky has taken the next logical step in making a Black Hawk helicopter autonomous by not only installing the gear needed for self-flying, but by yanking out the entire cockpit and replacing it with cargo doors.
Category: Military, Technology
Tags: Sikorsky, Lockheed Martin, Helicopter, Autonomous flight
For the first time, scientists have used innovative tech to demonstrate that a healthy microbiome needs a consistent flow of the right foods, finally proving that the "hunch" advice of 5 A Day is spot on, as far as your gut bugs are concerned.
Category: Diet & Nutrition, Wellness and Healthy Living, Body and Mind
Tags: EPFL, Diet, Gut health, Gut Bacteria, Microbiome, Healthy aging, Nutrition, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
Fujifilm has announced the Instax Mini LiPlay+, an update to its Mini LiPlay camera from 2019. The company calls it a "hybrid" camera; it features a digital sensor, but can also print out the images you take with it onto Fujifilm's Instax Mini instant film.
The actual camera part of the Mini LiPlay+ appears to be relatively unchanged. It still features a tiny Type 1/5 (6.46mm²) sensor behind a 28mm equiv. F2 lens, and enough internal storage to hold around 45 of the 5MP images it captures. That storage can be expanded with a microSD card, and you can use the camera to print images from your smartphone onto Instax film as well.
There are some changes, though. The largest is that there's now a second camera on the back of the camera, which Fujifilm says is for taking selfies. It has a 23mm equiv., F2.2 fixed focus lens, though the company makes no mention of what resolution or size sensor is behind it. You can use it to take selfies as usual, using the rear display to compose your shot, but you can also create what Fujifilm is calling "layered photos," which combines the image from the front and selfie cameras to show you and the place you're taking a picture of in one of four layouts.
Image: FujifilmThe camera also builds on the original LiPlay's ability to record audio, which can be played back via a QR code printed on the image. Using the companion app, you can now create a "Sound Album," combining up to five images and the sounds recorded around when they were taken.
The camera body has also been redesigned, with a more squared-off design and simplified control layout. At 3", the rear display is larger than the 2.7" one on the original LiPlay, and the camera weighs about 10g more at 265g. It's available in a light "sand beige" and dark "midnight blue."
The Instax Mini LiPlay+ will be available later this month, retailing for $235. This represents a substantial jump over the original's $160 launch price, though that camera currently sells for $200.
Press release:
Fujifilm Announces the Next Generation of its instax mini LiPlay™ Hybrid Instant Camera Seriesinstax mini LiPlay+™ features stylish design updates and key new features
VALHALLA, N.Y., October 13, 2025 - FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Imaging Division,
today announced the introduction of its instax mini LiPlay+™ hybrid instant camera (mini
LiPlay+), an update to the popular instax mini LiPlay™ line that debuted in 2019. This new
camera debuts a variety of new features including dual cameras (a main camera plus a wide-
angle selfie camera) with new capabilities for image makers, various enhanced sound
capabilities that allow the user to integrate sound into their images (through the use of an integrated QR code printed onto the image), and tasteful upgrades to the camera body.
“As Fujifilm’s first hybrid instant camera, and the first camera with the unique capability to integrate sound into photos, our mini LiPlay™ line of hybrid instant cameras has always been one of our most unique offerings,” said Bing Liem, president, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Imaging Division. “mini LiPlay+™ builds on the distinctive features of the original mini LiPlay™, giving users even more creative ways to express themselves through photos and sound. It’s a truly versatile hybrid camera with a unique set of attributes to suit every skill and interest level.”
Main Features:
instax mini LiPlay+™ Smartphone App
The free, downloadable instax mini LiPlay™ app allows users to capture images remotely via
Bluetooth connection, add finishing touches to images with frames, and print photos from a
connected smartphone. Users can further embellish their images by adding sticker icons or
overlay text, making each image a true custom creation.
Dual camera functionality
The mini LiPlay+™ hybrid instant camera features both a front main camera and a rear-facing wide-angle selfie camera. New to mini LiPlay+™ is layered photo mode, in which images created with both the front and rear cameras can be combined so the images appear in layers, one in the foreground and one in the background. When editing images, users can choose between instax-Rich mode™ and instax-Natural mode™ to accentuate their images and choose from a selection of artful filters to express themselves further. Mini LiPlay+™ also features automatic exposure and flash control to enhance image quality and includes either 2 or 10 second timers.
Instax Sound Print™ and instax Sound Album™
Users can utilize the free, downloadable instax mini LiPlay+ app to add sound features to their images. With the instax Sound Print™ feature users have four unique ways to record 3 second audio clips to add to their images, then listen back by scanning the printed QR code on your photo (instax™ instant film required and sold separately) with their smartphone. Alternatively, the instax Sound Album™ feature turns adventures into custom animated videos with sound, vibrant backgrounds, and standout music.
New instax™ mini film variety introduced
Also being announced at the same time as the mini LiPlay+™ camera is instax™ mini Soft Glitter instant film, available in a 10-exposure pack. Gold accents combine with soothing hues to bring a calming shimmer to the frames around each photo.
Pricing and Availability
The instax mini LiPlay+™ hybrid instant camera will be available in Sand Beige and Midnight Blue colors. It is expected to be available late October 2025 at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $234.95 USD and $279.99 CAD. The updated instax mini LiPlay+™ smartphone app will also be available at this time.
instax™ mini Soft Glitter instant film is expected to be available late October 2025 at a
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $17.99 USD and $14.99 CAD.
For more information, please visit https://www.instaxus.com/cameras/mini-liplay+/.
For the first time, researchers have shown that tackling obstructive sleep apnea’s two root causes at once, using both oxygen and a jaw-forwarding device, can dramatically cut breathing interruptions during sleep.
Category: Wellness and Healthy Living, Body and Mind
Tags: Sleep, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Oxygen, Monash University, Harvard
Renowned street and portrait photographer Alan Schaller has created a new social media app called Irys, designed to create a calmer, ad-free alternative to algorithm-driven, engagement-focused photo sharing apps like Instagram. According to the developers, Irys intends to bring the focus back to photography rather than obsessing about metrics such as likes and follower counts.
The app is designed to give photographers control over how much "social" they want in their social media. When posting, users can choose to display or hide likes, comments, and follower counts. That flexibility makes Irys less about chasing engagement and more about presenting work in a curated, distraction-free environment.
A quieter corner of the photo-sharing worldWhile social media remains an important platform for photographers, many have grown frustrated with algorithms that prioritize trends and reels over still photography. Irys positions itself as a smaller, slower alternative – more Vimeo than YouTube, or in this case, more Vimeo than Instagram.
In place of algorithmic feeds, Irys features Groups, community spaces organized around shared interests and genres. Photographers can connect, collaborate, and organize meetups or exhibitions. The company also plans to curate featured galleries and run talent searches with help from established professionals and partner brands, including Leica, a frequent collaborator of Schaller's.
Irys was created by photographer Alan Schaller in an effort to create a photo sharing app not driven by algorithms, likes and follows.
Image: Iris
By emphasizing creative exchange over competition, Irys suggests it wants to appeal to photographers who value community, craft, and privacy over constant exposure.
Subscription replaces advertisingAccording to its developers, Irys doesn't show ads or sell user data, which they see as a key part of the app's appeal. Instead, it uses a subscription model to support the platform. The free tier allows users to upload up to 100 photos across two collections and join five Groups. A premium subscription, priced at around $6 per month or $60 per year, removes those limits and unlocks additional tools and features.
That makes Irys less like a social network and more like a hybrid between a gallery service and a community hub. The challenge, as always, will be convincing photographers to pay for what other platforms still provide for free, albeit with algorithms and ads.
A new study suggests that a father’s COVID-19 infection could do more than make him sick – it may leave marks on his sperm that pass anxiety to his offspring, revealing how viral infections can echo across generations.
Category: Infectious Diseases, Illnesses and conditions, Body and Mind
Tags: Coronavirus (COVID-19), Infections, Epigenetics, Anxiety, Brain, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
For us motorcycle nerds, the best time of the year is here. Long-awaited launches, exciting concepts, and ambitious two-wheelers adorn events like EICMA, the Tokyo Motor Show, and CIMA Motor, among others. This Honda comes from the lattermost as one of the most interesting scooters I’ve seen in a while.
Category: Motorcycles, Transport
Tags: Honda Motorcycles, Honda, Scooter, Adventure Bikes, Off-road, urban transport
Aerospace and defense company Inversion is showing off its solution to getting emergency supplies anywhere on Earth in under an hour. It's a constellation of the company's Arc orbital supply craft, fully stocked and ready to drop at a moment's notice.
Category: Military, Technology
Tags: Spaceplane, Emergency, Spacecraft
Updated: October 13, 2025
These days, you can get a lot of camera for around $2500, though in the US tariffs have made great deals in this price range a little harder to come by. The picks on our list are high-spec options that are excellent for stills and video, and many have autofocus systems that come close to the performance of professional sports cameras.
Choosing a camera means committing to the ecosystem of lenses that are available for it, so we advise looking into the price and availability of your preferred kit. It's also worth noting that some camera manufacturers are more restrictive of what options third-party lens makers can provide, so be sure to consider that during your lens research.
Speaking of lenses, it's also worth considering that the latest lens designs for mirrorless cameras regularly outperform their older DSLR counterparts. If you have any lenses already, you may want to think about whether they're worth keeping around and adapting to a new system, or whether you'd be better off selling them and using the proceeds to buy modern equivalents of your most-used lenses. This option also gives you a path to switching brands, if you feel there's a compelling reason to do so.
Our Recommendations25MP full-frame 'Partially Stacked' CMOS sensor | 6K/60p N-Raw video | 5.76M dot OLED 0.8x EVF
Photo: Richard ButlerBuy now:
Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H PhotoBuy at MPB What we like:It earns top place on this list because it's such a complete package (which has only improved with software updates). Its high burst rates and excellent autofocus mean you can tackle pretty much any subject, and its complete suite of video features make it very capable for recording motion pictures, too. The biggest caveat is price: in the US its MSRP is over $2500, though it appears to routinely go on sale for well below that.
The Z6III has an ample grip and easy-to-use control scheme. Nikon's menus and touchscreen layout are also well-refined, but the camera lacks the company's traditional AF mode button or front-corner switch. Autofocus is generally reliable, and the camera includes Nikon's 3D-tracking system and plenty of subject recognition modes. It can shoot 20 raws per second, or 60fps in JPEG mode. The Z6III is a genuine do-anything camera with excellent video and photo capabilities. Image quality is very good, with lots of detail and acceptable amounts of noise. There is a recognizable dynamic range tradeoff for that speed, but it's only noticeable in extreme situations. The Z6III shoots many video formats, including Raw, and has dependable subject-tracking autofocus and a waveform display. Its 4K and 5.4K modes produce excellent detail, even in 60p, and its rolling shutter performance is outstanding. The Z6III is a significant step-up from its predecessor and is to-date the most all-round capable camera in its class. It excels in both stills and video.Read our full review of the Nikon Z6III
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. A close second: Canon EOS R6 II24MP Dual Pixel AF CMOS sensor | 40fps burst shooting | 4K/60 from 6K capture
Photo: Dale BaskinBuy now:
$2099 at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo What we like:It's hard to overstate how evenly matched the EOS R6 II and our overall winner, the Z6III, are. Nikon's latest beats the Canon by a hair on the strengths of its video specs – including its better autofocus performance when shooting video – and its slightly nicer viewfinder. If you don't shoot video, your choice between the two should purely be dictated by your budget (the EOS R6 II has been around longer, so is often available for less) and the two companies' lens lineups and how they match your preferences... with the knowledge that they both control which lenses third parties like Sigma and Tamron can produce for their systems.
The R6 II has a substantial hand grip and well spaced controls that pair with a simple touchscreen interface and logically-arranged menu system. It fits comfortably in the hand even with larger lenses. Autofocus performance is consistently reliable, even when capturing images at 40fps. A wide variety of subject detection modes and a surprisingly clever 'Auto' detection mode allow the camera to choose appropriate AF areas and algorithms for many commonly-photographed subjects. The EOS R6 Mark II is a great stills and video camera, with fast burst shooting being its standout feature. Rolling shutter is surprisingly well controlled in 40fps electronic shutter mode, though like most of its peers, the R6 Mark II drops to 12-bit capture, reducing dynamic range. In the less fast modes, the image quality is excellent. Video is substantially improved over the original R6, with full width oversampled 4K up to 60p, and greatly improved thermal management. Video autofocus still has a tendency to jump to the background, requiring the user to continually redirect the camera to your chosen subject while filming. Aside from the maximum burst rate, the Canon R6 Mark II might look like a minor upgrade from its 2020 Camera of the Year precursor, but the impressive number of small improvements add up to one of the most well-rounded full-frame cameras in its price range.Read our full review of the Canon EOS R6 II
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. The compact option: Sony a7C II33MP BSI CMOS sensor | 4K/60p video with 10-bit color | Dedicated ‘AI’ processor for AF system
Photo: Richard ButlerBuy now:
$2198 at Amazon.com$2198 at Adorama$2198 at B&H Photo What we like:The Sony a7C II is a compact, full-frame mirrorless camera with a 33MP BSI CMOS sensor.
The a7C II's viewfinder is a little small and rather low resolution for this price, but it's part of what helps the camera stay so compact. Modern full-frame lenses are often so large as to make the difference in camera size fairly trivial but Sony's E-mount has the widest range of lenses available, so there are some relatively compact options.
The a7C II is impressively small for a full-frame camera. The addition of a front control dial improves handling significantly and brings it closer to its peers. A fully articulating screen anchors the back and features an extremely responsive touch interface. Unlike many cameras at this price, there’s no joystick control. Autofocus performance on the a7C II is fantastic and is helped by having a processor dedicated to handling machine learning-derived algorithms. Subject recognition is quick, and the AF system tracks subjects tenaciously around the frame in both stills or video. 10 fps burst shooting with continuous AF results in a dependably high hit rate. “The a7C II is a surprisingly capable camera for its size.” The a7C II's 4K/30p video is downsampled from 7K, but with fairly high rolling shutter. There's also 4K/60p from an APS-C crop, all in 10-bit color. S-Log3 and S-Cinetone profiles provide flexibility in post, and the camera supports internal LUTs. Auto Framing mode punches in on subjects, keeping them framed and in focus. The camera includes mic and headphone jacks. The a7C II is a surprisingly capable camera for its size. It essentially provides the same level of image quality, video capabilities, and AF performance as Sony’s a7 IV, but in a smaller package. In exchange for the small size, you make a few tradeoffs, like no AF joystick, but if compact size is a priority the a7C II will get you there with few compromises.Read our full review of the Sony a7C II
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. Should I buy the Sony a7 IV, a7 III or a7C?The Sony a7 IV is tough to recommend in 2025, especially at its post-tariff MSRP in the US. Its viewfinder, ergonomics, and full mechanical shutter are improvements over the a7C II, but it's also larger, heavier and offers less effective image stabilization. If you're you don't care about compactness, it might be worth paying a little extra for the a7 IV's larger, higher-resolution viewfinder, but only if the price difference is small.
It's a similar story with the a7 III and a7C. These are from an older generation of products with less sophisticated autofocus, video and image stabilization. They also use an older, more awkward-to-navigate menu system, which we'd happily pay to avoid ever having to use again. The a7C lacks the version II's front control dial and features an even smaller viewfinder, so we'd strongly recommend saving up for one of the newer models.
What about APS-C?We make most of our APS-C recommendations in our best cameras under $2000 buying guide, which covers cameras like the Fujifilm X-T5, Canon EOS R7 and Sony a6700. The latter two are the highest-end crop sensor cameras from their respective brands, but Fujifilm makes the X-H2S, which is historically one of the better video cameras on the market. However, cameras like the Z6III have arguably caught up in capabilities and framerate options, and while the X-H2S' global price is eligible for its list, in the US it's closer to $3000.
The wildlife option with reach: OM System OM-1 II20MP Four Thirds Stacked sensor | 50fps continuous shooting w/AF, 120fps AF/AE locked | IBIS rated to 8.5EV
Photo: Shaminder DulaiBuy now:
$2099 at Amazon.comBuy at B&H PhotoBuy at MPBThe OM System OM-1 Mark II is a high-speed Micro Four Thirds camera based around a 20MP Stacked CMOS sensor.
It's well-suited to wildlife photography, as the Micro Four Thirds system has several lenses that give you plenty of reach without being back (or pack) breakingly large, and its Stacked sensor gives it fast autofocus and incredible burst rates for shooting even the fastest subjects. It also has several computational modes that let it adapt to a wide variety of situations, and sports an IP53 rating for dust and water resistance, so you won't have to worry if it starts raining.
The body is quite rugged-feeling (while still being smaller than full-frame counterparts), with dials designed to be used with or without gloves, and has plenty of customizable control points. The viewfinder is relatively large and bright.
While we haven't put the OM-1 II through our full review process, we do have extensive experience with it and with the OM-3, that uses the same processor and sensor. We've found the autofocus to be reliable, though not class-leading, and it's a bit of a shame that continuous autofocus in its 50fps is limited to certain lenses. There's an image quality price to be paid for the smaller sensor, but, for Four Thirds, the OM-1 II's sensor provides good amounts of detail and the multi-shot modes can compensate for this in some circumstances.
While there are more all-round capable cameras at this price point, the OM-1 II fits into its niche quite well and is still quite solid for other kinds of photography. Its video capabilities aren't at the level that other companies provide, but if you simply want to record something, it's certainly up to the task.
Read our initial review of the OM System OM-1 II
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. Other Four Thirds camerasThe OM-1 II shares most of its DNA with the OM System OM-3, a smaller, more stylish and less expensive option that uses a smaller viewfinder to achieve its classic styling. Both are similar to the Panasonic G9II, though that's substantially larger, sharing its body with the full-frame S5II. All are Micro Four Thirds, which offers smaller camera/lens combinations at the cost of ultimate image quality. However, they can well worth considering if your photography requires the most compact kit available.
Best for vlogging: Nikon ZR24.5MP full-frame 'partially Stacked' sensor | 7.5EV IBIS | R3D (NE) Raw video codec
Photo: Mitchell ClarkBuy now:
Buy at Amazon.comBuy at B&H PhotoThe Nikon ZR is a video-focused mirrorless camera with a 24.5MP full-frame 'partially Stacked' sensor.
While its Red co-branding and three flavors of Raw shooting show its ambitions as a video production camera, the ZR has a lot of features that make it a great tool for vlogging, too. It has IBIS, Nikon's fairly effective autofocus system, and a 4", 3.07M dot display that can go up to 1000 nits, which should make previewing your image relatively easy, even if the camera is a bit far away from you.
It's also the first mirrorless camera with support for 32-bit float audio recording built-in, even on the 3.5mm input, which means you won't have to worry nearly as much about your audio gain levels when trying to capture the moment.
It can shoot compressed video at up to 5.4K/60, and is capable of 4K/120 for proper slow-motion, though going above 4K/60 will come with a 1.5x crop. In Raw, the ZR can record full-width 6K/60.
We'll be putting the ZR through its paces more in the coming weeks, but it's essentially a Z6III at heart, with a few more video features that should make it a very capable option if you want to go from vlogging to full-on production.
Why you should trust usThis buying guide is based on cameras used and tested by DPReview's editorial team. We don't select a camera until we've used it enough to be confident in recommending it, usually after our extensive review process. The selections are purely a reflection of which cameras we believe to be best: there are no financial incentives for us to select one model or brand over another.
People with severe chronic pain were far more likely to have elevated levels of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, a new study found, hinting at an immune link to pain – but the rise in these inflammatory cells didn’t make treatments any less effective.
Category: Illnesses and conditions, Body and Mind
Tags: Chronic pain, The Immune System, White blood cells, Allergies, University of Arizona, Florida Atlantic University
Star Wars becomes more than a film franchise title as the British government moves to protect the country's satellites from laser attacks. The £500,000 (US$670,000) investment for new sensor systems is part of a broader strategic realignment.
Category: Military, Technology
Big Freedom Tiny Homes recently completed a new model that showcases how smart space-saving design can maximize limited available floorspace. Measuring a relatively compact length of 30 ft (9.14 m), the tiny house provides a home on wheels suitable for a small family.
Category: Tiny Houses, Outdoors
Tags: Building and Construction, Tiny Footprint, Micro-House, House, Home
Guangzhou, China-based aerial vehicle outfit eHang is throwing down the gauntlet in the air taxi space with the unveiling of its autonomous VT35 eVTOL. This long-range lift- and cruise-capable aircraft was shown off taking to the skies ahead of an official launch event today in Hefei, China, where the company has established a new R&D, testing, and manufacturing hub. You can see it in action below.
Tags: eVTOL, Air Taxis, Flying taxi, Ehang
The Robotin R2 is billed as the world’s first fully autonomous carpet-cleaning robot, combining deep vacuuming, automated washing and intelligent drying in one compact, low-maintenance modular system. And right now, you can get the unit for just US$799 – nearly half its expected retail price.
Category: Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Kickstarter, Smart Home, Cleaning, Consumer Electronics, Artificial Intelligence, Vacuum cleaner
What naked mole-rats lack in the looks department they make up for it in longevity, living healthily for nearly four decades. Now scientists have uncovered just how they repair their DNA – and it has the potential to be harnessed for humans to do the same.
Category: Aging Well, Wellness and Healthy Living, Body and Mind
Tags: molecular biology, DNA, Cells, anti-aging, Age-Related, Aging, Animal science
When breathing becomes a daily battle, even the simplest acts can feel exhausting. Now, a new study has found the key to easing chronic breathlessness caused by lung disease: singing.
Category: Wellness and Healthy Living, Body and Mind
Tags: Lung disease, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Inflammation, Singing, Monash University
One of the simplest truck camper designs we've seen, the Grumpy Bear Arctos Sport arrives looking like a toadstool chopped in half, or a teardrop trailer body on a pedestal. However you look at it, that simple form allows the camper to fit neatly in the pickup bed, without an over-cab alcove hanging off, giving buyers a transformable interior meant for sleeping, eating and relaxing through the evenings. It even has a standing height interior and a 4-season construction meant to stand up to Old Man Winter.
Category: Pickup Campers, Adventure Vehicles, Outdoors
Tags: RV, Pickup, Truck, Camping, Outdoors and Camping
Following the launch of a compact low-speed ambulance in July, California's GEM has unveiled an electric utility truck that's designed to haul gear through the neighborhood before heading to wilder work sites.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: Electric Vehicles, Truck, utv, Compact, Off-road
A new class of weight-loss drug has shown it can significantly boost weight loss when paired with GLP-1 therapy – without adding side effects – in a mid-stage clinical trial, pointing to a powerful new combination approach to tackling obesity.
Category: Obesity, Illnesses and conditions, Body and Mind
Tags: Obesity, Weight Loss, GLP-1 receptor agonists, clinical trials
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has Apple's newest technology, but is it worth upgrading from your current iPhone Pro?
Photo: Dale Baskin
Each year, Apple's iPhone launch event devotes considerable time to its newest flagship, the iPhone Pro, which always features the company's most advanced cameras. For photography and video enthusiasts who want Apple's latest imaging technology, the iPhone Pro is the clear choice.
And every year, Apple tries to convince us that its cameras are better than ever, and that this is the year to upgrade to make your photos more magical than ever before.
But is it worth it? Most people upgrade their smartphones only every few years, and it can be hard to know when an upgrade will truly make a difference to your photos. We're here to help sort the noise from the facts. In this photography-focused comparison, we'll examine every iPhone Pro model from the last five years – back to 2020's iPhone 12 Pro – to help you decide if an upgrade makes sense.
Before we dive into older models, let's review what's new with the iPhone 17 Pro.
Or, you can jump directly to a comparison with your current model:
Buy now:
Buy at Apple The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro MaxThe iPhone 17 Pro's headline feature is that, for the first time, all three of the iPhone cameras use 48MP "Fusion" imaging sensors.
Image: Apple
Like its predecessors, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max feature a triple-camera system with main, ultrawide, and telephoto modules. The headline feature is that, for the first time, all three camera modules use 48MP imaging sensors.
Apple brands these as "Fusion" sensors, but they are essentially a Quad Bayer design. This design allows the smartphone to computationally combine data from a four-pixel group (pixel binning) with individual pixel data to create a more detailed image. This technology also enables virtual lenses like the 2x and 8x "zoom," which use cropped regions of one of the camera's sensors. Apple calls these virtual lenses "optical quality," but they're essentially a digital zoom enhanced with machine learning-based upsampling.
The only truly new camera on the iPhone 17 Pro is the telephoto, which was upgraded to a larger 48MP sensor. It's 56% larger than the 12MP telephoto sensor in the iPhone 16 Pro, and even larger compared to earlier models, and can deliver better photo quality, particularly in low light.
The iPhone 17 Pro is the first iPhone to capture video using Apple's ProRes RAW, a Raw video format used by professional and advanced videographers.
Image: Apple
The iPhone 17 Pro also adds two advanced video features: ProRes RAW recording for greater editing flexibility, and Genlock, a professional feature for frame-perfect multi-camera synchronization via a hardware accessory.
Finally, the iPhone 17 Pro introduces a new 18MP front camera with a square multi-aspect sensor, replacing the 4:3 sensors on all previous models. Dubbed the Center Stage camera, it allows you to capture horizontal or vertical video without reorienting the phone and provides improved video stabilization.
To learn about these features in more detail, see our article iPhone 17 Pro cameras: What's new, what's unchanged.
Buy boxes
The big pictureBefore diving into individual comparisons, let's look at how the iPhone Pro's camera system has evolved. In the table below, green boxes represent significant upgrades from previous models. At a high level, this is what to look for:
Editor's note: All focal lengths in this article are full-frame equivalents.
Main camera* Ultrawide camera* Telephoto camera* Video features iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max 24mm F1.7813mm F2.2
48MP Type 1/2.55
(23.5mm²)
100mm F2.8
48MP Type 1/2.55
(23.5mm²)
24mm F1.78
48MP Type 1/1.28
(71.5mm²)
13mm F2.2
48MP Type 1/2.55
(23.5mm²)
120mm F2.8
12MP Type 1/3.2
(15.3mm²)
24mm F1.78
48MP Type 1/1.28
(71.5mm²)
13mm F2.2
12MP Type 1/2.55
(23.5mm²)
77mm F2.8
12MP Type 1/3.5 (12mm²)
120mm F2.8
12MP Type 1/3.2 (15.3mm²)
iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max24mm F1.78
48MP Type 1/1.28
(71.5mm²)
13mm F2.2
12MP Type 1/2.55
(23.5mm²)
77mm F2.8
12MP Type 1/3.5
(12mm²)
26mm F1.5
12MP Type 1/1.65-type
(44mm²)
13mm F1.8
12MP Type 1/3.4-type
(12.2mm²)
77mm F2.8
12MP Type 1/3.4
(12.2mm²)
26mm F1.6
12MP Type 1/2.55
(23.9mm²)
13mm F2.4
12MP Type 1/3.4
(12.2mm²)
52mm F2.0
12MP Type 1/3.4
(12.2mm²)
26mm F1.6
12MP Type 1/1.9
(35.2mm²)
65mm F2.2
12MP Type 1/3.4
(12.2mm²)
*All focal lengths are full-frame equivalents
Historically, the main camera received notable upgrades on the iPhone 13 Pro and 14 Pro, but has been largely unchanged since the 48MP sensor was introduced on the 14 Pro.
The ultrawide camera was upgraded on the 13 Pro and 14 Pro, and again on the iPhone 16 Pro, which also gained a 48MP sensor.
The telephoto camera has seen more variability, with focal lengths between 52mm (2x zoom) to 120mm (5x zoom), with the most significant upgrade being the iPhone 17 Pro, which gained a 48MP sensor that's substantially larger than in previous models.
Apple has continued to add video features, but all models in the table can capture photos using Apple's ProRaw mode.
If you have an iPhone 16 Pro or Pro MaxThe iPhone 16 Pro was the first iPhone Pro to add a 48MP ultrawide camera, complementing the 48MP main camera.
Image: Apple
For current iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max owners, the year-over-year upgrade is difficult to recommend unless you are a heavy telephoto user or require the advanced video features exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro.
iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max Main camera* 24mm F1.78 24mm F1.78 Main sensor 48MP Type 1/1.28*All focal lengths are full-frame equivalents
**Requires external storage for 4K/60p or higher
The iPhone 16 Pro has the same main and ultrawide cameras as the 17 Pro. While Apple claims an improved image processing pipeline, which is almost certainly true, it's unlikely to be noticeable in day-to-day use.
The major camera upgrade is the telephoto module. The iPhone 17 Pro gets a 48MP sensor that's over 50% larger than the one in the 16 Pro, giving it significantly more light-gathering capability. The telephoto focal length has also changed, decreasing from 120mm (5x zoom) on the 16 Pro to 100mm (4x zoom) on the 17 Pro.
That may sound like a downgrade, but a common complaint on the iPhone 16 Pro was the large gap between its main and telephoto cameras. This forced mid-range zoom shots to rely heavily on computationally-enhanced crops from the main sensor. The 17 Pro's 4x telephoto narrows that gap, allowing the phone to switch to the dedicated telephoto lens, and its full sensor area, sooner.
"A common complaint on the iPhone 16 Pro was the large gap between its main and telephoto cameras."Additionally, the iPhone 16 Pro and all older models used Apple's previous 4:3 front-facing selfie camera. The new Center Stage camera could be a reason to upgrade if you take many selfies or shoot video on the move.
The only new video features are ProRes RAW and Genlock, both aimed at advanced videographers. Unless you have a specific need for them, these features alone don't justify an upgrade.
If you have an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro MaxThe iPhone 15 Pro series bifurcated the telephoto camera, with the smaller iPhone 15 Pro featuring a 3x telephoto lens while the iPhone 15 Pro Max featured a 5x lens and a slightly larger sensor.
Image: Apple
For iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max users, there are some additional considerations. The main camera on the 15 Pro series uses the same lens and sensor as the iPhone 17, effectively delivering the same image quality. However, the 16 Pro introduced a 'second-generation' version of this sensor with 2x faster readout, enabling "zero shutter lag" even when shooting Raw photos. If you've been bothered by this lag on your 15 Pro, it could be a reason to upgrade.
iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max Main camera* 24mm F1.78 24mm F1.78 Main sensor 48MP Type 1/1.28*All focal lengths are full-frame equivalents
**Requires external storage for 4K/60p or higher
The telephoto cameras are another story. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max use different modules, with 77mm (3x) and 120mm (5x) lenses, respectively. This means upgrading to the 17 Pro's 100mm (4x) telephoto could result in either more or less reach than you're used to. In either case, the upgrade will get you the 17 Pro's new 48MP sensor, which is over 50% larger than the 15 Pro Max's and almost double the size of the 15 Pro's.
Image stabilization is another factor to consider, particularly for low-light situations requiring slower shutter speeds. The iPhone 15 Pro Max's telephoto module uses sensor-shift image stabilization. In contrast, the smaller iPhone 15 Pro's telephoto uses Apple's older, less effective optical image stabilization system. Sensor-shift stabilization didn't come to the smaller iPhone Pro's telephoto module until the iPhone 16 series. Therefore, iPhone 15 Pro users should experience improved telephoto stabilization after upgrading.
The iPhone 15 Pro and earlier models don't include Apple's Camera Control button (seen on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, above). It allows you to launch the camera from anywhere, change key settings with a slide of the finger, and works as a shutter button.
Photo: Dale Baskin
Ultrawide and macro photographers may be drawn to the iPhone 17 Pro's 48MP ultrawide camera. Like Apple's other 48MP sensors, it's a Quad Bayer design, so the resolution gain isn't as large as the numbers suggest. Still, it captures more detail and provides more latitude for cropping macro shots. The sensor size remains unchanged, however, so don't expect low-light improvements.
The 17 Pro includes other features not on the 15 Pro, like the Camera Control button and an updated Photographic Styles system that lets you change a look after the photo is taken. Video upgrades include 4K/120p capture (up from 4K/60p) for more dramatic slow-motion, along with ProRes RAW and Genlock support.
If you have an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro MaxThe iPhone 14 Pro was the first iPhone Pro to feature a 48MP sensor on the main camera.
Image: Apple
The camera modules in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are broadly similar to those in the 15 Pro, except for the 15 Pro Max's 5x telephoto. As a result, much of the same upgrade logic applies.
iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max Main camera* 24mm F1.78 24mm F1.78 Main sensor 48MP Type 1/1.28*All focal lengths are full-frame equivalents
**Requires external storage for 4K/60p or higher
The iPhone 14 Pro was the first model with the higher resolution 48MP main camera sensor still used today, though 17 Pro will benefit from the faster readout speed that first arrived on the iPhone 16 Pro. Additionally, the 14 Pro defaults to 12MP photos binned from its 48MP sensor, compared to the 24MP default on more recent models. (Full 48MP resolution is still available via a settings change, however.)
Upgrading to the 17 Pro will get you the newer 48MP sensors on the ultrawide and telephoto modules, including the 50% larger telephoto sensor. Neither iPhone 14 Pro model includes sensor-shift image stabilization on the telephoto camera, relying instead on the older, less effective optical image stabilization system. Upgrading to the 17 Pro will provide superior sensor-shift stabilization on the telephoto camera, where it's needed most, and which is especially helpful in low light.
"Upgrading to the 17 Pro will get you the newer 48MP sensors on the ultrawide and telephoto modules, including the 50% larger telephoto sensor."Newer iPhones like the 17 Pro also feature lens coatings not found on the 14 Pro, which can reduce lens flare when shooting into bright light. (Though models with updated coatings still have the green flare balls that have almost become a calling card of iPhone photos.) Newer models can also capture 3D spatial images, a feature the iPhone 14 Pro lacks.
The iPhone 14 Pro and older models don't include the almost universal USB-C plug (seen on the iPhone Pro Max, above), relying instead on Apple's older Lightning connector.
Photo: Dale Baskin
Video capabilities may be the most compelling reason to upgrade. The iPhone 14 Pro captures ProRes video, but not the ProRes Log format desired by videographers for its color grading flexibility. Furthermore, its ProRes recording is limited to 4K/30p or 1080/60p, restricting 4K slow-motion options.
The 14 Pro was also the last model with a Lightning connector. Newer models use the more universal USB-C, which offers data transfer speeds up to 10Gbit per second – 20 times faster than the Lightning port's USB 2.0 speeds.
If you primarily use the main camera, upgrading to the 17 Pro is a toss-up, as it's mostly unchanged from the 14 Pro. However, for frequent users of the ultrawide and telephoto cameras, or for videographers who want Log video, the upgrade becomes a compelling, no-brainer decision.
If you have an iPhone 13 Pro or Pro MaxThe iPhone 13 Pro was the last iPhone Pro with 12MP imaging sensors on all three camera modules.
Image: Apple
With older models, the differences in technology become more stark, and for iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max owners, upgrading to the 17 Pro will improve the camera experience in nearly every way.
iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max iPhone 13 Pro / Pro Max Main camera* 24mm F1.78 26mm F1.5 Main sensor 48MP Type 1/1.28*All focal lengths are full-frame equivalents
**Requires external storage for 4K/60p or higher
The iPhone 13 Pro was the last to use a smaller, 12MP main camera sensor before Apple's switch to the 48MP sensor that became standard, and the 17 Pro's sensor is 63% larger. The 13 Pro has a faster F1.5 aperture versus the F1.78 lens on newer models. However, when factoring in both sensor size and aperture, the 13 Pro has about a fifth of a stop less light-gathering ability than the 17 Pro. The 13 Pro also lacks the benefits of the 48MP sensor, which uses pixel binning for extra detail and enables the '2x' zoom option found on newer models.
The situation is similar for the ultrawide camera. Its 12MP sensor is roughly half the size of the 17 Pro's. While its F1.8 aperture is faster than the 17 Pro's F2.2, the 13 Pro's ultrawide is still about a third of a stop behind in total light gathering and lacks the benefits of the 48MP sensor.
"The iPhone 13 Pro was the last to use a smaller, 12MP main camera sensor before Apple's switch to the 48MP sensor."The telephoto camera is where you'll see the most dramatic difference. The iPhone 17 Pro's larger, higher-resolution sensor captures almost a full stop more light than the 13 Pro, and allows for more zooming. The 17 Pro also uses more effective sensor-shift stabilization on its telephoto module, compared to the older optical stabilization on the 13 Pro models.
As with the 14 Pro, video features could be a deciding factor, especially if you want ProRes Log for color grading latitude. With all three of the 13 Pro's cameras still at 12MP, lower light-gathering capacity, and a shorter video feature list, this is an easy upgrade to recommend.
If you have an iPhone 12 Pro or Pro MaxThe iPhone 12 Pro's triple-camera array.
Image: Apple
Five years feels like an eternity in technology, and the cameras on the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max are showing their age.
iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max Main camera* 24mm F1.78 26mm F1.6 Main sensor 48MP Type 1/1.28*All focal lengths are full-frame equivalents
**Requires external storage for 4K/60p or higher
The iPhone 12 Pro's main camera sensor is even smaller than the 13 Pro's; in fact, the 17 Pro's main sensor is 200% larger. Despite a slightly faster aperture on the 12 Pro, the iPhone 17 Pro's main camera captures about 1.25 stops – roughly 2.5 time – more light than the iPhone 12 Pro. That's a dramatic difference.
Similarly, the ultrawide sensor on the iPhone 17 Pro is almost twice as large as the 12 Pro's, which also has a slower aperture. The net result is that the 17 Pro's ultrawide camera captures nearly 1.25 stops more light than the 12 Pro's. Again, a dramatic difference.
"The iPhone 12 Pro's main camera sensor is even smaller than the 13 Pro's; in fact, the 17 Pro's main sensor is 200% larger."The situation is more complexe for the telephoto modules. Although the 12 Pro models have smaller telephoto sensors, their much faster apertures allow them to keep pace with the iPhone 17 Pro's newer module in terms of exposure. The catch is their focal length. At 2x (52mm) on the 12 Pro and 2.5x (65mm) on the Pro Max, they are much shorter than the 17 Pro's 4x (100mm) telephoto, making them less useful for distant subjects.
Also, because the 17 Pro's main sensor is so much larger, its '2x zoom' (which uses a cropped area of the sensor) can capture a full stop more light than the 12 Pro's telephoto camera, and its '2.5x zoom' captures a half stop more than the 12 Pro Max's. In effect, the iPhone 17 Pro's main camera can outperform the 12 Pro's dedicated telephoto cameras while also offering a superior 4x optical zoom.
The iPhone 12 Pro's doesn't include camera features like Apple's newer Photographic Styles, which let you change styles on a photo after it's taken, or most of the video features available on the iPhone 17 Pro.
Image: Apple
Image stabilization is another key difference. The iPhone 12 Pro Max was the first to introduce sensor-shift stabilization on its main camera, but the smaller 12 Pro used older, less effective optical stabilization. Upgrading from the smaller 12 Pro will provide a noticeable improvement, as all Pro models since the 13 series have featured sensor-shift on their main cameras.
The 12 Pro models also show their age in video. While they capture Dolby Vision HDR and 4K/60p, they lack all the other video features Apple has introduced in the last five years.
If improving photo quality is your goal, this upgrade makes absolute sense. With 12MP sensors across the board, lower light sensitivity, and telephoto lenses that the 17 Pro's main camera can effectively replace, you will see an across-the-board improvement in image quality.
ConclusionApple's slick presentations make it easy to feel like you need the newest iPhone cameras, and I give Apple credit for being very good at that. The reality, however, is that most annual updates are incremental. Major improvements are the exception, not the rule.
Also, when considering an upgrade, keep in mind that it may not be necessary to buy Apple's newest iPhone Pro, depending on the features you need or want. If an older model meets your requirements, you might save a chunk of change by buying a recent used phone, or even a refurbished phone from Apple, that's still newer than your current phone and gives you the features you want.
