Understanding the iPhone Xs Dual Camera System: Focal Lengths and Angles of View
When discussing the iPhone Xs and its dual camera system, two critical aspects that often come up are the focal lengths and the angles of view. The iPhone Xs consists of a wide camera and a telephoto camera, each with different specifications that affect the photographic quality in portrait and landscape orientations.
Focal Lengths of the iPhone Xs Dual Cameras
The iPhone Xs has a dual-camera system with the following focal lengths:
Wide Camera
Focal Length: 26 mm equivalent (full-frame equivalent) Focal Length: 4 mm (actual sensor focal length)Telephoto Camera
Focal Length: 52 mm equivalent (full-frame equivalent) Focal Length: 6 mm (actual sensor focal length)It's important to note that the actual sensor focal lengths differ from the equivalent focal lengths, which are more commonly used to compare with full-frame cameras. The wide camera's actual focal length is 4 mm, which is quite narrow compared to its 26 mm equivalent.
Comparison with the iPhone X
The iPhone Xs builds on the improvements seen in the iPhone X, which had a main 1/2.9-inch sensor. The iPhone Xs has a slightly larger sensor at approximately 1/2.55 inches, a common size in modern smartphones. This increase in sensor size generally translates to better image quality and low-light performance.
Angles of View in Portrait Orientation
Wide Camera
Horizontal Angle of View: ~65 degrees Vertical Angle of View: ~50 degreesTelephoto Camera
Horizontal Angle of View: ~32 degrees Vertical Angle of View: ~24 degreesThese angles of view can vary based on specific conditions and measurement methods, but they provide a solid approximation of the camera capabilities. The wide camera offers a wider angle of view, making it ideal for capturing more in the frame, while the telephoto camera narrows the angle, perfect for zooming in and isolating subjects.
Sensor Improvements and Depth Mapping
The increase in sensor size from the iPhone X to the iPhone Xs is significant, bringing Apple closer to premium smartphone standards. However, the increase in sensor size alone does not fully account for all improvements. The iPhone Xs's main camera likely uses a Sony IMX333, IMX345, IMX362, or IMX363 sensor, which are common in smartphones today.
One interesting aspect of the iPhone Xs is the integration of depth mapping, which is crucial for creating that shallow depth of field effect in photos. Unlike the iPhone 8 Plus, which used a 6.6mm lens, the iPhone Xs uses a 6mm lens for the telephoto camera. This slight tweak can help in achieving a more balanced ratio between the wide and telephoto cameras.
The iPhone XR takes a different approach, delivering "fake bokeh" with a single camera, similar to how Google uses depth information. This suggests that the iPhone XR might be utilizing a dual-pixel camera, a technique commonly used by Sony for improved autofocus. However, Google uses the entire dual-pixel array to build depth mapping, a method that requires AI to enhance the foreground-background separation in portrait shots.
Conclusion
The iPhone Xs features a refined dual-camera system with improved focal lengths, angles of view, and sensor size. These enhancements offer better image quality, especially in low-light conditions, while the depth mapping and single-camera bokeh techniques continue to push the boundaries of what one camera can achieve. As smartphone photography evolves, understanding these technical aspects will help users make the most of their devices.