Title: The Battle of the Zoom: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 8 Pro
Subtitle: A detailed review comparing the telephoto cameras of two flagship phones
By Pierre Herubel
In the quest to determine the superiority of smartphone zoom capabilities, I delved into the world of two top-notch flagship phones: the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Google Pixel 8 Pro. While both devices have been meticulously reviewed by experts, I wanted to focus specifically on their 5x telephoto cameras.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces a new benchmark for the iPhone line with its 5x f/2.8, 12MP camera. It is a step up from its predecessor, which had a maximum optical zoom of 3x. Apple’s innovation lies in its use of tetraprism technology, which allows for greater focal distance within a compact space.
Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 8 Pro retains the 5x zoom feature seen in previous Pixel models. However, it boasts a slightly wider aperture of f/2.8, enhancing its low-light capabilities. Notably, the Pixel offers the option of 30x digital zoom, but for this comparison, I focused solely on the optical capabilities of both devices.
To ensure a fair assessment, I established a set of rules: no digital zooms, no filters, no exposure adjustment, and no manual focus. I simply aimed the phone cameras at the subject and tapped the shutter button.
In my analysis, I present my findings in two formats. Firstly, I have selected a few images for full-resolution crops to evaluate details, color accuracy, and clarity. Additionally, I provide slider images of all the comparative photos, offering a compressed but informative glimpse of the quality displayed on the screens of both phones.
Overall, both phones deliver exceptional telephoto camera performance, capturing intricate details while maintaining accurate colors, clarity, and exposure. Broadly speaking, the Pixel 8 Pro tends to produce warmer and brighter images, occasionally sacrificing fine details. On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Pro Max exhibits a touch more grain, reminiscent of classic film photography, but compensates with excellent detail.
The 3D sensor-shift optical image stabilization in the iPhone lends it a slight advantage in terms of clarity. Nevertheless, I encountered no significant difficulties capturing sharp images with the Pixel 8 Pro’s 5x optical zoom.
While there is an apparent discrepancy in pixel count between the two devices, the Pixel 8 Pro’s 5x zoom camera utilizes a 48MP sensor, but captures photos at a binned 12MP resolution by default. The iPhone’s telephoto camera, on the other hand, is a dedicated 12MP unit that optimizes its pixel count effectively, as iPhones are known to do.
The good news is that either phone’s 5x telephoto camera will likely leave users satisfied. However, it is worth noting that I did not test Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra, which boasts a 10x optical zoom lens and is regarded as a leader in smartphone optical zoom. Unfortunately, a direct comparison was not possible due to the absence of a 5x optical zoom lens on the Galaxy.
In conclusion, both the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Google Pixel 8 Pro showcase impressive telephoto camera capabilities. Whether you prioritize true-to-life colors or nuanced details, these devices offer an excellent zooming experience that will meet the expectations of discerning smartphone photographers.
(Note: The article does not include a response to the reader’s question regarding the Galaxy S23 Ultra, as testing was not conducted for this particular model.)
Image credits: Future / Lance Ulanoff
