Camera test: iPhone 12 vs. 12 Pro vs. 11 Pro

These two are priced the same, how do their cameras differ?

At the current state of things, the iPhone 12 costs as much as the outgoing iPhone 11 Pro. They are also about the same size, so we wondered how they would fair in their camera image quality when compared directly .

Let's look at a few camera samples.

iPhone 11 Pro Max main camera

We've used an iPhone 11 Pro Max to take the samples below, but rest assured, the image quality is identical to the 11 Pro, and all conclusions apply to both.

iPhone 12 main camera

The primary cameras on both phones have the same sensors, but the iPhone 12 has a brighter lens. This has no effect on the daylight photos - they are identical. There is absolutely no difference in resolved detail, contrast, or dynamic range. The color presentation is the same, too.

Sometimes, the iPhone 11 Pro/Max can sharpen foliage more than the iPhone 12. But we had to look really close to see this and, as we mentioned, it's not all the time.

Now, let's see the ultrawide photos.

iPhone 11 Pro Max ultrawide camera

iPhone 12 ultrawide camera

While the two phones supposedly have the same ultrawide shooters, the iPhone 12 saves better photos - they are noticeably sharper and more detailed, especially around the edges and corners.

Other than that, both iPhones' ultrawide snaps offer realistic colors, natural dynamic range, and excellent contrast.

Moving on to low-light performance. Here, the iPhone 12 may have an advantage because of its brighter lens.

iPhone 11 Pro Max main camera (NM auto)

iPhone 12 main camera (NM auto)

Both the iPhone 11 Pro/Max and the iPhone 12 use Night Mode and usually opt for 1s or 2s exposures. All four scenes look identical on both phones. The photos are excellent, the colors are pleasantly saturated, and the exposure - quite balanced.

The brighter lens of the iPhone 12 allows for capturing just a tiny little bit more detail in some darker spots like bushes, but it's barely noticeable.

By forcing the auto Night Mode off, we can clearly see the benefits of the f/1.6 lens on the iPhone 12, though. Its normal photos are obviously brighter.

iPhone 12 (NM off) • iPhone 11 Pro (NM off) • iPhone 12 (NM off) • iPhone 11 Pro (NM off)

The iPhone 11 Pro/Max doesn't support Night Mode for its ultrawide camera. Quite expectedly, the Night Mode ultrawide shots are a massive improvement over the photos saved by the iPhone 11 Pro/Max.

Oddly, even without Night Mode, the iPhone 12 offers brighter images with somewhat more detail and less noise.

iPhone 11 Pro • iPhone 12 (NM off) • iPhone 12 Night Mode

iPhone 11 Pro • iPhone 12 (NM off) • iPhone 12 Night Mode

iPhone 11 Pro • iPhone 12 (NM off) • iPhone 12 Night Mode

Verdict - iPhone 12 is no match in zooming, but its ultra wide is great

The iPhone 12 lacks a telephoto camera, and the difference in quality is even more pronounced when you compare its digital zoom to the tack-sharp optical zoom camera on the iPhone 11 Pro.

However, it's able to fight back with its ultra-wide camera, which shows an improvement in daylight and a massive boost in low-light conditions thanks to the newly added Night mode.

For those with a more practical approach, the iPhone 11 Pro remains a great deal because it has a complete set of cameras, a brighter screen, and a quick charger in the box.

However, the newer iPhone 12 arrives with this year's new design, a faster CPU, an improved screen glass, and an ever so slightly larger display. It's also noticeably lighter.

Our preferences lean towards the newer iPhone 12 if you are choosing between the two. If you already have an iPhone 11 Pro or if you can find it at a considerably reduced price, making the move to the iPhone 12 doesn't make any sense unless the reduced weight and the new design are the biggest draws for you.

All in all, a choice like this one will boil down to personal preferences, so we are inclined to call this one as a Tie.