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The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus represent Apple’s entry-level iPhone models designed to appeal to a wider swathe of customers than the Pro models. On the photographic side, resolution is this year’s big story: a 48MP main camera sensor brings high-resolution image capture to non-Pro owners in two forms: the default option to capture a pixel-binned 24MP version or shoot full-res 48MP ‘max’ images. Both are steps up from the 12MP available on previous models.
You won’t escape that 12MP base entirely, though. The ultra-wide camera still uses a 12MP sensor, and 12MP is captured in Night mode, when the flash is used, or when any of the Portrait Lighting modes (such as the Studio Light option) is active. However, speaking of portraits, you do get the new ability for the phone to automatically save a depth map when it detects a person or pet, even if you’re not specifically in Portrait mode.
Choosing one of this year’s non-Pro iPhones means you forgo camera features found on the Pro models, such as a dedicated telephoto lens, macro mode, and the ability to capture Raw images. To see examples of what the iPhone 15 Pro can produce, be sure to check out the iPhone 15 Pro Sample Gallery.
The photos in this gallery were made with an iPhone 15 Plus, which has identical camera specifications to the iPhone 15. The images were captured in the device’s default HEIF format, and exported from Apple Photos as full-size JPEGs with JPEG quality set to maximum. Several photos may appear to be identical but are the same subject captured at 48MP and 24MP (or 12MP, depending on the circumstance). All photos are straight out of camera, except where noted.
Our DPREVIEW Tribute:
After nearly 25 years of operation, DPReview closed on 10 April 2023. This difficult decision was part of the annual operating plan review that parent company, Amazon, shared earlier this year.
Over the course of 25 years, DP Review built up a reputation as being one of the most informative places to go for information about that new camera or lens you’re after. DP Review began as an independent reviews site based in the UK in 1998, the brainchild of Philip and Joanna Askey, but it was eventually purchased by Amazon in 2007 and relocated over to Seattle in the USA in 2010.
Cheers DPReview – thanks for the great work and content that guided photographers, videographers and techno junkies the world over!