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jmann32 Author

Level 1

18 points

Over sharpening photos post processing | iPhone 12 Pro Max

Coming from the iPhone X, I've never noticed any post processing from taking the photo to tapping the small preview of the recent photo in the photos app. I'm noticing a very obvious post process after opening the recent photo in the camera app and it appears every image is being sharpened significantly. I honestly prefer the look of the images prior to the processing as usually the files are large enough to add a small amount of sharpness if I need to but in this case, they're coming over sharpened right out of the camera app. Am I the only one a little concerned about this?

A little background of myself, I've been a professional photographer for 6 years who is now producing large format print work, so I can be a little nit picky.

iPhone 12 Pro Max, iOS 14

Posted on Nov 15, 2020 10:40 AM

Top-ranking reply

CheckeredBeetle

Level 1

24 points

Posted on Feb 13, 2021 8:46 AM

Folks, I believe I found the evil.

After hours of testing and spending money on 3rd party camera apps, I discovered following:

- The images don’t look over post-processed after transferring to Mac

- When watching the images on iPhone with 3rd party viewer apps, the photographs also look OK

- Images shot with 3rd party camera apps look OK in the related camera app, but when viewed with iPhone Photos app, they show the same strange sharpness and overexposure

These brought me to the conclusion that not the iPhone camera, but in fact the iPhone Photos app causes this issue.

And voilà: go to “Settings” - “Photos” - turn off “View Full HDR” and the nightmare is over.

Cheers!

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Similar questions

28 replies

Jan 31, 2021 6:35 AM in response to jmann32

I bought a new iPad Air 4 recently and have been frankly horrified by the over-sharpening I get there. I'm still using an old iPhone 6, which I prefer to the iPad even for a photo of a paper invoice. I'm sad to see this is an issue with the new iPhones as well. I really hope Apple can back off with this.

Feb 11, 2021 7:26 AM in response to jmann32

Same here, I was terrified to see the output after changing from XS to 12 pro max. Especially text becomes horrible when over sharpened. HEIC looks even much worse than JPG.

Everywhere they praise the best photo quality ever reached on iPhone and this was a major reason for me to buy the flagship. How can it be?

Bgg1b

Level 1

9 points

Nov 29, 2020 1:04 PM in response to sbagga

I had a problem abs had to reset my nee 12 pro max phone. I defaulted back to HEIF and the photos are noticeably better and less over sharpens.

Dec 18, 2020 8:02 AM in response to Bgg1b

Hi how do you lessen the sharpness on the 12 pro max?

pogster

Level 5

4,283 points

Mar 22, 2021 4:33 AM in response to Savs67

You can leave feedback here: https://www.apple.com/feedback/

Dec 18, 2020 8:10 AM in response to AliKazmi786

You can’t at present.

Feb 13, 2021 9:34 AM in response to CheckeredBeetle

This makes a big difference! Photographs definitely look better with this switched off. Thank you 😊

Savs67

Level 1

4 points

Mar 22, 2021 4:21 AM in response to jmann32

I have this same problem. I bought the 12 pro max for the camera and these pictures come out terrible. I’m so disappointed. I can’t believe Apple would let this go. Please developers....fix it!

Savs67

Level 1

4 points

Mar 22, 2021 4:47 AM in response to pogster

I’ve done that. I’m hoping a lot of people do so they’ll take it seriously.

Apr 19, 2021 11:34 PM in response to jmann32

I "upgraded" from an iPhone X to an iPhone 12 almost JUST because of the supposed camera being better. But I actually hate the pictures.... enough to consider selling it and downgrading. :'(

zoephoto

Level 1

4 points

Apr 28, 2021 1:24 PM in response to CheckeredBeetle

Thank you! I still think there is something off but that definitely helped!

RaquelDL

Level 1

4 points

May 7, 2021 8:06 AM in response to CheckeredBeetle

Thank you so much!! It does help a lot

May 7, 2021 9:30 AM in response to RaquelDL

You welcome!

Over sharpening photos post processing | iPhone 12 Pro Max