iPhone 13 Camera is blurry

Thanks for this helpful comment and information to understand more about this “issue”.🙏🙏

I put “issue” in quotes because some users may be happy about smoothening filters 😅

the iPhone 12 Pro I took the the Apple store to make a comparison was not updated to iOS 15.

At the Apple store I went they also tested with iPhone 11 they had there and this strong reduction was not applied.

hope they gave the possibility to save the original picture without workarounds from other apps

MarcelDav wrote:

let other users have a discussion, find possible solutions , sending feedback to Apple.

And let those users hear the comments of experienced users who may point out solutions. Equally they may learn out as Dogcow-Moof and I have pointed out, that some complaining users are not using valid methods to determine if there is a real fault, and if so whether it is in the physical camera and initial image capture, or the processing to post a sample and view here in forums, -or whether the real problem is perception and lack of understanding between the ears of certain users.

The experienced users and photographers will continuer to discuss and offer advice.

At Apple users’ feedback are always welcome.

If users have posted their complaints in the Feedbag system they have no case to continue arguing here except to encourage others to follow their lead. https://www.apple.com/feedback/

We are not considering final image since pro users (and not) usually can shot and edit.

the two pictures isazavakos took are bringing something very useful to this thread.

If we start editing picture on the left (taken with iPhone camera app with visible “oil paint effect”) we have less possibilities since details are lost.

this is something you immediately notice if you try to edit brightness, sharpness etc.

picture on the right seem a bit off if we consider it from a NOT pro point of view and we want to post it on Instagram as it is

but

if we start editing we will find out that does contain more details, even considering both RAW images

**Test done personally on iPhone 13PRO , RAW images , different light condition, native camera app and Lightroom for iOS camera**

Zooming in on a photo or video is digital zoom which will always look horrible.

When taking photos or video, if the zoom is the natural zoom for one of the optical lenses and there is sufficient light, that lens will be used and it will look great, otherwise it will be poor digital zoom again.

So for example, on the 13 Pro Max those zoom levels are .5x, 1x and 3x.

For the iPhone 12 Pro Max they were .5x, 1x and 2.5x.

Experts feel the camera is excellent.

https://www.dxomark.com/apple-iphone-13-pro-max-camera-review-apple-flagship-imaging/

> MacRumors is even worse.

How so? Please enlighten me. Please don't dismiss people who are just sharing their issues. People probably just want to confirm if others are having the same issue before contacting Apple. I thought it was just me at first, but after doing some testing with my old phones and reading what others have shared. It became clear it's an issue.

> You say you have never had issues like this yet we saw the same complaints when the iPhone 12 was released.

It's possible that it was an issue then. I never had the iPhone 12. It's the only time I didn't upgrade to the latest gen.

> Ultimately it’s personal preference again.

So far, people have been objective on this thread. With the exception of 3 individuals. It has nothing to do with subjective "personal preference"... Like you keep insisting...

The people have spoken:

Why does iPhone 13 Pro Max Camera blur/discolor when something comes into focus???

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253274654?page=1

My new iPhone 13 mini takes blurry close up photos. My first generation 1 SE (~2016) took much better photos. why

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253270448

iPhone 13 photo quality issue

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253182548

iPhone 13 Pro blurry camera

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253181534?page=5

iPhone 13 Pro Disgusting Photos

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253252719

Blurry very unrealistic photo from front and back cameras

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253240997

iPhone 13 Pro Max camera selectively blur sign/object in background?

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253232616

iPhone 13 Pro horrible photos, blurry and too sharp sometimes, worst than iPhone X

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253323090

Close-up photography issues iPhone 13 Pro

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253198272

> Leave feedback and perhaps Apple will turn down the processing in a future release; given how popular Instagram and Snapchat filters are I suspect there are those who want Apple to do more processing.

I already submitted feedback before I even starting replying on this forum. I will also be taking my Phone to the Apple Store...

jbolus wrote:

I don't get why you guys are patronizing users who are just wondering what's going on with our devices.

Not patronizing users at all. When you make sweeping statements like "THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN" that's just plain wrong.

Good for you that you work with Wall Street folks. It was in an article the other day where it was "estimated" Apple has sold at least 50,000,000 iPhone 13 (all models included, I imagine) phones since they launched in September. We quibble over exact numbers, which we know Apple doesn't release. But suffice to say, it's a HUUUUUUGE number of phones. To suggest the unique number of individual (not every post as many are repeat posters like us) posters is representative of the total number of users is simply statistically wrong. You and others posting dissatisfaction here are the "vocal minority."

If you are unhappy with your phone and cameras, instead of trying to prove they are defective with other users, take your phone to Apple. Having people agree with you however, won't make a difference.

I am personally very happy with the cameras on my phone. They take stunning pictures. I continue to post so here, which seems to make people like you mad. I will continue to do so. I have been on this forum helping people for over a decade. I'll be here long after you've grown tired of this discussion.

There is one area you and I can agree on. And that is, I would prefer Apple gave the user the option to turn HDR on and off as their choice.

Otherwise, I applaud the discussion and hope users find solutions which help them to better appreciate their camera systems on the new phones. But I take exception with there are a LOT of people having issues. There are some grousing for various reasons. And many for not knowing how the cameras on their phones work, such as standard photographic principles, then blaming the phones for poor photographs. Given the millions upon millions upon millions of new phones sold since September, this thread and others wherever they may be, represent a statistically insignificant percentage of iPhone 13 (all variant) owners out there. Being a vocal minority, does not a bad camera system make.

Using the Lightroom app is no different than shooting in RAW mode.

Regardless, you are taking the proper course of action, as I have advised all along, and that is to file feedback.

Ultimately the feedback is read by Apple, and many issues people complained of in feedback were indeed addressed in later releases.

lobsterghost1 wrote:

The point was not what matters to me or matters to you. The point is 'what' will matter to Apple.

This is "our" forum and here the point is what matter to us users.

To send feedback to Apple you can use this link here: 📸➡️ https://www.apple.com/feedback/camera/ ⬅️📸 ;)

lobsterghost1 wrote:

A vocal minority may not be enough.

So trust yourself positively. Vocal minorities can make the difference ;)

Cheers

I’m seeing the same. I moved from the 12 Pro to the 13 Pro Max. I know how to capture sharp images. This phone’s camera is alarming blurry. This image has been sharpened and details defined with my go to software, SnapSeed It’s still blurry

That’s because the focus was clearly on the couch cushion behind the cat which looks razor sharp.

Because of the wider aperture of the iPhone 13’s wide lens, choosing a focus point is more important than ever because of the reduced depth of field.

Did you tap and hold down the yellow box to AF lock on your cat?

Use camera modes on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

It doesn’t matter what iPhone 12 photos look like; the iPhone 13 was clearly focused on the couch cushions behind your cat.

If you look at the couch cushions in the photo, they are razor sharp; the overall photo isn’t soft.

Yes, I locked focus on my cat. That’s the problem, the focus isn’t on him even though I locked focus on his face.

In fact, the sample I posted was the best of 20 or so. Google “blurry iPhone 13 photos” and you will see this is a wide spread issue.

Fyi, I’ve shot professionally for the AP and regional magazines. I’m not a total newb.

Well, if it's been 14 days or less you can return your iPhone for a refund and get the Samsung you prefer.

If it's been longer, you can sell it and then purchase the Samsung.

Most people are happy with theirs; if you absolutely can't live with what it creates, life is too short to remain that unhappy with a major purchase you will be using daily.

We're just users here, not Apple, so we'd prefer to see you happy if you don't see in the iPhone 13 Pro Max what those of us who love ours do.

I think I found what they intend to be their version, but it's only for skin toning. It's in the contour lighting. In that mode it will automatically, slightly, soften skin appearance.

You've been very helpful!

Thank you!