Sun Camera Exposure

For a high-quality smartphone camera like the one on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during a 10-minute video recording is unlikely to physically damage the lens.

It sounds like you might be experiencing a technical issue known as "lens flare" caused by the sun's direct exposure during your video recording. This can result in spots or dots appearing on the footage. Here are a few tips to potentially mitigate this issue:

1. Adjust the angle of your camera slightly to avoid direct exposure to the sun. Sometimes even a small shift can make a big difference.
2. If you have one available, attaching a lens hood or using your hand to create a shade around the lens can help block direct sunlight from hitting the lens.
3. Sometimes dust or smudges on the lens can exacerbate lens flare. Wipe the lens gently with a clean, soft cloth to ensure it's free from any debris.
4. In some cases, adjusting the exposure settings on your phone's camera app might help. You can try decreasing the exposure or changing other settings to see if it minimizes the flare.
5. If the dots are still present in your footage, you can use video editing software to try and reduce their visibility. Some software has tools specifically designed to remove or reduce lens flare effects.
6. Specialized filters or polarizers for smartphone cameras can sometimes help reduce the glare and flare caused by direct sunlight.

Remember, the sun's position and brightness can significantly affect how your camera captures the scene. Experimenting with these tips might help you minimize the dots caused by the sun exposure during your next recording.