iPhone 16 Pro JPEGMax/ 48mp Wide Angle (0.5x) Photos Blurry (Slow Shutter Speed)

Here’s a low light image at a friend’s restaurant I took a few days ago before we started this discussion.

Please notice the settings — ISO 800, f1.78, 1/23 shutter speed. This is the normal lens at full 48MP.

Here’s a closeup of a beer in the cooler, obviously well lighted.

This has been converted to jpeg so it uploads, but I’m handholding at 1/23 of a second (24mm lens) and in good light, a respectable closeup.

Here’s a friend of mine (permission to post image) across the bar. Same settings, so 1/23 ss handheld.

I need to see some images and settings or we’re just going in circles with no resolution to your challenges.

Without the photos associated with the images you shared the talk is meaningless. Apple uses pixel binning when you are in low light and the 48 MP image is dropped to 12 MP. This effectively captures more light per pixel and thus produces images with much less noise. This is how pixel binning works.

An iPhone 15 didn’t have 48 MP sensors and therefore couldn’t do pixel binning.

If you’re serious about wanting help post examples. Otherwise, I’ll stand by the images I shoot. Many high end mirrorless cameras use pixel binning.

The shutter speed >may< drop because by combining pixels (4 small to one large you’re capturing more photons and ISO may be lowered to reduce noise. This may result in a slightly lower shutter speed.

However I noticed you’re using the slower telephoto lens, which at f/2.2 is pretty slow.

If you want better indoor photos use the normal (24mm) or Ultra Wide (13mm) both offer 48 MP to take advantage of the pixel binning I described earlier. They also have faster apertures and will be easier to hand hold at slower shutter speeds.

Oh, and for the record I know a little something about this also. I used to shoot for AP, International Herald Tribune and taught photography at MSU.

Jeff Donald wrote:

The shutter speed >may< drop because by combining pixels (4 small to one large you’re capturing more photons and ISO may be lowered to reduce noise. This may result in a slightly lower shutter speed.

However I noticed you’re using the slower telephoto lens, which at f/2.2 is pretty slow.

If you want better indoor photos use the normal (24mm) or Ultra Wide (13mm) both offer 48 MP to take advantage of the pixel binning I described earlier. They also have faster apertures and will be easier to hand hold at slower shutter speeds.

Oh, and for the record I know a little something about this also. I used to shoot for AP, International Herald Tribune and taught photography at MSU.

Very impressive Jeff and it's great to know you're REALLY knowledgeable on photography. Impressed, Indeed!

Jeff Donald wrote:

Thank you. 🙏 I normally like to stay in the background, I felt it might add a bit of credibility.

There are a few of us who "try" to help out in photo threads, but even though I'm somewhat knowledgeable, you have more knowledge in your pinky than I do altogether. I dub thee the "New Camera Czar!" And I'm delighted to do so!

When trying to analyze two images it’s best to have the information from both images. I see the information for what I assume is the bottom image. Do you have the information for the top image? It would be best if the ISO for each image is displayed too. Thank you.

Apple won't see this, this is a user to user forum.

Low light conditions will cause slow shutter speeds, this is a law of physics, and nothing Apple can control.