BillyBobSenna
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If you use the Lightroom mobile app, you can also sync a DNG with your desktop Lightroom or Lightroom Classic catalog on your desktop.
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Nikon Z9 vs iPhone 17 Pro
- Thread starter ajr images
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Terrible Photographer
Senior Member
I disagree, the iphone shot is full of artifacts and destructive NR. Doesn't really tighten back up till you downrez to about 8MP.I took these images yesterday, the first with a Z9 and 24-70 f2.8 S II and the second with an iPhone 17 Pro in RAW format a little while later.
The DNG file from the iPhone was 83MB before moving into Lightroom and converting to JPEG. The image needs a little work as it should be white rather than cream
Surprising how good the latest phone cameras are.
Also, the iphone is sharper in the peripheral than the new 24-70. The front and rear reflectors of the car shouldn't be as soft as they are on the 24-70II.
starbase218
Senior Member
Nice Dakota! The 911 is also nice I suppose. 
The iPhone is great if you don't zoom in. The main camera at 48MP can shoot very detailed photos, the AI stuff does all the processing for you and you end up with a pleasing image. (I think even RAW isn't actually RAW?)
The ergonomics are horrible. A phone is not a camera. It's a phone that also takes photos. No viewfinder, no tilting or fully articulating screen, and very little in the way of physical controls. I think that in low light, the computational photography falls apart with anything that moves. Oh, and if you zoom in to say 2x, you just get 12MP (and 3MP of color information). And maybe the most important (at least for me): it's a connected experience. With AI junk, with beeps going off when you get an email, with big tech companies that know far too much about you, etc etc etc.
A camera is an honest, offline experience. I kind of hope it will stay that way.
A Z9 is not a MFT camera, but nevertheless, this seems quite relevant:
The iPhone is great if you don't zoom in. The main camera at 48MP can shoot very detailed photos, the AI stuff does all the processing for you and you end up with a pleasing image. (I think even RAW isn't actually RAW?)
The ergonomics are horrible. A phone is not a camera. It's a phone that also takes photos. No viewfinder, no tilting or fully articulating screen, and very little in the way of physical controls. I think that in low light, the computational photography falls apart with anything that moves. Oh, and if you zoom in to say 2x, you just get 12MP (and 3MP of color information). And maybe the most important (at least for me): it's a connected experience. With AI junk, with beeps going off when you get an email, with big tech companies that know far too much about you, etc etc etc.
A camera is an honest, offline experience. I kind of hope it will stay that way.
A Z9 is not a MFT camera, but nevertheless, this seems quite relevant:
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I was just going to mention that it looks to me like there's some optical distortion in the iPhone snap, the windows behind the plane's engine look crooked on the phone, but are nice and straight in the Nikon. However if phone was all I had, I'd have been good with the image.Nice Dakota! The 911 is also nice I suppose.
The iPhone is great if you don't zoom in. The main camera at 48MP can shoot very detailed photos, the AI stuff does all the processing for you and you end up with a pleasing image. (I think even RAW isn't actually RAW?)
The ergonomics are horrible. A phone is not a camera. It's a phone that also takes photos. No viewfinder, no tilting or fully articulating screen, and very little in the way of physical controls. I think that in low light, the computational photography falls apart with anything that moves. Oh, and if you zoom in to say 2x, you just get 12MP (and 3MP of color information). And maybe the most important (at least for me): it's a connected experience. With AI junk, with beeps going off when you get an email, with big tech companies that know far too much about you, etc etc etc.
A camera is an honest, offline experience. I kind of hope it will stay that way.
A Z9 is not a MFT camera, but nevertheless, this seems quite relevant:
My cheap Android has a 64mp image mode and, in this kind of light, would produce a similarly sharp photograph. I'm not sure if its sensor is 64mp or if it's stacking several images together however it is admirably sharp and clear for a phone. I have no desire to explore RAW capabilities of a phone, since the last article I saw about that was on DPR, using the then-current iPhone (15? 16?) and I wasn't impressed. A lot of work for less than my M43 could do on its own with an OOC JPEG.
My real cameras liberate me from having to keep buying the new, expensive phone so I can get the new, iterative camera improvements that still don't impress me compared to say, my old Fuji X-E1 with its 18-55mm f2.8-4 lens. It had a real optical zoom.
ajr images
Senior Member
I corrected the window frame with the Lightroom Transform function in the Z9 image but didn't bother in the iPhone image, so that's the difference. I try to keep things vertical when framing the image in the camera but don't always get it spot on. Transform is useful for minor corrections.
The latest iPhone is just a 'nice to have' pocket computer. It certainly doesn't replace my 'real' cameras and I hope it never will.
The latest iPhone is just a 'nice to have' pocket computer. It certainly doesn't replace my 'real' cameras and I hope it never will.
starbase218
Senior Member
The "remove before flight" tag, and actually that whole area, look way more mushy on the iPhone shot.
Edit: err, is that supposed to be an American flag on the guy's cap?
Edit: err, is that supposed to be an American flag on the guy's cap?
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ajr images
Senior Member
Agreed, but then I could have bought 8 iPhone 17 Pro's for the price of the Z9 plus lens, so perhaps not surprising.
starbase218
Senior Member
I guess I didn't see these details when I looked before. But yeah, there are definitely artifacts in the iPhone shot. It also seems to be over-sharpened, but that's not really a surprise.
All I want now is a Z8 for that price. Come on Nikon, you can do it.
That's why I was pretty happy about the D750 and Tamron 100-400 I took to Costa Rica having cost me the same as my iPhone.
All I want now is a Z8 for that price. Come on Nikon, you can do it.
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michaeladawson
Forum Pro
You don’t need a Z9 for that shot. A Z7 is all you need. In fact, a Z7 has some advantages over a Z9. Higher DR for example. You don’t need the 24-70 f/2.8 II either. So I think saying you can get this shot for 1/8 the cost of Nikon is not a fair comparison.
RBFresno
Forum Pro
Yes (at least for some uses)
Hi!
Appreciate this example.
I have an iPhone 16 ProMax.
The iPhones have gradually gotten so good and easy to use, that over the last 10 years or so, I just less frequently haul my Nikon gear around. I used to have a camera with or near me daily, but now use an iPhone for casual use:
Speaking of smaller cameras...
This week, I purchased my first Leica (a Q3) and am thinking that for some uses, it might fill the niche between my ever present iPhone and much less present Z8 and Z lenses.'
The Q3 doesn't fit in my shirt or pants pockets, but can fit into a larger jacket pocket.
Even though the Leica has a fixed 28 f/1.7 lens, I suspect that it out resolves the Q3 61 MP sensor.
My first use was at a concert yesterday where I was seated too far back for a 28mm lens.
But, it afforded mean opportunity to get acquainted with the Q3 and see if i could get away with heavy cropping.
Sure, I would rather have had my Z8 (or sitting closer!), but no way I would be allowed in with a "professional camera" or a camera with a removable lens.
I just got home from that concert and haven't culled through which shots might be the technically/artistically best. But here is a fast first attempt (good case to test out ability to crop!):
Uncropped (Can barely see Ringo Starr at his drum kit):
View: original size (external website)
Cropped ~100%
View: original size (external website)
Cropped ~180%:
View: original size (external website)
At first glance and without a technically valid methodology, cropping on the 61 MP sensor seems pretty good.
I also took a few pictures on my iPhone 16.
As expected, the iPhone images were nowhere close to the Q3
For this particular event, I'm sure the Z8 (with a longer lens) would likely have been better, but as I mentioned, no way I'd be allowed to bring that in.
As a first attempt for me, things appear promising.
In any event, the primary purpose of your post for me, is for some uses, iPhones can be a surprisingly good, and much more mobile, alternative to a DSLR
Best Regards,
RB
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ajr images
Senior Member
I don't disagree that a lesser body and lens could have been used for that shot. However, I've used 'pro' sized bodies since the mid '80's with my F4S, so that's what I'm used to, plus I want a body that balances well with my 400TC and 600TC, hence my choice of Z9's.
I do have a Z6III as a travel body. It's very capable but it feels like a toy in comparison to the Z9's.
I do have a Z6III as a travel body. It's very capable but it feels like a toy in comparison to the Z9's.
ajr images
Senior Member
Your last paragraph summarizes the spirit of my post.
The Q3 sounds interesting. Glad you like it.
The Q3 sounds interesting. Glad you like it.
Karl Huber
Senior Member
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Thank you. That is a very interesting comparison.I took these images yesterday, the first with a Z9 and 24-70 f2.8 S II and the second with an iPhone 17 Pro in RAW format a little while later.
The DNG file from the iPhone was 83MB before moving into Lightroom and converting to JPEG. The image needs a little work as it should be white rather than cream
Surprising how good the latest phone cameras are.
I’m still on iPhone 12 (hate getting a new one) but this gives me reason to do some research.
A Nikon refurb Z7 is $1799, the 24-70mm f4 is $839. More expensive than an iPhone, but also a more versatile photographic tool by far-and in a decade, that Z7 will still be doing Z7 things as well as ever, after the phone has been recycled. That camera and lens will also probably still be worth $700 then, too.
Six years ago, I bought an X-H1 on sale for $999. It's worth $700 today. The phone I had then? No longer possible to use it-no more security or OS version updates.
Phones come and go, quality cameras stay for the duration.
Zoom in on the PCLUB logo, the stenciled info on the propellers, the chrome trim on the car. Look at the noisy textures in the iPhone picture of the grey aircraft fuselage, the NR processing fuzz around the props. That '90s looking chroma noise on the chrome trim highlights. It's a decent phone picture, but..
No contest. Z9 wins. As I suspect, would also my Zf. Or my X-H1 for that matter.
No contest. Z9 wins. As I suspect, would also my Zf. Or my X-H1 for that matter.
Terrible Photographer
Senior Member
Or anything. A D100 would do better and have less artifacts than an iPhone resized to 6MP.
I do want to take a moment to mention that my criticism is only of the iPhone, meaning I like the photo itself. Like the composition of vintage race car and vintage high performance aircraft.
If I'd been there and my phone was all I had, I'd be happy with the memento.
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ajr images
Senior Member
Understood. I had the new phone with me so I just thought I'd see how it performs.
djwuk
Forum Enthusiast
That’s encouraging, my new 17 Pro should ship next week, will have to do a similar test with my Z8
RBFresno
Forum Pro
Kinda...
The D200 of course also can use interchangeable lenses, a huge advantage over iPhones. Lots of other advantage over an iPhone
But "anything"?
No Wi-Fi, video, and Live View.
And foremost, the iPhone fits into one's pocket, For most of us, we'll have an iPhone with us more often than a DSLR
Best Regards,
RB
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https://www.nikonimages.com/member-photos/859
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