Night mode is a new feature that was released with the iPhone 11, and it’s mainly used in low-light situations. The image sensor reads the light differently, allowing one’s photos to become more luminous and detailed even if there is no light around.

Apple has also implemented the option to use up to a 10-second shutter speed, which makes the photo a lot brighter. However, most DSLR cameras can go beyond 30 seconds for shutter speed.

“Night mode is incredible, but you can’t do it on the wide-angle yet which kind of sucks because the wide-angle is so good on the iPhone. Once there’s night mode on the wide-angle, it will be a game-changer,” Pedersen said.

The iPhone does a spectacular job of letting in a lot of light when there is little of it, but in places with a lot of texture, noise or grain tend to pop up. Additionally, the sides of the photo can become blurry, unlike the DSLR.

In the pictures above, the DSLR camera was able to keep the clearness in the background and on the horizon, whereas the iPhone lost some of that.

Regardless, the iPhone seems to handle itself pretty well in low-light situations, given that it has such a small camera.

Portrait mode was introduced to the iPhone in 2016 and has improved a lot since then. Apple’s software creates a shallow depth of field, which is the blurriness people seem to like. It can capture a lot of details in the face but often has trouble with creating bokeh — the smooth blur — around the subject.

iPhone Portrait mode also adds a filter over one’s face, which cleans up impurities. But, this may make parts of the photo look unnatural.

“Portrait mode still needs a lot of work for it to be as believable as that of a DSLR or a mirrorless [camera] with a portrait lens because the bokeh is pretty unrealistic,” Pedersen said.

An example of Apple’s software not being able to add bokeh effectively is seen in the picture above; there is a spot between the fisherman’s hands and his sweatshirt where bokeh is missing. Contrarily, DSLR cameras have no problem with this effect, as it is not artificially made; it creates the soft blur simply with a small aperture.

“Often on the iPhone, the details provided in the photo isn’t enough to make it pop. When you need an image to pop, you’ll want that detail to work with. The texture of fabrics and skin, the detail in the eyes, and being able to see each eyelash are all so important in an image,” said Jeff Bartee, a professional photographer. 

With the new wide-angle camera on the iPhone, landscape shots can capture a lot more of the scenery than before. In good lighting, the iPhone can also pick up more details, creating an all-around high-quality photo. 

For instance, the iPhone picture above looks similar to the one by the DSLR, even on the horizon and in the background. Also, the blues in the sky and water are much more dramatic than in the DSLR. 

“Everyone has a pretty dang good camera in their pocket at all times now. It will be interesting to see how close [iPhones] can get to being a fully functional camera,” said Chris Burkard, a professional photographer. 

For any regular iPhone user, they may not need a full DSLR camera, as the camera on their phone is often sufficient enough. 

“iPhones are expensive. However, most people need a phone; they don’t need a camera. If you can have both in one, not only is it worth the money, but it’s also super convenient,” Pedersen said. 

It’s evident that Apple has stepped up their game when it comes to camera technology, and even if they aren’t entirely on par with a DSLR, they are getting pretty close.

Bartee said, “For most people, without question, the iPhone is the camera that makes the most sense to carry. It’s what I carry if I am headed out the door for a casual night with friends. It’s a camera you can have with you all the time and not have to think about it.”