About the Camera features on your iPhone

Learn about QuickTake, the Ultra Wide camera, and other camera features on your iPhone.

Grab a video with QuickTake

You can use QuickTake to record videos without switching out of photo mode. QuickTake is available on iPhone XS, iPhone XR, and later.

Hold the shutter to take a video

When you open the Camera app, you see the default photo mode. Tap the Shutter button   to take a photo. Then tap the arrow   to adjust options, like flash, Live Photos, timer, and more.

If you want to capture a QuickTake video, just press and hold the Shutter button .* Release the button to stop recording.

With iOS 14, you can hold one of the Volume buttons to capture a QuickTake video. If you have Use Volume Up for Burst enabled, you can use the Volume down button to capture a QuickTake video.

Slide to the right to lock recording

To keep recording video without having to hold the button, slide the Shutter button  to the right, then release it. When video recording is locked, a Shutter button appears to the right. Tap the Shutter button  to take a still photo during video recording. When you’re ready to stop recording, tap the record button.

Slide to the left for burst mode

Slide the Shutter button  to the left and hold it to take a burst of photos, then release it to stop.

With iOS 14, you can capture photos in burst mode by pressing the Volume up button. Just go to Settings > Camera and turn on Use Volume Up for Burst.

• To take videos with customizable resolution, stereo audio, and audio zoom, switch to Video mode.

See beyond the frame

On iPhone models with the Ultra Wide (0.5x) lens, the Camera interface shows you what’s happening outside of the shot that you’re framing. This can help you decide if you need to reframe your shot or switch to a different camera lens on your iPhone for a better photo.

Automatically apply a tailored look to your photos

With Scene Detection, the camera intelligently detects what you’re taking a photo of and applies a tailored look to bring out the best qualities in the scene. To turn this feature off, go to Settings > Camera, and turn off Scene Detection.

Scene Detection is available on iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Adjust your focus and exposure

Before you take a photo, the camera automatically sets the focus and exposure, and face detection balances the exposure across many faces. With iOS 14, you can use Exposure Compensation Control to precisely set and lock the exposure for upcoming shots.

Just tap the arrow  , then tap   and adjust your exposure level. The exposure locks until the next time you open the Camera app.

Exposure Compensation Control is available on iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and later.

Take a mirrored selfie

With iOS 14, you can take a mirrored selfie that captures the shot as you see it in the camera frame. To turn Mirror Front Camera on, go to Settings > Camera, then turn on the setting.

The Mirror Front Camera for photo and video is available on iPhone XS, iPhone XR, and later. If you have an iPhone 6s to iPhone X, the setting is called Mirror Front Photos and captures photos only.

Capture photos even faster

With iOS 14, you can use Prioritize Faster Shooting to modify how images are processed — allowing you to capture more photos when you rapidly tap the Shutter button . To turn this off, go to Settings > Camera, and turn off Prioritize Faster Shooting.

Prioritize Faster Shooting is available on iPhone XS, iPhone XR, and later.

Take portraits to the next level

With Portrait mode, the camera creates a depth-of-field effect, which lets you compose studio-quality photos that keep the subject of your photo sharp while blurring the background.

Enhance your selfies and Ultra Wide photos

With Lens Correction, when you take a selfie with the front-facing camera or a photo with the Ultra Wide (0.5x) lens, it automatically enhances the photos to make them appear more natural. To turn this off, go to Settings > Camera, and turn off Lens Correction.

Lens Correction is available on iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Do more with the camera on your iPhone

• Need to capture photos in low-lighting conditions? Learn how to use Night Mode on supported iPhone models.
• Use Live Photo to capture moments with movement and sound.

Published Date: December 14, 2020

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