Camera
Over the years, the iPhone’s camera has gotten better and better, to the extent that I’d rather have an iPhone that doesn’t make calls than one that doesn’t take pictures. Taking photos is what I do most with my iPhone, and while I’m no camera snob, a good camera is a must.
So far, the iPhone 6 delivers. Instead of adding more megapixels, Apple has improved the lens and sensor. The 6 doesn’t have the 6 Plus’ optical image stabilization (which for me is a very good reason for stepping up to the bigger device), but it does have phase-detection focusing (which Apple calls Focus Pixels) and slo-mo video at 240-fps.
Focus Pixels makes for very quick and accurate focusing (Charlie Sorrell has an excellent overview here). The image sensor has dedicated sensor pixels (the Focus Pixels) that take two images from different parts of the lens and compare them. If they line up, the image is in focus. If not, the sensors know how far apart they are and instantly adjusts the focus. The system eliminates that frustrating hunting around that often occurs, and because it knows what direction to move the lens in, is much faster.
The most fun is the 240fps slo-mo mode, which turns even mundane actions into cinematic masterpieces (explaining why hacks like Guy Ritchie make copious use of slo-mo).
Slo-mo might be a gimmick, but it’s one we’ve yet to tire of. It presents myriad experimental opportunities. My kids have spent days filming everything in slo-mo, from water balloon fights to spitting mouthwash.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amkXWgYKW1M&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvrM-DamtqM
