iPhone for photography — which model should you choose in 2026?
Best value for photography: iPhone 13 Pro (under 15,000 Kč) — telephoto, ProRAW, Night mode. For the maximum: iPhone 15 Pro Max or 16 Pro (48MP main camera, 5× telephoto, USB-C RAW transfer). The base models (13/14/15) are great for everyday shots but lack telephoto and ProRAW. For Instagram, even an iPhone 12 is more than enough.
Best value for photography: iPhone 13 Pro (under 15,000 Kč) — telephoto, ProRAW, Night mode. For the maximum: iPhone 15 Pro Max or 16 Pro (48MP main camera, 5× telephoto, USB-C RAW transfer). The base models (13/14/15) are great for everyday shots but lack telephoto and ProRAW. For Instagram, even an iPhone 12 is more than enough.
In this article
- What makes an iPhone a good camera?
- Three categories of users:
- Tip for everyday photography: iPhone 13 (from 8,990 Kč)
- Tip for the hobby photographer: iPhone 14 Pro (from 12,490 Kč)
- Tip for maximum zoom: iPhone 15 Pro Max (from 19,990 Kč)
- Tip for video creators: iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max (from 18,990 Kč)
- Camera comparison of pre-owned models
- Features worth mentioning:
- Verdict
What makes an iPhone a good camera?
Apple invests huge sums in computational photography — algorithms that squeeze the most out of sensor data. What matters is sensor size, number of lenses, optical stabilisation and release year (newer Photonic Engine vs. older Smart HDR). For everyday photos a standard model is fine; for demanding scenes, go for the Pro variant.
Three categories of users:
- Everyday user (family photos, holidays, social media) — a standard iPhone 13 or newer is enough.
- Hobby photographer (landscapes, portraits, animals) — a Pro model for the telephoto lens.
- Content creator / video (vlogs, reels, short films) — iPhone 15 Pro and above for ProRes and USB-C transfer.
Tip for everyday photography: iPhone 13 (from 8,990 Kč)
A dual 12MP camera system (main + ultrawide), Night Mode, and Cinematic Mode for video with automatic background blur. It lacks the Photonic Engine, but photos are still excellent. A perfect choice for Instagram, photos of kids and holidays.
Tip for the hobby photographer: iPhone 14 Pro (from 12,490 Kč)
A triple camera with a 48MP main sensor (4x more pixels than before), 3× optical zoom, Photonic Engine and ProRAW for maximum flexibility in post-processing. Shooting in RAW gets you more detail and colour from each shot. Great value among the Pro models.
Tip for maximum zoom: iPhone 15 Pro Max (from 19,990 Kč)
The first iPhone to bring a 5× optical tetraprism zoom (120mm equivalent). Ideal for concerts, sports, wildlife and portraits at a distance. Plus all the features of the 14 Pro: 48MP main sensor, ProRAW, ProRes video. The iPhone 15 Pro (non-Max) only has 3× zoom, so pay extra if you want the telephoto reach.
Tip for video creators: iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max (from 18,990 Kč)
A new 48MP ultrawide with autofocus (better macro shots), 4K 120fps Dolby Vision video, Audio Mix to remove background noise from speech, and ProRes in 4K to internal storage (previously only to an external SSD). USB-C 3.2 transfer saves hours when exporting. A clear choice for serious video creators.
Camera comparison of pre-owned models
| Model | Main specs |
|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | 12MP + 12MP ultrawide |
| iPhone 14 | 12MP with Photonic Engine |
| iPhone 14 Pro | 48MP + 12 + 12 (3× zoom) |
| iPhone 15 Pro | 48MP + 12 + 12 (3× zoom) |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 48MP + 12 + 12 (5× zoom) |
| iPhone 16 Pro | 48MP + 48MP UW + 12 (5× zoom) |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | 48MP + 48MP UW + 12 (5× zoom) |
Features worth mentioning:
- Apple ProRAW — RAW files with Apple's computational photography. Pro models only, from iPhone 12 Pro up.
- Cinematic Mode — video with background blur. From iPhone 13.
- Action Mode — video stabilisation while running. From iPhone 14.
- Spatial Video — 3D video for Apple Vision Pro. From iPhone 15 Pro.
- Macro photography — extreme close-up detail. From iPhone 13 Pro.
Verdict
Most people will be perfectly happy with an iPhone 13 or iPhone 14. If you want professional results and a telephoto lens, the iPhone 14 Pro offers the best value for money. For maximum zoom and video, go for the iPhone 15 Pro Max or 16 Pro Max. At iLoveServis you'll find all these models pre-owned with a 2-year warranty.