Some people are complaining that Apple kept the same iPhone camera with its 2.0 megapixels in their new iPhone 3G.
To those people, I say: If you want to take better pictures, use a real camera.
That camera on the iPhone is for quick and dirty shots, mostly meant to be emailed as part of the communication process. For example, an architect snaps a shot for a contractor to not just tell him, but show him that his crew needs to learn how to frame a house. Or a parent grabs a quick shot of their kid playing soccer to dash off to grandma. That camera in iPhone 3G isn’t for the aspiring Ansel Adams framing their perfect shot of Grand Teton.
Apple correctly has given users enough to get the job done while not bogging down networks unnecessarily with 5+ megapixel shots of Sally running around in shin guards.
Ditto for the whole “iChat AV-yay-we’re-finally-gonna-have-video-phones!” idea. The network capacities are finite, people. Not infinite. I’d wager that Apple understands perfectly that if they put a front-facing camera and and iChat AV app on an iPhone, then they’d have a video phone. I’d also wager that they didn’t bother to even discuss it with the carriers, since they didn’t want to hear where to put their “video phone.”
The networks can’t handle millions of people making video calls along with all of the regular voice and other traffic, including all of that extra data bandwidth that iPhone users already use surfing. And, starting on July 11th, surfing on the iPhone 3G will only increase as it becomes so much faster.
So, let’s recap: Apple’s iPhone 3G camera isn’t overkill for the sake of looking good on a specs sheet, while negatively affecting network performance. iPhone 3G’s camera is the proper one for the average job for which it is intended to be used. If you want to be a photographer, get a real camera. Also, Apple didn’t fail to grasp anything. They understand perfectly well that a video phone is possible, but that millions of them in action isn’t a feasible idea, yet.
People who complain about the number of megapixels in iPhone 3G’s camera and/or wonder why Apple didn’t put a front-facing camera on the iPhone for video chatting simply aren’t seeing the whole picture.
SteveJack is a long-time Macintosh user, web designer, multimedia producer and a regular contributor to the MacDailyNews Opinion section.
Although I largely agree with the content of this story, I find amusing how Apple fanatics (including myself) are always quick to find excuses for missing features.
If other phones had crappy camera and the iPhone was the only one with a good camera we would be trumpeting this on every web site.
3G has been available for a while outside the US and operators have tried to get people to use their video phones. Video communications are now the same price as voice on most network in europe.
I think it is a good technology demonstration, but no one wants to do a video conversation in Public as people around can hear both side of the conversation.
I find that when I am perfectly still, and there is plenty of light, the pictures are pretty good. As long as I can see the directions of wires in a piece of equipment I am working on, so that I can email for support, I am happy.
The 2 megapixel limit probably makes it easier to attach pictures for emailing, and also for storage (since there is no external storage…)
Now, about no video capture……
simple, first the networks are just not that robust yet to support video calls, second…they have to have something in the works for you to upgrade to in the next revisions, it’s coming, just not yet.
I’d support a better camera in a heartbeat tho, full lighting it’s not to bad, low light is hell with the iPhone camera however 🙁
2 megapixels is about as much as that tiny lens can resolve anyway (probably even overkill). You don’t increase quality by adding megapixels, especially if the light gathering device is about the size of a pinprick.
It’s ironic that people want smaller, thinner and lighter but they also want DSLR quality. That’s just not going to happen unless someone defies the laws of physics.. or Apple makes the light-gathering device a lot bigger. Then, we can increase sensor resolution/size.
@ Philippe
“Video communications are now the same price as voice on most network in europe. “
I know you know this, but I’m going to clarify; Jack is talking here about the bandwidth capacity, not the price.
” but no one wants to do a video conversation in Public as people around can hear both side of the conversation.”
I don’t know why anyone thinks I should hear ONE side of their conversation. Man, I hate public cell phone users. I think talking on a cell phone in public should be considered as socially inappropriate as dropping one’s pants and squatting to defecate on the sidewalk.
Take it where no-one can hear you, people!
I really wish they had upgraded the camera. Not so much for my personal use, as the existing camera is usually good enough. My concern is as a stockholder. I believe the phone will sell very well in the rest of the world, but I think the camera quality will cause many people not to buy. I only say that because I’ve read many times how important the camera is to people in other parts of the world. Since I don’t live in Europe, when a European tells me a good cell camera is important, I have to believe him. And of course I mean a good cell camera compared to what THEY are used to, not what I’M used to. I expect this issue to be addressed with the third iPhone next year though, as we all saw that job listing Apple had a while back.
I like Apple’s stand against the megapixel myth. For a small camera, after a point, the greater the megapixels, the worse the picture (like telescopes & binocs, greater mag’n = worse image after the limitations of the optics are reached). Bottom line: Get a real camera.
The GPS feature, on the other hand, is aces. Garmin et al have been fleecing consumers for far too long. They are about to get what they deserve.
I’ll probably get an iphone in a bit but my friend has some small nokia N series phone and it takes great video shots while walking around which the downloads to his computer, edits and then uploads to youtube. The quality is VGA but it works well and more importantly he was able to take the shot since your phone goes everywhere with you. That’s where I see a nice camera on the iphone really being invaluable. Look at the success of the Flip which is just a simple, small, easy to use video camera that takes crappy footage but is always with you
I don’t agree with Phllippe.
Have seen the size of the phones with those hi mega pixel cameras? I like my iphone nice and thin thank you. I don’t want to carry more weight with a bigger camera that I don’t need.
Plus 3G video chat is over rated. I live in Hong Kong and 3g video chat has been around for years. I have many friends with 3g and video chat capability, but I have never seen anyone use that video chat function in all years its been on the market. Only once when they demoed it at the store and on advertisements, but those don’t count. The tech is just not there even in Asia to be practicable. The user experience is terrible and nobody uses it. Video chat is not ready for market. Maybe in 5 years.
I agree with Jack on this one.
As I said yesterday, I am disappointed on how little of a leap Apple made in its next gen iPhone, but I will buy one anyway.
I am waiting for OtterBox to update their cases too: they make the most rugged iPod and iPhone cases on the planet in my never humble opinion.
I suppose I will have to live with my iPhone purchase for four to five years when Apple really comes out with something truly spectacular.
If the Nokia N95 can have a 5 MP camera, I don’t see why the iPhone can’t. Bogging down the networks? I honestly don’t believe that a better camera would bog down the network.
I can see, however, that video calling could do this. However, as people are quick to point out, many European phones can do this, so the technology is definitely feasible. The counter point to that would be that iPhone would likely do for video calling what it did for mobile Internet–Previous devices have had these capabilities, but many people don’t utilize them on other devices, as they are not as easy to use.
Rubbish. Europe is full with 3G video phones and that was never a problem. Sure, Apple would make finally USABLE and thus create even more data load, but still, it’s totally not the case. And about back camera – it’s shit, no more, no less. And again – I think we WILL one day have usable images with our phones. Why the hell I’d care for geo-tagged photos, when they are no good for anything? Megapixels actually don’t matter. Smaller resolutions for phone cameras are even good, but the quality has to be better.
So. All this comes to only one simple explanation – updage path for iPhone v3. That’s it.
Well, to expand on your take, Stevejack, I will submit that Steve Jobs knows exactly what he is doing and has no intention of adding a feature to a product until or unless it can meet his exacting standards.
We all already know that Video Conferencing over Wi-Fi seldom looks anywhere near as clean as it does in the demos from the Moscone. Most people don’t have 3-5 mbps download AND upload, and the quality of video chats can often struggle depending on the available bandwidth.
3G has an even tighter bandwidth cap, and as a result Video Chatting would look bloody awful. If they had included the feature, they certainly could have made a compelling demo out of at the Keynote yesterday; but as soon as the phone went public, the reality would set in, and everyone from the tech press to the forum trolls would pounce on Apple like a rabid monkey.
Perhaps once 4G networks are in place, Video phones will be plausible, but not a moment before.
Oh, and how about a camera with a flash? My Motorola Nextel i860 had a flash, and it’s not even a smartphone.
Completely agree with the author: If you want to be a photographer, buy a camera! And mobile video chat is simply not feasible over today’s networks.
Actually I think SteveJack is missing the point.
My 3 megapixel powershot takes great photos and fine movies–I have been using a 512mb CF card in that thing for years.
my 30 gig iPod has about 10 gigs of music, games and movies on it.
I lug my 17″ powerbook with me on trips to access the internet and email.
My crappy razr gets about a day of use on a charge and I turned off data and text so I won’t get accidentally charged.
I want to be able to use an iphone for these things.
And I almost can. Apple has no reason to marginalize the device.
I do not video chat and I never will but I know you could limit the traffic to wifi if you wanted to so no network concerns.
Imagine if that contractor could show and tell his client.
Convergance, man. Thats what the iPhone is supposed to be tackling.
My concern is as a stockholder. I believe the phone will sell very well in the rest of the world, but I think the camera quality will cause many people not to buy. —Wish I Was Here
I doubt that Apple wants the business of anyone dumb enough to reject the iPhone because of its camera. Ridiculous!
It’s also a matter of price. Keeping the hardware the same they utilize their economies of scale and can lower the price and allow more people to get engaged in the platform. Once the platform is established, they will start adding new features again!
Being able to shoot simple video clips would be nice, rather than just still pictures. I can live very well without video chat, and I have no problem with camera quality… Although it seems a little slow in terms of responsiveness, which is likely more of a software issue.
Totally agree
1. it’s not megapixel, it’s the optics that matter, if SJ put 5M camera in iP, all you would get is blur that consists of more pixels, not sharper image. 2M is good enough for me to take a shot of a white board, or item at the store so I can show it later to my wife, or a tag at lowes so I can know what that plant’s name is.
2. front camera? so how would you shoot regular pics? 2 cameras? so we would pay extra for 2nd cam just to use it once or twice?
Steve made the right choice.
The iPhone camera is perfect for* For the Record* pictures…if you want a nice picture get a real camera. Of course I wish it had one, of course I wish it had a ray gun and anti gravity but it is pretty darn good the way it is.
N95 is almost twice as think as the iPhone. The only thing I want that thick is in between my….
Convergence means compromise. As long as it can do a good job, its good enough. For the best job, get a device dedicated to the task.
The Swiss army knife is useful; however, if I wanted to kill someone instead of cutting a rope, I will get a meat cleaver specifically for the task of killing someone. Most days I don’t plan to kill someone carry the Swiss army knife. The meant cleaver comes out if there is premeditation.
I couldnt disagree more with SJ. Hey I have a decent camera already, but I do not want to carry more than one gizmo everywhere I go.
The camera in the mobile phone doesnt have to be some elite shit..but it can be decent and right now I can’t take any decent pictures with my iPhone unless the lightning conditions are good.
I got an iPhone on June 29th last year – have been a loyal Mac guy since the early 90s. However, the iPhone hasnt earned my loyalty because unlike the Mac – which allows me to DO MORE, the iPhone DOES LESS than my current phone. I use an SE k850i, unlocked, quadband and triband 3G. It’s got a 5mp camera with a xenon flash. On my last vacation, i didnt even need to bring a camera. Used it for all my picturetaking with great results – day and night. and of course, no hassles with using overseas prepaid SIMs.
i do see the whole picture – but unfortunately, not with the iPhone.
What’s your excuse for lack of video recording, Mr. Jack? Did Steve Jobs leave that out as part of his masterful plan, too?
With this big, beautiful screen and great software, Apple had the chance to make a very useful camera out of a cell phone. Excellent photo and video editing features right here at the palm of your hand. But I guess Jobs will save that for iPhone 4G and then we can all bow down and praise it for the improvement while forgetting SteveJack’s lame ass commentary detailing why Apple should just rightfully give up on the camera.
No wonder he pulls this shit. You can cut a few corners, like having a so-called smartphone WITHOUT CUT AND PASTE AFTER A DAMN YEAR, when you have people like SteveJackass rushing to the front of the line to make excuses for your lackluster decisions.