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Updated October 2023
- The iPhone 15 Pro is the best phone you can get for filmmaking
- All iPhones can shoot high-quality video with optical image stabilisation
- If you want to shoot and edit on one device, iPads or larger phones are best
- You may need accessories like cages and microphones.
If you own an iPhone, you’ve always got a small, easy-to-use camera in your pocket. It’s great for filming where other cameras would attract too much attention. Video quality can be excellent, so they’re increasingly being used for news and documentary. People have even shot feature films with them.
You can also edit on them, though the free iMovie is a bit limited on the phone screen: it’s easier on the iPad. I prefer VN Editor, which is also free. LumaFusion has more professional features.
I edit my own iPhone videos using Final Cut Pro on a Mac. There’s also an iPad version which works on recent iPad Pro and Air models.
Which iPad or iPhone?
iPhone 15 Pro
If you’re buying a phone specifically for filmmaking, the iPhone 15 Pro is the best choice. It has three cameras:
- The main (1x) camera is equivalent to a 24mm wide angle lens on a full frame camera. Its 48MP sensor means it can also record full quality at 2x (48mm), which will give more natural perspective for closeups.
- The 0.5x lens is a 13mm extreme wide angle.
- The 3x telephoto lens is equivalent to 77mm. This is close to the ideal focal length for closeups, which is why I’m buying a Pro rather than a Pro Max. (The 5x telephoto lens on the bigger phone could be useful for travel, but 120mm is a bit too long for regular filmmaking.)
The 15 Pro and Pro Max are the first camera phones to shoot in the professional ProRes format. They can also record in ‘log’ mode, which handles contrasty subjects better and is easier to colour correct.
I’m getting the 256Gb model as the 128Gb model can’t shoot ProRes. These phones can record to an external drive over USB-C, so there’s no real need to get one with more built-in storage. (Apple’s built-in storage costs much more per Gb than an external SSD like the Samsung T7.)
iPhone 13 Pro and 14 Pro
If you’re not planning to do professional colour correction, you could save by getting a new or refurbished iPhone 14 Pro. Its specs are fairly similar except that it can’t record in ProRes or log mode. The iPhone 13 is similar, but has a smaller main camera sensor which lacks the 2x (48mm crop) option.
iPhone SE
The 2020 iPhone SE is the most affordable current iPhone. It’s compact and discreet, but only has a single lens and a small 12MP sensor.
iPads for filmmaking
The basic iPad is the cheapest current Apple tablet, with up to 256Gb memory and a headphone jack, but it can only shoot 1080p HD and slow motion is limited to 720p.
The latest iPad mini can shoot 4K slow motion, and 1080p HD at up to 240fps. It doesn’t have a headphone jack so you’ll need an adapter.
The iPad Air can record 4K video at up to 60fps, and 1080p HD at up to 240fps. It doesn’t have a headphone socket so you’ll need an adapter.
The iPad Pro models come in two sizes, both with twin cameras. They can shoot 4K, have full HD 240fps slow motion, continuous video autofocus, and optical image stabilisation. They come with up to 2Tb of memory. The top iPad Pro can record video in the professional ProRes format.
If you’re buying used or refurbished, go for a fairly recent model. Older iPads can’t be upgraded to the most recent version of iOS. (Apple support phones for much longer.)
Why doesn’t everybody film on them?
You can get soft, ‘noisy’ images in low light, and you may get flare when you shoot into the light. The lens doesn’t have true optical zoom and the microphone can struggle with wind and background noise. But if you avoid shooting in difficult light – and you use the right accessories – you can get remarkably good video out of iPhones.
If you already have a recent iPhone or Android phone, you could also consider getting the DJI Pocket: it’s a little stabilised camera that can use your phone as a screen.
iPhone or iPad?
Reasons to buy an iPhone:
- They generally have better cameras than iPads
- They’re smaller and easier to handhold.
Reasons to buy an iPad:
- The bigger screen is better for editing
- Most are less expensive than iPhones
- Some (not the Pro and Air models) have a 3.5mm minijack for connecting headphones and microphones.
- They’re better for group use (eg in schools).
You can shoot on your iPhone then move your clips onto another device – such as an iPad or Mac – for editing. AirDrop, found on all recent iOS devices and Macs, makes this easy.
Apple have removed the headphone socket from all current phones: you’ll need an adapter if you want to connect a microphone.
Used/refurbished devices
Choosing a used or refurbished phone saves money and emissions (around 80% of an iPhone’s lifetime carbon footprint goes into making it). My refurbished SE 2020 works just as well as a new one.
If you do upgrade, you could keep your old phone to get a second angle, or as a ‘crash cam’ in situations when you don’t want to wreck your expensive new phone. If you get the pro Filmic Pro app, you can also use your old phone as a remote.
You can also use one with a lavalier (tieclip) mic as a cheap alternative to a radio mic: put it in the actor/presenter’s pocket and sync it up later.
Accessories for filmmaking
A cage makes your phone easier to hold steady and to mount on a tripod. It also lets you fit accessories like microphones or lights. You may need to take your phone out of its case to fit the cage.
The basic Ulanzi U-Rig Pro is one of the most affordable cages, with a universal phone clamp and three cold shoe mounts.
Smallrig make a range of cages and other accessories for mobile filming, including wireless handles and mounts for accessory lenses.
A separate microphone will make a big difference to sound quality. My sound equipment page includes a number of microphones that are suitable for using with phones, mounted on a cage.
For extra smooth shots you could get the Osmo Mobile SE. It also has object tracking and can film cool motion timelapse video.
Filming apps
Apple’s own Camera app is easy to use but fairly limited. Using a pro camera app will give you direct access to manual camera controls.
The new, free BlackMagic Camera app has the same interface as BlackMagic’s professional cameras.
Filmic Pro is a subscription-based app. It has similar features to the BlackMagic app, and also offers remote shooting (you can monitor and control your device from a second iPhone or iPad).
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