Mobile photography is at a crossroads. Most users prefer photos that are full of exposure, color, and contrast, even if they aren’t entirely realistic. A striking result is ideal for social media and allows you to cherish those memories captured with your smartphone without needing extensive editing.
However, this preference often contradicts the trend of “Pro” and “Ultra” models that are so frequent nowadays. These cameras shoot in RAW, record in LOG, and offer professional modes along with multiple lenses, all designed to convince users that they don’t need a professional camera.
For professional reasons, I recently upgraded my old Canon 77D to a new photo and video camera equipped with artificial intelligence, noise reduction algorithms, and RAW shooting with Dual Pixel technology. Mobile photography enthusiasts often criticize these features for supposedly lacking realism. However, my verdict is clear: It’s possible to incorporate software that enhances photos without compromising their quality.
First of all, I want to emphasize that I don’t expect, nor will I ever expect, a phone to deliver the same performance as a professional camera. However, I believe it’s essential to point out that if phones want to market themselves as “Pro” in the photography realm, they should align their direction with that of professional cameras.
The issue with today’s mobile photography. Achieving a realistic, high-quality photograph seems almost impossible, or does it? Mobile manufacturers may encourage this belief, but it’s not entirely accurate. One of the main problems is the so-called “watercolor effect.”
All is well with today’s mobile photography…
…until you zoom in a little bit.
Only a handful of phones maintain image quality when zoomed in. This isn’t due to poor sensors, inadequate lenses, and a lack of detail. The real issue lies in poor processing. In an attempt to completely eliminate noise and enhance contrast, the photos often end up looking smeared.
This concern would be less significant if third-party apps didn’t reveal just how much damage manufacturers do with their processing. With better processing, mobile photographers could achieve much more natural photos, but that potential often goes untapped.
Left: What phones offer (JPEG processed). Right: What they could offer (RAW with very little editing).
Skin tones that don’t exist, unnatural yellow hues, and overly sharp outlines have plagued photography for generations. While phones are capable of taking impressive photos, the results could closely resemble those captured by professional cameras if the processing weren’t so aggressive.
How are modern cameras solving these issues? You might assume that with advancements in AI, image segmentation, and software, mobile photography has inevitably become artificial. However, this isn’t the case, and modern cameras are proof of that.
The first myth to debunk is that noise reduction is inherently problematic.
Cameras, both entry-level and semi-professional, have been addressing noise for years. With the introduction of new processors, their performance has improved significantly. In the image above, at 100% magnification, you can see that there’s no noise, yet there isn’t even the slightest hint of a watercolor effect.
Some might say, “Anyone can take great photos with a camera!” To prove my point, I’d like to compare the results using one of the worst cameras currently available in the high-end range: the ultra-wide lens of the iPhone 16 Pro.
Left: Halide’s Process Zero mode. | Photo in Auto HEIC format.
Beyond the brightness, you need to pay close attention to the processing of the images. The edges in the image on the right are overly sharpened artificially. In the first image, raising the exposure would yield a good enough photograph. The issue lies in trying to achieve the extreme brightness that today’s cameras often deliver. To accomplish this effect, the phone takes multiple shots rather than a single photo, resulting in a blend of various images. Despite these advancements, phone manufacturers could address the problems their devices encounter during processing with a simple principle: Process less.
Another area where traditional cameras are outperforming smartphones is in the implementation of AI. Instead of altering the final photographs, cameras use AI-enabled processors for better subject tracking, eye recognition for better focus, and enhance scene recognition based only on user instructions. Sony phones borrow some of these features from their Alpha division, while Xiaomi has adopted them, too.
All in all, the key is to use AI to enhance techniques that already work well rather than creating increasingly unrealistic photos. Phone cameras have stagnated over the past few years, and without a shift in processing philosophy, it’ll become increasingly difficult for manufacturers to make progress.
Image | Ameen ALmayuf
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