iPhone 17 Pro camera system gets a precise set of hardware and software upgrades aimed at people who shoot real projects on their phones. The headline is a full 48MP Pro Fusion array across Main, Ultra Wide, and a dedicated 100 mm Telephoto, backed by deeper pro video controls and formats that slot into established workflows. Below are the exact specs and what they mean in practice.
iPhone 17 Pro Camera System: Key Specs at a Glance
- 48MP Pro Fusion camera system across Main, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto
- 16x optical-quality zoom range (8x in, 2x out), with digital zoom up to 40x
- Second-generation and 3D sensor-shift optical image stabilization
- ProRes up to 4K at 120 fps (with external recording), Apple Log 2, ACES, Genlock support
- Dolby Vision up to 4K with high-frame-rate options on Fusion Main
- Spatial photos and 1080p spatial video at 30 fps
What’s Improved and Why It Matters for Videomakers
48MP Across the Set
All three rear lenses are 48MP “Fusion” units. The Main camera (24 mm, ƒ/1.78) adds second-generation sensor-shift OIS and 100% Focus Pixels, so pulling focus in tricky light is more reliable. The Ultra Wide (13 mm, ƒ/2.2, 120° FOV) now captures 48MP stills and uses Hybrid Focus Pixels for cleaner edge-to-edge detail. The dedicated 48MP Fusion Telephoto at 100 mm (ƒ/2.8) uses a tetraprism design with 3D sensor-shift OIS and autofocus, giving a true portrait/medium-tele look without resorting to digital crop.
16x Optical-Quality Zoom Range
You get 8x optical-quality zoom in and 2x optical zoom out, covering 13 mm (Ultra Wide) through 24 mm (Main) to 48 mm (2x from Main) and out to a 100 mm Telephoto. There’s also a 12MP optical-quality 8x Telephoto mode at an effective 200 mm for tighter framing while keeping detail.
Pro Video Formats, Color, and Sync
For finishing and grading, ProRes recording goes up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording. Apple Log 2 provides wider dynamic range and workable flexibility in post. Support for the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) simplifies color-managed handoff to finishing apps. Genlock support is listed for multi-camera sync scenarios, aligning the phone with traditional production pipelines.
High-Frame-Rate Dolby Vision and Spatial Capture
Dolby Vision recording is supported in 4K at multiple frame rates, extending to 100 and 120 fps on Fusion Main, plus 1080p and 720p options where needed. Spatial video (1080p at 30 fps) and spatial photos are here for immersive playback in compatible viewers and headsets, letting crews capture behind-the-scenes content or experiential clips without separate rigs.
Stabilization
Second-generation sensor-shift OIS on the Main and 3D sensor-shift OIS on Telephoto steady the image where it matters. Action mode (up to 2.8K Dolby Vision at 60 fps) is available when you’re moving fast and need watchable footage without a gimbal.
Focus, Flash, and Low-Light Behavior
100% Focus Pixels on the Main and Hybrid Focus Pixels on Ultra Wide/Telephoto improve acquisition speed and accuracy. Adaptive True Tone flash helps when you need a clean fill without harsh edges. LiDAR-assisted focus behavior enhances low-light clarity and subject separation for both stills and video.
Practical Advantages On Set
Flexible Lens Defaults
You can set a customizable default lens on the Fusion Main, useful if you tend to start on a specific focal length (for example, 35 mm-equivalent crop) and want consistent framing from shot to shot.
ProRes/Log 2 Workflows
With ProRes (HEVC/H.264 also supported) and Apple Log 2, you can match looks across mixed cameras. ACES support helps keep color management predictable through editorial and finishing.
Macro, Slo-Mo, and Time-Lapse Options
Macro video (including slo-mo and time-lapse) extends creative coverage for product shots or detail inserts. Slo-mo goes to 1080p at up to 240 fps and 4K Dolby Vision up to 120 fps on Fusion Main, letting you maintain resolution even when you stretch time.
Audio Capture That’s Usable
Spatial Audio and stereo recording are supported, with four studio-quality mics, wind noise reduction, Audio Zoom, and in-camera Audio Mix options. For quick social/promo cuts, that saves time before you swap in external audio.
Full Camera and Video Spec
Camera
- 48MP Pro Fusion camera system
- 48MP Fusion Main: 24 mm, ƒ/1.78 aperture, second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
- Also enables 12MP optical-quality 2x Telephoto: 48 mm, ƒ/1.78 aperture, second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels
- 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide: 13 mm, ƒ/2.2 aperture and 120° field of view, Hybrid Focus Pixels, super-high-resolution photos (48MP)
- 48MP Fusion Telephoto: 100 mm (4x), ƒ/2.8 aperture, Hybrid Focus Pixels, 3D sensor-shift optical image stabilization and autofocus, tetraprism design
- Also enables 12MP optical-quality 8x Telephoto: 200 mm, ƒ/2.8 aperture, Hybrid Focus Pixels, 3D sensor-shift optical image stabilization and autofocus, tetraprism design
- 8x optical-quality zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 16x optical-quality zoom range
- Digital zoom up to 40x
- Customizable default lens (Fusion Main)
- Sapphire crystal lens cover
- Adaptive True Tone flash
- Photonic Engine; Deep Fusion; Smart HDR 5
- Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control; Portrait Lighting with six effects
- Night mode; Panorama (up to 63MP); Latest-generation Photographic Styles
- Spatial photos; 48MP macro photography; ProRAW
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos; Lens correction (Fusion Ultra Wide)
- Advanced red-eye correction; Auto image stabilization; Burst mode; Photo geotagging
- Image formats captured: HEIF, JPEG, and DNG
Video Recording
- 4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, 100 fps (Fusion Main), or 120 fps (Fusion Main)
- 1080p Dolby Vision video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, or 120 fps (Fusion Main)
- 720p Dolby Vision video recording at 30 fps
- Cinematic mode up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps
- Action mode up to 2.8K Dolby Vision at 60 fps
- Spatial video recording at 1080p at 30 fps
- ProRes video recording up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording; ProRes RAW
- Academy Color Encoding System; Apple Log 2; Genlock support
- Macro video recording, including slo-mo and time-lapse
- Slo-mo video support for 1080p up to 240 fps and 4K Dolby Vision up to 120 fps (Fusion Main)
- Dual Capture up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps
- Time-lapse video with stabilization; Night mode Time-lapse; QuickTake video up to 4K Dolby Vision at 60 fps
- Second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization for video (Fusion Main)
- 3D sensor-shift optical image stabilization and autofocus for video (Fusion Telephoto)
- Digital zoom up to 15x; Audio zoom; True Tone flash
- Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)
- Continuous autofocus video; Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video; Playback zoom
- Video formats recorded: HEVC, H.264, ProRes, and ProRes RAW
- Spatial Audio and stereo recording; Four studio-quality mics; Wind noise reduction; Audio Mix
Everyday Impact for Creators and Users
Professional videomakers will notice how the iPhone 17 Pro balances hardware with software. Features like the Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR 5 aren’t simply about still photography — they ensure consistency across frames when recording long-form video. When combined with ProRes and Apple Log 2, the device handles both capture and grading in ways that support serious post-production.
The flexibility of the camera system also matters in everyday shooting. Switching from the 24 mm Main to the 100 mm Telephoto or even the 200 mm optical-quality Telephoto gives creators framing options that once required swapping lenses on a dedicated rig. For those working on location, that versatility can mean fewer compromises and faster setups.
Even beyond dedicated projects, the iPhone 17 Pro is positioned to change habits around casual shooting. Being able to capture Dolby Vision video at high frame rates, or record spatial clips ready for playback on Vision Pro, adds a layer of creative experimentation that blends into daily use. It shows how the device functions not just as a professional tool but also as a bridge between everyday creativity and high-end production.
