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The iPhone 5's new iSight camera is 25 percent smaller, 40 percent faster, features new panorama mode

The iPhone 5's new iSight camera is 25 percent smaller, 40 percent faster, features new panorama mode

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The Apple iPhone 5 features a new 8-megapixel camera that is smaller and faster than its predecessor. It also has improved video capture and a new panorama stitch feature.

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During Apple's big press event today, the company unveiled the iPhone 5 and its brand new 8-megapixel iSight camera. The iPhone 4S' camera was considered to be the best in class when it launched last year, and the new camera on the iPhone 5 is no different. Where the iPhone 4S camera featured a f/2.4 aperture, five-element lens and backside illuminated sensor, the camera on the iPhone 5 has a smaller, but similar camera. The new camera is 25 percent smaller than the iPhone 4S shooter, yet it can snap pictures 40 percent faster. Apple also says that the five-element, f/2.4 lens now uses a sapphire crystal that is thinner and more durable than glass. Additionally, Apple leverages the new A6 processor in the iPhone 5 for better noise reduction and improved low-light performance.

Apple has also added a new panoramic stitch mode to the camera app, allowing users to shoot wide vistas of up to 28 megapixels in size. The iPhone 5's 1080p HD video capture has also been improved with better image stabilization, face detection for up to 10 faces, and the ability to snap images while shooting video.

The front-facing FaceTime camera has also been upgraded on the iPhone 5. Finally, it is possible to capture 720p HD video and snaps with the new front-facing camera, which is a considerable upgrade from the VGA cameras on the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

A lot of these features are things we have seen in other smartphone cameras already, but we'll reserve judgement on the iPhone 5's camera until we are able to test it ourselves.

iPhone 5 camera pictures

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