The main camera sensor in the iPhone 15 Pro is a Type 1/1.28 sensor, measuring 9.8x7.3mm.
Understanding camera sensor size can seem technical, but it's a key factor in how much light your camera can capture, directly impacting the quality of your photos, especially in challenging conditions like low light.
iPhone 15 Pro Main Camera Sensor Details
The iPhone 15 Pro, along with the 15 Pro Max, features a specific sensor for its main wide camera. This sensor is responsible for capturing most of the photos you take.
Here are the key specifications from the reference:
| Feature | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor Type | Type 1/1.28 | A common way to categorize sensor size. |
| Physical Size | 9.8mm x 7.3mm | The actual dimensions of the sensor chip. |
| Pixel Size | 1.22µm | Size of individual pixels on the sensor. |
| Effective Pixels | 2.44µm ('quad pixels') at 12MP | When using pixel binning for better light. |
What the Size and Pixels Mean
- Sensor Dimensions (9.8x7.3mm): This physical size dictates the total area available to capture light. Generally, a larger sensor can gather more light, leading to better image quality with less noise, particularly in darker environments. The Type 1/1.28 designation is a legacy standard that roughly relates to the diagonal size of the sensor relative to an old video camera tube standard, but the 9.8x7.3mm measurement is the most precise indicator of its physical size.
- Pixel Size (1.22µm): This refers to the size of each light-capturing element (pixel) on the sensor. Larger individual pixels can also gather more light than smaller ones, contributing to better low-light performance and dynamic range.
- Quad Pixels (2.44µm Effective at 12MP): The iPhone 15 Pro's 48MP main camera uses a technique called 'pixel binning'. It groups four adjacent 1.22µm pixels into one larger 'quad pixel'. When shooting in the standard 12MP mode, the data from these four pixels is combined, effectively acting like one larger 2.44µm pixel. This significantly boosts the sensor's light-gathering capability in the 12MP mode, improving low-light photos and reducing noise. You can still shoot in full 48MP resolution if maximum detail is needed, but the benefits of pixel binning for light capture are most apparent in the 12MP output.
In summary, the combination of the 9.8x7.3mm sensor size and the ability to effectively use larger pixels (2.44µm via pixel binning) contributes to the iPhone 15 Pro's strong performance in various lighting conditions.
