iOS 17 Camera App Review: Enhancements and Challenges

After a week of using the new iOS 17 Camera app, the app showed significant improvements, but there are some aspects that may not satisfy professional photographers.

Pros

Minimal Complexity and Clean Design

The new Camera app in iOS 17 features a simpler and cleaner design compared to previous versions. The number of buttons has been reduced, which limits accidental presses, and the consistency of the "Liquid Glass" interface makes the experience more cohesive and clear.

Enhanced Pop-Up Menus

The camera control menu, which was previously opened via a shortcut arrow or by swiping up in the camera viewfinder, has undergone a radical transformation. Instead of a horizontal row of icons, the menu now displays a clearer grid of options with clear labels, making it easier to access features like Photo Styles and Night Mode.

Enhanced Video Menu

The complex video settings menu has been overhauled. Now, instead of repeatedly tapping to change resolution or frame rate, an improved "Liquid Glass" panel appears, allowing easier access to separate video options (Flash, Exposure, Action Mode), making the video shooting experience simpler and more effective.

Cons

New Navigation Bar

Despite its simplicity, the new navigation bar at the bottom of the iOS 17 Camera app, which initially displays only video and photo options, requires a slight learning curve. The synchronized scrolling movement for both "Liquid Glass" toggle and the navigation bar can be a bit confusing. However, Apple has introduced a "Classic Mode Switching" option in recent beta versions that makes navigation closer to previous versions, reducing this distraction.

Absence of Pro Mode

Despite expectations, iOS 17 did not come with a dedicated Pro camera mode for photographers. The native app lacks full manual control over elements such as shutter speed, ISO, and manual focus, which are essential features for professional photography. While third-party camera apps like Halide and ProCamera and Camera Obscura are available to fill this gap, offering advanced interfaces that give photographers precise control over all aspects of photography, the question remains why Apple did not integrate a Pro mode that would make iPhone a stronger competitor to the best compact cameras.

Overall, the update is a positive step towards a cleaner and more user-friendly interface, especially for the average user, but it still lacks the advanced features that professional photographers might demand.