Video Shootout – iPhone4 vs. iPhone4S vs. iPad2 vs. New iPad
So which Apple device shoots the best video? Well, best is a matter of opinion.
But to help form that opinion, I shot some identical video using an iPhone4, iPhone4S, iPad2 and the new iPad. All of the clips were shot indoors using only the available lighting (on a sunny day, mid-afternoon). And all of the footage is untouched, straight off the devices.
Technically, the iPhone4S and new iPad should be the runaway winners…they shoot 1080P video at 21mbps…while the iPhone4 and iPad2 only do 720p video at 11mbps. That means, technically, they shoot video at roughly twice the quality of their older counterparts.
But if you look at the footage, that’s not necessarily the case. While the the iPhone4S and new iPad do provide a sharper picture, they seem to struggle assigning the correct exposure. The older iPhone4 and iPad2 have the opposite problem. And none of the devices are completely accurate with color reproduction.
But whatever device you think has the best looking footage, one thing is clear; iOS devices still can’t match traditional video cameras when it comes to the quality of the footage they produce.
And the final thing to keep in mind…this was just a simple test to see how the footage varies between devices in an extremely common shooting situation. Had I done even more shots under different conditions, the results may have varied even more.
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Ipad 2 looks best.
Personally I think the iPhone 4 looks the best overall – however not stellar in my opinion. That being said, there’s no question that a traditional video camera is the item to use for serious video projects.
it looks like the iPhone 4 and the iPad2 produce a better, richer video the newer S and New IPad footage looks a little blown out. All are pretty good but the old devices look a little nicer
thanks Dave
On the newer versions, this might be an attempt on their part to compensate for poor lighting as in most of novice videos on Youtube. Dave was probably using a natural light source. The newer devices are overexposing.
iPad2 is best then iPhone4. I agree with Bruce Jones comments.
Dave,
I think the iPad 2 has a richer, more colorful picture, but the iPhone4 is a close second. The newer versions look “washed out” to me. Thanks for sharing.
I agree that the older devices handle the lighting better. It would be interesting to see what Dave could do if he touched up each video and then showed the results.
It seems the older Iphone2 and I pad’s are better. Sometimes it pays not to run out to get new just because it is new.
LORNE
It seems to me the NEW iPad stands out and the iPad2 next.
Like the good old iPhone 4 and iPad 2 although the newer ones are birghter, they don’t look as appealing – very subjective, I know.
Dave, after reading your chapter on videos in the Zen of SMM, last year I took your advice and bought a canon vixia model, the HF R30, and have not learned to use it yet. I also have a iphone and ipad and got panicky that I wasted my money on a camera when I just saw your Video Shoot Out article.. So, thank you and the comments for relieving that notion. I am learning to operate the camera today, and already stuck on the wi fi instructions. I need to be able to operate it by April 25 to shoot my speaking engagement at a women’s organization to use for my web site. Do you have any advice for me?