Apple has unveiled the iPhone 17 Professional and iPhone 17 Professional Max, marking the corporate’s boldest step but into skilled video manufacturing. With assist for ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and genlock synchronization, the brand new fashions place themselves as highly effective filmmaking instruments whereas nonetheless enhancing picture efficiency.
Apple’s Professional iPhone line has steadily advanced right into a hybrid gadget catering to each on a regular basis customers {and professional} creators. The iPhone 17 Professional continues this trajectory by bringing workflows sometimes reserved for cinema cameras instantly right into a smartphone kind issue.
The most recent “Professional” iPhones are right here: other than a lot enhanced tech, iPhone 17 Professional incorporates a placing new design and daring colour choices. Picture credit score: Apple
Professional-level video seize with ProRes RAW, and Genlock assist
The headline addition for filmmakers is ProRes RAW recording. This format combines the effectivity of ProRes with the flexibleness of RAW, giving editors higher management over colour grading, publicity, and element retention. For the primary time, an iPhone can now slot into skilled modifying pipelines that demand RAW workflows, particularly in Ultimate Lower Professional and DaVinci Resolve.
ProRes RAW recording on iPhone 17 Professional. Picture credit score: Apple
Complementing that is the introduction of Apple Log 2, increasing dynamic vary for extra cinematic spotlight and shadow roll-off. With built-in assist for the ACES colour normal, iPhone footage can combine extra seamlessly into skilled grading environments.
Genlock and timecode assist on the iPhone 17 Professional are a smartphone-first, and require the brand new Blackmagic Digital camera ProDock. Picture credit score: Apple
Genlock assist is one other industry-first for smartphones. Utilized in multi-camera setups, genlock permits exact synchronization between units, decreasing post-production alignment work and making the iPhone 17 Professional a viable possibility for multicam shoots, stay occasions, or digital manufacturing levels.
Blackmagic Digital camera ProDock required for Genlock, and extra
Genlock and timecode assist are supported by way of the brand new Blackmagic Digital camera ProDock which appears particularly made for the most recent iPhone 17 Professional. On the nonetheless that Apple shared of the gadget of their Apple Occasion video, we will additionally see that the gadget provides DC In for powering the cellphone, serves as a USB 3.2 (2x) and USB 2 splitter, provides HDMI Out and audio minijack out and in as nicely.
We don’t have details about pricing and availability of that gadget but, however will speak to Blackmagic Design on the upcoming IBC 2025 in Amsterdam to seek out out extra.
Blackmagic Digital camera ProDock is required for Genlock on iPhone 17 Professional and extra. Picture credit score: Apple (by way of Blackmagic Design)
Will iPhone 17 Professional ProRes RAW yield higher dynamic vary and latitude, and is there DCG?
We ran a full digital camera Lab Take a look at on the iPhone 15 Professional which was the primary iPhone to introduce ProRes 422 HQ inside recording and Apple Log. Will probably be fascinating to see how a lot better the efficiency of the iPhone 17 Professional will likely be in our dynamic vary and latitude assessments in comparison with iPhone 15 Professional.
We now have no details about Apple introducing a DCG-like know-how (Twin Conversion Achieve) with the most recent iPhone high fashions, like Google unlocked it (quietly) with the most recent Pixel 10 Professional (learn our current article on that discovery right here).
We’ll check each telephones in our standardized Lab Take a look at atmosphere within the coming months to see how video efficiency compares in dynamic vary, latitude and rolling shutter, and the way this efficiency compares to iPhone 15 Professional and 16 Professional.
Excessive-speed recording and superior stabilization
Video capabilities lengthen past codec assist. The iPhone 17 Professional affords Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR seize, 4K recording at as much as 120fps, and dual-camera recording for front-and-back simultaneous video. The brand new Heart Stage entrance digital camera, now 18MP, introduces ultra-stabilized 4K HDR video, increasing choices for vloggers and creators working in dynamic environments.
8x optical-quality zoom, sq. sensor on front-facing digital camera
Whereas video takes the highlight, Apple has additionally refined stills. The three-camera 48MP Fusion system now features a bigger 48MP telephoto sensor with as much as 8x optical-quality zoom, the longest ever on iPhone. Photographers (and filmmakers) can work with focal lengths equal to 13mm, 24mm, 35mm, 48mm, 100mm, and 200mm, offering the flexibility of a compact lens package in a single gadget.
8x optical zoom on iPhone 17 Professional. Picture credit score: Apple
The brand new Heart Stage entrance digital camera, which now makes use of a sq. sensor design for added flexibility, additionally improves selfies and group pictures by routinely adjusting framing, whereas a wider area of view and better decision present sharper outcomes. Mixed with Apple’s up to date Photonic Engine and a brand new “Brilliant” Photographic Type, the iPhone continues to refine pores and skin tones and colour rendering for each informal {and professional} use.
A sq. front-facing digital camera permits for horizontal video and images with out turning the cellphone. AI acknowledges if extra folks need to match into the body. Video credit score: Apple
A filmmaker’s companion with iPhone 17 Professional ProRes RAW in your pocket
By combining superior codecs, genlock synchronization, and conventional strengths like Dolby Imaginative and prescient, the iPhone 17 Professional blurs the road between shopper gadget {and professional} manufacturing instrument. For filmmakers who want a discreet, versatile, or backup digital camera on set, Apple has raised the bar once more.
Will ProRes RAW and genlock make the iPhone a typical sight on skilled shoots, or will these instruments stay area of interest additions for specialised workflows? Are you able to see your self capturing iPhone 17 Professional ProRes RAW?
