What the iPhone 5s camera can do
The iPhone 5s was announced in 2013. Reviews from that time describe an 8 megapixel rear camera with a fixed f/2.2 lens, a sensor larger than that of the iPhone 5, burst shooting, HDR, panorama, square photos, and a True Tone flash that combines two LEDs of different colors. It also recorded 1080p video and slow-motion video at a lower resolution. Exact capabilities depend on the software version installed on your phone, and some options may differ from what is described here.
How good is the photo quality?
For a phone of its age, it was well regarded. In good light, photos can still look pleasant, colorful, and sharp enough for screens and small prints. The limits are easy to see by modern standards: fewer megapixels, a fixed lens, no optical zoom, and noise or softness in dim light. There is no dedicated portrait mode or night mode, and fine detail at the edges of the frame can look softer. Realistic expectations help: good light and good technique go a long way, and a clean composition matters more than the phone’s age.
Tips for better photos
Use good light
Older sensors rely heavily on light. Shoot outdoors in soft light or near a window. Our guide on the best time to take photos explains when outdoor light is most flattering, and overcast days can work well; see the cloudy day photo ideas.
Clean the lens
Phones live in pockets, so lenses get smudged. A hazy, glowing look often comes from a fingerprint. Wipe it with a soft cloth before shooting.
Tap to set focus and exposure
Tap the screen on your subject to focus. A sun or exposure icon usually appears that you can drag up or down to brighten or darken the image. Pressing and holding on the screen may lock focus and exposure on some versions of the camera app. This helps a lot in backlit scenes, where the phone tends to underexpose the subject.
Use HDR for high-contrast scenes
HDR combines several exposures to keep detail in both highlights and shadows. It helps in scenes with bright skies and shaded subjects. It can blur if the subject or phone moves, so hold still. You can set it to automatic or manual in the camera app, depending on your settings.
Try burst mode
Holding down the shutter button may take a fast series of frames. This is useful for children, pets, and sports. Review the set afterward and keep the sharpest frame.
Be careful with flash
The flash can help in a dark room, but it can flatten faces and cause red-eye. If you can, move closer to a window or turn on a lamp instead. If you use flash, keep the subject within a short range.
Avoid digital zoom
Zooming digitally just crops the image and lowers quality. Move closer instead, or crop later in editing.
Turn on the grid
The grid helps to keep horizons straight and place subjects off-center. This simple step improves most snapshots. For more on this approach, see our guide to taking professional photos at home.
Hold steady
Brace your elbows against your body, or lean on a wall. A small phone tripod or a stable surface also helps. For low light, this is the best habit to build.
Use panorama and square carefully
Panorama works best with slow, steady movement and few moving subjects. Square mode is handy for social posts, but you can also crop later.
Low light
The small sensor limits low-light performance. To improve it:
- Add light, such as a lamp or window.
- Hold steady or use support.
- Avoid zooming.
- Take several shots and choose the sharpest.
- Reduce noise gently when editing, since heavy smoothing removes detail.
For indoor photos, see the best time of day to take photos inside.
Storage and sharing
Older phones came with limited storage, often 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB. Photos and video fill them quickly. Back up your images to a computer or cloud service, then delete duplicates, bursts you do not need, and large videos. Older software versions may not support every current app or sync service, so check what your phone can run.
Editing
You can edit in the built-in Photos app, which typically offers crop, straighten, and adjustment tools, or by transferring images to a computer. A free app such as Snapseed adds selective adjustments; see our guide to common photo editing apps. Straighten, crop, adjust brightness and contrast, and lightly boost warmth or color. Avoid heavy filters, which tend to exaggerate noise.
Questions about newer iPhones
If you are asking about the best camera quality settings for an iPhone 11 or other newer model, the menus differ from the iPhone 5s. In general, check the Camera section of your phone’s Settings, and consider the format and resolution options it offers. Because menus change between software versions, check Apple’s current support pages for your model.
The 20 60 20 idea
You may see a “20 60 20 rule” mentioned in photography discussions. It has different meanings in different places and is not a technical rule. As an informal reminder, take several shots of anything important and keep the best one.