Your phone features convenience while on the move, enabling you to capture moments and keep memories. Unfortunately, this is not the case with iPads, especially for its camera. This can also result from other factors.
So, why are iPad cameras so bad? iPad cameras are bad since they come as secondary features in the devices. You can also explain your camera’s poor quality resulting from software, hardware, and incorrect camera techniques. Examples of these issues include a dirty lens, poor focusing, inappropriate use of the flash, dirt or debris in the camera, HDR status, and the external case interference, just to mention a few. Apart from the camera, iPads have high-tech features that give you an unmatched experience compared to other devices.
With newer model releases, Apple is improving its camera features on iPads, but they are yet to compete with other brands on this spec. Unfortunately, iPad cameras are low quality, with most cameras in the market having an 8MP resolution.
While this resolution is sufficient to capture photos, the quality will not be as good as other brands. If you own an iPad and are tired of the blurry images in your gallery, read on to understand why this is the case.
An iPad camera is among the device’s secondary features, hence its lower performance compared to other features. Your device will also produce low-quality photos due to software or hardware issues such as dirty lenses or debris on the camera. Incorrect camera settings, including poor lighting, HDR status, zooming, improper flash use, and using an inappropriate focusing point, will also affect your iPad’s image quality.
As stated earlier, the iPad’s design is more like laptops, and its function revolves around user needs such as watching movies, responding to emails, and browsing the internet. Its design does not prioritize photography, and it is no wonder that the camera specs are lower compared to the overall device performance.
The majority of the older iPad versions have a back camera resolution of 8MP, which is lower compared to the iPhones with 12mp. Since resolution defines the image sharpness, you will spot clear differences between the images you take with the above devices, with the iPad delivering blurry images.
Also, the iPad was not designed to be as portable as most phones, considering its size. The iPad sizes range from 7.9” to 12.9”, compared to the iPhone sizes which range from 5.5” to 6.7”. The difference in sizes makes the iPad too big to be used as an efficient camera device, which explains why Apple decided to consider the camera as a secondary feature.
Your iPad camera specs will be most noticeable when taking shots in low-light conditions. This is so since most lack a flash to boost the lighting. As such, the iPad camera is unsuitable for professional shoots. Using the zoom tab in such cases will also not improve the picture quality, hence it will be much better if you could move closer to the object you want to capture for the best shot.
Failure to clean or maintain your lens will also affect your picture quality. You probably use your iPad in different environments, from dust to moisture-filled spaces. Over time, the dust and dirt will settle on your device, and with a busy schedule, it is easy to neglect your iPad care.
If the dust settles on your camera lenses, it will affect your focus and image quality. To clean your camera lens, use a soft cloth. You can also buy lens protectors for your device from a tech store. While your iPad can get unnoticeable scratches, such will affect your image quality, which is why you should care for your lens regularly.
How Can I Improve the Camera Quality on My iPad?
Photography offers a convenient way to tell stories by putting together images of treasured memories and special events. With the trends in modern times, it is no wonder Apple continues to improve its camera specs with each iPad release. Despite these changes, I cannot rank the iPad camera among the best, hence for you to use it efficiently, you will need to improve certain aspects.
The first step to improving the iPad camera quality is understanding the specs that make it produce poor-quality images. With these in mind, you can adjust your settings for a better shoot. Editing your photos using your camera tools will also improve the final image, not to mention the use of live photos, which captures several images in one shoot and allows you to single out on one. Still, if the above does not improve your image quality, consider an external lens with higher resolution for better-quality images.
Understanding the gaps in the settings, hardware, and software that affect your iPad camera quality is necessary to improve the performance. Use the front camera and only switch to the back option when mounting your device in a room.
While the zoom settings enable you to see the finer details of an image, zooming on a lower resolution iPad camera will make the image blurry. Therefore, leaving your zoom settings at a minimum is ideal for better-quality photos.
The shutter speed regulates the light entering your camera and for quality photos with your iPad, consider starting low and increasing the speed with brighter lighting. If your light is variable, set your speed to automatic.
Also, be sensitive to when you need shading or more lighting for better results using your camera. With the correct shutter speed, you can adjust the brightness for a clear image. ISO will also control the brightness when you use a fixed shutter speed. If you have backlight issues, consider increasing your front lighting or physical shading for quality images.
Newer iPad versions have a Smart HDR or auto HDR that you can select automatically when taking photos. Taking pictures with this feature will tell your iPad to snap several photos and merge them into a single high-dynamic-range photo.
Depending on your IOS settings, you can turn this feature on and off under the Camera settings. If you are using an older iPad version, open your camera app and tap HDR. This action will populate the HDR icon on your screen, and you can use your camera as usual to capture quality photos.
The iPad camera also features built-in editing features that you can utilize to bring out the best in an image. After taking a photo using your iPad, tap its thumbnail to view the photo on full screen. Next, tap the Edit tab at the top right corner of your screen and make the changes using the tools provided.
Depending on your iPad model, you will have tools including the Magic Wand, Crop tool, filters, and Dial. The Magic Wand is useful in adjusting the lighting in the photo, while the Crop tool gets rid of unwanted portions of the photo.
As the name suggests, Filter tools use filters to change the photo’s color contrast, saturation, and brightness, while the Dial tool enables you to control your lighting and color manually. By clicking on any of the above options, you can improve your photo quality and tap Done to save the changes.
Live photos also come in handy in improving your iPad camera performance. These photos consist of clips that your phone will capture when you take photos. You can select one of the photos from the moving images to sort defects such as an eye blink or awkward expression.
To use the Live photo on your iPad, take a new live photo or select one from your gallery and tap the Edit tab. During the edit, you will see the frames you captured on the shot, and you can preview by tapping on individual slides. To choose a frame, tap Make Key Photo, then Done to finalize your choice.
Finally, if all the above options do not resolve your poor-quality camera issues, consider an external lens for your camera. Unlike the settings, the external lens will do more by increasing the magnification and taking special shots. An external lens will also improve your old iPad functionality at no extra cost. If you go for this option, purchase the accessories from trusted dealers.
Are the Cameras on iPad Good?
iPad cameras have an acceptable camera quality but are insufficient for photography. This is especially true for older versions. The camera is more of a secondary infrastructure than other features that ensure your best experience when surfing the internet, reading emails, or running other apps.
New iPad models have good quality cameras and can take quality shots. Spending enough time on your camera settings and ensuring you have the best lighting will boost the quality a great deal. The difference between the older versions and new ones is in the megapixels, an improvement that comes with each release, hence reason enough to state that an iPad camera is good enough. However, compared to iPhones and other phone brands, an iPad still ranks low in its camera features.
An iPad camera serves perfectly where carrying a camera around would be impractical or tasking. With this camera, you can take photos, edit them using pro-grade editing apps, and share them on your social media pages. This camera also allows you to take high-resolution videos and scan art or pictures.
Some models, such as the iPad Pro, feature excellent cameras. The iPad Pro will give you an amazing photographic experience. Its rear camera has about 12mp compared to other iPads with 8mp.In addition to its high megapixel, the iPad Pro features a wide-angle camera that enables you to capture images from a wider view.
To further boost the image quality, Apple includes a feature called the Center Stage, which pans the camera and keeps you at the center. This feature is useful during calls as you move around the house. The iPad Pro has two rear cameras with a flash and LIDAR scanner. This feature improves the focus for better-quality images.
Despite their camera limitations, iPad cameras work well with connection apps including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, enabling you to connect with friends and family. The big visual screen on iPads gives you the illusion of the other party’s presence, making the connection more real and exciting.
With such a large display, users who have difficulty seeing will find this device suitable as they can compose pictures and connect with friends without straining. This explains why the elderly appreciate this feature as they can work easily and enjoy photography.
Since lighting is a major problem affecting iPad cameras quality, the iPad Pro solves this with a rear camera flash feature. As such, you can take photos in the dark using this camera. However, you cannot switch to this camera for online meetings, as the front camera is ideal for this job, enabling you to see your audience on the other end.
Finally, to enjoy your iPad photography experience, you should be able to locate and know how to use the cameras. iPads have two physical cameras, at the back and the front. If you cannot see your camera app on your iPad, there is no need to worry, as with App Library, you may accidentally disable some of your screens, including the one with your camera app.
Thus, to find your camera, swipe down your screen to open the Spotlight and type Camera in the search. Your iPad will search and present the device to you, and you can open and start enjoying the features.
Wrap Up
Photos present an exciting way of sharing joy with friends and family. Technological advancements have made this possible by including the camera feature in nearly every device that can access the internet.
While you may expect popular devices such as the iPad to have quality camera specs, this is not the case since a camera is more of a secondary app in this device. Most iPads have an 8mp camera and capturing quality images with these devices is almost impossible. However, you can make reasonable adjustments for better-quality photos by understanding your camera specs, including the lighting, zoom, and shutter speed settings.
Finally, not all iPads have a poor-quality camera, and with an iPad Pro, you can enjoy good photos. This device features a higher resolution, not to mention its screen and lighting features that bring a new experience to iPad photography.
