Can a phone really keep up with a professional camera for portraits? I took the iPhone 17 Pro and my Sony A7IV, the camera I use for my portrait shoots, weddings and commercial work, to a wisteria-filled photo shoot in Sydney and tested them side by side at every focal length.
In this iPhone 17 Pro vs pro camera comparison I matched each iPhone camera (0.5x, 1x, 2x and 4x) with a Sony lens at a similar focal length, shot RAW on both, and edited both photos with my Wildfern Lightroom preset pack to look as similar as possible. I also compared portrait mode and Cinematic mode against real bokeh. You can see the unedited files, the 100% crops and all the video side by side in the full video below.
The cameras and lenses I compared
| iPhone 17 Pro | Sony A7IV lens |
|---|---|
| 0.5x ultrawide (13-14mm) | Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM |
| 1x main (24mm) | Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM |
| 2x (48mm) | Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM |
| 4x telephoto (100mm) | Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM |
| Video | iPhone 17 Pro in Cinematic mode and ProRes Log vs Sony A9 III with the Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 |
| Price | iPhone 17 Pro launched at US$1,099 / A$1,999. The Sony A7IV body is US$2,498 (on sale for around US$1,998 in October 2026) and A$3,299 from Sony Australia, from around A$2,720 at Australian retailers |
For most of the photos I stopped the Sony lenses down to around f/2.8 to get closer to the iPhone's look, then took a few wide open too, because that's where a real camera really pulls away.
1x vs 24mm: where the iPhone shines
I started with the iPhone's 1x camera next to my 24mm, with lots of light on the model's face, because good light is where the iPhone really shines. With both photos edited, the 1x camera holds up surprisingly well, with natural colour and plenty of detail.
iPhone 17 Pro
Sony A7IV
1x vs 24mm: iPhone 17 Pro (left) and Sony A7IV (right), both edited with my Wildfern preset.
Then I switched to portrait mode on the iPhone and opened the 24mm up to f/1.4, so we could compare fake bokeh with the real thing. The cropped-in comparison in the video shows where each one wins.
iPhone 17 Pro 1x in portrait mode, edited with my Wildfern preset.
Sony A7IV with the 24mm wide open at f/1.4, edited with my Wildfern preset.
Cinematic mode vs a real camera
Since the iPhone can record Log at up to 120fps, I compared video too, using Cinematic mode at 1x against my Sony A9 III at 28mm. I was genuinely impressed seeing the footage side by side. The iPhone does a good job separating the subject from the background, with even exposure and natural but vibrant colour. Just keep in mind that Cinematic mode is limited to 30fps and doesn't record in Log. Watch the Cinematic mode comparison to see the bokeh in motion.
I graded all the Log footage with my LOG to Rec 709 Essentials preset for Premiere Pro, which you'll find with my LUTs in the Video LUTs collection.
2x vs 50mm f/1.2
The iPhone's 2x is about 48mm, so I matched it with my 50mm f/1.2 GM, shooting at f/2.8 and then wide open at f/1.2. Remember that 2x isn't a true optical zoom. It crops into the 1x sensor, so it produces a smaller, less detailed image, and this is where the camera starts to pull ahead.
iPhone 17 Pro
Sony A7IV
2x vs 50mm: iPhone 17 Pro (left) and Sony A7IV at f/1.2 (right), both edited with my Wildfern preset.
The gap is even bigger in video. See the 2x Log footage side by side in the video.
0.5x ultrawide vs 14mm
For the ultrawide I used my 14mm f/1.8 GM against the iPhone's 0.5x camera. Both are great for big, dramatic full-length portraits, and the iPhone's ultrawide is honestly the one I use the most day to day.
iPhone 17 Pro
Sony A7IV
0.5x vs 14mm: iPhone 17 Pro (left) and Sony A7IV (right), both edited with my Wildfern preset.
One thing I appreciated going back to the camera: I can shoot as fast as I want. On the iPhone, shooting RAW while screen recording limits how quickly you can press the shutter, and the phone got very hot in my hand.
iPhone 17 Pro 0.5x, edited with my Wildfern preset.
4x telephoto vs 135mm
Last, I compared the iPhone's 4x telephoto, a 100mm equivalent, with my 135mm f/1.8 GM. It's not an exact match, but it's close. This is where I tested portrait mode on the 4x camera, and with the model tucked right into the wisteria, the phone had some trouble working out what was background. See how it handled the edges and the trick that helped.
iPhone 17 Pro
Sony A7IV
4x vs 135mm: iPhone 17 Pro (left) and Sony A7IV (right), both edited with my Wildfern preset.
The phone's results are impressive, and a great option if you don't own a camera. But what I love most about the camera is the smooth transition from in focus to out of focus. On the iPhone that transition looks a lot harsher in portrait mode, and without portrait mode there's barely any depth at all.
Sony A7IV with the 135mm at f/1.8, edited with my Wildfern preset.
iPhone 17 Pro
Sony A7IV
4x vs 135mm: iPhone 17 Pro (left) and Sony A7IV (right), both edited with my Wildfern preset.
iPhone 17 Pro 4x in portrait mode, edited with my Wildfern preset.
iPhone 17 Pro or a professional camera: which should you buy?
If you're serious about portraits, a real camera still wins on depth, bokeh, detail at longer focal lengths and shooting speed. But there are plenty of advantages to a phone. If you're interested in photography and can't afford a camera yet, a phone with a great camera is a brilliant place to start. You'll probably need a phone anyway, and you can still practise composition, lighting and storytelling.
Even with a professional camera, I still use my phone constantly, for travel photos and videos, selfies and behind-the-scenes content for social media. Hear my full thoughts at the end of the video.
For every lens on the iPhone, read my full iPhone 17 Pro camera review, and for more on the camera I used, see my Sony A7IV photo and video review. If you edit phone photos, see my guide to the best Lightroom presets for iPhone and Pixel photos.
iPhone 17 Pro vs pro camera FAQ
Is the iPhone 17 Pro as good as a professional camera?
In good light the 1x and 0.5x cameras get surprisingly close once edited. A professional camera still wins on natural bokeh, detail at 2x and 4x and shooting speed.
Is iPhone portrait mode as good as real bokeh?
Portrait mode can look great, but the transition from in focus to out of focus is harsher than a real lens, and it can struggle when your subject is right up against a busy background.
Does iPhone 17 Pro Cinematic mode record in Log?
No. Cinematic mode is limited to 30fps and doesn't record in Log, but the image quality and subject separation hold up well.
What camera did you compare the iPhone 17 Pro to?
I used my Sony A7IV with the 14mm f/1.8 GM, 24mm f/1.4 GM, 50mm f/1.2 GM and 135mm f/1.8 GM for photos, and a Sony A9 III with the Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 for video.
What preset did you use on these photos?
Both the iPhone and Sony photos were edited with my Wildfern Lightroom preset pack, so the colours match.
Presets are the easiest way to make phone and camera photos match. Every photo in this post was edited with Wildfern. Browse all my packs in the Lightroom Presets for Portraits collection, and if you're stuck between a few, you can buy any 3 presets and save 10%.
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