7 iPhone camera settings to adjust for better videos

Whether you're a beginner or a video pro, here are all the iPhone camera settings you should adjust immediately.

1. Change video resolution and frame rate

Go to the Settings app on your iPhone then go to Camera > Record Video . On the next screen, you'll see several different video quality and frame rate combinations. If you want to record at the highest possible resolution, make sure you choose 4K at 60 fps .

However, keep in mind that the higher the resolution you choose, the more storage space each video will consume. You can also adjust the video resolution of slow motion and cinematic videos. So, if you tend to use those video modes frequently, you should also adjust their resolution settings.

7 iPhone camera settings to adjust for better videos Picture 1 7 iPhone camera settings to adjust for better videos Picture 2 7 iPhone camera settings to adjust for better videos Picture 3

You can also adjust video resolution and frame rate directly from the Camera app. Switch to Video mode and tap the HD or 4K option in the top right corner to switch your resolution. And to adjust the frame rate, tap the FPS value right next to it.

Additionally, you will find the automatic FPS setting under Camera > Video recording . When this feature is enabled, your iPhone will automatically reduce the frame rate to 24FPS to improve low-light videos. By default, this feature is only enabled for 30FPS video, but you can enable it for both 30 and 60FPS footage.

7 iPhone camera settings to adjust for better videos Picture 4 7 iPhone camera settings to adjust for better videos Picture 5

2. Use Action Mode

There's no worse feeling than recording a video of your favorite artist performing at a concert and realizing that your hands are shaking throughout the video when watching it back. This is where the Action Mode feature on iPhone 14 and newer models comes into play. This is a specialized mode that can help reduce vibration in your videos.

To help you see the difference, here's a video captured with Action Mode enabled:

And here is the video recorded with Action Mode turned off. Have you noticed that the footage is shakier even though the person filming is hardly jogging?

To enable Action Mode, go to the Camera app on your iPhone and switch to Video mode . You will see an Action Mode icon that looks like a person running. Once you tap the icon, it will turn yellow and you will see an Action Mode banner appear at the top of the screen.

You should stay in a well-lit area to take full advantage of Action Mode. Otherwise, the message " More light required" may appear on the screen.

7 iPhone camera settings to adjust for better videos Picture 6

However, you can enable this feature in low light conditions by going to Settings > Camera > Record Video and turning on the switch next to Action Mode Lower Light .

7 iPhone camera settings to adjust for better videos Picture 7

So, if you tend to record videos on the go, turning on Action Mode is definitely a great idea!

3. Make sure the Enhanced Stabilization feature is enabled

You should also enable Enhanced Stabilization. Like Action Mode, the Enhanced Stabilization feature is available on iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro and newer models. This zooms in a bit and crops the edges of the shot a bit. Unlike Action Mode, this feature also works in Cinematic mode.

To help you see the difference, here's a video captured with Enhanced Stabilization enabled:

This is a video recorded with the Enhanced Stabilization feature turned off. Notice how the first video shows smoother motion as the camera moves, while the second video seems unstable.

Although Enhanced Stabilization is enabled by default, you may have accidentally disabled it while tinkering with your settings. Go to Settings > Camera > Record Video and make sure Enhanced Stabilization is turned on.

7 iPhone camera settings to adjust for better videos Picture 8

4. Use Apple ProRes

If you have an iPhone 13 Pro or newer Pro model and want to use your Apple device to record clips with incredible detail, you should enable ProRes.

Apple ProRes is a "visually lossless" recording format and is relatively easier to edit. While you won't find this feature useful if you're just shooting videos for Instagram or TikTok, it will definitely come in handy if you're a videographer or content creator just starting out on YouTube.

To enable ProRes, go to Settings > Camera > Formats and turn on the switch next to Apple ProRes in the Video Capture section .

7 iPhone camera settings to adjust for better videos Picture 9

Go to the Camera app on your iPhone and switch to Video mode . Finally, tap the ProRes toggle button at the top. While this recording format will certainly allow you to record videos that capture more detail, ProRes videos are about 30 times larger than HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) files. So, make sure you have enough free space on your iPhone.

5. Activate the mesh and balance tools

The rule of thirds in photography suggests dividing your image into a grid of nine equal parts using two vertical lines and two horizontal lines. Key objects or points of interest are then placed along these lines or at their intersections to create a balanced composition.

Whether you're an experienced videographer or a beginner, your camera's grid lines can help you apply the rule of thirds with ease. To turn on gridlines on your iPhone, go to Settings > Camera and turn on the switch next to Grid under Layout .

Apple also introduced a balance tool in iOS 17 that helps you organize photos on your iPhone. To use the Equalization tool in the Camera app on iPhone, simply turn on the switch next to Equalization in Settings > Camera .

7 iPhone camera settings to adjust for better videos Picture 10

6. Turn off HDR video

By default, iPhone 12 and newer models use Dolby Vision HDR (High Dynamic Range) when conditions are ideal. However, turning on HDR mode sometimes makes videos look jerky and unnaturally saturated if the video conditions are not ideal.

To help you see the difference, here's a video captured with HDR enabled:

Here is a video shot with HDR turned off:

So, if you want your video to have a more natural feel and prefer a consistent color theme, you're better off turning it off. All you need to do is go to Settings > Camera > Record Video and turn off the switch next to HDR Video .

7 iPhone camera settings to adjust for better videos Picture 11 7 iPhone camera settings to adjust for better videos Picture 12

7. Enable Macro Control

One of the most impressive additions to the modern iPhone is Macro Control, which allows users to take beautiful photos of subjects just two centimeters away. Here is the video recorded with Macro Control enabled:

Here is the video recorded with Macro Control turned off:

Unfortunately, Macro Control is exclusive to iPhone 13 Pro and newer Pro models. So if you want to take close-up photos, go to Settings > Camera and make sure Macro Control is enabled.

Then, open the Camera app and place your iPhone's camera near the subject. When you do so, your iPhone's camera will automatically switch to the ultra-wide lens. You will also notice a yellow flower icon when Macro Control is activated. If you want to turn off the automatic macro switching feature, just tap the flower icon.

While your iPhone camera can capture highly detailed video without you having to do anything, taking a moment to adjust these settings can help your footage stand out, especially when shooting in less than ideal conditions.

Marvin Fry

Update 04 April 2024