What new features are found in the camera for iOS 4 and higher?

iOS is the operating system found in Apple devices including the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Numerous new versions of the iOS have come out since it was originally introduced in 2007, and each new version has come with exciting new features. Below, we have described the new features that are found in the cameras on devices with iOS 4 and higher.

1. Flash

Much to many users' disappointment, early versions of iOS did not come equipped with any sort of camera flash. Luckily, Apple responded to customer demand and added a flash to later versions of their products. Upon launching the Camera app, you should see a button to turn the flash on and off on the screen. You can either turn it off, turn it on, or set it to Auto so that it will only flash when it is needed to illuminate a particular shot.

2. Instant access

Before the introduction of iOS 5, you had to go through several steps simply to open the camera on an Apple device. You had to swipe to unlock the screen, type in your passcode if you have you, and launch the Camera app. This may not have been so much of a problem when snapping self portraits, but it made it difficult to quickly capture a photo or video of that cute thing your dog was doing. By the time you launched the Camera, your photo opportunity may have vanished. Luckily, this is no longer an issue for iOS 5 users because the operating system has a built-in camera icon right on the unlock screen for instant access. Instead of going through numerous steps to snap a picture, all you have to do is tap the icon located right on the front screen. Don't worry, though; although you can now launch the Camera without unlocking the screen, you still cannot access your Camera Roll without first unlocking it, so no one should be able to look at or edit your photos without your permission.

3. Better placement of the shutter button

In earlier versions of the iOS, you had to press either the Home button or an on-screen shutter button to snap a photo. At times, this made capturing pictures difficult since it requires you to hold the device in an extremely awkward position to snap the shot. In iOS 5, however, the volume-up button doubles as a shutter button. Since the placement of the volume-up button is closer to the placement of the shutter button on a tradition camera, taking pictures is now much less awkward.

4. Recording videos

Both the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S are capable of recording high-definition videos (720p on the iPhone 4 and 1080p on the iPhone 4S). To switch from Camera mode to Video mode, move the slider at the bottom of the page out of the still image position and toward the video icon. The iPhone's recently added flash also works for recording videos.
Grid-lines feature for framing shots
In iOS 5, there is a Grid feature that you can turn on or off according to your preferences. The feature divides your screen into thirds for you to make it easier to frame your pictures. To turn the Grid feature on, open the Camera app and look under Options for a switch to turn it on and off.

5. Single-tap to focus/Double-tap to AutoFocus

To manually focus and set the exposure prior to snapping a photo, single-tap the screen. If you want the device to AutoFocus for you, double-tap the screen. Technically, this is not a new feature and exists in earlier versions of iOS. However, the next feature is a new addition to the focusing feature on Apple products.

6. AE/FE exposure lock

If you move the camera after you single-tap the screen to focus the camera and set the exposure, the focus and exposure normally readjusts. However, the newer versions of the iOS offer a way for you to lock your device's camera into a particular exposure and focus. To activate the AE/FE exposure lock, tap the screen and continue holding it down until a blue box appears and it says AE/FE Lock at the bottom of the screen. Your camera will now have the same focus and exposure point no matter where you point it.

7. Pinch-to-zoom

The latest versions of the iOS also make zooming in and out with the camera as simple as sliding your fingers across the screen. To zoom in, place two fingers in the center of the screen and slide them apart in opposite directions. To zoom back out, perform this movement in the opposite direction to "pinch" the screen back to 100%.

8. Switch cameras

Apple devices programmed with iOS 4 or higher come with, not one, but two separate cameras from which to choose. The higher-quality camera located on the back of the device is the default camera. However, there is another camera located on the front of the device that is especially useful for taking photos of yourself since you will be able to see what the photo will look like on the screen before you snap it. Once you have launched the Camera app, you should see an icon of a camera with rotating arrows surrounding it on the screen. To switch back and forth between cameras, simply tap that icon.

9. High Dynamic Range (HDR) photos

The camera for iOS 4 and higher is capable of creating HDR photos. HDR is an innovative technology that takes several snapshots of a scene in different exposures and combines them to produce the highest-quality image possible. To turn on HDR photos in iOS 4.1, tap the HDR button that appears on the screen as soon as you launch the Camera app. To take HDR photos in iOS 5, open the Options menu once you launch the Camera app; you should see a spot where you can turn the feature on and off.

As you can see, the camera in iOS versions 4 and beyond has much to offer that earlier versions of the camera do not. Use the information above to make an informed decision when deciding whether it's worth it to upgrade to a later version of iOS so that you can enjoy all of the added functionality. Here's a hint: I strongly recommend it!