photo of phone and lens by Todd Jiang on Unsplash

How to Choose iPhone Camera Lens: Choose Guide | 12 Recommendations

By default, the iPhone's built-in lens is a wide-angle lens. It can capture many scenes in one frame, making it ideal for landscape and group shots.

However, because it has a wide field of view, objects in the distance may appear smaller than they are. If you're looking to get closer to your subject, you'll need to invest in an iPhone camera lens with a longer focal length.

This article will discuss the different types of iPhone lenses, how to choose a good lens for your smartphone camera, and the best lenses for Apple iPhones.

Know Your iPhone Lens First

Let’s understand an iPhone first, it can come with up to 3 in-built lenses:

  • The wide lens
  • The telephoto lens
  • The ultra-wide lens.

Each has its strengths and weaknesses.

The wide lens is the default lens on most iPhones. It's an all-purpose lens that's great for everyday shots. It has an aperture of f/1.5 and a field of view of about 26mm wide enough to capture a group of people or a landscape.

The telephoto lens is the second type of iPhone lens.  iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Mac, iPhone 14 Pro have such tele lenses. It has a narrower field of view than the wide lens, but it's much better for close-up shots. It has an aperture of f/2.8 and a field of view of about 77mm, which is ideal for portraits and close-ups.

photo of lens that can be used on phone

Photo by K.K.T Madhusanka on shutterstock

The ultra-wide lens is the newest addition to the iPhone camera lineup, quickly becoming a favorite among photographers. It has an aperture of f/1.8 and a field of view of about 13mm, much wider than the other two lenses. This makes it great for landscape photography and other wide-angle shots.

In today's market, external lenses are also an option for smartphone photography. These lenses can be attached to your iPhone with a special phone case or clip, giving your photos a new look.

Various iPhone camera lenses are available, from fish-eye to telephoto lenses. The most important thing is first to understand the types of iPhone camera lenses available and what each one does so that you can make an informed decision on which one to buy.

Main Types of iPhone Camera Lenses

1. Wide-Angle Lens

This lens is well known for its ability to help you capture ultra-wide photos and videos that are sharply focused. With this feature, you can capture a large portion of a scene from a short distance without moving a few steps back.

2. Fisheye Lens

The fisheye lens is an ultra-wide angle lens that captures a much wider field of view than a regular wide angle lens. It is so named because of its ability to create a "fisheye" effect where the image appears curved around the edges.

camera lens on phone

Photo by DUO Studio on shutterstock

3. Telephoto Lens

The telephoto lens allows you to take photos of far-away subjects. It has a long focal length of about 70mm to 300mm, which means that the lens elements are far away from the image sensor. This results in a narrow field of view which allows you to take photos of far-away subjects.

4. Macro Lens

The macro lens allows you to take close-up photos of small subjects. It has a very short focal length of about 10mm to 30mm, implying that the lens elements are very close to the image sensor. This results in a wide field of view, allowing you to take close-up photos of small subjects.

5. Anamorphic Lens

The anamorphic lens affects how images project on the camera sensor. It has a long focal length of about 40mm to 100mm, which means that the lens elements are far away from the image sensor. This results in a narrow field of view which means that it projects the images in a compressed manner on the sensor.

How to Choose a Good Lens for iPhone

It would help to consider a few things when choosing a lens for your iPhone. Some of them include:

telephone camera lens on iPhone

Photo by LanKS on shutterstock-

1. Image Quality

Two primary factors determine image quality:

  • The resolution of the lens:This is the number of lines per millimeter that the lens can resolve. The higher the resolution, the sharper the image.
  • The size of the sensor:The size of the sensor is another important factor that affects image quality. A larger sensor can work well in low light, resulting in better image quality.

A good lens should have a high resolution to produce sharp images and a large sensor to capture as much light as possible to produce images with excellent color and contrast.

2. Focal Length

photo of camera lens kit for iPhone

Photo by LanKS on shutterstock

The focal length of a lens is the distance between the image sensor and the lens when the subject is in focus. Focal length is another crucial factor when choosing a lens for your iPhone. Shorter focal lengths mean you'll get wider views, enabling the phone camera to capture more of the scene.

On the other hand, longer focal lengths mean you'll get narrower views, which will capture less of the scene and result in images with excellent magnification.

Having that in mind, you should choose a lens depending on what you want to capture.

3. Compatibility

camera lens on iPhone

Photo by Kanurism on shutterstock

Not all lenses are compatible with all iPhones. Some lenses are only compatible with specific models of iPhone, while others are compatible with all models of iPhone.

A good lens should be compatible with your iPhone model to avoid inconvenience. This will enable you to use the lens without any issues.

4. Mounting System

The mounting system is how the lens attaches to the iPhone. There are several types of mounting systems. Some of them include:

  • Threaded mount:A threaded mount is a type of mounting system in which you screw the lens into the iPhone. This mounting system is more secure, resulting in a more stable connection between the lens and the iPhone.

camera lens that can be directly mounted on iPhone

Photo by LanKS on shutterstock

  • Bayonet mount:A bayonet mount is a type of mounting system in which the lens is attached to the iPhone using a bayonet fitting. This type of mount is less secure than a threaded mount but is easier to attach and detach.

A good lens has a mounting system that you are comfortable with. If you want a more secure connection, choose a lens with a threaded mount. If you want an easier-to-attach-and-detach lens, you should choose a smartphone lens with a bayonet mount.

12 Best iPhone Camera Lens  

Top Wide-Angle Lens for iPhone

1. Aikeglobal iPhone Camera Lens 4-In-1

Aikeglobal iPhone Camera Lens 4-In-1

Image Credit:amazon.com

Specifications
  • 18X zoom lens
  • 198-degree Fisheye lens
  • 120°Super Wide Angle Lens
  • 20x Macro Lens
Pros
  • Lightweight and portable.
  • The 198-degree Fisheye lens allows you to take great wide-angle pictures.
  • The 18X zoom lens has excellent functionality for magnifying distant objects.
Cons
  • The lens weight causes some wobble when taking pictures.
  • The zoom lens might cause some distortion in the photos or filmmaking.
Compatibility:
  • Iphone 12 pro, iPhone 11 pro max, iPhone x

2. Xenvo Pro Lens Kit

Xenvo Pro Lens Kit

Image Credit: amazon.com

Specifications
  • 45x Wide Angle Lens
  • 15X macro lens
  • Lens Clip and LED Light
Pros
  • The 2-in-1 lens kit is great for taking wide-angle and close-up pictures.
  • It has a travel case which is excellent for carrying around.
  • 15X macro lens magnifies near objects for perfect close shots
Cons
  • Some vignetting might occur at the edges of the pictures.
  • The wide-angle lens might cause some distortion.

 

Compatibility:
  • All iPhone models, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy , Samsung Note, Huawei, etc.

3. Olloclip 3-in-1 Lens kit

Olloclip 3-in-1 Lens kit

Image Credit: amazon.com

Specifications
  • 180 °  Fisheye Lens
  • 120 ° Super-Wide Lens
  • 15x Macro lens
Pros
  • The 3-in-1 lens kit is great for taking a variety of pictures.
  • The patent system ensures that the lens is securely attached to the phone.
  • It is ready for selfies, meaning you do not have to attach the lens to take a picture.
Cons
  • It is a bit expensive.
  • The lens might fall off if not appropriately attached.
Compatibility:
  • iPhone 7, iPhone7 Plus, iPhone 8 & iPhone 8 Plus

The best wide-angle lens for the iPhone would be the Aikeglobal iPhone Lens 4-in-1, 18X Zoom Telescope Lens Kit. It is very lightweight and portable compared to the other wide-angle lenses. It also has an 18X zoom lens which is great for magnifying distant objects.

Top Fisheye Lens for iPhone

4. FEGOGO iPhone Camera Lens Kit

FEGOGO iPhone Camera Lens Kit

Image Credit: amazon.com

Specifications
  • 230° Fisheye  Lens
  • 65X Super Wide Angle  Lens
  • 15X Macro Lens
Pros
  • The 0.65X super wide angle lens is great for group shots and landscapes.
  • The 230-degree fisheye lens allows you to take rounded stunning images.
  • Compatible with most iPhone models
Cons
  • Produces photos that are blurry around the edges.
  • Produces curved pictures, which might not be desirable for some people.
Compatibility:
  • iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung Smartphone

5. Ragu 10-in-1 iPhone Camera Lens Kit

Ragu 10-in-1 iPhone Camera Lens Kit

Image Credit: amazon.com

Specifications
  • 12X telephoto lens
  • 25X macro lens
  • 235° fisheye lens
  • 62X wide angle lens
  • Phone Holder, Shutter Remote, Tripod
Pros
  • It has a lightweight carrying case which makes it easy to carry around.
  • Compatible with most iPhone models
  • The 12X macro lens is ideal for taking close-ups of small objects.
Cons
  • The lens forms images with black corners.
  • It is not very sturdy and hence might fall off easily.
Compatibility:
  • iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 6, iPhone 6s plus, Samsung Smartphone

6. Leknes 3-in-1 Phone Lens Kit

Leknes 3-in-1 Phone Lens Kit

Image Credit: amazon.com

Specifications
  • 198° Fisheye Lens
  • 120° Wide Angle Lens
  • Macro Lens
Pros
  • The 198-degree field of view allows you to take great wide-angle pictures.
  • Made of high-quality aluminum alloy, which makes it durable.
  • The clip-on design makes it easy to attach and remove the lens.
Cons
  • It produces images with black corners.
  • The lens might fall off if not appropriately attached.
Compatibility:
  • Almost all cell phone models, both IOS and android phones

The best fisheye lens for the iPhone would be the FEGEGO iPhone camera lens kit. Unlike the other lenses, it has a 0.65X super wide angle lens which is great for group shots and landscapes. It also has a 230-degree fish eye lens which allows you to take rounded stunning images.

Top Telephoto for iPhone

7. Surui 3-In-1 iPhone Lens Kit

Surui 3-In-1 iPhone Lens Kit

Image Credit: amazon.com

Specifications
  • 18mm Wide Angle Lens
  • 170° Fisheye Lens
  • 10X Macro Lens
Pros
  • The 60mm portrait lens is great for taking portraits and street shooting.
  • The 170-degree fisheye lens allows you to take great wide-angle pictures.
  • The 10X macro lens is great for taking close-ups of small objects.
Cons
  • Produces subpar image quality.
  • Too short for shooting wildlife
Compatibility:
  • Almost all cell phone models

8. Voongeek iPhone Camera Lens Kit

Voongeek iPhone Camera Lens Kit

Image Credit: amazon.com

Specifications
  • 22X Telephoto Lens
  • 205° Fisheye Lens
  • 67X Super Wide Angle Lens
  • 25X Macro Lens
Pros
  • The 22X telephoto lens is great for magnifying distant objects.
  • Well priced for the quality it offers.
  • Made of aircraft aluminum which makes it durable.
  • It has clips to attach to the lens, which makes it easy to take pictures.
Cons
  • The lens produces an average image quality.
  • Heavy hence must be used with a tripod to keep it in place.
Compatibility:
  • Most iPhone, Samsung smartphone, Google pixel, OnePlus

9. Sevenka 6-in-1 Lens Kit

Image Credit: amazon.com

Specifications
  • 18X Telephoto Lens
  • 198° Fisheye Lens
  • 15X Macro Lens
  • 63X Wide Angle Lens
  • CPL Lens
  • Kaleidoscope Lens
Pros
  • The 18X telephoto lens is great for magnifying distant objects.
  • The 198-degree fisheye lens allows you to take great wide-angle pictures.
  • The 15X macro lens is great for taking close-ups of small objects.
Cons
  • The lens has a very long barrel which can be difficult to carry around.
  • Heavy hence must be used with a tripod to keep it in place.
Compatibility:
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone X, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, Samsung Android Smartphone

The best telephoto lens for the iPhone would be the Voongeek iPhone Camera Lens Kit. Unlike the other telephoto lenses, it is well priced for the quality it offers. The lens is made of aircraft aluminum which makes it durable. It has clips to attach to the lens, which makes it easy to take pictures.

Top Macro Lens for iPhone

10. Apexel 11-in-1 Camera Lens Kit

Apexel 11-in-1 Camera Lens Kit

Image Credit: amazon.com

Specifications
  • 140°Super Wide Angle Lens
  • Macro Lens
  • Fisheye Lens
  • 4 Grad Color Lens
  • ND32 Filter
  • Kaleidoscope Lens
  • CPL Filter
  • Star Filter
Pros
  • Its lens is of high quality and coated using optical glass, making it resistant to scratches.
  • Its manual focus lens gives users more control over their pictures.
  • Frame made of aluminum hence durable.
  • Have a detachable clamp which makes it easy to carry around.
Cons
  • The clamp is not very sturdy and might come off easily.
  • The lens might be a little challenging to attach for people who are not used to it.
Compatibility:
  • Most iPhone, Pixel, Samsung Galaxy and OnePlus Camera Phones

11. Copedvic 25X Macro Lens Kit

Copedvic 25X Macro Lens Kit

Image Credit: amazon.com

Specifications
  • 22X Telephoto Lens
  • 25X Macro Lens
  • 235° Fisheye Lens
  • Kaleidoscopes Lens
  • Starlight Lens
  • Bluetooth remote control
Pros
  • The zoom of 25X is great for magnifying distant objects.
  • The Optimal glass lens provides excellent clarity and detail in the pictures.
  • The Bluetooth remote control lets you take photos from a distance.
Cons
  • The remote control might not be compatible with all devices.
  • Under engineered hence not very durable.
Compatibility:
  • Most iPhone and smartphone models

12. Moment Macro Lens

Moment Macro Lens

Image Credit: amazon.com

Specifications
  • 10X Macro Lens
  • Multi-element Coated Glass Lens
  • Detachable Magnetic Mounting System
Pros
  • The 10X macro lens allows you to take great close-up pictures.
  • The multi-element coated glass lens provides excellent clarity and detail in the photos.
  • The detachable magnetic mounting system makes it easy to attach and remove the lens.
Cons
  • Small working distance.
  • Expensive because of the case.

Compatibility:

  • Most iPhone, Pixel, Samsung Galaxy and OnePlus Camera Phones

The best macro lens for the iPhone would be the Apexel 11-in-1 Camera Lens Kit. It has a great design and is very durable. Unlike the Copedvic lens, it has a manual focus which gives the user more control over the pictures they take. It is also less expensive than the Moment Macro Lens.

Conclusion

Even though an iPhone camera can take good photos, using a camera lens will enable you to take more prefessional and stunning photos. Knowing the various types of iPhone camera lenses and what each one does, you should be able to choose the best camera lens for your iPhones.

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