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iPhone 5 camera has improved specs, better low-light performance

iPhone 5 Camera has improved specs, better low light performance

While the iPhone 4S camera is among the best on any cellphone, Apple is not resting on its laurels, so we're going to see a much improved camera on the iPhone 5.

The A6 chip in the new iPhone opens the door to better specs, including faster capture of photos, noise reduction and better low-light performance -- Apple claims these updates will yield up to two additional ƒ stops, which is significant. It will be interesting to test against the new Nokia Lumia 920 which is also touting excellent low-light performance.

Apple has also added a panorama mode, allowing owners to capture wraparound images with ease (and without third-party panorama apps, of which there are many good ones) The resulting image can be up to 28 megapixels.

The camera hardware specs are similar to the 4S, with an 8-megapixel sensor and a five-element lens. Apple is also adding a sapphire lens crystal cover, along with a new image processor built into the A6 chip that adds a "smart filter" for better color matching.

Apple also says it has improved the video performance, with better video stabilization and facial recognition. The iPhone 5 will have the ability to grab a still from a video.