iPhone 17 Pro Max Concert Camera Test: A Photographer's Perspective

Photographer Ryan Russell tested the iPhone 17 Pro Max at a Coheed and Cambria/Taking Back Sunday concert, capturing high-quality images despite challenging lighting conditions. Russell, a professional photographer with iconic shots of Fugazi, My Chemical Romance, and Elton John, was impressed with the iPhone's performance in the unpredictable environment of a live show. The results show what the iPhone 17 Pro Max camera can deliver in the wild.

Professional photographer Ryan Russell recently put the iPhone 17 Pro Max through its paces at a Coheed and Cambria/Taking Back Sunday concert, capturing high-quality images despite challenging lighting conditions. Russell, known for his iconic shots of Fugazi, My Chemical Romance, and Elton John, was impressed with the iPhone's performance in the unpredictable environment of a live show.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max, unveiled by Apple in its latest event, features significant improvements in both hardware and software. The device sports a striking dual-tone finish with Ceramic Shield on both front and back, making it more resistant to scratches and cracks Apple iPhone 17 Pro Review: Design, Camera Upgrades^[1]. The new aluminum build, while slightly heavier at 206g, ensures better heat conduction and sustained performance, thanks to a new vapor chamber cooling system Apple iPhone 17 Pro Review: Design, Camera Upgrades^[1].

One of the standout features of the iPhone 17 Pro Max is its advanced camera system. The telephoto lens now includes a 48MP sensor with 4x/100mm zoom, expandable to 8x/200mm via in-sensor zoom. This allows users to seamlessly switch between 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x zoom levels, making it an excellent tool for photographers Apple iPhone 17 Pro Review: Design, Camera Upgrades^[1]. Additionally, the selfie camera features an 18MP Center Stage sensor that auto-adjusts to keep subjects in frame, a feature that proved useful during Russell's concert photography Apple updates Final Cut Pro and Camera apps with full iPhone 17 support^[2].

Apple has also updated its Final Cut apps to support the new camera features of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The Center Stage camera, for instance, automatically adjusts the aspect ratio and can switch to landscape orientation without the user having to physically turn the device Apple updates Final Cut Pro and Camera apps with full iPhone 17 support^[2]. This feature is particularly useful for video creators, allowing for smoother transitions and more dynamic shots.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max also includes ProRes RAW support, allowing for a more flexible and controlled post-production process. This, combined with the device's advanced camera features, makes it an attractive option for professional photographers and videographers Apple updates Final Cut Pro and Camera apps with full iPhone 17 support^[2].

In terms of performance, the iPhone 17 Pro Max features a larger battery capacity, up to 670mAh more on eSIM-only models, and faster charging speeds with AVS technology Apple iPhone 17 Pro Review: Design, Camera Upgrades^[1]. However, users must purchase an AVS-enabled charger separately, as Apple continues to exclude adapters from the box.

Available in multiple storage options starting at $1,299, the iPhone 17 Pro Max combines Apple's hallmark design refinements with meaningful hardware upgrades. With brighter displays, tougher materials, and advanced camera features, the 2025 flagship sets the stage for one of Apple’s strongest Pro models yet.