DB LabsWhat Is Apple Log (Photographic Log) on iPhone?
By Jack Smith — Updated March 12, 2026
Apple Log (also called Photographic Log) is a flat, low-contrast color profile for video recording on iPhone 15 Pro and later Pro models. It captures the maximum dynamic range — up to 13+ stops of light — by distributing tonal data evenly across highlights and shadows. This gives professional editors far more flexibility during color grading. The tradeoff is storage: Apple Log videos are roughly 1.5-2x larger than standard recordings at the same resolution.
How Apple Log Works
Standard iPhone video applies a "baked-in" color profile (typically Rec. 709 or HDR) that looks good immediately but limits how much you can adjust highlights and shadows in post-production. Apple Log records with a mathematically flat gamma curve that compresses highlights and lifts shadows, preserving detail in both extremes. The footage looks washed out and gray straight from the camera — this is by design.
During editing, a colorist applies a LUT (Look-Up Table) or manual color grade to transform the flat footage into the final look. Apple provides a standard Apple Log to Rec. 709 LUT, and third-party LUTs are widely available. The extra data in Log footage means you can recover blown highlights, lift crushed shadows, and push color grades far more aggressively than with standard video.
Storage Impact
Apple Log significantly increases file sizes because the flat profile retains more tonal data that would normally be compressed away. Typical sizes for one minute of 4K 30fps video:
- Standard HEVC: ~350 MB/min
- Apple Log HEVC: ~500-600 MB/min
- ProRes LT standard: ~900 MB/min
- ProRes LT Apple Log: ~1.7 GB/min
For a five-minute shoot in ProRes LT with Apple Log, expect to use 8-9 GB of storage. This is one of the most storage-intensive recording modes available on iPhone. If you shoot Apple Log regularly, an external SSD (connected via USB-C) or frequent offloading to a computer is essential.
Which iPhones Support Apple Log
- iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max (2023) — first models with Apple Log
- iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max (2024)
- iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max (2025)
Standard iPhone models do not support Apple Log recording. The feature requires the Pro hardware's advanced ISP and is only available in the native Camera app or apps that support the Apple Log API.
When to Use Apple Log
Apple Log is designed for professional or semi-professional workflows where footage will be color graded. Use it when you need maximum control over the final look — music videos, short films, commercial work, or any project destined for color grading software. For casual video, standard or Cinematic mode produces better-looking results without the grading step.
Related Terms
- ProRAW — Apple's RAW photo format for maximum editing flexibility
- HEIC — Standard compressed photo format on iPhone
- Cinematic Mode — Video mode with rack focus effects
Frequently Asked Questions
How much larger are Apple Log video files?
Roughly 1.5-2x larger than standard video. A one-minute 4K 30fps ProRes LT Apple Log clip is about 1.7 GB vs. 900 MB for standard ProRes LT.
Which iPhones support Apple Log?
iPhone 15 Pro and later Pro models only. Standard iPhones do not support Log recording.
Do you need to color grade Apple Log footage?
Yes. Log footage is intentionally flat and desaturated. Apply a LUT or manual grade in DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, or LumaFusion to get the final look.
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