Camera Features of iOS 8

On 18 September 2014, Apple officially released iOS 8, the latest mobile operating system for iPhones, iPads, and soon-to-be-shelved iPods. The update includes a long list of new features, including interactive notifications that allow the user to reply to messages from their home screen, a new intuitive typing technology, self-destructing text and audio messages, and the soon-to-be-available "Continuity," which allows user to seamlessly switch from activities on their mobile device to their computer.

However, one thing that strikes many Apple followers are the new camera features that the latest OS would bring. And it is now time to point them out, especially for the benefit of existing 'iPhonegraphers' who don't intent to splurge on the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus this time round.

(Note: Besides the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, iOS 8 will also run on iPhone 5S, 5C, 5, and 4S. Supported iPads include the iPad Air, iPad Mini with Retina display, iPad Mini 1st-gen, iPad 4th-gen, iPad 3rd-gen, and iPad 2. The iPod Touch 5th-gen is also compatible with iOS 8.)

1. Separate focus and exposure controls
   
   In previous versions of iOS, exposure is determined by the same area as the focus. While iOS 7 introduced AE/AF lock, exposure and focus are still inseparable, which is terrible if the user is trying to get creative. In iOS 8, they can first set the focus, and then adjust the exposure by moving the little sun icon that appears up and down.
2. Self-timer
   
   Maybe it's the increasing popularity of selfies, or that Apple suddenly realizes the iPhone is one of the most popular cameras in the world, but there's finally a self timer in iOS 8's Camera app. The timer lets the user set a 3 or 10-second delay between the time they hit the shutter button and the time the shutter actually fires.
3. Time-lapse video
   
   Brace yourself for tons of weird time-lapse videos on YouTube and Instagram soon.
   
   Time-lapse is a photography technique where the user shoot multiple still photos in a set interval, which they then combine to make a video. In iOS 8, this process is made super simple with a Time Lapse mode: just hit the record button and let the camera handle the rest, including the exposure. When the user is done, they can use the built-in tools to trim their masterpiece.
4. Quicker burst mode for older iPhones
   
   Super-fast burst shooting is now no longer an iPhone 5S exclusive.
   
   A cool iOS 7 feature that only iPhone 5S owners get to enjoy is a high-speed burst mode that shoots at 10 frames per second or up to 999 full-res photos as long as they hold down the shutter button. Older iPhones got a burst mode too with iOS 7, but it wasn't nearly as fast. Further optimization in iOS 8 means that these older iPhones now get their long awaited speed boost.
5. Panorama photos for iPad
   
   While the iPhone is able to do it for a while now, Panorama mode is just coming to the iPad.
   
   Since iOS 6, the iPhone is already capable of panoramic photography. But this feature never came to the iPad, even the smaller and much easier to handle iPad Mini. But this will soon change in iOS 8. Yes, if holding up the iPad to take photos look goofy, imagine panning it to take wide-format shots. Then again, the iPad has a pretty decent camera, so why not?
6. Credit card scanner
   
   Why bother typing it in manually when the camera can capture and enter it for you?
   
   Okay, this is a new feature in the Safari browser in iOS 8, but it is included here because it needs the camera to work its magic. In a nutshell, when the user is placing an order (say, on Amazon) in Safari, instead of typing in their credit card details (e.g. name and credit card number), they can hit the 'Scan Credit Card' button on the popup keyboard, which in turn will fire up the Camera app to do the job.