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Best iPhone camera accessories in 2023

Our top picks for the iPhone 14
Last Updated on January 16, 2023
best iphone camera accessories

iPhones have quite possibly some of the best camera technology jam-packed into that attractive sandwich of aluminum and glass we all know and love.

It’s human nature to tinker and fix things that aren’t broken, how are we supposed to progress as a civilization otherwise? This is where the best iPhone camera accessories come in.

From a young age, we’ve all been fans of accessories here at PC Guide. No, we don’t mean a lovely new set of hoop earrings that match a genuine imitation Gucci purse, we mean peripherals that plug into existing technology to enhance their functionality.

If one hasn’t had the joy of snapping their wrists trying to hold up an original GameBoy with a MagLite fitted on, we have some cool bits and pieces to show you in this buyer’s guide.

Products at a Glance

iPhone 14 camera specifications

Before we get into the good stuff, let’s break down what the latest Apple flagship, iPhone 14 is made of. Just to clarify, we’re taking the specifications from the standard iPhone 14 here, not the Pro or ProMax. Nothing personal, we just couldn’t fit one through the office doors is all.

Main Camera

  • Dual 12 Megapixel array
  • 12 MP, f/1.5, 26mm (wide), 1.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS
  • 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide)
  • Dual LED tone flash
  • Smart HDR 4

Main Camera Video

  • 4K@24/30/60fps
  • 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
  • HDR
  • Dolby Vision HDR up to 60 FPS
  • Stereo sound recording

Selfie Camera

  • 12 Megapixel, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″
  • SL 3D, (Depth/Biometrics sensor)
  • HDR

Selfie Camera Video

  • 4K@24/25/30/60fps
  • 1080p@30/60/120fps
  • Gyro-EIS

Looking at the specifications above, the iPhone 14 is more than capable of taking quality photos and videos for everyday use. But the big question: is it fit for purpose for the specific needs of a streamer, videographer, photographer, or another power user? This is where our best iPhone camera accessories guide comes in handy, certainly for older iPhone models.

How we chose the best iPhone camera accessories

We’ve had a look online for some of the best iPhone camera accessories that aren’t novelties and have practical uses for multiple kinds of users. Of course, these accessories might not be for every reader, but this buyer’s guide might be worth looking over. We can guarantee at least one reader won’t know that some of these best iPhone camera accessories existed until now.

In addition to making sure these accessories were usable and worth their weight in their own right, we wanted to ensure compatibility was a key factor. Some of the items below may not fit your exact model, but we’ve tried to offer alternative products within the guide that will. We also made one more consideration when picking out these best iPhone camera accessories – they had to be really cool.

Here we go, take a look at what we’ve found below and let us know what you think in the comments section at the end of the article.

Our Recommended

Best iPhone camera accessories in 2023

1
PROS
  • Gesture controls
  • Stabilize video
CONS
  • Ease of use app issues

Has one ever wondered how action sequences or fast-moving scenes in the film are recorded with zero screen shake and perfectly shot angles? Well, the obvious answer is that blockbuster films aren’t filmed on iPhones, but there’s a good reason why I opened up with that example.

Gimbals are giving wobble-free, angle-perfect video content, all in a nice compact selfie stick form factor with handy controls within a thumbs reach. No, we’re not trying to push an overpriced selfie stick, it’s a complete stable tracking solution with some really cool and advanced features for those looking for them.

Dolly zoom, panoramas, slow motion, timelapse, hyper-lapse, sport mode, and more are all packed into the accompanying app to make the most out of DJI Osmo Mobile 3. This bit of kit is even useful for casual users who make a lot of video content. Sick of shaky or poorly shot video? DJI Osmo Mobile eliminates these issues and provides smooth video, what’s the point of recording special memories if you can’t make them out?

2
PROS
  • Bluetooth remote
  • Lightweight
CONS
  • Only suitable for smaller iPhones

We all love a selfie stick. For those who say you don’t, please don’t lie to yourself whilst reading this buyer’s guide. But seriously, we’re not just trying to fill up space by suggesting a run-of-the-mill selfie stick. This is a good-quality selfie stick that also doubles as an adjustable iPhone tripod.

After taking absolutely loads of selfies for little to no reason in public, users can collapse the arm of this selfie stick and open up the handle to reveal a tripod for some run-of-the-mill selfie streaming. This is a Bluetooth selfie stick and tripod hybrid, but the Bluetooth remote actually detaches from this best iPhone camera accessory.

For example, if a user wishes to put this selfie stick into tripod mode and use their main camera to film a stream instead of the selfie camera, simply mount the iPhone the opposite way around and use the Bluetooth remote to start and stop recording. The remote also charges via micro USB too, so no battery changes will be needed for this handy bit of kit.

3
PROS
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Sticky-backed photos
CONS
  • App needs location access for no reason

In probably the most shocking suggestion in a best iPhone camera accessories guide in the history of the world wide web, we have a printer. Bear with us, this is a really good piece of technology that’s super portable and doesn’t require ink. Zink is the name of quite possibly the coolest bit of photo paper innovation in recent history. 

HP Sprocket uses a pressure-based process to imprint a picture on Zink paper, which is very cool but where does the image come from? Zink paper holds a layer of ink under a clear film which is manipulated by the pressure system of the HP sprocket. This means the need for ink holders and the standard inkjet or laser printer setup isn’t necessary.

Zink paper also comes with sticky backs, which means photos are instantly turned into stickers, both a child’s and eager parents’ dreams come true. It all hooks up to Bluetooth and is chargeable which means this bit of kit is portable, making it one of the most excentric surprise best iPhone camera accessories.

4
PROS
  • 235 degree Fisheye lens
  • HD 0.62X super wide angle lens
CONS
  • Only fits certain iPhones

Sick of lugging around that XLR camera? Well, it’s always a hard sell trying to get a photographer to rely solely on iPhone cameras, but this might make them bite. The Selvim phone camera lens is actually a four-part lens kit for a variety of handsets including an iPhone. This kit covers quite possibly every kind of lens feature a photographer would need.

The 22X telephoto camera lens is great for magnifying distant subjects whilst allowing for some great close-up shots. We all know and love those cute fish eye pet pictures that litter Instagram and other social media platforms, well now it’s your turn with a 235-degree fisheye lens.

Capture up-close detail with the razor-sharp 25x macro lens, from insects to flowers, it’s always fun to experiment with different materials. Finally, the HD 0.62X super-wide-angle lens is perfect for fitting large views and vistas into a single image without compromising angle and positioning. These lenses are also 10-10 coated, making sure flares and ghosting are reduced dramatically.

5
PROS
  • 360 degree rotating mount
  • Fits all iPhones
CONS
  • Mic plug-in sold separately

Content creators on the go will know how hard it is to provide good audio and brilliant image quality on the go at events and anything else that requires moving out of the studio. Lume Cube is an all-in-one solution for higher-quality selfie videos for keeping in touch with your audience when the usual recording equipment isn’t available.

How does it all fit together? Well, the smartphone mount and handle serve as the meat of the setup, with the mini light panel and microphone coming out of either end of the handle. This means nothing gets in the way of the front camera but is within the right distance for quality on-to-go lighting and audio recording. 

Speaking of outdoor audio recording, a foam windscreen and a traditional windshield are included to make sure users can record quality audio in noisy or windy conditions. In addition to this, a tripod stand and TRS/TRRS cables are included for stationary content recording, although an additional adapter will need to be purchased for iPhones without a headphone jack.

Well, we meant it when we said there’s something for everyone in this guide, but did we miss something? If there’s a killer best iPhone camera accessory we’ve missed please let us know down in the comments below. From budding photographers to content creators, every single suggestion above really does enhance the user experience dramatically on any model of iPhone.

Which one is the PC Guide favorite this time around? Well, we went with something we know a lot of users will get the most out of and doesn’t require any kind of learning curve. We picked the best iPhone camera accessory that also comes with a companion app to help users get started to boot:

Why do people use selfie sticks?

They aren’t just a trend, they have a practical use. Sometimes it’s impossible to fit everyone or a scene into a selfie camera view with a simple stretch of an arm. A selfie stick goes past a normal human’s reach and helps people fit in everything they need whenever they like.

Is there a camera stabilizer on the iPhone?

The iPhone 14 does have a feature that offers video stabilization, called Action Mode. This stabilizes videos by smoothing out vibrations, shakes, and motions. To activate it, simply head to your camera app and select Action Mode in the top bar when in Video.

Do I need to buy lenses to take good pictures?

Not at all. Most iPhones have brilliant built-in lenses to get the job done for most users. However, power users usually need features that go beyond the limits of often microscopic mobile camera technology. Think of them as the step between iPhone and professional XLR cameras.

Our Verdict

This bit of kit is a great contender for one of the best iPhone camera accessories. Not only is it a fancy selfie stick, but it makes sure videos are shot to a professional standard that’s accessible to any level of user. From someone filming their buddy skateboarding to a hectic day out at the seaside, DJI OSMO Mobile really has multiple applications that are practical as well as novel.