Final Cut Camera can now control the variable aperture on the iPhone 18 Pro. With version 2.4 of the app, you can freely adjust the aperture between f/1.48 and f/4. The update also includes new videoscopes, a redesigned interface, and broadcast features such as Clean SDI Out. Apple calls the update a free upgrade, available starting September 29, 2026.
This is a first for Apple: never before has the aperture of an iPhone camera been manually adjustable. This is made possible by the iPhone 18 Pro’s new Fusion main camera, which Apple itself describes as the most sophisticated camera ever in an iPhone.
Variable Aperture: f/1.48 to f/4 in Detail
The real innovation lies in the hardware that Final Cut Camera can now control. The main camera’s aperture can be adjusted continuously between f/1.48 and f/4, either manually or via two automatic modes:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Manual Aperture | Fixed aperture between f/1.48 and f/4, freely selectable |
| Aperture Priority | The app automatically adjusts the aperture; the shutter speed remains fixed |
| Shutter Priority | The aperture is set to a fixed value; Final Cut Camera adjusts the shutter speed |
In practice, this means: If you want as much depth of field as possible in low light, open the aperture to f/1.48. On the other hand, if you want to shoot with a wide aperture in bright daylight—for example, to blur the background more—set the aperture to f/4 to avoid overexposed shots without having to use an ND filter. The Cinema Mode effects—that is, the ability to adjust the focus point and depth of field in Final Cut Pro after the fact—now also work with regular video footage and are no longer limited to the dedicated Cinema Mode, provided the footage was recorded in ProRes or Apple Log.
New Design and More Control While Shooting
Final Cut Camera 2.4 also features a redesigned layout. Shutter speed, ISO, and white balance can be accessed directly without having to click through submenus. In addition, there are customizable overlays for false color and clipping indicators, improved focus peaking with adjustable sensitivity, and a recording light that clearly indicates whether recording is currently in progress. To hide the controls while recording, simply tap the screen with two fingers.
Professional Tools with iOS 27: Videoscopes, SDI, and Genlock
The biggest new features for professional users require iOS 27. Final Cut Camera then displays the RGB waveform and histogram directly within the app—two tools that allow you to precisely control exposure and color balance during filming, rather than being caught off guard later during editing.
Via an HDMI-to-SDI converter, the app also outputs a clean, broadcast-quality video signal, known as Clean SDI Out. This is complemented by a genlock offset, which compensates for latency differences between the iPhone and other genlock-synchronized cameras, thereby preventing artifacts in multi-camera productions. The industry website Slashcam classifies the revamped Final Cut Camera as a direct competitor to the free Blackmagic Camera app.
Availability
Final Cut Camera 2.4 has been available for free download from the App Store since September 29, 2026. Variable aperture control works exclusively on the iPhone 18 Pro; the app’s other features also run on older, compatible iPhones. iOS 27 is required for the new professional tools such as Videoscopes, Clean SDI Out, and Genlock Offset.
Conclusion
With the variable aperture, Apple is eliminating one of the last major differences between the iPhone 18 Pro and dedicated cameras: control over the amount of light directly at the lens, not just via ISO and shutter speed. Combined with Videoscopes and broadcast output, Final Cut Camera thus positions itself more clearly as a professional tool and less as a gimmick for hobby filmmakers. If you’re already toying with the idea of an upgrade, you’ll find more background information in our article on current iPhone prices.
