As technology has advanced, Apple has done well to ensure that its iPad has remained a valuable tool for video professionals who need to remain mobile, don’t want to carry a ton of gear in field, or who may need to punch out a quick edit that will be refined later. The iPad is capable of serving as both a camera to shoot video and an editing platform for post-production and is available with screen sizes of 9.7, 10.5, and 12.9", allowing videographers ranging from home enthusiasts, consumers, prosumers, and professionals to find a model that meets their needs. What’s more is that the Pro models now support features that were once reserved for laptops or desktop workstations, such as 4K video editing and exporting, as well as a brightness of 600 nits and the P3 color gamut for limited HDR support.
Amateurs and hobbyists may prefer the 9.7" iPad, which now supports the Apple Pencil and has a battery life of up to 10 hours on a single charge. Its Retina display features a resolution of 2048 x 1536 (264 ppi) and internally, it is driven by Apple’s 10 Fusion Chip and M10 co-processor with a quad-core design, 64-bit architecture, and over 3.3 billion transistors, make it well suited for editing 4K video. However, this model doesn’t support the wide P3 color gamut and its camera is limited to 1080p at 30 fps and slow-mo at 120 fps. However, just because it lacks a wider color space and a higher-resolution camera doesn’t mean that this iPad isn’t a worthy piece of gear. On the contrary, its smaller form factor of 0.29" thin easily puts 4K video editing in your messenger bag.
Advanced users will appreciate the upgrades that Apple has brought to its iPad Pro lineup. The 10.5" iPad Pro displays visuals with a vibrant resolution of 2224 x 1668 (264 ppi), while the 12.9" iPad Pro increases that to 2732 x 2048 (264 ppi). Aside from displays with a brightness of 600 nits and support for the P3 color gamut, which produces more realistic color, both models have also been upgraded with a camera that shoots 4K at 30 fps, 1080p at 30 or 60 fps, 720p at 30 fps, and slow-mo support for 1080p at 120 fps and 720p at 240 fps. Thanks to Apple’s upgraded A10X Six-Core Fusion chip with 64-bit architecture and a 12-Core GPU, everything comes together to allow 4K video editing and 3D model rendering. Rounding out the display of the iPad Pro is ProMotion technology, which delivers a refresh rate of 120 Hz for smoother motion with fewer artifacts, and 1.8% reflectivity, which helps makes the display clearer and more viewable. Both models of the iPad Pro also support the Apple Pencil and have a battery life of up to 10 hours.
While Apple’s iPads are impressive on paper, especially the Pro models, I was interested in knowing how well these tablets respond in real-world situations, especially when working with 4K video. Bearing this in mind, I procured this 12.9" iPad Pro and ran it through the gauntlet using the extremely capable Sony Alpha a7R III, which I used to shoot 4K and Full HD video using Sony’s XAVC S codec. I also used the camera’s S&Q Motion (slow-motion/quick-motion) settings to create files in-camera at 120 fps, as compared to rendering them to play in slow-mo during post-production. After running several tests, I found that the 12.9" iPad Pro and iMovie could work with all the video I shot, even 4K at 100 Mb/s. Although the iPad’s display isn’t 4K, iMovie is 4K-capable, and will output 4K files once your edit is complete. However, iMovie currently only outputs files at 30 fps, so if you want to maintain some 24p video you are a little out of luck. If you shot anything at 60 fps, iMovie does allow for exporting at 60 fps, but this is switched off by default and needs to be turned on in the system settings. Perhaps in a future update, we’ll see 24p export.
The iPad can also run many major apps that can be lifesavers for video professionals. From slates identifying your shots to shot lists and storyboards, if there is something to be done during the production of your project, chances are there is an app that will help you along the way. For further reading, this B&H article points out some of the apps that are available to filmmakers and help make their lives a little bit easier using the iPad.
Many cameras feature Wi-Fi connectivity and iOS apps to view and control what the camera sees and records with your iPad or iPhone. Apps by camera makers, like GoPro, allow you to view, shoot, and edit videos while wirelessly connected to the camera, and upload videos straight to YouTube from your iPad.
Cases, lenses, and microphones are able to improve the ergonomics and functionality of the iPad as a primary camera. With specialized cases made for filmmakers, like the Makayama Movie Mount, the iPad can be used on a tripod while accessory mounting points facilitate on-camera lights and microphones. While the fixed lens of the iPad works well for many types of shooting, add-on lenses provide more options for projects that may need a wide or telephoto lens.
Aside from differences in color, all iPads can also be configured in terms of storage capacity and either Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + 4G LTE network connectivity. In terms of storage, more is always better for larger projects, while 4G LTE connectivity comes in handy for keeping people up to date with project status and feedback notes when you’re not in a Wi-Fi zone.
If you’re looking for something even more low-key than each of the models listed above, consider the iPad mini 4. While not really suited for 4K work, it can handle some Full HD editing, which is driven by its 64-bit A8 processor and M8 coprocessor. Despite its smaller 7.9" multi-touch Retina display, a 2048 x 1536 resolution still delivers crisp and clear images.
Do you use your iPad for video production or editing? Have you found it to be a positive experience? Feel free to leave your comments below.
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