# camera The camera to use for determining the appearance of the map. ``` @NSCopying var camera: MKMapCamera { get set } ``` ## Discussion A camera object defines a point above the map’s surface from which to view the map. Applying a camera to a map can have the effect of giving the map a 3D-like appearance. You can use a camera to rotate the map so that it orients to match the user’s heading or to apply a pitch angle to tilt the plane of the map. You can check the map’s [`isPitchEnabled`](/documentation/MapKit/MKMapView/isPitchEnabled) property to determine whether the map can use pitch. Assigning a new camera to this property updates the map immediately and without animating the change. If you want to animate changes in camera position, use the [`setCamera(_:animated:)`](/documentation/MapKit/MKMapView/setCamera(_:animated:)) method instead. Don’t set this property to `nil`. To restore the map to a flat appearance, apply a camera with a pitch angle of `0`, which yields a camera looking straight down onto the map surface. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)