The Best Smartphones for Photography in 2021

Almost everyone wields a camera these days because they already have one by default on their smartphones. But not just any phone will capture the best results, and that’s why some stand out for particular reasons.

Updated 10/27/2021 by Ted Kristsonis: Google Pixel 6 Pro added as the best smartphone for computational photography.

Mobile photography is now one of the major battlegrounds for vendors trying to one-up each other. Thankfully, it’s not entirely about numbers, despite megapixel counts hitting new highs, it’s a lot about how effective software can be to do more with the available pixels. That can also depend on how you look at what the software gives you, especially relative to the varying modes phones now regularly offer.

We’re talking about an ever-evolving situation, where new phones may supplant old ones, while others trade places based on how new updates affected performance and output. Whether it’s pro mode features, software that does amazing things, or getting more for every dollar you spend, this roundup is a good place to start. We at PetaPixel will be updating it regularly to reflect a changing and shifting market to give you the insight you need to shoot what you want.

What We’re Looking For

There are plenty of smartphones with what you could consider to be “good” cameras, but the “great” ones are fewer in number, and it often shows. When we look at what would put a smartphone camera on this list, we always look for the best results, particularly when talking about a specific type of photo. That may not necessarily mean the phone is the best in every other facet, but if it’s noted here, there are reasons for it.

That’s why we also broke things down into categories that differentiate between the strengths of certain devices. One phone may be better at shooting portraits, whereas the other has a Pro mode cutting above the rest. Computational software is so integral, and yet, not everyone does it well.

We break it all down into six distinct categories:

• Best Overall Smartphone for Photography: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
• Best Smartphone Pro Photography Mode: Vivo X70 Pro+
• Best Smartphone for Computational Photography: Google Pixel 6 Pro
• Best Small Smartphone for Photography: iPhone 13 mini
• Best Bang for the Buck Smartphone for Photography: Google Pixel 5a
• Best for Smartphone for Video: iPhone 13 Pro

Best Overall Smartphone for Photography: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Main sensor: 108MP or 12MP (with pixel binning) 26mm equivalent
Other rear cameras: 10MP 3x zoom telephoto lens (70mm equivalent), 10MP 10x zoom telephoto (240mm equivalent), 12MP ultra wide-angle (13mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 40MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 8K
Price: Starting at $1,200

A year ago, Samsung would’ve struggled just to make this list with the disjointed effort that was the Galaxy S20 Ultra. That’s not the case with its successor, which rectified some key missteps and put together one of the most well-rounded cameras available. It’s not perfect, mind you, and does need work in some areas, but it’s easy to like the variance and output you get.

Samsung used its newest ISOCELL HM3 image sensor to push further on the hardware side, and to some degree, is also pushing smarter use of newer lenses and smarter software. We’re certainly not referring to gimmicky nonsense like the 100x Space Zoom, but more the restrained color output and improved HDR that gives photos so much better composition.

Read PetaPixel's Samsung S21 Ultra Review here.

The two zoom lenses complement each other well, especially the 10x zoom that emulates a 240mm telephoto. They may be the best images a zoom lens currently takes on a phone, and while the 30x hybrid has its up and downs, it can turn out a decent shot at the right time. Samsung would be better suited to making its Pro mode more accessible to the myriad of rear lenses, but alas, it’s only for the main and ultra-wide lenses, and only at 12MP. Great for low-light, not so much for taking a photo you want to make bigger, unless you try features like Adobe’s Super Resolution.

All that said, if not for the U.S. ban on Huawei, that brand’s P50 Pro would likely have been in this position. One of the most versatile and superb cameras of any smartphone to date, its retail and software limitations, as far as the full gamut of Android goes, preclude us from placing it here. But if you are so inclined, its output won’t disappoint. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra was gunning for the top crown this year, though its availability and efficacy are in question on this side of the world. However, since the Galaxy S21 Ultra is the only true Samsung flagship this year, it will continue to be the company’s standard until a possible Galaxy S22 Ultra comes out.

Samsung’s spot isn’t all that secure, either, given that Apple scored key points with the iPhone 13 Pro and Google looks to make a big splash with the Pixel 6. Vivo is also in the hunt, and makes this list with good reason.

Best Pro Mode for Smartphone Photography: Vivo X70 Pro+

Main sensor: 50MP or 100MP or 12MP (with pixel binning) 23mm equivalent
Other rear cameras: 32MP 2x zoom telephoto (50mm equivalent), 8MP 5x zoom telephoto lens
Front-facing camera: 32MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 8K
Price: Starting at $1,200

The X70 Pro+ has one of the best phone cameras, as a whole, and what makes its Pro mode compelling is that it tries to qualify the user. Onscreen explainers note what a feature or setting does, opening the door to a learning experience — something lacking in getting more mobile shooters to try a mode like this.

Vivo didn’t dramatically change how it all works over this phone’s predecessor, focusing on the software side of things to make it better. That includes making the interface a little smoother and cutting down the time it takes from pressing the shutter to capturing the photo.

Read PetaPixel 's Vivo X70 Pro+ Review here.

The other advantage is that you can use all of the rear lenses in this mode, something that isn’t always available in rival handsets. Vivo could’ve moved the lens icons in the interface further away from the composition settings, but once you avoid false positives, you can really start to benefit from shooting in RAW at multiple focal lengths. Even its built-in Macro mode kicks in when going close up, though it would’ve been nice if the mode made it clearer about how close you can get to a subject.

Since Vivo’s Night mode can sometimes over-process shots, Pro ends up being an ideal alternative. The slow shutter mode can handle unique long exposure captures, but Pro often fills in well for low-light shots, especially when using a tripod or flat surface to prop up the phone for a slower shutter. This may have been another one Huawei could win, or at least vie for, but since Vivo has no quarrel, it’s a solid alternative.

Best Smartphone for Computational Photography: Google Pixel 6

Main sensor: 50MP (26mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: 12MP ultra wide-angle (14mm equivalent), 48MP telephoto (114mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 11MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 4K
Price: Starting at $899

After sticking to many of the same hardware specs for its rear camera array, Google finally did something new with the Pixel 6 lineup, and the results suggest more is coming on the software side to benefit from that. The 50-megapixel sensor actually shoots at a binned 12.5-megapixels to take advantage of larger Micron pixels in low-light shooting, though Google’s computational software works to optimize shots in all conditions.

Read PetaPixel's Google Pixel 6 Pro Review here.

Adding a third lens in the telephoto helps cover a longer range, and the 20x Super Res hybrid zoom may be the best in its class. You can shoot using all three lenses in almost every mode, and despite Google’s refusal to add a pro or manual mode, it does make RAW readily available across various modes.

The new Motion mode tackles action and long exposure photography in ways that are cool, yet still in progress. Use them right and you can get great results, so long as you follow the learning curve to understand when they work best. Magic Eraser isn’t exclusive to the Pixel 6 Pro, as it’s more a Google Photos feature, but you can always try using it to remove unwanted elements in any shot you take.

Best Bang-for-the-Buck Smarphone for Photography: Google Pixel 5a

Main sensor: 12.2MP (27mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: 16MP ultra wide-angle (16mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 8MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 4K
Price: Starting at $499

It would be hard to find a phone that shoots as well as the Pixel 5a does for the price. It’s also not an easy phone to find outside of the U.S., since Google limited its availability. It is a 5G-enabled device that borrows so much from its flagship sibling when it comes to capturing the same photos under most of the same conditions. You also get an ultra-wide lens with a 107-degree field of view, albeit without optical or electronic image stabilization.

Still, the sensors and computational software are otherwise capable of producing images on par with the Pixel 5. That means Night Sight and Portrait mode are going to still look really good, and with RAW capture always available, there’s room to do more in post. For those on a budget, it’s going to be one of the best phone cameras less money can buy.

Best Small Smartphone for Photography: iPhone 13 mini

Main sensor: 12MP (26mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: 12MP ultra-wide (13mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 12MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 4K
Price: Starting at $699

Sometimes, a smaller phone just fits better, and it’s hard to find one better than the iPhone 13 mini right now. What makes this phone work so well is that you don’t compromise much for the lack of size. The mini sports the same features and output its larger iPhone 13 sibling does. If not for the 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display and 2458mAh battery, the two phones are otherwise running on the same specs.

Read PetaPixel 's iPhone 13 mini Review here.

And those are different from previous iPhones. Apple says the 13 mini can take in more light and produce better images than its predecessor, the 12 mini. The better comparison is probably with iPhones that came before them, including the most recent iPhone SE, which can’t match the 13 mini’s ability to snap good images. It’s hard to also find an Android phone that can do it in the same diminutive size, though the Pixel 4a is a tough competitor.

That you get a good ultra-wide lens to supplement the primary camera is great, but so is the fact shooting video is effective. Apple included its newest Cinematic mode, though you can only use it with the primary lens.

Best Smartphone for Video: iPhone 13 Pro

Main sensor: 12MP (26mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: 12MP 3x zoom telephoto (78mm equivalent), 12MP ultra wide-angle (13mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 12MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 4K
Price: Starting at $999

The iPhone is still among kings when it comes to video recording, and it has a lot to do with how well it captures color, tone, and texture. The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max are essentially the same device, save for the difference in size. They have the same camera system, which means you’re going to get the same results, either way.

Read PetaPixel 's iPhone 13 Pro Review here.

The biggest addition is Cinematic mode, and how it allows you to change focus on a subject, as well as adjust the aperture when editing clips afterward. Eventually, you’ll be able to do the same on iMovie and Final Cut on a Mac, too. The one drawback is that you’re limited to shooting in 1080p at 30fps, but regular video recording offers more options, particularly with resolution and framerate, along with Dolby Vision HDR. Once Apple releases an iOS 15 update to enable ProRes, it may be easier to shoot more while taking up less storage.

If we were talking a truly “pro” level here, the Sony Xperia Pro or Xperia 1 III might take this spot, but those aren’t necessarily made for every type of user. The iPhone 13 Pro is a little more accessible and its video features are at least easy enough to learn.

#equipment #guides #mobile #bestsmartphonesforphotography #googlepixel #iphone #iphone12 #iphone12pro #iphone12promax #mobilephotography #samsung #samsunggalaxy #samsunggalaxy21ultra #smartphonephotography #smartphones #vivo #vivox60proplus

The Best Smartphones for Photography in 2021

Almost everyone wields a camera these days because they already have one by default on their smartphones. But not just any phone will capture the best results, and that’s why some stand out for particular reasons.

_Updated 10/14/2021 by Ted Kristsonis: New recommendations across the board to conform with the latest smartphones from a variety of manufacturers. _

Mobile photography is now one of the major battlegrounds for vendors trying to one-up each other. Thankfully, it’s not entirely about numbers, despite megapixel counts hitting new highs, it’s a lot about how effective software can be to do more with the available pixels. That can also depend on how you look at what the software gives you, especially relative to the varying modes phones now regularly offer.

We’re talking about an ever-evolving situation, where new phones may supplant old ones, while others trade places based on how new updates affected performance and output. Whether it’s pro mode features, software that does amazing things, or getting more for every dollar you spend, this roundup is a good place to start. We at PetaPixel will be updating it regularly to reflect a changing and shifting market to give you the insight you need to shoot what you want.

What We’re Looking For

There are plenty of smartphones with what you could consider to be “good” cameras, but the “great” ones are fewer in number, and it often shows. When we look at what would put a smartphone camera on this list, we always look for the best results, particularly when talking about a specific type of photo. That may not necessarily mean the phone is the best in every other facet, but if it’s noted here, there are reasons for it.

That’s why we also broke things down into categories that differentiate between the strengths of certain devices. One phone may be better at shooting portraits, whereas the other has a Pro mode cutting above the rest. Computational software is so integral, and yet, not everyone does it well.

We break it all down into six distinct categories:

• Best Overall Smartphone for Photography: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
• Best Pro Photography Mode: Vivo X70 Pro+
• Best for Computational Photography: Google Pixel 5
• Best Small Smartphone for Photography: iPhone 13 mini
• Best Bang for the Buck Smartphone for Photography: Google Pixel 5a
• Best for Smartphone for Video: iPhone 13 Pro

Best Overall Smartphone for Photography: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Main sensor: 108MP or 12MP (with pixel binning) 26mm equivalent
Other rear cameras: 10MP 3x zoom telephoto lens (70mm equivalent), 10MP 10x zoom telephoto (240mm equivalent), 12MP ultra wide-angle (13mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 40MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 8K
Price: Starting at $1,200

A year ago, Samsung would’ve struggled just to make this list with the disjointed effort that was the Galaxy S20 Ultra. That’s not the case with its successor, which rectified some key missteps and put together one of the most well-rounded cameras available. It’s not perfect, mind you, and does need work in some areas, but it’s easy to like the variance and output you get.

Samsung used its newest ISOCELL HM3 image sensor to push further on the hardware side, and to some degree, is also pushing smarter use of newer lenses and smarter software. We’re certainly not referring to gimmicky nonsense like the 100x Space Zoom, but more the restrained color output and improved HDR that gives photos so much better composition.

Read PetaPixel's Samsung S21 Ultra Review here.

The two zoom lenses complement each other well, especially the 10x zoom that emulates a 240mm telephoto. They may be the best images a zoom lens currently takes on a phone, and while the 30x hybrid has its up and downs, it can turn out a decent shot at the right time. Samsung would be better suited to making its Pro mode more accessible to the myriad of rear lenses, but alas, it’s only for the main and ultra-wide lenses, and only at 12MP. Great for low-light, not so much for taking a photo you want to make bigger, unless you try features like Adobe’s Super Resolution.

All that said, if not for the U.S. ban on Huawei, that brand’s P50 Pro would likely have been in this position. One of the most versatile and superb cameras of any smartphone to date, its retail and software limitations, as far as the full gamut of Android goes, preclude us from placing it here. But if you are so inclined, its output won’t disappoint. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra was gunning for the top crown this year, though its availability and efficacy are in question on this side of the world. However, since the Galaxy S21 Ultra is the only true Samsung flagship this year, it will continue to be the company’s standard until a possible Galaxy S22 Ultra comes out.

Samsung’s spot isn’t all that secure, either, given that Apple scored key points with the iPhone 13 Pro and Google looks to make a big splash with the Pixel 6. Vivo is also in the hunt, and makes this list with good reason.

Best Pro Mode for Smartphone Photography: Vivo X70 Pro+

Main sensor: 50MP or 100MP or 12MP (with pixel binning) 23mm equivalent
Other rear cameras: 32MP 2x zoom telephoto (50mm equivalent), 8MP 5x zoom telephoto lens
Front-facing camera: 32MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 8K
Price: Starting at $1,200

The X70 Pro+ has one of the best phone cameras, as a whole, and what makes its Pro mode compelling is that it tries to qualify the user. Onscreen explainers note what a feature or setting does, opening the door to a learning experience — something lacking in getting more mobile shooters to try a mode like this.

Vivo didn’t dramatically change how it all works over this phone’s predecessor, focusing on the software side of things to make it better. That includes making the interface a little smoother and cutting down the time it takes from pressing the shutter to capturing the photo.

Read PetaPixel Vivo X70 Pro+ Review here.

The other advantage is that you can use all of the rear lenses in this mode, something that isn’t always available in rival handsets. Vivo could’ve moved the lens icons in the interface further away from the composition settings, but once you avoid false positives, you can really start to benefit from shooting in RAW at multiple focal lengths. Even its built-in Macro mode kicks in when going close up, though it would’ve been nice if the mode made it clearer about how close you can get to a subject.

Since Vivo’s Night mode can sometimes over-process shots, Pro ends up being an ideal alternative. The slow shutter mode can handle unique long exposure captures, but Pro often fills in well for low-light shots, especially when using a tripod or flat surface to prop up the phone for a slower shutter. This may have been another one Huawei could win, or at least vie for, but since Vivo has no quarrel, it’s a solid alternative.

Best Smartphone for Computational Photography: Google Pixel 5

Main sensor: 12.2MP (27mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: 12MP ultra wide-angle (16.5mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 8MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 4K
Price: Starting at $699

If not for its software, Google’s Pixel 5 would look barebones on a spec sheet. But as the old adage always says, “never judge a book by its cover.” It’s the sort of understated design that has served Google well in wowing people with its cameras can do. Or, more specifically, what its software can do.

Truth be told, the main sensor is long in the tooth, considering it’s essentially the same one Google used in the Pixel 3. It is time for an upgrade there, but in the Pixel 5, you get a phone camera with the best computational software. The HDR interpolation is outstanding in a variety of conditions, and we’ve yet to see another phone match the shadow and brightness sliders in the interface.

It’s a big reason why Night Sight continues to compete as well as it does for low-light shots, despite an aging sensor. Adding the feature to portraits, while also making just about every feature or setting — including RAW capture — available to both lenses makes this phone easier to get a good shot.

Best Bang-for-the-Buck Smarphone for Photography: Google Pixel 5a

Main sensor: 12.2MP (27mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: 16MP ultra wide-angle (16mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 8MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 4K
Price: Starting at $499

It would be hard to find a phone that shoots as well as the Pixel 5a does for the price. It’s also not an easy phone to find outside of the U.S., since Google limited its availability. It is a 5G-enabled device that borrows so much from its flagship sibling when it comes to capturing the same photos under most of the same conditions. You also get an ultra-wide lens with a 107-degree field of view, albeit without optical or electronic image stabilization.

Still, the sensors and computational software are otherwise capable of producing images on par with the Pixel 5. That means Night Sight and Portrait mode are going to still look really good, and with RAW capture always available, there’s room to do more in post. For those on a budget, it’s going to be one of the best phone cameras less money can buy.

Best Small Smartphone for Photography: iPhone 13 mini

Main sensor: 12MP (26mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: 12MP ultra-wide (13mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 12MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 4K
Price: Starting at $699

Sometimes, a smaller phone just fits better, and it’s hard to find one better than the iPhone 13 mini right now. What makes this phone work so well is that you don’t compromise much for the lack of size. The mini sports the same features and output its larger iPhone 13 sibling does. If not for the 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display and 2458mAh battery, the two phones are otherwise running on the same specs.

Read PetaPixel 's iPhone 13 mini Review here.

And those are different from previous iPhones. Apple says the 13 mini can take in more light and produce better images than its predecessor, the 12 mini. The better comparison is probably with iPhones that came before them, including the most recent iPhone SE, which can’t match the 13 mini’s ability to snap good images. It’s hard to also find an Android phone that can do it in the same diminutive size, though the Pixel 4a is a tough competitor.

That you get a good ultra-wide lens to supplement the primary camera is great, but so is the fact shooting video is effective. Apple included its newest Cinematic mode, though you can only use it with the primary lens.

Best Smartphone for Video: iPhone 13 Pro

Main sensor: 12MP (26mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: 12MP 3x zoom telephoto (78mm equivalent), 12MP ultra wide-angle (13mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 12MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 4K
Price: Starting at $999

The iPhone is still among kings when it comes to video recording, and it has a lot to do with how well it captures color, tone, and texture. The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max are essentially the same device, save for the difference in size. They have the same camera system, which means you’re going to get the same results, either way.

Read PetaPixel 's iPhone 13 Pro Review here.

The biggest addition is Cinematic mode, and how it allows you to change focus on a subject, as well as adjust the aperture when editing clips afterward. Eventually, you’ll be able to do the same on iMovie and Final Cut on a Mac, too. The one drawback is that you’re limited to shooting in 1080p at 30fps, but regular video recording offers more options, particularly with resolution and framerate, along with Dolby Vision HDR. Once Apple releases an iOS 15 update to enable ProRes, it may be easier to shoot more while taking up less storage.

If we were talking a truly “pro” level here, the Sony Xperia Pro or Xperia 1 III might take this spot, but those aren’t necessarily made for every type of user. The iPhone 13 Pro is a little more accessible and its video features are at least easy enough to learn.

#equipment #guides #mobile #bestsmartphonesforphotography #googlepixel #iphone #iphone12 #iphone12pro #iphone12promax #mobilephotography #samsung #samsunggalaxy #samsunggalaxy21ultra #smartphonephotography #smartphones #vivo #vivox60proplus

Vivo X70 Pro+ Review: An Encore Ready to Take on the Best

Vivo believes it has a smartphone worthy of being the best in the industry, and the results from its camera system lend some credence to that claim.

Mentioning the name “Vivo” as a phone brand to many in North America will often be met with a blank stare. Availability is still a major factor in this part of the world, whereas it has built a following in markets like China and India. Vivo is part of a wave of innovation in mobile photography coming from Asia, and the X70 Pro+ is one of the key devices looking to lead the way.

It’s also the second flagship the company has released in 2021, and the X70 Pro+ comes only about eight months after it launched the X60 Pro+. That phone was the first to highlight Vivo’s partnership with Zeiss, with a focus on the camera system’s hardware as the key driver. This phone is the reverse, where the software is the defining point to shore up what the X70 Pro+ hardware is capable of.

Vivo still emblazons its flagship with the words, “professional photography,” to indicate its lofty intentions. Whether it meets them or not depends on how you utilize the various tools within the X70 Pro+.

Design and Build

Vivo went bigger with this phone, stretching the AMOLED screen to a large 6.78-inches, making it both taller and wider than its predecessor. The screen gets a 2K resolution bump to 3,200 x 1,440, addressing a limitation from the X60 Pro+. It doesn’t hurt to have peak brightness of 1500 nits and either 60Hz or 120Hz screen refresh rates, which can be done automatically through the Smart Switch option (it’s on by default, and better for battery life).

Interestingly, the company also went with a matte finish on the back in lieu of the faux vegan leather of the X60 Pro+. Moreover, it includes a thin bumper case -- with a textured leather-style back -- in the box to add some protection. It’s hardly rugged, but it does at least keep the rear camera bump a little safer from being totally exposed.

Finally, Vivo saw to it to add wireless charging to its best phone, something sorely missing from the X60 Pro+. Under the hood, the X70 Pro+ runs on the same Snapdragon 888 processor, and my review unit had the same 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. There are variants with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage as well. The storage part matters, since there’s no memory card slot. Shoot a lot in RAW, or edit photos in bunches, and it adds up.

The Extended RAM feature from the previous model also comes back, only there’s a little extra this time. It takes 4GB (instead of 3GB) of idle storage as memory when the system needs a boost, particularly with multitasking or memory-intensive tasks. I never had an idea if it ever kicked in while I was testing this phone.

If there’s one thing that holds this phone back in North America, it may be the lack of support for 5G. It doesn’t work with the Sub-6 and mmWave bands operating in this part of the world, so if you’re cool with 4G LTE, then you will have no problem on that front.

Camera Features

Zeiss’s T* Coating only applied to the main camera on the X60 Pro+, but here, it’s on the entire array. The promise is the same, which is to reduce reflections, stray light, ghosting, and other image artifacts. Vivo claims it also upgraded the glass lenses to “ensure extra-low dispersion for improved image quality.”

The X70 Pro+ uses the same rear camera array as its predecessor, except for one particular difference. What is definitely the same is the 50-megapixel main camera (23mm equivalent), which retains the same 1/1.3-inch Ultra-sensing Samsung ISOCELL GN1 sensor with an f/1.57 aperture. It also retains the 100-megapixel High-Resolution mode to maximize the size of the sensor.

The 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera (14mm equivalent) uses the same Sony IMX598 sensor, including a 114-degree field of view. A newer addition is the Gimbal embedded in it, which uses Vivo’s own 360-degree Horizon Leveling Stabilization technology to steady both still images and video as you shoot them.

Things start to differ in the two telephoto lenses. Rather than bring back the 32-megapixel telephoto that was for portraits in the X60 Pro+, Vivo opted to go with a 12-megapixel Sony IMX663 sensor. It maintains the 2x optical zoom (50mm equivalent), yet has a much wider aperture at f/1.6 (vs. f/2.1), larger 1.22 Micron pixels (vs. 0.8), and has optical image stabilization (as opposed to not having it at all). The 8-megapixel periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom (125mm equivalent) is a carryover from the previous model. The same is true of the front-facing camera.

Vivo did add what it believes is a key component to help the whole array in the form of its own Imaging Chip V1. This is essentially the company’s proprietary image signal processor, and one advantage, apart from better power consumption, is the much brighter image preview in low-light and night conditions.

Software Features

As I noted before, Vivo emphasizes its software computation as a means to producing better shots. That’s not just because of the sheer breadth of shooting modes and settings available to start with on the X70 Pro+, it’s also about how Vivo wants its own chipset to render those images after you capture them.

Vivo’s engineers wisely didn’t shackle any improved computation to the camera’s AI Scene Optimization, a mode that frankly does more harm than good in certain situations. Sometimes it saturates colors too much, other times blows out highlights because it thinks I want extra contrast in a daytime sky. It’s not terrible, by any means, but with so many tools to work with, it’s probably best to keep that particular AI off.

If you’re coming from the X60 Pro+, you won’t see much has changed with the interface and the modes you can shoot with. That’s not surprising, given the short launch cycle between the two devices, and it wouldn’t be worth squeezing in more without the underlying software getting better. Even so, unique modes, like Long Exposure, Supermoon, Astro, Pro Sports, and Double Exposure are there when you want them under the “More” section.

Zeiss never really made its presence felt on the software side before, but now contributes four classic bokeh effects to the Portrait mode: Biotar, Sonnar, Planar, and Distagon. Those come on top of the handful Vivo already includes. Previously, Vivo embedded Zeiss’ Biotar style into Portrait, except you now start out with a natural look, which is a better way to begin, given the better sensor on that 12-megapixel telephoto portrait lens.

While the X70 Pro+ runs on Android 11, Vivo’s Funtouch 12 is the overlay, and thankfully, it’s stable and doesn’t interfere with any of the camera functions. I’m not sold on Funtouch as anything special, but I can appreciate a company sticking to limited bloatware (at least with my review unit) and not force-feeding apps, services, or features onto me.

Image Quality

Main Camera

Image quality largely rests on the tone that the main camera sets. Zeiss’s T* Coating was already carried over from its predecessor, so I would expect similar results in reducing lens flare and other unwanted issues, which leaves Vivo’s V1 chip to deliver something new.

For the most part, the main camera will capture excellent shots in a variety of conditions. The tonality is nice, though I did grow a bit annoyed at how often I had to dial down the exposure to get more detail from highlights. HDR kicks in when you want it to, but it doesn’t impact an image’s composition quite like, say, a Google Pixel might. One thing is for sure and that’s how bright and detailed the preview will be before even snapping something. The V1 chip helps dial up the exposure compensation to help you see exactly how a shot will turn out before you take it. Even when I wasn’t using Night mode in a dark area, I knew what I was l looking at, making framing a shot so much easier.

If there’s a certain element to a scene that makes the software work harder, the cracks start to show. Higher contrast scenarios force you to choose between the shadows or highlights when you adjust exposure. This is different from what you would do with Night or Pro mode, where software computation is rendering an image without compositing or just leaving it to what you chose as your own manual settings. Vivo’s software is smart, just not working at a genius level yet. You see the rendering happening as the image saves to the phone’s Gallery, and one thing that stood out to me was the way it softened bright highlights, like a fire or the sun. To me, that was an indication of how the processing here differs from the X70 Pro+’s predecessor. It doesn’t oversharpen a lot, either, which was good to see.

When photos are on point, though, they are superb. As before, the main sensor can shoot at 50-megapixels under the High-Resolution mode, but I only sparingly used it, as I liked what I could get in more varied settings with the larger pixels in the binned 12.5-megapixel output of the main sensor.

Ultra-Wide

Vivo’s improved Gimbal Stabilization doesn’t apply to still images, so you don’t get any advantage in that regard. Not that it’s necessary, given that a wider field of view also means less of a chance of ruining a photo through shaky hands, though low-light shots could always use a stable hand.

Macro mode is back, but appears unchanged.

On the face of it, the ultra-wide sensor doesn’t really capture images any differently, though rendering is a little better, particularly in higher contrast scenes. Toggle HDR on and it does its best to balance shadows and highlights. The tighter f/2.2 aperture isn’t always great for low-light shots, but results aren’t bad in many instances.

Telephoto and Hybrid Zoom

Not much changed here as far as what you can expect, though again, rendering is slightly different. That means a little less sharpening to try masking imperfections and add some edges to every shot. The brighter the conditions, the more detail -- and less processing - you get. I found a pretty big difference in how zoomed daytime shots turned out compared to those without much natural light.

That’s easy to understand with an f/3.4 aperture, and despite improved software, zooming farther doesn’t make things look that much better. The 60x hybrid zoom is just as awful as it was before, and even at 10x, I find Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra does a better job maintaining higher levels of detail. I still don’t understand why Vivo doesn’t present other distances in the interface. Pinching to zoom in isn’t precise unless you go all the way to 60x. The company should be promoting lower, not higher, hybrid zooms to deliver more usable images. Vivo’s V1 chip doesn’t impact the telephoto lens as much as the others, especially the more you digitally zoom in.

Portrait mode

A totally different sensor, better optics with Zeiss’s T* Coating and a wider aperture, and larger pixels combine to make Portrait mode better than it was in the previous model. The X60 Pro+ used a 32-megapixel sensor with a tighter aperture and no OIS, struggling to produce good shots in more challenging conditions. That’s less of an issue with the setup in the X70 Pro+, where portraits come out looking considerably better, especially in low-light or night shots. Vivo includes a Night mode shortcut at the top of the interface to help out when necessary.

The 2x zoom is the default, representing the 50mm focal length, but you can also shoot with the main camera at 1x, or the telephoto at 5x. There’s an abundance of additional features to manipulate the image, my favorite of which is changing the aperture and focus after taking the photo. Your f-stop range sticks to f/0.95 through f/16, with f/2.0 always being the starting point. You can always revisit the image later and change it again, something I found useful when sharing a photo with someone who either wanted more or less bokeh. Zeiss’ bokeh effects aren’t bad, though I wasn’t totally sold on their aesthetics. I would try them in similar settings and couldn’t always tell the difference between them.

The good news is that portraits look good in more varied settings. They’re also easier to shoot in low-light because the V1 chip illuminates the screen to make everything highly visible, even when attempting a portrait in really dark places.

If I had one concern, it would be with the beauty features, which are numerous and kind of creepy. Softening skin is one thing, but whitening, thinning, and reshaping faces, noses, eyes, jaws, and cheekbones is probably not the best way to build confidence. I know these are more common in Asian markets, so may not have the same resonance in North America, but seeing them is an odd juxtaposition compared to the devices we regularly see on this side of the pond.

Pro Mode

There are two things that work with Vivo’s Pro mode. The first, is the way it tries to qualify users by explaining what the different features do, and the second is funneling in a lot of supporting access to the whole mode. You can still shoot with all four lenses, as well as capture images in RAW or SuperRAW, the latter of which is a newer 14-bit mode within Pro. In effect, it brackets up to 10 RAW photos in an attempt to reduce noise and produce better dynamic range. You can also choose to do bracketed shoots with regular RAW when you select Bracketing in the Pro mode’s own settings, letting you choose between three, five, or seven photos at EV intervals between 0.3 and 1 EV.

Processed in Lightroom

Why Vivo doesn’t include focus peaking is beyond me. For a company that has tried throwing the kitchen sink into its camera array, I have a hard time understanding why something that basic isn’t available here. A histogram is there in the Pro settings, as is a level meter, but nothing specific to focusing.

Processed in Lightroom

In any case, you can get great shots using RAW or SuperRAW, albeit with optimal conditions making a bigger difference. For example, when I tried shooting at night, I had to make a number of adjustments to try limiting how much bright light sources impacted the shot’s dynamic range. It’s nowhere near as bad as what I saw in the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, but still something I wish Vivo would’ve improved further, given how much it hyped its V1 chip.

Processed in Lightroom

Night Mode

Speaking of night shots, Night mode was actually a weaker link in the X60 Pro+, and while not a massive shift in the right direction, does perform better in the X70 Pro+. The main reason why is because the dynamic range and detail are better, especially when you manually adjust exposure. Available light still makes a huge difference, but adding SuperRAW gives you a little more leeway to capture the same scene with multiple settings.

The Style sub-section is also back again, giving you the same color balance filters as before, which are worth using when you want to add something unique to the shot. They’re not exclusively for night shots, but work best after sunset. You can also enable the Long Exposure special mode within the Night mode to capture traffic light trails, fireworks, and star trails, including how long you want the exposure to be. You can also access Supermoon and Astro special modes directly when you want to capture the moon or stars. Even take night or low-light panoramics when you want.

That’s all more than pretty much any other phone’s night mode offers. Just exploring its options can take time, which is why I recommend knowing where everything is before going out into the field where evening and night conditions can change quickly.

Special modes

I mentioned some of the special modes already, which you can find under “More” in the interface. Long Exposure was easily my favorite because it was applicable to both day and night conditions. As an example, trying to capture that waterfall in Pro mode was difficult because I could only lower the ISO, not raise the aperture when trying to shoot it at a slower shutter speed. Long Exposure has a setting for water flows, so using that produced a shot that was neither over nor underexposed. Mysterious Mist was another one that could work when capturing moving people or objects, especially in the daytime. The others work best in low-light situations.

Vivo didn’t really touch the others all that much, preferring to let the V1 chip help render them better this time around. I didn’t see a significant difference when I tested them, though perhaps we’ll see some progress there moving forward.

Video Features

One thing about the ultra-wide camera is when you enable the Horizontal Line stabilization to take full advantage of the Gimbal, you also max out your footage at 1080p and 24 or 30fps. Not ideal when you want smooth shots at no less than 4K. Vivo put the Gimbal on this lens to accommodate the obvious crop factor to help make video come out looking smoother. And it does look really smooth. Record something steadily while walking and you won’t see it ruined by jittery shake. It’s just not going to be at full resolution, and HDR won’t apply, either.

Unlike its predecessor, the X70 Pro+ lets you record footage with all four lenses, so there’s extra versatility that way. It’s just that with 4K enabled, you can only use standard stabilization, regardless of the lens you choose. You can also shoot in 8K, but not sure how much you’d want to do that if you have no screen to view it on afterward.

One good thing Vivo addressed was making its Movies section (formerly Cinematic Master), which shoots at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, able to work with a 24fps framerate. If you’re going to be “cinematic” about anything, you should at least offer that framerate as an option.

One of the Best Smartphones for Photography

The Vivo X70 Pro+ doesn’t have a phone camera array, it has an arsenal. I can see it feeling overwhelming to people who aren’t as savvy with photography, but it is worth learning what this phone can do to get the most out of every photo. I noted in my review of the X60 Pro+ that the interface and settings required patience and deliberation because of how layered it was. It’s no different here, and I’d say that also applies to users who know their way around a camera.

The fact that it is a quality phone is obvious to me, and it’s just as clear that its camera is among the best in the industry right now. Showing others photos of light trails or Lightroom-processed SuperRAW photos always came with responses like, “How can I get that on my phone?”

What irked me was the Zeiss connection. Its T* Coating did help reduce artifacts on all the lenses, except its software contribution is harder to read. In that regard, Vivo played up its own V1 chip, while Zeiss’s presence is mostly relegated to four bokeh effects in Portrait mode. If this partnership is to yield more, we need to see more of what Zeiss can bring to the table here.

Are There Alternatives?

The X70 Pro doesn’t have every single spec and feature the Pro+ has, but it’s no slouch when it comes to putting out great shots. Apple made some decent strides with the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, save for the issues around bright lights and dynamic range. Still, for photos of people, Apple may have an edge over Vivo’s flagship.

Google looks to make a big camera splash with its Pixel 6 lineup, and that will mean a competitive shakeup for everyone else. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is still kicking around, as is the OnePlus 9 Pro.

Should You Buy It?

Yes, if you can get your hands on one. Not to mention if you’re cool staying connected without 5G in this part of the world. It’s hard to find a phone camera array this versatile, and assuming Vivo continues to improve its software computation with updates to the X70 series, then it will only make one of the best mobile photography options currently available even better.

It’s a pricey proposition, though. Converted to U.S. dollars, you’re looking at between $1,050 and $1,080, which is more than the base variants of other flagships, including those from Apple and Samsung. Keep that in mind before you go reaching for the X70 Pro+.

#mobile #reviews #raw #smartphonecameras #smartphonephotography #smartphonereview #smartphones #superraw #vivo #vivox60proplus #vivox70 #vivox70pro #vivox70proplus

How to Do Street Photography with a Smartphone

Street photography might be one of the easiest genres of photography to slide into — it’s just you, a camera, and more or less walking around documenting humankind with an artistic flare — yet it can be quite difficult to progress beyond snapshot-looking images. This article will explore tips for improving your street photography using nothing more than a smartphone.

To demonstrate, I am using a vivo X60 Pro+ device, which sports an imaging system co-engineered with ZEISS.

Full disclosure: This article was brought to you by vivo.

Why Use a Smartphone?

We’ve all heard the phrase “the best camera is the one you have with you,” which is true, but a similar approach would be that the best camera is the one you are most familiar with. I’m willing to bet most people reading this use their phones far more than any other electronic device in their daily lives. We know how it feels, we know exactly where the buttons are and how to tap around all the functions, and we even use the camera app a ton whether we’re taking “serious” photos or not.

Photo shot on the X60 Pro+. Photo by Ted Kritsonis.

For street photography, the smartphone blends in better than any dedicated camera could, it’s pocketable, and yes, it’s always with you. All of the above are big bonuses when it comes to the genre grounded in spontaneity and finding genuinely unique moments.

In the case of the vivo X60 Pro+ that I’ll be using throughout this article, it even has four optical focal lengths for immediate lens switching (14mm, 23mm, 50mm, and 125mm), a ZEISS co-engineered camera system, takes high-quality images up to 50 megapixels in standard shooting mode and 100 megapixels in high-resolution mode, and has some of the best low-light capabilities I’ve seen from a smartphone.

Photo was taken with the ultra-wide camera in night mode on the X60 Pro+. Shot on vivo X60 Pro+ by Alen Palander.

Previsualize Your Shots

Some of the best street photography is from split-second instances that can’t be entirely pre-planned, but that does not mean you can’t be ready for them. One of the best ways to improve street photography today is by breaking down a shot into steps.

Even though you don’t know what exactly will happen within the photo yet, you can still find the right framing before it happens. Within a city, there are countless leading lines from manmade architecture, elongated shadows and light being controlled from standing structures, and new colors on every block.

Photo shot on the X60 Pro+. Photo by Ted Kritsonis.

By observing these details, you can begin building on them by adding the spontaneous elements that fit into your vision. The leading lines you found can converge on a subject that happens to walk into the frame. The elongated shadows can fill the frame but when someone steps into the light, they strikingly stand out in contrast. The bright yellow wall you found is now the perfect backdrop of color needed to accentuate the red raincoat and umbrella of the person walking in front of it.

You can’t predict the missing details of a street photo, but you can observe your surroundings and come up with a plan for what would work best when it does happen.

Photo was taken with 5x optical zoom on the X60 Pro+.

In the photo above, I had thought about this composition well before there were any people in the frame. I liked the simple, strong graphical elements given to me by using the X60 Pro+ 5x zoom camera, but it was missing a true subject to it all. I waited to see what would unfold if I stood there for a few minutes, and sure enough, I got this. The man is assisting the woman down a large step, but it almost looks like they are dancing too. Either way, it was pleasantly posed for a split second but I was ready for it due to previsualizing the scene and what I wanted out of it.

Photo shot on the X60 Pro+. Photo by Ted Kritsonis.

Photograph the Story (or Make One Up)

The most important aspect of good street photography is that other people recognize why the photo was taken. It might sound silly, but think of how many photos seem to be snapshots showing something in the frame but don’t actually say or mean anything. Photos need a story just as much as a novel does.

Photo shot on the X60 Pro+. Photo by Ted Kritsonis.

There’s a difference in story between getting close and photographing a pair of nice heels behind the window display outside a store and photographing them with the reflection of a person glancing at them in the glass. The first photo is lacking a reason to exist, whereas the second one can lead a person to all sorts of imaginative backstories on that person’s life and desires. This is just one cliche example, but the point is that you don’t want to fall into the trap of photographing “things.” Try and find a story about your thing or make one up (that person glancing yearningly over at the shoes was probably just checking that the hat they were wearing wasn’t crooked in the reflection).

Photo was taken with 2x optical zoom on the X60 Pro+. Photo taken with the ultra-wide gimbal camera on the X60 Pro+.

Take the Shot

Honing in on your intuition is one of the best skills to have as a street photographer. For a genre based in capturing authentic moments in time, being able to take an image before your consciousness has time to reason with why can be an asset. Not to be confused with the “spray and pray” method, what I mean is that the visual world around you feeds you with information that your gut instinct understands before you have time to mentally process it.

Photo shot on the X60 Pro+. Photo by Ted Kritsonis.

With one glance you can tell when a location is photogenic with symmetry or contrasting colors, and normally you would then take it to the next step of finding a composition that shows it off best, as I discussed earlier. With street photography, it’s good practice to shoot now and afterward work out those ideas more if you need to. More importantly, however, you never want to miss the shot that you instinctively knew was there the moment you saw it.

The yellow taxi parked during a rainy blue day in the city could drive off any second if you put more thought into what you immediately saw as a beautiful frame. Photographing on the streets is ever-changing and never exactly the same twice, so don’t let your mind get in the way of a great photo.

Photo was taken with the ultra-wide gimbal camera on the X60 Pro+. Photo shot on the X60 Pro+. Photo by Ted Kritsonis. This 100-megapixel photo was taken in high-resolution mode on the X60 Pro+.

Submit Your Best Work to vivo VISION Plus Photo Awards

Took any street photos you are especially proud of? The vivo VISION+ Mobile PhotoAwards 2021 call for entries is open until September 30th, 2021. The competition features 33 awards in different groups and categories, including Portraits, Night, Sports, Nature, Life, and Places.

To learn more about VISION+ Mobile PhotoAwards 2021 and to participate in the competition, visit the official website here.

Image credits: Photographs by Ryan Mense, unless otherwise noted.

#mobile #tips #tutorials #advice #protips #smartphone #sponsored #street #streetphotography #vivo #vivox60proplus

Tips for Photographing a Vacation with Your Smartphone

Photos are a time machine to the past. Nothing better represents this than vacation pictures. We aren’t taking these photos for us now, we’re taking them for us a year or more down the line to look back on. This article shares ways to think about vacation photography and how all it takes is a smartphone to create lasting memories.

To demonstrate, I am using a vivo X60 Pro+ device, which sports an imaging system co-engineered with ZEISS.

Full disclosure: This article was brought to you by vivo.

Go Wide — No, Wider

When I’m visiting new places on vacation, my senses begin to fire up. Between the new sights, sounds, and smells, there can be a lot to behold and become familiar with. Sometimes this can feel peaceful or comforting, but other times it may be overpowering or disorienting. For a photographer, these raw feelings can be interpreted and used as guidance to create images that fit the atmosphere.

One key photo that can be made in these situations is the wide shot. Wide and even super-wide images can give a sense of place and scale to a location. In the context of vacation photography, it also creates an epic shot that fully encompasses everything new that’s happening around you. When looking back on these wide-angle establishing shots, the nostalgia hits hard. I find myself zooming in and moving around an image to relive the experience and bring back those raw feelings that occurred on the day of visiting.

Shot using the X60 Pro+ ultra-wide gimbal camera. The beautiful city of Saint Paul, Minnesota on the edge of the Mississippi River. Shot using the X60 Pro+ ultra-wide gimbal camera. The Minneapolis, Minnesota skyline poking through the foliage.

When using the vivo X60 Pro+ smartphone, I’m treated with the option of a 48-megapixel ultra-wide gimbal camera that can capture a whopping 114-degree angle of view. It’s the full-frame equivalent of a 14mm lens. This allows me to fit even more of my perspective into one frame, and the sensor-shift stabilization provides stability for sharpness.

Another great way to capture more of a scene is by creating panoramic images. Most smartphones are capable of making panoramas, and it’s usually easier than doing them with a DSLR or mirrorless camera. The X60 Pro+ takes it all a step further by being able to stitch HDR images and even night scene images together to create a single panoramic photo with brighter, vibrant detail and expanded dynamic range. And, I don’t have to worry about ghosting and unwanted light reflections in my photos thanks to the ZEISS T* coating technology on this device.

Photo was taken with the X60 Pro+ in PANO Night Mode. Photo was taken with a different smartphone in panorama mode. This photo is much noisier than the X60 Pro+ and color fidelity is being lost, as is evident with the red railing.

It’s in the Details

The wide shot may be the most obvious when on vacation to unfamiliar locations, as there’s so much new information we’d like to capture and share later on in an image. However, it’s easy to fall into the trap of only capturing expansive compositions and missing the finer details. Photos with tighter framing are capable of producing stronger images as there is less clutter or distractions and more focus on a particular subject.

Think of being on the shoreline of an ocean or lake. You could shoot a photo of the entire area including the water, beach, boats, people, trees, buildings, and everything else in sight. Then, you can dive deeper into what about the scene is drawing your attention. You might notice brightly colored rocks on the beach or the way your footprints have been melting away in the sand as you walk along the water’s edge. These are little nuggets of detail that are going to drive the overall story of your vacation and should be captured as you recognize them.

It’s not a shot list that you have pre-written, it’s more about following your emotions of what it’s like being at this place. What do you hear? What do you smell? What do you see that stands out as if it’s calling to you and you alone? Isolate these and you’ll begin to paint a better picture than any one wide-angle photo could achieve.

Photo taken with 2x optical zoom on the X60 Pro+. Photo taken with 5x optical zoom on the X60 Pro+. Photo taken with 5x optical zoom on the X60 Pro+. Photo taken with 5x optical zoom on the X60 Pro+.

Those of us that have been using a smartphone for a long time now have been conditioned to zoom in by moving closer with our feet, but these are new days we’re living in. Now, with the X60 Pro+, for example, I have both a 50mm lens and 125mm lens (full-frame equivalents) right on my phone in addition to the two wide-angle cameras. Being able to optically zoom at such focal lengths is really a game-changer for a vacation camera that slides into your pocket.

Another piece of notable technology now featured in the X60 Pro+ is Pixel Shift Ultra HD Imaging. You may have used some form of pixel shift on a large-body camera on top of a tripod, but now it can be available all the time wherever you bring your phone. Pixel Shift Ultra HD shooting works handheld and uses my natural hand tremors to shift the pixels of the sensor around as eight pictures are taken in parallel. The end result is a single image with enhanced details, sharpness, and colors as each pixel now has more accurate RGB information. All this extra depth to the photo ensures my memories are preserved at the highest quality.

This 100-megapixel photo was taken in high-resolution mode on the X60 Pro+. This 50-megapixel ultra-wide photo was taken in high-resolution mode on the X60 Pro+.

Follow the Adventure

While on vacation, there may be opportunities that don’t come up living in a city. Gazing at the brilliant stars of a deep dark sky, for example. Or, if you are up early and already buzzing to get to work in your daily life at home, then soaking in a sunrise at your leisure in a beautiful location is another wonderful experience to seek out. Yes, these require some sacrifice to the wake-up and bedtime schedule, but looking back on a number of trips I’ve taken, it’s the rejuvenating sunrises or stargazing that carry the most sentiment and feeling of peace.

During these periods of low-light or no-light, smartphone photography has traditionally struggled. Now, with bigger sensors, better optics, and advanced processing, dimly-lit photos look better than ever on a high-end device like the X60 Pro+. With a newly fine-tuned noise reduction model, the natural tones and high image quality of night scenes more accurately represent what was seen while on vacation.

Photo was taken with the ultra-wide camera in night mode on the X60 Pro+. Shot 20 minutes after sunset. The X60 Pro+ showing off its Extreme Night Vision 2.0 capabilities. This was taken 25 minutes after sunset. In comparison, this is what the scene looked like when shot with a different phone. The difference is night and day.

Stay in the Moment

Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind the context in which vacation photos will be viewed years down the line. Sure, many of the best photos with remarkable lighting, grand views, and perfect compositions will go on to be proudly displayed on social media or in picture frames on the walls, but even snapshot photos have the power to kick in nostalgia. For me, it’s not unusual that the vacation photos that have the most personal impact are the ones I snapped quickly.

What I’m trying to say is that you don’t always have to step outside the experience in order to put your photographer hat on. The truth is, snapping these real moments with the vivo X60 Pro+ makes even quick shots look amazing. They say the best camera is the one you have with you, and between having an ultra-wide gimbal camera for sharpness and stability, Kids Snapshot mode for fleeting moments with the children, HDR algorithms for capturing every detail in the highlights and shadows, and low-light shooting capabilities to snap whenever and wherever, this is one heck of a solid camera.

Photo taken with the ZEISS Biotar portrait style on X60 Pro+.

If you’re going on vacation to really unwind, don’t let a big camera setup come between that. The vivo X60 Pro+ puts high-quality 14mm, 23mm, 50mm, and 125mm lenses right in your pocket. There’s no camera strap banging around or extra weight to haul. You can rely on it to take outstanding photos while your mind is right where it’s supposed to be: in vacation mode.

Submit Your Best work to vivo VISION Plus Photo Awards

Took any vacation photos you are especially proud of? The vivo VISION+ Mobile PhotoAwards 2021 call for entries is open until September 30th, 2021. The competition features 33 awards in different groups and categories, including Portraits, Night, Sports, Nature, Life, and Places.

To learn more about VISION+ Mobile PhotoAwards 2021 and to participate in the competition, visit the official website here.

#mobile #tips #travel #advice #protips #ryanmense #smartphone #vacation #vacationphotography #vivo #vivox60proplus

The Best Smartphones for Photography in 2021

Almost everyone wields a camera these days because they already have one by default on their smartphones. But not just any phone will capture the best results, and that’s why some stand out for particular reasons.

Mobile photography is now one of the major battlegrounds for vendors trying to one-up each other. Thankfully, it’s not entirely about numbers, despite megapixel counts hitting new highs, it’s a lot about how effective software can be to do more with the available pixels. That can also depend on how you look at what the software gives you, especially relative to the varying modes phones now regularly offer.

We’re talking about an ever-evolving situation, where new phones may supplant old ones, while others trade places based on how new updates affected performance and output. Whether it’s pro mode features, software that does amazing things, or getting more for every dollar you spend, this roundup is a good place to start. We at PetaPixel will be updating it regularly to reflect a changing and shifting market to give you the insight you need to shoot what you want.

What We’re Looking For

There are plenty of smartphones with what you could consider to be “good” cameras, but the “great” ones are fewer in number, and it often shows. When we look at what would put a smartphone camera on this list, we always look for the best results, particularly when talking about a specific type of photo. That may not necessarily mean the phone is the best in every other facet, but if it’s noted here, there are reasons for it.

That’s why we also broke things down into categories that differentiate between the strengths of certain devices. One phone may be better at shooting portraits, whereas the other has a Pro mode cutting above the rest. Computational software is so integral, and yet, not everyone does it well.

We break it all down into six distinct categories:

• Best Overall Smartphone for Photography: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
• Best Pro Photography Mode: Vivo X60 Pro+
• Best for Computational Photography: Google Pixel 5
• Best Bang for the Buck Smartphone for Photography: Google Pixel 4a
• Best for Smartphone for Video: iPhone 12 Pro Max

Best Overall Smartphone for Photography: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Main sensor: 108MP or 12MP (with pixel binning) 26mm equivalent
Other rear cameras: 10MP 3x zoom telephoto lens (70mm equivalent), 10MP 10x zoom telephoto (240mm equivalent), 12MP ultra wide-angle (13mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 40MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 8K
Price: Starting at $1,200

A year ago, Samsung would’ve struggled just to make this list with the disjointed effort that was the Galaxy S20 Ultra. That’s not the case with its successor, which rectified some key missteps and put together one of the most well-rounded cameras available. It’s not perfect, mind you, and does need work in some areas, but it’s easy to like the variance and output you get.

Its product cycle wasn’t quite fast enough to align with Samsung’s newest ISOCELL GN2 image sensor, so the S21 Ultra relies on the previous GN1. What might seem like a hardware trade-off is supplemented, to some degree, by the smarter use of newer lenses and smarter software. We’re certainly not referring to gimmicky nonsense like the 100x Space Zoom, but more the restrained color output and improved HDR that gives photos so much better composition.

Read PetaPixel's Samsung S21 Ultra Review here.

The two zoom lenses complement each other well, especially the 10x zoom that emulates a 240mm telephoto. They may be the best images a zoom lens currently takes on a phone, and while the 30x hybrid has its up and downs, it can turn out a stellar shot at the right time. Samsung would be better suited to making its Pro mode more accessible to the myriad of rear lenses, but alas, it’s only for the main lens, and only at 12MP. Great for low-light, not so much for taking a photo you want to make bigger, unless you try features like Adobe’s Super Resolution.

All that said, if not for the U.S. ban on Huawei, that brand’s Mate 40 Pro would likely have been in this position. One of the most versatile and superb cameras of any smartphone to date, its retail and software limitations, as far as the full gamut of Android goes, preclude us from placing it here. But if you are so inclined, its output won’t disappoint. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra might also be gunning for the top crown this year, though its availability in North America is unknown at this time. However, with the possibility the Galaxy S21 Ultra will be the only real Samsung flagship this year, it will continue to stand out throughout 2021.

Best Pro Mode for Smartphone Photography: Vivo X60 Pro+

Main sensor: 50MP or 100MP or 12MP (with pixel binning) 23mm equivalent
Other rear cameras: 32MP 2x zoom telephoto (50mm equivalent), 8MP 5x zoom telephoto lens (125mm equivalent), 48MP ultra wide-angle (14mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 32MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 4K
Price: Starting at $1,200

What makes the X60 Pro+ so compelling is that its Pro mode tries to qualify the user. Onscreen explainers note what a feature or setting does, and opens the door to a learning experience — something lacking in getting more mobile shooters to try a mode like this.

The other advantage is that the four rear lenses are available to use in this mode, something that continues to be omitted in rival handsets. While Vivo would’ve been better served to move the lens icons in the interface further away from the composition settings, once you avoid false positives, you can really start to benefit from shooting in RAW at multiple focal lengths. Even its built-in Macro mode kicks in when going close up.

Read PetaPixel's Vivo X60Pro+ Review here.

Since Vivo’s Night mode has a tendency to overprocess shots, Pro ends up being an ideal alternative. The Slow shutter mode can handle unique long exposure captures, but Pro can often fill in for low-light shots, especially when using a tripod or flat surface to prop up the phone for a slower shutter. This may have been another one Huawei could win, or at least vie for, but since Vivo has no quarrel, it’s a solid alternative.

Best Smartphone for Computational Photography: Google Pixel 5

Main sensor: 12.2MP (27mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: 12MP ultra wide-angle (16.5mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 8MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 4K
Price: Starting at $699

If not for its software, Google’s Pixel 5 would look barebones on a spec sheet. But as the old adage always says, “never judge a book by its cover.” It’s the sort of understated design that has served Google well in wowing people with its cameras can do. Or, more specifically, what its software can do.

Truth be told, the main sensor is long in the tooth, considering it’s essentially the same one Google used in the Pixel 3. It is time for an upgrade there, but in the Pixel 5, you get a phone camera with the best computational software. The HDR interpolation is outstanding in a variety of conditions, and we’ve yet to see another phone match the shadow and brightness sliders in the interface.

It’s a big reason why Night Sight continues to compete as well as it does for low-light shots, despite an aging sensor. Adding the feature to portraits, while also making just about every feature or setting — including RAW capture — available to both lenses makes this phone easier to get a good shot.

Best Bang-for-the-Buck Smarphone for Photography: Google Pixel 4a

Main sensor: 12.2MP (27mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: None
Front-facing camera: 8MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 4K
Price: Starting at $499

It would be hard to find a phone that shoots as well as the Pixel 4a does for the price. Whether you go with the 5G variant or not, the device borrows so much from its flagship sibling that it can capture the same photos under most of the same conditions. You don’t get any other lenses in the rear, but the image sensor and computational software otherwise still apply to the main shooter.

That means Night Sight and Portrait mode are going to still look really good, and with RAW capture always available, there’s room to do more in post. For those on a budget, it’s going to be one of the best phone cameras less money can buy.

Best Smartphone for Video: iPhone 12 Pro Max

Main sensor: 12MP (26mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: 12MP 2.5x zoom telephoto (65mm equivalent), 12MP ultra wide-angle (13mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 12MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 4K
Price: Starting at $1,099

The iPhone is still among kings when it comes to video recording, and it has a lot to do with how well it captures color, tone, and texture. Apple’s had a knack for this for many years now, and while you’d glean similar results from the iPhone 12 Pro, there are a couple of advantages in going to the Max, if you’re so inclined.

The Pro Max has a 47% larger sensor in its ultra-wide camera. By itself, that may not seem like a big deal, but in the field, a reliable ultra-wide lens is great to shoot footage with. Not to mention what it can do for still photos. The phone can’t compete against others when it comes to telephoto options, but the main sensor is also larger, and that pays dividends for footage in low-light conditions.

If we were talking a truly “pro” level here, the Sony Xperia Pro or Xperia 1 Mark II (or the forthcoming Mark III) might take this spot, but those aren’t necessarily made for every type of user. The iPhone 12 Pro is almost as capable as the Pro Max in its own right, making it a viable option, too.

#equipment #guides #mobile #bestsmartphonesforphotography #googlepixel #iphone #iphone12 #iphone12pro #iphone12promax #mobilephotography #samsung #samsunggalaxy #samsunggalaxy21ultra #smartphonephotography #smartphones #vivo #vivox60proplus

Can the Vivo X60 Pro+ match a modern Mirrorless camera?

#reviews #vivophone #vivox60proplus #vivox60proplusvssonya7iii

Can the Vivo X60 Pro+ match a modern Mirrorless camera?

#reviews #vivophone #vivox60proplus #vivox60proplusvssonya7iii

Vivo X60 Pro+ Review: Zeiss Onboard and Loaded for Bear

Vivo is positioning its X60 series as “professional photography flagship smartphones,” making clear that it wants to be regarded as the best mobile shooter available. With its partnership with Zeiss, it might have the tools to actually meet that goal.

In North America, it’s the likes of Google, Samsung, and Apple that command so many headlines, but a lot of the innovation in mobile photography is coming from Chinese brands. Alongside Vivo, others like Huawei, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Oppo are among those testing the waters of what’s possible in phone photography.

For Vivo’s part, it throws out the word “professional” with confidence because -- as mentioned -- it partnered with Zeiss to co-engineer the imaging system in the X60 devices. The official word is that Zeiss primarily helped with lens design and system integration. This is why the phones have T* Coating and Tessar certification, and why Zeiss’s input is supposed to be evident in both the hardware and software.

I tested this out with the best of the bunch in the X60 Pro+, though some of the performance and results also apply to the X60 Pro.

Design and Build

This was my first time reviewing a Vivo device, so I went in with a clean slate of expectations, inside and out. From a design standpoint, it’s hard not to like the X60 Pro+. I last saw a (vegan) leather back on a phone years ago, and while its longevity may be in question after some wear and tear, the style certainly worked for me. Beyond that, it’s the camera array that stands out with four lenses and a prominent Zeiss logo visible at the top.

While I’ve never been fond of curved displays, even if they are somewhat subtle like the one here, the 6.56-inch Super AMOLED is objectively nice to look at. Its modest 2376 x 1080 resolution is something of a surprise for a flagship at this point, but it’s one of the corners Vivo cut to accommodate the 120Hz refresh rate. By default, it’s set to “Smart Switch,” which dynamically switches between 120Hz and 60Hz, and the company clearly spells out that it’s partly to preserve battery life.

There’s no wireless charging, though there is fast 55W wired charging — something I couldn’t test because my review unit came with a European charger. Under the hood, the phone runs on a Snapdragon 888 processor (the X60 Pro runs on the Snapdragon 870), and my unit had 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. There is an 8GB and 128GB variant as well. No memory card slot for storage expansion, either.

There is a unique “Extended RAM” feature that poaches 3GB of “idle” storage and allocates it to the existing RAM when the system requires it. It’s hard to know what would trigger it exactly, but the idea is to improve performance when multiple apps are running in the background. For context, the “+3GB RAM effect” would push this phone’s memory to 15GB under those circumstances.

Vivo’s plans to roll out the X60 series in North America are unclear. If the company does choose to, it would need to be a variant that supports 5G bands with local Sub-6 and mmWave support. As is, there’s virtually no compatibility, though 4G LTE should be fine.

Camera Features

Zeiss’s presence here is hard to measure because Vivo doesn’t always specify the extent with which its input applies. What is known is that T* Coating on the main camera is designed to reduce reflections, stray light, and ghosting. It’s the same type of coating Zeiss applies to its camera lenses, though this is not a first for a smartphone. Sony’s Xperia 1 II and Xperia Pro have also used the same thing already.

Vivo went with a 50MP 1/1.3-inch Ultra-sensing Samsung ISOCELL GN1 sensor with an f/1.57 aperture that is also capable of shooting at 100MP in High-Resolution mode. This 23mm equivalent lens and sensor are unique to the Pro+, as the regular Pro uses a 48MP Sony IMX598 as its main sensor instead.

The Samsung image sensor is not the same as the one in the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but rather the S20 Ultra, so it is a bit older than the most recent GN2 sensor. If there is any drawback in that, the Zeiss collaboration and onboard camera software is supposed to pick up any slack.

Going with this sensor also meant Vivo had to put its Gimbal Camera in the 48MP ultra-wide camera, which is a 14mm equivalent with a 114-degree field of view. It’s the same Sony IMX598 sensor that makes up the primary lens on the X60 Pro.

Perhaps in a reflection of the markets it is strongest in, Vivo prioritized portraits by assigning a 32MP telephoto lens to that mode. It’s a 50mm equivalent (2x optical zoom) trying to emulate a prime lens, and with an f/2.1 aperture and 0.8 Micron pixels, it works best when lighting is at least decent. Portrait modes and beauty features are vogue in other markets, which also explains why this phone has a “Male friendly makeup” option in the settings that is toggled on by default.

Rounding out the array is the 8MP telephoto lens, a periscope camera with a 5x optical zoom that is a 125mm equivalent with a tighter f/3.4 aperture. The Super Macro mode has its own setting within the interface, though there is an interesting discrepancy. While the Pro+ can get as close as 3.5cm, the regular Pro beats it by getting down to 2.5cm.

Software Features

Putting the hardware aside, there’s a lot happening with the software here. This is one of the busiest camera interfaces I’ve seen -- which is not a bad thing -- but does include a number of specialized choices. For instance, there are modes like Supermoon, Astro Mode, Pro Sports, Slow shutter, and Double exposure. These software-driven options may use one or more lenses to pull them off. And those are all under the “More” section. Never mind the seven (if you count Super Macro) that are laid out on the main camera screen.

It’s unclear just how much Zeiss had to do with any of that. Joint statements from both brands largely point to physical adjustments and certifications, with nary a mention of the influence over software. One exception to that includes using Zeiss’ Biotar portrait style for the Portrait mode. It aims to reproduce the classic bokeh effect, though makes it more selective, particularly after the fact under that mode.

Vivo also includes an AI Scene Optimization feature that adjusts settings based on the scene or subject, but I turned it off straightaway. When you’re presenting your device as a mobile photography arsenal, that kind of input wouldn’t be necessary for competent shooters. And since HDR figures so prominently — also as a selective option — there is plenty at work to try making photos look better.

It does run on Android 11, yet it’s Vivo’s Funtouch 11 overlay that makes more of a visual impression. The company’s newer OriginOS is only in China, so I have no basis of comparison, but in any case, the overall software experience isn’t bad. I did appreciate that my review unit didn’t have the kind of bloatware others have noted in other markets. That helped at least close the gap between the Funtouch overlay and stock Android. Still, compared to OnePlus’ OxygenOS, Vivo leaves plenty of room for improvement.

Image Quality

Main camera

As the biggest differentiator for the Pro+, the main camera is the key to the phone’s ability to shoot good images. It does better when conditions provide some color to the scene, and I noticed the contrast between photos with sunlight or vibrant hues, and those shot in overcast days or more neutral scenery. For the most part, though, photos come out looking really good, even upon closer inspection.

Like so many other phones these days, there is a tendency to overexpose when first setting focus, but adjusting the slider often leads to better results. There was no oversaturation nor overzealous sharpening to ruin the composition. I can’t say I was expecting that kind of restraint, though when a company promotes the photography prowess of its flagship phone, less is more sometimes.

And that’s kind of what’s happening with this camera because, as much as Vivo calls it a 50MP shooter, the standard Photo mode captures at 12.5MP. It shoots at 50MP in High-Resolution mode, using pixel binning to also support 100MP output, should you want to do that. It would’ve made more sense to integrate these things into Photo mode, with the option to choose from 12.5MP, 50MP, or 100MP.

The Zeiss T* coating did seem to have an effect on reducing glare, including lens flare when shooting towards light sources, but otherwise, I don’t know that it made a considerable difference in output.

Ultra-wide

The large ultra-wide camera has a lot going for it, except the most prominent elements are more impactful for video than for stills. Vivo’s Gimbal Stabilization 2.0 doesn’t do anything for photos, which is generally fine because the wider angle is less susceptible to movement for snapping images anyway.

What matters more, at least to me, is that there’s limited distortion. While not bad in that regard, there’s room for improvement, as I did note some degradation towards the edges. There is a fair bit of "lean" for objects close to the edges as well, but not enough to ruin the photos I took. Image quality was good, albeit with more muted color unless there was something really vibrant in the scene.

Telephoto and Hybrid Zoom

The 8MP telephoto periscope lens isn’t bad for something with a lower resolution that’s optically fixed at 5x zoom. It’s just that the limitations become obvious upon closer inspection. Vivo must be using some kind of sharpening to these photos to mask imperfections because they generally look more processed than others do.

With an f/3.4 aperture, it’s really handicapped in low-light situations, yet does come into play with some other modes that require multiple lenses, which I’ll get into later.

Vivo touts the 60x hybrid zoom, even though it really shouldn’t because it’s awful in just about every respect, standing no chance of producing anything remotely close to a usable image.

And unlike competitors, it offers no shortcuts to other hybrid focal lengths, so if you wanted to shoot at, say, 10x or 20x, you’d have to pinch-to-zoom to get there.

Portrait mode

The bokeh effect attached to the 32MP sensor and lens is interesting in that it supposedly harkens back to Zeiss’ heritage in optics. To whatever extent that’s actually true, it’s obvious Vivo’s software is doing the legwork here. You have the choice between 1x, 2x and 5x in Portrait mode, but 2x is the default because that’s the 50mm equivalent.

Once you take a shot, you don’t commit to the exact effect before, but rather after you’ve taken it. When I previewed portrait shots, I could drag the focal point around and adjust the level of bokeh with a slider that emulates F-stops along the way. The range is between f/0.95-16, with the background shifting accordingly. It always defaults to f/2.0 to start, which may be too creamy for the scene, whereas f/0.95 is on another level. The good news is you don’t have to commit to a bokeh level and stick with it. If you change your mind after, you can resave it again.

I’m often wary of modes like this, only to have come away impressed at the results here. In good conditions, especially outdoors, the phone produces images that are objectively nice. Despite some skin smoothening going on, skin texture is still visible, so it’s not done in a silly way.

Pro Mode

Off the bat, I appreciated Vivo at least trying to educate users on Pro features and terminology just by tapping the information icon in the interface. I could also appreciate that all four lenses were available to shoot within this mode, which isn’t always the case with other phones.

My one gripe is that the lens icons lay in really close proximity to the manual controls for exposure, ISO, shutter speed, white balance and autofocus. On several occasions, I accidentally picked a lens when I was trying to change ISO or shutter speed, leading to an annoying recalibration each time.

That aside, the mode shoots solid images, and while selecting RAW in the interface would make you think you’re solely capturing a RAW photo, it also saves a JPEG as well. Too bad Vivo didn’t think to include focus peaking, as that would’ve added to the overall composition. It’s a minor thing, and perhaps the company could add it through a software update in the future.

Night Mode

Where others talk a lot about night photography, Vivo is more understated. Its Night mode is okay, except there’s a lot of processing going on that leads to too much sharpening. HDR stacking combines multiple exposures to get an optimized image, like others do, only the results are highly contingent on available light.

Google and Huawei do it better, whereas Vivo is more in line with where OnePlus is currently. However, Vivo does offer something the others don’t, which is the ability to add some color variations to the composition. Under the mode, there’s a “Style” icon that brings up a menu of color balance filters. Select one and use the slider to adjust its intensity. For example, you have black & gold, green-orange, cyberpunk, and dark red, among others. I initially dismissed this as a gimmick -- and it is, to some degree -- yet was pleasantly surprised at how effective it could be.

In general, Night mode is somewhat autonomous in the sense that it also has an “extreme night” setting within it that kicks in whenever a scene is very dark. You can also shoot panoramic photos in this mode as well. Vivo adds Night separately in Video mode, making low-light photography and videography readily apparent throughout. It does need tweaking, though, and hopefully, Vivo improves it through software updates going forward.

Special Modes

With all the extras under the “More” section, the one that stuck out for me was Slow shutter. As its name implies, it emulates long-exposure photography that wouldn’t be possible to do manually on this device. Case in point, “Flow of traffic” captures light trails, and there are others that can capture fireworks, waterfalls, and more.

Along with the effect, you can also choose the exposure from as low as two seconds, and on up to 32 seconds. Fireworks switches to F-stops, since the idea is to freeze the bursts in action. Star Trails is really long exposure, starting at 30 minutes, all the way up to two hours, but to use that, you ideally need a darker sky to capture all the starry movements.

Supermoon was far better than I expected. It starts at 1x to combine the moon with a landscape scene, or you can zoom 10x, 30x, or 60x to get a closer take. In the former case, the main camera captures the landscape, while the telephoto camera shoots the moon. In the latter case while zooming, there’s a lot of software processing to make the image look detailed. The only caveat is that the moon needs to be unobstructed, or else the mode won’t recognize it. When I tried shooting it behind some tree branches, it never kicked in.

Double exposure is somewhat bizarre in that it combines the rear and front-cameras to overlay and blend them together. You can apply a couple of styles, along with a set of beauty features to smooth skin and whiten teeth. It’s an acquired taste, possibly yielding something useful in a rare circumstance.

Video Features

I didn’t go too in-depth in the video features, but they are pretty extensive. Video ignores the 5x telephoto lens and prioritizes the other three. It’s fine that 8K video is possible here, just that 4K at 30fps or 60fps is more versatile. Not without some limits, however. Turn HDR on and you’re limited to 30fps when shooting in 4K. The same is true if you turn on Super Night mode, which also won’t work at 60fps.

Movies is what Vivo calls a “Cinematic Master” feature that films in widescreen at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, but the company oddly doesn’t include 24fps to the resolution options. To get that, you have to switch out of Video to Pro mode, tap the video icon, and select it from there. You don’t get the same aspect ratio, but at least you can control composition. Plus, you get focus peaking as an option, which you can’t do for still photos.

The Gimbal Stabilization 2.0 comes in under Video with the hand icon. Standard is the default, and you can go to Ultra if you need extra help, except you also get a little dip in quality that way. From my cursory testing while walking, both slowly and quickly, it’s an excellent feature, keeping footage steady throughout. Just unfortunate there’s no way to use it with Pro video (it does work with Movies).

Packed With Features That Need Time

I haven’t used too many smartphone cameras this feature-laden. It was like every time I launched the camera to shoot something, I discovered some new feature or option, and that’s why the interface requires time and patience due to how layered it is. Rather than stick most things into the settings menu, they’re available somewhere within the interface instead. That’s why it’s the kind of camera that you won’t fully understand until you take time to figure out where everything is, and how it works.

That can be a lot to take in for a novice, which is why this camera is overkill for anyone disinterested in learning to take better photos or video. Vivo is on to something with the full gamut available, somehow even making otherwise gimmicky modes look good. It just has to tweak certain things to make it even better. As for Zeiss, it needs to be clearer on exactly how it makes photos look better on the X60 series.

Are There Alternatives?

The X60 Pro matches almost everything the Pro+ does except for all the features related to the 50MP main and 8MP telephoto cameras. Zeiss was involved in developing the Pro’s camera array as well, though didn’t apply its T* Coating to its lenses.

As for others, the OnePlus 9 Pro is pretty extensive in its own right, though if you’re looking for a camera offering several modes, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of them. While far less versatile from a feature set point of view, the Google Pixel 5 is still an option, as would be the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which is Apple’s most varied camera array to date.

Should You Buy It?

Yes, so long as you’re okay with the fact 5G connectivity isn’t going to happen stateside. This is a phone built to connect at the highest levels elsewhere, but the camera can work anywhere, so it’s a worthwhile choice if mobile photography is of paramount importance.

#mobile #reviews #ai #artificialintelligencephotos #biotar #gimbalgamera #hdr10 #mobilereviews #nightmode #nightmodeai #smartphonereviews #stabilization #vivo #vivox60 #vivox60pro #vivox60proplus #vivox60proplusreview #zeiss #zeissbiotar

Vivo’s X60 Smartphone Series, a Collab with Zeiss, Launches Globally

Vivo has officially announced that its X60 series of flagship smartphones that it developed in collaboration with Zeiss is now available across major international markets. The X60, X60 Pro, and X60 Pro+ are the inaugural devices in the Zeiss x Vivo partnership.

Vivo originally announced the X60 series in China in January, but today the phones launch in multiple international markets.

Vivo says that the X60 series provides "professional-grade camera technologies" thanks to its co-engineering partnership with Zeiss. The company says that the partnership with Zeiss is mainly with lens design and system integration.

"To further redefine mobile photography, Vivo and ZEISS have co-engineered an imaging system that has passed the demanding quality management process by Zeiss, including original optical review, camera hardware testing, and actual photography verification," Vivo explains. "During this process, Vivo absorbed ZEISS’s optical design philosophy and ZEISS has also helped to optimize imaging on the X60 series."

Vivo says that the X60 series has passed the Zeiss certification process, including requirements to be labeled with ZEISS Optics marks such as T* and Tessar as a result of "the intense collaboration of R&D, design, quality, and testing experts." Vivo claims that the camera system delivers exceptional imaging effects through excellent aberration control, better image quality, and less stray light, ghosting, and other image artifacts.

"X60 Pro+ has certified compliance to Zeiss T* coating through further innovations on lens coating, which has a visibly improved light transmission, reduced reflections, and effectively achieved less stray light and ghosting and other image artifacts," the company continues. "As a result, the image quality is significantly enhanced. Moreover, X60 series has implemented Zeiss Biotar portrait style to reproduce the signature bokeh by leveraging advanced technologies including progressive bokeh simulation and distributed blurred spot rotation."

The Vivo X60 series marks the first time that any smartphone features the unique Zeiss Biotar "swirly bokeh" portrait style.

Click to enlarge.

The X60 Pro+ has a quad-camera array that features a 50-megapixel, 48-megapixel, 32-megapixel, and 8-megapixel set of cameras. The X60 Pro has three cameras (48-megapixel, 32-megapixel, and 8-megapixel) plus a 32-megapixel front-facing camera.

The Pro+ utilizes what Vivo calls a "Dual Main Camera System" composed of that 50 MP Ultra-Sensing Samsung GN1 Sensor with f/1.57 large aperture and 100MP super HD mode, as well as a 48MP Ultra-Wide Gimbal Camera with 114-degree field of view for steady footage control. The below video is very likely a dramatization of the expected result.

https://asia-exstatic-vivofs.vivo.com/PSee2l50xoirPK7y/product/1616398882809/zip/img/x60-axis-video.mp4

Vivo combined electronic image stabilization with an extra Z-axis of rotation for image stabilization and now claims that the X60+ is capable of 5-axis video stabilization "effect" which should allow for more stable, clearer, smoother video and photo capture.

The X60+ also features what the company calls Pixel Shift Ultra HD imaging technology, which combines eight images taken in parallel to create extremely high-resolution finished files. This feature is available even when the camera is handheld, as the X60+ can actively correct for the motion of your hand during shooting.

"The X60 Pro and X60 Pro+ are equipped with Gimbal Stabilization 2.0. For X60 Pro, the Pixel Shift Ultra HD Imaging can be achieved through the gimbal camera system, while for X60 Pro+, its 48MP ultra-wide camera is equipped with the gimbal camera system, realizing 114° wide-angle capture. With it, there is no need for optical distortion correction to meet the super HD, ultra-wide night, and ultra-stable large field-of-view capture needs," Vivo says.

"Pixel Shift Ultra HD Imaging technology is creatively utilized, supplementing enhancement of image details and sharpness after eight pictures are taken in parallel to help users get ultra-HD images. After zoom resolution is enhanced, pixels are filled when zooming in to simulate higher-resolution optical zoom effect; moreover, Pixel Shift Ultra HD Imaging can replace the traditional demosaicing process to make details richer, reduce moiré patterns and minimize false colors as each pixel has more accurate RGB information, which ultimately brings superior capture experiences with clearer images and more accurate colors to users."

Vivo has also packed a set of other features into the camera capabilities, such as a sport mode that utilizes the gimbal camera and uses motion detection to track moving subjects, as well as a "Kids Snapshot" mode that is designed to capture ideal-light images of highly-mobile children. It also uses AI noise reduction algorithms to make for overall better low light photos and videos and supports a night mode and night portrait mode, night video mode, super panoramic mode with night scene HDR algorithms, and night scene wide-angle capture.

All the camera features are in addition to the slim design, 120hz refresh rate and 240Hz response rate running on an edge-to-edge AMOLED display that supports HDR10+. The X60 Pro + is powered by the Snapdragon 888 processor while the rest of the series runs on the Snapdragon 870.

For more details on the Vivo X60 series, you can read PetaPixel 's original coverage of the China launch here, but bear in mind there are some differences in what Vivo is offering between regions.

For example, the X60 Pro launched in China with a periscope camera -- which is still found on the X60 Pro+ for the global launch -- which is not found on the international version of the phone. When asked about its exclusion, Vivo said that it was left off due to "different needs and preferences of consumers in the global market."

International pricing was not specified per region at the time of announcement, but PetaPixel will update this story accordingly should that information be provided after publication.

#mobile #news #ai #artificialintelligencephotos #biotar #gimbalgamera #hdr10 #nightmode #nightmodeai #stabilization #vivo #vivox60 #vivox60pro #vivox60proplus #zeiss #zeissbiotar