P30 Pro: Is the optical zoom on smartphone really important?



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The Huawei P30 Pro is a fantastic device that rightly deserves congratulations for cameras. This is the gateway to a future enlarged smartphone camera that will undoubtedly force other manufacturers to really think about the type of lens setup we will see in future devices.

That said, the question remains: does our current range of cameras really need this extra telephoto zoom distance? How do two of the best smartphone cameras on the market compare without question to the new "king" of smartphone photography?

Let's start by saying that this is a three-way shootout between the Pixel 3 XL, the P30 Pro and the iPhone XS Max. It can be argued that if it was a flat test, it would be unfair for the Pixel because it has a lone lens and must rely solely on the digital zoom for take close-up shots from a distance.

Why do we do this you ask? What difference does an optical zoom lens make? I think you'll be very surprised by the results, especially considering that Pixel 3 is highly dependent on a single lens and powerful software.


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Technically, the three devices use a 10x digital zoom, with the difference that the P30 Pro uses a 5x hybrid zoom that enhances images through a combination of hardware and software. Right away, you can see the quality of all devices with standard wide angle. The Pixel 3 XL has my favorite representation of Parisian cloudy weather, but the iPhone also has a nice, warm quality. Conversely, I can not say that I am also a fan of the broad shot of the P30 in all honesty.

When you activate this 10x zoom, you can see how far away the P30 Pro is. The Pixel 3 XL turns sour, it seems that a ton of filters has been applied and does not really look good – although at first I thought it was great! Naturally, the iPhone XS Max is a little more powerful, just managing to glide the Pixel.

Just look at the details preserved by the P30 Pro, it is really impressive to see side by side with the current crop of smartphones. Once zoomed, I think the iPhone manages the colors and probably the best exposure.


Looking at the three big pictures of the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, you can see the imaging qualities of the three main lenses and sensors of the camera. The Pixel and the P30 Pro are exceptional in their own way. I'm not so convinced by the iPhone XS Max, but it's not a bad photo, except for a trivial subject.

With better lighting, the Pixel 3 XL with 10x digital zoom is much better. You can distinguish the main text on the stadium signage, even if the smaller text gets a little muddy. For a lone goal and a digital zoom, I'm really impressed. The iPhone does a solid job but I found the framing a bit difficult at this distance – hence the poor shot.

You can almost tell the text on the poster, even if it is slightly better than the Pixel 3. Since it has a 2x telephoto zoom, it does not seem to be able to help you if the distance is so great. The pixel does a better job with colors and contrast in my opinion, but the iPhone is still doing well.

Discover the P30 Pro, limpid, shadows and color are also preserved with precision. It's for me that the handset manufactured by Huawei really shows its benefits. You can focus on details that are not necessarily immediately visible, then capture sharp photos.


While strolling in Paris, I spotted what I thought were lime scooters. What better way to test the zoom capabilities of the three handsets?

This is a pretty uninteresting picture taken in a wide view, but using the zoom improves it ten times (pun). The dynamic range and shadows of the Pixel 3 image coming straight out of the camera are at the first level. The iPhone also produces a nice image, but I like the larger image P30 Pro because the near lampost has much more precision and color accuracy.

Designed on the Lime scooter on the other side of the street and with a 10x zoom, the Pixel 3 really starts to collapse. You can tell what you are looking at, the colors are good, but it remains like a painting rather than a photo. Apple's iPhone XS Max does a lot better, but there's a lot of noise and artifacts. I would say that there is a hint of overexposure too.

This is not surprising, but the P30 Pro gives you a wonderfully sharp look and zoomed in on the electric scooter. I can not say that visibility is good, but it's the no-contest that we expected from the start.


A quick look at the side of this building and the forces inherent to the main sensor of each camera are again apparent. I am torn for what I prefer. Something between the iPhone and Pixel would be the most accurate. That said, the iPhone does the best job possible with the building, but the sky is preserved by the Pixel.

The P30 Pro has a slightly yellow tone that I have noticed in some cases. I've often seen this with the night mode. I can only assume that the white balance is slightly blurred in some cases with the new RYYB sensor.

This problem is exacerbated when you enable this 10x hybrid zoom. Even with that said, the precise zoom again highlights the strengths of the P30 Pro camera system. The digital zoom of the iPhone is impressive because it manages to retain some of the details of cracked paint and bad weather.

I will say that Pixel 3 is still doing a good job. I can not help but be impressed by the results obtained with the software enhanced digital zoom. You can clearly distinguish the balcony and even some of the finer details are preserved. I am not a big fan of colors but they are usable anyway.


It's not a particularly captivating picture, but it's the finer details that I just mentioned that are discovered and discovered through the zoom. Pixel misbehaves with the text on the sign, but it is readable. The 2x zoom telephoto lens of the iPhone is doing pretty well. I personally find that, aside from the jump of clarity, there is almost no difference in exposure, dynamic range and color.

I do not like the initial image of the P30 Pro, but the zoom in option is great as expected. The P30 is a clear and legible text on the road signs. The more I play with the many goals of this smartphone, the more I am impressed by what you can achieve.


Conclusion

Hopefully this gives you an idea of ​​why having something that looks like this 10x hybrid zoom on your smartphone could be a huge benefit and an excellent inclusion. You could easily argue against zooming in. Who needs to be able to shoot from a distance anyway? I totally agree, but I offer a simple answer: why not?

We often lament the smartphone manufacturers who have not pushed the limits and who stick to the same formula that has proven itself. With Oppo ready to launch the Reno smartphone that includes a 10x optical zoom lens in the coming weeks, this is only the beginning of the camera's future zoom capabilities of the smartphone.

Being able to capture objects from a more unique perspective is one of those I really enjoyed using with the P30 Pro. Huawei has created a great device, a device that really allows you to think more about how to use the camera configuration.

Although I often prefer Pixel and iPhone images straight out of the camera without zooming. I can not help but fall in love with the flexibility of these multiple lens configurations with varying focal lengths. Imagine a configuration similar to that of the P30 Pro but supported by Google's most powerful digital photographic prowess? I'm salivating at the prospect.

Conversely, it should be noted that the 10x zoom is not completely out of place on the Pixel 3 XL or the iPhone XS Max. You can get usable images, not brilliant, but far from being as bad as I had originally intended. I would always suggest using the digital zoom sparingly, especially if you want clear, crisp images.

Congratulations to Huawei for pushing the envelope and really taking the smartphone picture from a different "angle of view". Hopefully we will finally see such flexibility on our favorite smartphone series over the next iterations.

Where to buy the P30 Pro

Where to buy Pixel 3

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