I Tested 2 Of The Years Best Camera Phones — It Was Brutal Admin May 15, 2023 I tested the 2 best camera phones of the year - Brutal | digital trends Skip to main content menu Leica and Zeiss are the most established and respected names in photography, although they are known for different products. Leica is famous for its cameras, while Zeiss is famous for its optics. Over the past few years, the couple has collaborated with various mobile phone manufacturers to improve the camera system. Now, unfortunately, both of them have put their name on a phone with a large one-inch Sony IMX989 sensor that remains a rarity in the industry. This sets the stage for extensive camera testing to see which brand leads the way in the mobile world. What cell phones do we use? Leica is working with Xiaomi and recently announced the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, which follows the already impressive Xiaomi 13 Pro. Zeiss has teamed up with Vivo and the duo's latest release is the Vivo X90 Pro. You won't find the phone in stores. From the USA, but available worldwide. The main camera of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is a 1-inch 50-megapixel Sony IMX989 sensor with a variable aperture that can be manually switched between f/1.9 and f/4.0. The cameras feature Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and include a 50MP wide-angle camera, a 50MP 3.2x telephoto lens, and a 50MP 5x telephoto lens. Leica has worked on the lens, tweaking its characteristics and offering various filters and settings. The Vivo X90 Pro also uses a 1-inch 50-megapixel Sony IMX989 main camera with OIS, but with Zeiss optics and coating, and various image quality settings and modes. However, it is not well equipped with a 50-megapixel telephoto lens with 2x zoom and optical image stabilization and a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera. It also does not use the physical dynamic unlock feature. There is another big difference between them. While Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor is powered by Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Vivo X90 Pro uses MediaTek Dimensity 9200 processor, which will definitely change the look of phone photos and camera performance. main camera There are a lot of similarities between Vivo X90 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Ultra since both use the same main camera sensor and there is no doubt that both of them take beautiful photos. It's very fun to explore the incredible depth of both and you can achieve natural effects not available on other phones. However, you need to be an experienced and savvy photographer to get the most out of Xiaomi's variable aperture. Many may never use this feature and will be happy with the automatic settings we used in our tests. 1.Xiaomi 13 ultra 2. Live X90 Pro Our first photo is a great demonstration of the difference between cameras in terms of color reproduction and focus accuracy. Xiaomi photos have more precise focus and edge detection than Vivo phones, even if they were not taken in portrait mode, and have a better sense of which part of the cake and mug should be in focus. The Vivo's camera isn't quite sure what to focus on, which makes the photos a little less interesting. 1.Xiaomi 13 ultra 2. Live X90 Pro The second photo shows a very small and delicate flower. I clicked on the viewfinder to make sure the camera knew what I was looking for, but the Xiaomi 13 Ultra keeps focus better than the Vivo X90 Pro. In general, Vivo phones aren't very keen on taking close-up shots of subjects, and it's worth noting that I disabled Xiaomi's auto macro mode. However, the Xiaomi photos look a little fake and the colors are also unnatural. 1.Xiaomi 13 ultra 2. Live X90 Pro When it comes to color, photos of red car interiors show that Xiaomi went overboard with saturation, while Vivo took things more naturally to create images. The natural tone continues with the black center console and shadows, while the Vivo's camera takes better shots overall. 1.Xiaomi 13 ultra 2. Live X90 Pro Xiaomi 13 Ultra has a different color issue and the machine in the photo above is black instead of blue. There is a big difference between the two cameras here, the Vivo X90 Pro wins in color balance and accuracy, while the Xiaomi 13 Ultra loses. This image shows the impressive depth of field possible with both cameras. 1.Xiaomi 13 ultra 2. Live X90 Pro Tonal colors didn't always work in the Vivo X90 Pro's favor, as this beach hut image shows. The day was overcast and windy, but the Xiaomi 13 Ultra still managed to capture the surroundings in a cool and inviting way, while the X90 Pro's photos were a bit blurry and featureless. Reality is beautiful, but not if it blurs your photos. 1.Xiaomi 13 ultra 2. Live X90 Pro Less sun? I really like the photos taken with both cameras, and as we have seen, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra prefers rich colors, while the Vivo X90 Pro leans towards a more natural look. Both show some noise in the sky and clouds, but they are only visible when you show them. I am happy to share one of the photos. 1.Xiaomi 13 ultra 2. Live X90 Pro Our last photo shows why it's so hard to pick a winner here. The photo of the Vivo X90 Pro tablet has a lot of extra textures and details in hand-drawn text and art that resonate on the ground, but in the Xiaomi photo everything is surprisingly subtle and contrived. But the Vivo phone introduces more noise into the blurred background, and Xiaomi's colors are more interesting. Both hit and miss different shots, and both sides have strengths and weaknesses, which smoothes them out. Winner: draw wide angle camera The Vivo X90 Pro's 12-megapixel wide-angle camera has a relatively narrow 108-degree field of view, which is especially noticeable when compared to the Xiaomi 13 Ultra's 50-megapixel wide-angle camera with a 122-degree field of view. You can see the difference in the first photo of the beach hut below, but note that despite the higher megapixel count, there is little difference in detail. 1.Xiaomi 13 ultra 2. Live X90 Pro You will also notice the biggest difference between the two cameras: exposure, white balance, and color processing. While the Xiaomi 13 Ultra's wide-angle shots are dim in comparison, the Vivo X90 Pro looks happy and bright, producing sharper and less distorted images. Zoom in and Vivo photos will also become clearer. The Vivo X90 Pro's narrow field of view means the scene will be less impressive than photos taken by the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, but makes the camera more useful in a variety of situations. The church is a bit lost in the Xiaomi photo, the Vivo X90 Pro is definitely in the spotlight. And it still covers a larger area than photos taken with the main camera. 1.Xiaomi 13 ultra 2. Live X90 Pro Again, Vivo's improved color and white balance helps make photos more interesting and appealing: more detail and clearer surroundings. The edge improvement is most noticeable in the Vivo photos, especially at the top of the tower. However, in every other aspect, the X90 Pro outperforms the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. Winner: Vivo X90 Pro phone camera It's not fair to directly compare phone cameras as they have very different specs, but the categories are still very closely related. Xiaomi made the mistake of putting a 2x shortcut in the camera app along with 3x, 2x and 5x optical zoom modes, but the 2x resolution is poor compared to the Vivo X90 Pro's 2x mode. You see, Vivo hasn't added any shortcuts. these zoom settings are low resolution, so there's no temptation to take horrible photos. 1.Xiaomi 13 ultra 2. Live X90 Pro The Vivo X90 Pro's 2x zoom is not only better than the Xiaomi 13 Ultra's 2x, but it's pretty good overall. Like any other camera, there is a lot of detail, bright tones and colors in the photos. The size of the sensor means it's also easy to get a great depth of field and make a photo really stand out. 1.Xiaomi 13 ultra 2. Live X90 Pro The tables change when you switch to Xiaomi 13 Ultra 3.2x and 5x modes. Thus, the Xiaomi camera is versatile, but many people will be happy with the basic 2x zoom of the Vivo X90 Pro, especially when it comes to taking great photos. But as you can see in the 5x zoom comparison, the Vivo phone doesn't shy away from shooting at a higher zoom. Winner: Draw night mode The cameras take a different approach to low light images and the results are very different because of that. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra does not brighten the image to make it look like it was taken during the day, but at the same time it does not enhance the scene to make the image interesting or always representative of the environment. 1.Xiaomi 13 Ultra 2. Live X90 Pro The first photo of the pool explains it well. It's darker to the eye than it appears in these two photos, so there are no real examples. However, the Vivo X90 Pro takes brighter photos, but they bring out natural colors and details while balancing street lights to make the photo look like a night photo. 1.Xiaomi 13 ultra 2. Live X90 Pro The second street photo shows how the Vivo X90 Pro conveys details without sacrificing atmosphere. Trees and grass have color, and there are signs on the roads and buildings that are not visible in the Xiaomi pictures. Much less noise. There is no point in low-light photos that look like daylight, and Vivo never crosses the line. 1.Xiaomi 13 ultra 2. Live X90 Pro The last photo was taken in the dark with weak street light. Photos of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra are blurry and the software has difficulty adapting to the environment. Photos from the Vivo X90 Pro are crisp and clear, with plenty of detail in the bricks and marks. Both cameras use a shutter speed of two to three seconds to capture this image, and it's handheld. This is an easy win for the MediaTek-powered Vivo X90 Pro and Zeiss in this important category. Winner: Vivo X90 Pro Camera features Every camera app has multiple viewing methods, including those created by Zeiss and Leica. Leica has an advantage over Zeiss when it comes to filters with the ability to switch between Leica Vibrant and Leica Authentic modes. Zeiss has a natural color mode that works for all images while the Leica camera is in the standard Leica Vibrant mode. 1. Xiaomi 13 Ultra "Real Watering Can" 2. Vivo X90 Pro "Zeiss natural color" However, beautiful images can be created with Leica Out. It also has, in my opinion, the best Leica black and white filter you can find on a phone. There are some interesting long exposure modes that work really well. I took the photo with my phone resting on a bench, so technically it's still portable, and Vivo makes it easy with the default four-second shot. Xiaomi has no detection capability, giving you full control over the exposure time. Portrait mode is mostly unnecessary as the sensor is good enough to create its own depth and the camera can't handle using it. The results are evenly distributed in the center, and when the Xiaomi 13 Ultra hits one image, it skips the next one, and the same goes for the Vivo X90 Pro. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra wins here as Leica adds value to its filters and settings. while the dynamic iris mode adds to the appeal for those who want to try it or already have experience using it. Winner: Xiaomi 13 Ultra selfie camera Both Vivo and Xiaomi selfie cameras come with beauty settings that can drastically change how you look in photos. The effects are powerful, and if that level of customization is fun, you'll be happy with both phones. For the selfie test, I turned off all the enhancements (sorry), and it became clear which one made the base photos better. 1.Xiaomi 13 ultra 2. Live X90 Pro While both have good quality selfie cameras, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra has a bit more detail and better skin tones. Or at least I personally prefer the skin tone on Xiaomi selfies. Winner: Xiaomi 13 Ultra This is a draw between Leica and Zeiss, Xiaomi and Vivo. Our test was very close, Leica and Xiaomi got two wins each, Zeiss and Vivo also got two, and both categories ended in a draw. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra's main camera takes colorful and vibrant photos that can outperform the Vivo X90 Pro, but if the results are poor, the Vivo's camera delivers convincing images, proving that nothing beats it. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra has several zoom modes, but the one on the X90 Pro produces the best photos. It is very difficult to separate the two. However, the Vivo X90 Pro's wide-angle camera is excellent, and the night mode category is a decisive win for the phone, with low-light photos full of character and atmosphere. Even the Xiaomi camera, Leica setup and Snapdragon processor cannot compete. You want better selfies, and Leica's additional filters and settings, as well as variable aperture, make the camera more fun and versatile. The two are a tie at the end of the day, but the 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor used by both cameras deserves a special mention. You can take amazing photos and the natural depth of field can be incredible. I look forward to seeing it on other phones in the future because no matter how you look at it, these are two of the best camera phones to date. editor's note Andy is a Digital Trends Senior Writer specializing in mobile technology, writing articles… How it made me a better photographer than one of the best android phones this year. Photography was first created without color, but with the advent of color in the 1890s, monochrome images gradually disappeared. It is still used today, but is popular among specialist photographers. As a photographer, I shoot with my phone, so I'm not familiar with the art of monochrome photography. That was until I got a Xiaomi 13 Pro and a Leica action camera, which not only introduced me to style but made me a better photographer overall. Lots of monochrome shades Read more See how the iPhone 14 Pro hits this phone with its 200MP camera. Redmi Note is one of the best-selling Xiaomi smartphone lines. Although it started with great performance at a good price, the line has grown into many models that are not so easy to maintain. The top segment of the Redmi Note series leans into premium phone territory. Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus grabs your attention with amazing specs like 120W ultra-fast charging, 200MP camera, stunning 120Hz AMOLED display and Dolby Vision and more. We're curious about this 200MP camera and if the company delivers on its promises or if it's just another gimmick. Read more 5 shows the iPhone 15 Ultra you want before you buy it Apple WWDC 2023 is just a few months away, which means fall is just around the corner, bringing the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9 lineups. But this year might be different, as Apple could introduce "". The "new" iPhone 15 Ultra, which may or may not replace the iPhone 15 Pro Max. If Apple introduced the iPhone 15 Ultra, it would be a high-end device similar to the Apple Watch Ultra. As a smartwatch, the iPhone 15 Ultra will cost more than the regular iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, but it will need the features to justify the price increase. Read more
Leica and Zeiss are the most established and respected names in photography, although they are known for different products. Leica is famous for its cameras, while Zeiss is famous for its optics. Over the past few years, the couple has collaborated with various mobile phone manufacturers to improve the camera system. Now, unfortunately, both of them have put their name on a phone with a large one-inch Sony IMX989 sensor that remains a rarity in the industry. This sets the stage for extensive camera testing to see which brand leads the way in the mobile world. What cell phones do we use? Leica is working with Xiaomi and recently announced the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, which follows the already impressive Xiaomi 13 Pro. Zeiss has teamed up with Vivo and the duo's latest release is the Vivo X90 Pro. You won't find the phone in stores. From the USA, but available worldwide. The main camera of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is a 1-inch 50-megapixel Sony IMX989 sensor with a variable aperture that can be manually switched between f/1.9 and f/4.0. The cameras feature Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and include a 50MP wide-angle camera, a 50MP 3.2x telephoto lens, and a 50MP 5x telephoto lens. Leica has worked on the lens, tweaking its characteristics and offering various filters and settings. The Vivo X90 Pro also uses a 1-inch 50-megapixel Sony IMX989 main camera with OIS, but with Zeiss optics and coating, and various image quality settings and modes. However, it is not well equipped with a 50-megapixel telephoto lens with 2x zoom and optical image stabilization and a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera. It also does not use the physical dynamic unlock feature. There is another big difference between them. While Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor is powered by Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Vivo X90 Pro uses MediaTek Dimensity 9200 processor, which will definitely change the look of phone photos and camera performance. main camera There are a lot of similarities between Vivo X90 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Ultra since both use the same main camera sensor and there is no doubt that both of them take beautiful photos. It's very fun to explore the incredible depth of both and you can achieve natural effects not available on other phones. However, you need to be an experienced and savvy photographer to get the most out of Xiaomi's variable aperture. Many may never use this feature and will be happy with the automatic settings we used in our tests.
