This Android phone has a camera unlike any I’ve used before

Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends

For year , earpiece brands have been track camera image character that rival professional cameras- DSLRs , mirrorless , etc . For average consumer like me , that has been granted to some extent , give we count at the photos we take on phones ’ silver screen . While phone photography has improved substantially ( even some mid - range phones take great motion-picture show ) , a few brands constantly endeavour to outmatch themselves . Chinese brands especially surpass in bringing new ( and sometimes ostentatious ) features , which keeps the Asiatic telephone grocery store both competitive and exciting .

A late addition to this group is the Vivo X100 , which gets top - of - the - line specs , admit the flagshipMediaTek Dimensity 9300chip , up to 16 GB of RAM , and 512 GB of storage . With these spec and a large curve AMOLED presentation , the X100 feel like a close competitor to theOnePlus 12 . The biggest highlight , undoubtedly , is the rear camera organisation , which is tune up in partnership with the German optics heavyweight Zeiss . But its mighty specifications aside , the Vivo X100 has one of the most telling photographic camera features I have test so far , and I feel you should see them , too .

Vivo X100 Glacier Blue held in hand against fairy lights and garland of wooden beads.

Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends

Why is the Vivo X100 special?

Vivo ’s X serial has a long pedigree of telling low - light camera performance . Last year , I render the Vivo X90 Proand remarked how the finder captured more light than my eyes could see . I also found it to capture much more sparkle than theGalaxy S23 Ultraand theiPhone 14 Pro .

While the turgid 1 - in data format ( cropped ) detector on the X90 Pro was behind its television camera prowess , Vivo ’s imaging also rely on a special tomography processor , called “ V2 , ” that aids the phone ’s chipset and RAM in make good effigy . In addition , Vivo now has a longstanding partnership with Zeiss — a noted name in the optics industry . Zeiss allow for special lenses for Vivo ’s X serial earphone while also helping the phone maker tune colors on the images — think of other headphone brand - camera brand partnership , such asOnePlus and Hasselblad or Xiaomi and Leica .

With its former generation of 10 series twist — the X100 and the X100 Pro , Vivo claims to have improved the imagining caliber even further . I have been testing the X100 ( the non - Pro variant ) , peculiarly to essay the special features Vivo adds for portrayal photography . Here are the cause I am pleasantly surprised .

Picture of man wearing purple jacket and gray t-shirt taken with the Vivo X100’s Zeiss camera.

NaturalTushar Mehta / Digital Trends

The Zeiss partnership makes all the difference

Zeiss is no unknown to the world of smartphone photography , and Vivo is not the first mark to partner with it . The German company antecedently help Nokia in its prime to enhance photography on the N - series and afterwards the Lumia range of phones while sporadically attend to Sony with its Xperia phone cameras .

This is n’t the first Vivo phone with Zeiss optics either — in fact , this is the quaternary generation of the partnership . And unlike Nokia or Sony , where Zeiss ’ role was confine to providing photographic camera lens , Vivo has been taking this integration deeper by help it recreate effects from democratic Zeiss lenses for professional cameras .

This approach may surprise Zeiss purist , for the steel caters to maximalists who like to control a wide chain of parameters instead of convey a spry and reflex gibe . I say this because most Zeiss camera lenses , even in this age , come only with manual stress , which distances them from beginners and casual excursionists to the trade . Its lenses are known to create keen images but with a pinch of dreaminess , especially in the background signal . Additionally , Zeiss lenses are comparatively much more expensive than likewise specced role model from other camera society such as Nikon or Canon , get to them somewhat more sole to professional and serious enthusiasts .

Picture of man wearing purple jacket and gray t-shirt taken with the Vivo X100’s Zeiss camera.

BiotarTushar Mehta / Digital Trends

Vivo ’s partnership with Zeiss results in these dreamy effects being recreate ( replicate principally with algorithmic enhancement ) on the X series earpiece . Naturally , the later X100 and the X100 Pro get the newest and the most nuanced variant of these consequence .

There are two significant direction the Vivo X100 replicates Zeiss effects . Firstly , it simulates the same force of six prominent Zeiss lenses . These admit Biotar , B - Speed , Sonnar , Planar , Distagon , and Cine - Flare . Each of these is an iconic camera lens series from Zeiss ’ historical collection and manipulates the background in its distinct way of life without disturb the subjects in the image , as we will see in the following surgical incision .

second , the portrait mode offer preset rapid growth grade using the three cameras to match the distinctive focal length of professional camera lenses or else . If that sounds confusing , permit me expound . The Vivo X100 features three cameras : a 50 - megapixel primary camera , a 50MP ultrawide camera , and a 64MP telephoto periscope with 3x rapid growth . rather of the criterion 1x , 2x , 3x , or similar intermediate soar spirit level , the portrait mode lets you choose from the dissimilar choice for focal lengths — 24 mm , 35 mm , 50 mm , 85 millimeter , and 100 millimeter — tally to popular focal ranges of Zeiss ’ digital camera lenses .

Picture of man wearing purple jacket and gray t-shirt taken with the Vivo X100’s Zeiss camera.

B-SpeedTushar Mehta / Digital Trends

last , the Vivo X100 offer presets for unlike scenarios of portrait picture taking , using the above - stated features together . It uses combinations of the lens system ’s focal range and personal effects for different scenario , striving to produce the same images as Zeiss lens .

I trust that make you curious about the actual results of the Vivo X100 ’s portrait mode . have ’s protrude by exploring how the different lens impression act out .

What the Vivo X100’s camera is capable of

All of the images with the Vivo X100 were purposefully taken in low light for two reasons : First , to demonstrate the X100 ’s ability to capture magnificent details in scurvy or indoor kindling , and second , tiny or upstage reference of light make the portrait effects more distinct that they would in daylight or bright scenario .

For the first set of compare , we look at the different background effects animate by Zeiss lenses . To tell apart the remainder , devote care to the shapes around the unclouded author behind me .

On genuine Zeiss lenses , these effects are make with physical modifications to the aperture — or the physical shutter that cook the amount of light entering the lens . For instance , the vitamin B - Speed lens of the eye employ a triangular aperture , which is why the light sources in the backdrop come along triangular but with curved bound or else of straight single . Likewise , the effect on a Biotar lens are shaped like an actual convex lens , while those on a Distagon are shaped like a hexagon .

Picture of man wearing purple jacket and gray t-shirt taken with the Vivo X100’s Zeiss camera.

SonnarTushar Mehta / Digital Trends

On the Vivo X100 , these force are imitate by software , which is why they might not always be exact and may shift with the space and the strength of the light or because of environmental factor such as daze and haze , as demonstrated below .

However , if weather condition are favorable , we can expect solid and typical trinkets as part of the background . Interestingly , these portrayal burden also work without a font or living subject in the frame , which makes the Vivo X100 a great television camera for still - spirit photography — and not just for capturing faces .

Another scene I must point out is the idol with which the Vivo X100 detects edges , even with sparse fire up . This ability of the X100 help create a distinct breakup between the subject and the setting , making the images appear as if they are pull out of a professional camera and not a smartphone . The acknowledgment here should go to the laser autofocus mechanics on the Vivo X100 phones .

Picture of man wearing purple jacket and gray t-shirt taken with the Vivo X100’s Zeiss camera.

PlanarTushar Mehta / Digital Trends

you may employ all of these effects with each focal duration set up base on your space from the matter and the horizontal surface and deepness of field you desire from the pictures . In summation , you could manipulate the loudness of the backdrop blur with each core , but I stayed with the standard configurations .

All the samples I have apportion above are at the 35 millimetre setting , roughly equal to 1.5x exaggeration . Due to consistently bad weather in my urban center over the last few hebdomad — and the want of proper visibility , especially at dark — I refrained from take wider focal duration as they would require images from a longer mountain range .

However , if you do not wish to grapple with the context , you may choose Vivo ’s predetermined portrait package .

Picture of man wearing purple jacket and gray t-shirt taken with the Vivo X100’s Zeiss camera.

DistagonTushar Mehta / Digital Trends

More portrait magic

Besides the Zeiss television camera effects we witness in the previous section , the Vivo X100 also offers predetermined combos that choose the appropriate genus Lens , the zoom level , and the Zeiss effect based on pop lens formats . For instance , there are devote modes for landscape painting and street portraits , a Classic modality for some retro tint , a “ Figure ” modality to center on you from a sizeable distance , and a “ shut - up ” to further zoom in on your face . If you need a wide-eyed portrayal photo without all the bells and pennywhistle , a born mode allow you to do just that . Along with the Zeiss effects in each of these modal value , the intensity of the blur is also choose with each of these camera presets . you’re able to either habituate the manner as they are or play around to find the place setting you favour .

Here is our first circle of images contain at various focal lengths ( as labeled ) . you may see the variations not only in terms of the distance but also in the colors ( notice the blue tone in the Classic style ) , the background effect , and the blur intensity in each picture .

Because of the fog in the background knowledge , the lights in the background quite disperse as they did in the previous compare . So , we move our pursuit indoors for the follow comparison .

Picture of man wearing purple jacket and gray t-shirt taken with the Vivo X100’s Zeiss camera.

Cine-flareTushar Mehta / Digital Trends

The place limitations inside the room force us to move the camera nigher to my face rather of capturing a wider area . Besides the variations in different camera effects , this comparability demonstrates how focal duration touch on the material body of the objects in focal point .

Look at the elusive change to the shape of my cheek at different focal lengths . This is because the curvature of the lenses lean to enclose the edges when you move closer to an objective . Photographers apply a similar technique to take more flattering portraits .

Besides the variations in my fount , you may also see the different bokeh effects around the queer lights in the background . Each of these personal effects , as state above , changes automatically with the preset .

Portrait of a man wearing purple jacket shot on the Vivo X100’s Zeiss camera.

Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends

With these lineament , the Vivo X100 can open gate to the humans of Zeiss ( or other professional prime lenses ) . Even if you do not want to do that , the images are compelling enough to wonder if they have been shoot with a phone or an genuine camera — and you may keep the other soul guessing for as long as you care .

Is it worth buying, though?

I hate to take on it , but my ability with an actual camera are special . While I knowmy F - stops from my shutter speed , I am nowhere as deft with a camera as a professional . Therefore , I rely on smartphones for enchant moment — and I remember I am among the majority of masses there .

So , speech sound such as the Vivo X100 make a compelling case for those who wish not only to take great photos but also to learn about dissimilar prospect of using a professional camera and , in sealed instance , stir up a passion for photography with a television camera . Can it interchange a professional camera?Or can any headphone replace a professional camera , for that matter?There ’s no sheer or simple reply . I feel phones like the Vivo X100 ( or the X100 Pro , which comes with a expectant 1 - inch sensor ) can interchange camera in tidy sum of scenario , especially when the person using it can not dynamically make for with different background on a camera .

The Vivo X100 makes a lot of mother wit for those who take a lot of photograph and wish to get a ranking quality than most phones . As we demonstrated above , the X100 has voluptuous muscles to flex when it comes to nighttime and low - calorie-free portraits , mainly thanks to the flagship chipping and a consecrated CPU for photography .

Portrait of a man wearing purple jacket shot on the Vivo X100’s Zeiss camera.

Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends

The Vivo X100 carry off the need for a Pro mode .

But despite these allure , a few aspects prevent me from commend it to everyone . First , while Vivo has one of the most advanced camera on the phone , its user port still lacks finesse . You see a chaotic concoction of mismatched visual element , a dissatisfying user experience , and a lot of pre - installed bloatware ( which may vary per neighborhood ) . These stressor sound unreasonable for a earpiece that costs approximately $ 1,000 ( establish on its Hong Kong pricing ) . The second challenge , as you may have guessed , lie with the availability of the Vivo X100 . Although youbuy the phone on AliExpress(the Amazon of China ) and get a sizeable 35 % discount , there will be no warranty . Although you might still find a manner to get the phone repaired in Europe , LATAM , or Asia if something goes ill-timed , since Vivo sells in those regions , occupant of North America may not be golden .

So , at best , the Vivo X100 is a great second phone that functions as an excellent camera . If you just require to acquaint yourself with the world of Zeiss lenses and effects , the X100 may even be a gateway — or a litmus test test before you expend chiliad of buck on actual Zeiss lenses . Not to draw a blank on a decent camera with a sensing element that can rationalize the revered crystalline lens .

Portrait of a man wearing black bomber jacket shot on the Vivo X100’s Zeiss camera.

Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends

Portrait of a man wearing black bomber jacket shot on the Vivo X100’s Zeiss camera.

Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends

Portrait of a faux flower bouquet against multicolored fairy lights shot on the Vivo X100’s Zeiss camera.