The HDR Effect: A Balancing Act
I have to admit that the HDR effect on this phone is a little bit much, but it doesn't look horrible. It's not over-sharpened, and it doesn't feel too over-processed for my taste. However, it does have that certain... je ne sais quoi that makes it stand out from other smartphones. When you look too closely at these photos, they do start to feel like a smartphone camera, but overall, I think the HDR effect is well-done.
I've taken a few examples of the phone's HDR capabilities, and I'm pleased to see that the color is exactly what I was seeing when I was outside. It's very true to life, which is what you want from a camera. The motion capture and motion tracking focus clearly helped in these photos, especially when it comes to capturing Riley's expressions. A lot of these photos of Riley are in focus when I would have expected them not to be.
Of course, no smartphone camera is perfect, and there were a few times when the phone missed the mark. But overall, I think the HDR effect is a strong point for this phone. One thing that stood out to me was how well the phone handled low-light conditions. The camera really comes alive in these situations, and it's clear that the phone's sensors are doing their job.
I also took some time to play around with the phone's filters and effects. I have to say, I'm a big fan of the natural filter - it's a great flat starting point for editing. The vibrant filter is nice too, but it feels similar to the natural one. If you love black-and-white photos, you'll be happy to know that these are actually pretty good. The bokeh effect, on the other hand, is where things get really interesting.
The swirly bokeh effect is a really cool feature that's been done computationally. It's not quite as good as the real thing, but it's convincing enough. And when you see it in action, especially with Riley's face, it's a real showstopper. The only downside is that it can be a bit overkill - I'm not a fan of the dreamy filter, and it looks like you've got some kind of vaseline on the lens.
Moving on to video capabilities, the phone's 4K 30fps recording is solid, if not exactly groundbreaking. It's not going to win any awards for best video, but it's definitely good enough for everyday use. The stabilization is really good, and it doesn't feel like I'm just walking handheld with the phone. However, there are some minor issues - a couple of times when the focus didn't quite hit every frame.
The slow-motion feature, on the other hand, is where things get weird. It's super-slow, but also super artifact-y, which makes it look more like a potato than a smartphone camera. I'm not sure what kind of use case this would be for, but it's definitely an interesting feature to have.
Finally, let's talk about the selfie camera performance. When I took my first self-portrait, I was pleasantly surprised to see how good it looked. The camera really seems to know what it's doing, especially when it comes to capturing facial expressions. And when you look at the phone's other features - like the 8K resolution and the high-refresh-rate display - it's clear that this is a serious contender in the world of smartphones.
Overall, I'm really impressed with this phone's camera capabilities. It's one of the best feeling phones I've ever had the pleasure of using, and the camera is definitely up there with the best of them. Sure, there are some minor quirks to be ironed out - like the occasional focus issue or over-processing - but overall, I think this phone is a strong contender in the world of smartphones.
The phone's price point is also worth mentioning. At around $1100, it's definitely a premium device that's priced accordingly. But when you consider what you're getting for your money - a top-notch camera, excellent display, and a solid overall package - I think this phone is a great value. In fact, I'd almost consider importing this phone if it weren't for the hefty price tag.
In conclusion, I think this phone has the potential to revolutionize the world of smartphone cameras. With its HDR effect, motion capture, and bokeh effects, it's clear that the future of smartphone cameras is bright. And while there are some minor quirks to be ironed out, overall, I'm really impressed with this device. So if you're in the market for a new phone with a great camera, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a look - just be prepared to shell out around $1100 for it.