By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
TechgoonduTechgoondu
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Huawei’s P30 Pro camera brings another upgrade for mobile photography
Share
Aa
TechgoonduTechgoondu
Aa
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Follow US
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Techgoondu > Blog > Mobile > Cellphones > Huawei’s P30 Pro camera brings another upgrade for mobile photography
CellphonesImagingMobile

Huawei’s P30 Pro camera brings another upgrade for mobile photography

Wilson Wong
Last updated: August 13, 2020 at 11:27 PM
Wilson Wong Published March 29, 2019
6 Min Read
SHARE
PHOTO: Wilson Wong

Just when you think the smartphone camera has come a long way, along comes the Huawei P30 Pro this week, which brings a number of surprises from the Chinese company’s partnership with Leica.

Over and above last year’s P20 Pro, the new P30 Pro has a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor, a 5x optical zoom system and the innovative RYB sensor on the main camera.

On top of the useful ultra-wide angle lens, the P30 Pro has a wide-angle lens with an upgraded RYB sensor, a new 5x periscopic optical lens system and a ToF sensor. PHOTO: Handout

The P30 Pro’s periscopic zoom mechanism is not the first the market, to be fair. Asus was really ahead of its time when it worked with Japan’s Hoya to include a similar periscopic 3x lens design in the Zenfone Zoom three years ago.

Huawei’s version provides an improved 5x optical zoom. This is similar to a focal length of 125mm on a full-frame camera lens.

For a photographer, having a lens that can zoom further allows a different perspective to a scene. It can be useful for portraiture, macro shots of insects and flowers and perhaps a bit of wildlife photography if the subject stays still.

How the zoom lens is installed in the P30 Pro. PHOTO: Handout
Closeup of the lens elements in the P30 Pro’s zoom camera. PHOTO: Handout
In good light, the zoom capabilities of the P30 Pro are quite impressive. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

But the improvements you see on the P30 Pro, at least from my early impressions with the phone this week, is not just down to hardware. The computational photography techniques employed since the P9 make a real difference.

On the P30 Pro, the software uses both the 5x optical zoom and the 40-megapixel main sensor to create very usable “hybrid” zoom images at 10x or 50x digital zoom. Image quality is not a concern here.

Besides the zoom, the P30 Pro looks promising for portraits as well, thanks the new ToF sensor. It is able to create a 3D map of a scene in front of the camera and apply this information to the image from the main sensor to create a realistic and accurate bokeh to the background.

The ToF sensor provided the information to the camera system accurately so that the parapet is still rendered as sharp since it is the same distance as the subject. The Eiffel Tower which is further, is blurred out more accurately too. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

Both the zoom feature and ToF sensor rely on the main camera to create images. The use of algorithms may seem to provide the magic but it is also important that the main sensor is more sensitive to light. That leads to better data being collected.

To that end, the P30 Pro is the first smartphone to employ an RYB array, rather than the commonly used RGB (red-green-blue), on its main sensor. Where did G or green go? That’s created from the computation of information from red and blue.

What this means is that the sensor can now read yellow information from a scene. In turn, this increases the sensor’s light sensitivity so well that Huawei can claim that an ISO equivalent of 409600 can be achieved by the sensor. This means capturing a lot more light.

The innovative use of a yellow filter for the RYB array allows more light transmission. PHOTO: Wilson Wong
A close-up shot of a flower. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

The advantage of such a change is quite significant. I was able to do a hand-held 6-second night shot that allows more details to be captured without the use of a tripod.

A handheld shot at night. Exposure: Six seconds. PHOTO: Wilson Wong
Another handheld shot at night, with long exposure. PHOT: Wilson Wong

Separately, the images churned out from the 10x hybrid zoom function is remarkably good for such a small device thanks innovative use of image data from both the main and the zoom sensors.

Thanks to the advancement in camera technology through the use of computational methods, I have found myself relying less on my bigger and better-equipped DSLRs and mirrorless cameras of late.

Going by my early experience with it, the P30 Pro promises to make me even happier with a phone camera on the go. Not surprisingly, the respected DXOMark photography test lab has given the P30 Pro the highest score of 112 as well.

I can’t wait to take more photos with the P30 Pro.

Do look out for our full review of the new Huawei phone.

You Might Also Like

Debate on computational photography misses what’s real, what’s lived outside a frame

How mirrorless cameras can attract users in era of computational photography

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: Impressive flagship design, performance

Hands on: Oppo Find N2 Flip looks promising for those seeking foldable phones

Singtel livestreams concert in train cabin 17m underground to show off 5G network

TAGGED: camera, Huawei, Leica, mobile photography, P30 Pro, ToF, zoom

Sign up for the TG newsletter

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Wilson Wong March 29, 2019
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link Print
Share
By Wilson Wong
Follow:
Wilson is a self-taught photographer whose passion started with his father’s old Canon L Rangefinder camera. He now leads the 12,000+ strong Singapore Photography & Imaging Network group. His photos have won acclaim from Nikon and Fujifilm, and are featured in various books and exhibitions.
Previous Article Hands on: Huawei P30 Pro
Next Article Apple News+ appeals by removing friction for magazine readers
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow

Latest News

Foodpanda to use Gogoro electric scooters in battery swapping trial with Cycle & Carriage
Enterprise Internet March 23, 2023
RedCap: A new cellular IoT technology for the 5G era
Enterprise Software Telecom March 23, 2023
Sony Playstation VR2 review: An immersive experience awaits
Gaming March 21, 2023
Debate on computational photography misses what’s real, what’s lived outside a frame
Cellphones Imaging Mobile Software March 19, 2023
//

Techgoondu.com is published by Goondu Media Pte Ltd, a company registered and based in Singapore.

.

Started in June 2008 by technology journalists and ex-journalists in Singapore who share a common love for all things geeky and digital, the site now includes segments on personal computing, enterprise IT and Internet culture.

banner banner
Everyday DIY
PC needs fixing? Get your hands on with the latest tech tips
READ ON
banner banner
Leaders Q&A
What tomorrow looks like to those at the leading edge today
FIND OUT
banner banner
Advertise with us
Discover unique access and impact with TG custom content
SHOW ME

 

 

POWERED BY READYSPACE
The Techgoondu website is powered by and managed by Readyspace Web Hosting.

TechgoonduTechgoondu
Follow US

© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Terms of Use | Advertise | About Us | Contact

Join Us!

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
 

Loading Comments...
 

    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Lost your password?