http://www.digitalcameraworld.com DECEMBER 2019 DIGITAL CAMERA^131Mini Test
OnePlus 7T Pro
£699
http://www.oneplus.com
T
he OnePlus 7T Pro features a triple
camera array, headed by a 48MP
half-inch sensor and a wide f/1.6 lens.
There’s also an 8MP telephoto camera giving
2.87x zoom, plus a 16MP ultra-wide camera
capable of a 117-degree field of view. The primary
and telephoto modules both benefit from OIS,
while the ultra-wide camera boasts a Super Macro
mode that lets you lock focus as close as 2.5cm.
Like the iPhone 11 Pro and Pixel 4, the OnePlus
7T Pro has a night mode: Nightscape. This
long-exposure mode can keep the shutter
open for as long as 30 seconds, if you can find a
tripod, or for about four seconds when handheld.
Despite the main camera using a 48MP sensor,
as in the P30 Pro, photos are taken at 12MP unless
you fire up Pro mode. This pixel-binning produces
shots with lower overall resolution, but better
dynamic range and noise handling.
The 7T Pro continues to impress with its
6.67-inch display, which uses a super-smooth
90Hz refresh rate and offers an exceptionally
high 500ppi pixel density.
PROS Versatile camera array; class-leading
screen specs; awesome video stabilisation
CONS No waterproofing; negligible improvement
over preceding OnePlus 7 Pro
Verdict
Samsung Galaxy
Note 10 Plus
From £999/$1,100
http://www.samsung.comS
amsung’s Galaxy Note 10 differs from
its S10 sibling by including a stylus that
slots into the phone’s base. It delivers
4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and can be
used for a variety of pen-specific inputs. It’s great
for applying spot corrections in Lightroom Mobile.
The Note 10 Plus’ quad rear cameras include
a 12MP primary camera (f/1.5 maximum aperture,
26mm-equivalent), complete with Dual Pixel
phase-detection autofocus and OIS. The 12 MP,
52mm-equivalent telephoto camera also has OIS
and provides 2x optical zoom. Then there’s a
16MP, 12mm-equivalent ultra-wide camera, and
a Time of Flight camera for 3D depth detection.
Automatic mode delivers a fantastic point-and-
shoot experience, while Samsung’s Auto HDR
feature captures plenty of tonal detail across
a scene. It all looks great on the huge 6.8-inch
screen, but on a computer, some images have
a tendency to look over-sharpened, while the
technically impressive HDR can be too aggressive.PROS Gorgeous, immersive display; pen
input is a dream for Lightroom MobileCONS Big and expensive, but non-Plus Note 10
is cheaper; image processing can look unnaturalVerdict
Sony Xperia 1
£850/$950
http://www.sony.co.ukT
he Xperia 1 draws you in with a stunning
4K HDR 21:9 screen. Round the back
there’s a triple-camera setup consisting
of wide, telephoto and ultra-wide cameras.
The primary 12MP camera features a 26mm
equivalent focal length, an f/1.6 aperture, Dual
Pixel PDAF and five-axis OIS. It’s flanked by a
12MP, 52mm-equivalent telephoto camera, also
sporting Dual Pixel PDAF and OIS. Finally, the
ultra-wide camera is equivalent to 16mm.
All three cameras grab punchy shots in good
light, with healthy saturation and detail. Low-light
shots look the part, with respectable amounts of
noise. Unlike flagship phones from Samsung and
Huawei, the Xperia 1 doesn’t artificially brighten
dimly lit scenes – it keeps them dark and moody.
However this is partly symptomatic of the Xperia
1’s limited dynamic range.
The Xperia 1’s video capabilities really set it
apart. The Xperia 1 gets an HDR mode, as well as
a flat finish that’s perfect for grading on a desktop.
You can also dictate the shutter speed, re-focus
mid-video, and set your prefered frame rate.PROS Standout screen; premium design; class-
leading video options, including manual modesCONS Still image quality not quite the best;
mediocre battery life and no wireless chargingVerdict
Five things to
look out for1
40+ megapixel sensors
may sound superior,
but they often pixel-
bin down to 10/12MP
in normal shooting.2
Phones with multiple
rear-facing cameras
fronted by different
focal-length lenses
enable optical ‘zoom’.3
Current flagship phones
are capable of advanced
HDR and sky-high ISO
sensitivities – useful
for low-light shots.4
Image processing is
now so powerful images
can look far too sharp.
The best smartphones
process with restraint.5
Steer clear of power-
hungry apps and most
phones can snap more
shots per charge than
a typical compact.