30 Sep 2019
DxOMark: Mate 30 Pro has the ‘Camera to Beat’
DxOMark is a leading independent photographic equipment reviewer and considered the authority when it comes to ranking smartphone photography. Huawei’s Mate 30 Pro was recently reviewed and awarded a Photo score of 131 and Video score of 100, constituting an overall Camera score of 121. This is the highest in the industry to date.
DxOMark reviewers capture and evaluate over 1,600 test images and more than 2 hours of video both in controlled lab environments and outdoor scenes. DxOMark recently detailed a new review process which includes tests for ultra-wide and night mode capability. The Mate 30 Pro’s score of 121 surpasses flagship devices from Samsung, Apple and Google.
The Mate 30 Pro performed exceptionally well in all image categories. DxOMark remark that the Mate 30 Pro has accurate target exposure in all scenes and benefits from a good dynamic range. Images benefit from enhanced image saturation and the balance between texture and noise was described as a ‘real highlight’. A good preservation of fine textures is observed in captures through fine rendering, whilst image noise is controlled very well. The Mate 30 Pro was awarded a score of 61 in the night low-light category and is the best smartphone for low light photography according to DxOMark. A combination of good exposure and a wide dynamic range in low light conditions allowed DxOMark to capture impressive night cityscape shots. A dedicated night mode is said to have performed well in landscape scenes, with minimal noise and good target exposure.
DxOMark conclude in their review that the Mate 30 Pro currently has the ‘camera to beat’.
They add that the device shows no real weaknesses in the camera department which makes it an ‘easy recommendation for any users who want the best possible image quality on their smartphone’.
Low light photography on smartphones requires longer exposure times to allow extra light to be captured. Extended exposure renders the image particularly susceptible to camera shake, which detracts from image quality. Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) suppresses camera shake and therefore enhances low light imaging performance.
The Mate 30 Pro’s main 40MP camera houses a 1/1.7” large format image sensor. Large format image sensors require a large lens, which in turn is high mass. In order to move heavy lenses in a compact camera design, high force actuation is required. The trend to large format image sensors and optics favours CML’s SMA actuator technology which provides high force movement in a miniature form factor.