Huawei P20 Pro

[ImageArt]

I’m going to add to this like a journey as I learn more about the Huawei P20 Pro.

My initial feelings when I took the phone out for a quick test of the camera with no knowledge at all was that the ‘auto’ mode was pretty gimmicky. Too much sharpening and greenery oversaturated but the detail was good. A quick try of a close up with the 3x zoom showed a small depth of field and not brilliant quality.

An automatic mode which comes up as ‘greenery’

I can’t remember what mode this picture reverted to but I was disappointed with the lack of detail of the foreground element. Maybe my distance to the plant was too close.

3x Zoom close-up. To me the area in actual focus seemed extremely poor and when zooming into the picture from the gallery, the detail seemed poor too. Was it a fault of mine? Did I forget to tap the screen to focus?

The default resolution is 10Mb and these pics were shot at that resolution. I was starting to feel that maybe this phone was not going to live up to my expectations.

2nd Outing

After reading up a bit about the phone, I realised that you really needed to set the resolution to the full 40Mb and turn off auto mode. HOWEVER, on this resolution the x3 zoom doesn’t work. I’m beginning to wonder though whether the zoom, which works off the 8Mb lens has much worth. As some writers have stated, better to take the photo on full 40Mb and crop it if you want a close up. In which case I might miss the iPhone’s x2 telephoto but let’s see how a crop does of an image taken with the 40Mb resolution....

 

[ImageArt]

So photos from the 2nd Outing

I took images on Photo, Pro, Monochrome and Night mode. The Photo and Pro modes were set at 40Mb but you can only take the other modes in 10Mb resolution. I also set the Pro mode to RAW.

Now we are talking.

Photo Mode

And with just a little help from Snapseed to bring out some of the sky.

I also took the same image in Pro RAW mode, but I clearly have to spend some time learning how to process RAW files because I didn’t get anything better than the image above.

I think I’m going to love the Monochrome Mode. I believe the images are taken with the 3rd camera which is a 20Mb grayscale camera. A lot of the sharpness is lost in the upload to Mobitog.

Here is a Pro mode, Raw image processed and output as jpg. You can blame the processing on me - need to work on this! Detail not bad though.

The Night Mode also seems to be quite impressive although perhaps again a little too sharp:

Here’s a close up image taken in Photo mode that hasn’t been cropped:

Next I think I need to try the P20 Pro against the iPhone 7+...

 

[terse]

So photos from the 2nd Outing

Love the fence image, even in the pre-SnapSeed version. Lovely subtle color.

I expect the case with RAW images is the same on Android as on iOS -- you have to work pretty hard to beat the built-in JPG.

 

[ImageArt]

Love the fence image, even in the pre-SnapSeed version. Lovely subtle color.

I expect the case with RAW images is the same on Android as on iOS -- you have to work pretty hard to beat the built-in JPG.

Thanks, Ted.

Yes, I have no doubt. I think it’s something one has to really work at to get right.

 

[sinnerjohn]

I have to agree with Ted, that fence image is a beauty, I actually prefer the original. The holly leaf looks nice as does the indoor image (to me), I'd expect more from the b/w's though. If the 1st plant had focused, either the phone or you , it would have been sweet.
I'm glad you've made a thread for this
Does auto still work at the 40mb setting?

 

[rizole]

Ooooo... That's the phone I've had my eye on. I'll be interested in your experience of it. [eating popcorn]
That B&W is lovely.

 

[ImageArt]

Ooooo... That's the phone I've had my eye on. I'll be interested in your experience of it. [eating popcorn]
That B&W is lovely.

I think some shops have got a special on it at the moment. Carphone Warehouse for example.

 

[ImageArt]

I have to agree with Ted, that fence image is a beauty, I actually prefer the original. The holly leaf looks nice as does the indoor image (to me), I'd expect more from the b/w's though. If the 1st plant had focused, either the phone or you , it would have been sweet.
I'm glad you've made a thread for this
Does auto still work at the 40mb setting?

No, because only Photo and Pro Mode work on the 40Mb setting. The auto works on Photo mode so as soon as you change the setting to 40Mb, the zoom button disappears as well as the auto prompts.

I wish there was the option to save your own Modes. I was surprised that there wasn’t a Mode for a square image.

 

[ImageArt]

List of Modes you can select: Aperture, Night, Portrait, Photo, Video, Pro, Slow-mo, Panorama, Monochrome, Light Painting, HDR, Time-lapse, Filter, 3D Panorama, Watermark, Document Scan, Download.

Lots to still try out!

 

[sinnerjohn]

I think some shops have got a special on it at the moment. Carphone Warehouse for example.

Probably getting cheaper as the P30 looms.

 

[ImageArt]

Close-up: P20 Pro vs iPhone 7+

I’ve struggled with the focus on the P20 and reading up, the closest you should be is 10cm with the 40Mb lens which is still the best way to go apparently. One article said you can get closer by going into Pro mode and selecting manual focus. The slider is quite tricky and I found the depth of field too narrow this way. Better to keep further away although I did manage to get a little closer in Photo Mode. You do absolutely need to tap the screen even if the main subject is in the middle. I do think the iPhone does a better job of continually focusing for you if the subject is in the middle and I ended up taking twice as many images to get a similar result on the P20. I will give it the benefit of the doubt as it might just be down to what I am use to but the x2 telephoto with it’s larger depth of field makes focusing a lot easier.

First set of images. I tried to get a similar crop. Yes, I probably should have tried the x3 zoom on the 8Mb camera but too dark now.

iPhone 7+ Original

P20 Pro Original

iPhone 7+ cropped

P20 Pro cropped

Second set of images

iPhone 7+ Original

P20 Pro Original

iPhone 7+ cropped

P20 Pro cropped

Without the x2 zoom, the resolution of the crop is about the same despite the fact that the P20’s original file is bigger. It’s all about the focus distance.

 

[rizole]

Quite different white balance/colour profiles between the two devices.

 

[dscheff]

I think some shops have got a special on it at the moment. Carphone Warehouse for example.

Amazon is selling it in the US for $688. No other cellphone company is touching it after AT&T dropped it

 

[RoseCat]

Close-up: P20 Pro vs iPhone 7+

I’ve struggled with the focus on the P20 and reading up, the closest you should be is 10cm with the 40Mb lens which is still the best way to go apparently. One article said you can get closer by going into Pro mode and selecting manual focus. The slider is quite tricky and I found the depth of field too narrow this way. Better to keep further away although I did manage to get a little closer in Photo Mode. You do absolutely need to tap the screen even if the main subject is in the middle. I do think the iPhone does a better job of continually focusing for you if the subject is in the middle and I ended up taking twice as many images to get a similar result on the P20. I will give it the benefit of the doubt as it might just be down to what I am use to but the x2 telephoto with it’s larger depth of field makes focusing a lot easier.

First set of images. I tried to get a similar crop. Yes, I probably should have tried the x3 zoom on the 8Mb camera but too dark now.

iPhone 7+ Original
View attachment 119158

P20 Pro Original
View attachment 119159

iPhone 7+ cropped
View attachment 119160

P20 Pro cropped
View attachment 119161

Second set of images

iPhone 7+ Original
View attachment 119162

P20 Pro Original
View attachment 119163

iPhone 7+ cropped
View attachment 119164

P20 Pro cropped
View attachment 119166

Without the x2 zoom, the resolution of the crop is about the same despite the fact that the P20’s original file is bigger. It’s all about the focus distance.

Quite different white balance/colour profiles between the two devices.

I prefer the colors on the iPhone versions, but the upclose detail of the Huawei look much better!

 

[terse]

Close-up: P20 Pro vs iPhone 7+

I’ve struggled with the focus on the P20 and reading up, the closest you should be is 10cm with the 40Mb lens which is still the best way to go apparently. One article said you can get closer by going into Pro mode and selecting manual focus. The slider is quite tricky and I found the depth of field too narrow this way. Better to keep further away although I did manage to get a little closer in Photo Mode. You do absolutely need to tap the screen even if the main subject is in the middle. I do think the iPhone does a better job of continually focusing for you if the subject is in the middle and I ended up taking twice as many images to get a similar result on the P20. I will give it the benefit of the doubt as it might just be down to what I am use to but the x2 telephoto with it’s larger depth of field makes focusing a lot easier.

First set of images. I tried to get a similar crop. Yes, I probably should have tried the x3 zoom on the 8Mb camera but too dark now.

iPhone 7+ Original
View attachment 119158

P20 Pro Original
View attachment 119159

iPhone 7+ cropped
View attachment 119160

P20 Pro cropped
View attachment 119161

Second set of images

iPhone 7+ Original
View attachment 119162

P20 Pro Original
View attachment 119163

iPhone 7+ cropped
View attachment 119164

P20 Pro cropped
View attachment 119166

Without the x2 zoom, the resolution of the crop is about the same despite the fact that the P20’s original file is bigger. It’s all about the focus distance.

What rizole said. The photos with the orange berries, especially. Do you have a feeling for which one's closer to nature? The orange looks good to me in the iPhone photos, but the greens there have a lot of blue in them.

 

[ImageArt]

What rizole said. The photos with the orange berries, especially. Do you have a feeling for which one's closer to nature? The orange looks good to me in the iPhone photos, but the greens there have a lot of blue in them.

I was quite surprised by the results because landscape images are far more saturated. I would say that the real orange colour is in the middle of both but perhaps closer to the iPhone image. I often find that the iPhone images are a little warmer than the actual scene. The P20 Pro may be the opposite - slightly cooler than the actual scene.

I’m sure it has to do with the influence of the software. I think I should take some RAW images in both but then how do you compare them unless you apply exactly the same processing to both. Can you do this in Lightroom Mobile?

 

[ImageArt]

I prefer the colors on the iPhone versions, but the upclose detail of the Huawei look much better!

I think that’s because the software on the Huawei applies much more sharpening.

 

[JillyG]

I was quite surprised by the results because landscape images are far more saturated. I would say that the real orange colour is in the middle of both but perhaps closer to the iPhone image. I often find that the iPhone images are a little warmer than the actual scene. The P20 Pro may be the opposite - slightly cooler than the actual scene.

I’m sure it has to do with the influence of the software. I think I should take some RAW images in both but then how do you compare them unless you apply exactly the same processing to both. Can you do this in Lightroom Mobile?

Can you process RAW in Snapseed, because, if you can, then you can just Apply the last edit?

 

[ImageArt]

Can you process RAW in Snapseed, because, if you can, then you can just Apply the last edit?

Clever Jilly!

 

[sinnerjohn]

Close-up: P20 Pro vs iPhone 7+

I’ve struggled with the focus on the P20 and reading up, the closest you should be is 10cm with the 40Mb lens which is still the best way to go apparently. One article said you can get closer by going into Pro mode and selecting manual focus. The slider is quite tricky and I found the depth of field too narrow this way. Better to keep further away although I did manage to get a little closer in Photo Mode. You do absolutely need to tap the screen even if the main subject is in the middle. I do think the iPhone does a better job of continually focusing for you if the subject is in the middle and I ended up taking twice as many images to get a similar result on the P20. I will give it the benefit of the doubt as it might just be down to what I am use to but the x2 telephoto with it’s larger depth of field makes focusing a lot easier.

First set of images. I tried to get a similar crop. Yes, I probably should have tried the x3 zoom on the 8Mb camera but too dark now.

iPhone 7+ Original
View attachment 119158

P20 Pro Original
View attachment 119159

iPhone 7+ cropped
View attachment 119160

P20 Pro cropped
View attachment 119161

Second set of images

iPhone 7+ Original
View attachment 119162

P20 Pro Original
View attachment 119163

iPhone 7+ cropped
View attachment 119164

P20 Pro cropped
View attachment 119166

Without the x2 zoom, the resolution of the crop is about the same despite the fact that the P20’s original file is bigger. It’s all about the focus distance.

The iphone version seems better focused but unless they were both taken with a tripod its hard to tell if its device or user, I don't mean that to sound insulting, but there's always the human element in all our images.
I do get that iphone images always seem warm, its one of the things that attract people to iphones. Samsung's are usually oversaturated and maybe as you say, P20 cooler and over-sharp. I guess we just get to know our phones and much harder when you have two high end devices in your hands !!

 

[ImageArt]

The iphone version seems better focused but unless they were both taken with a tripod its hard to tell if its device or user, I don't mean that to sound insulting, but there's always the human element in all our images.
I do get that iphone images always seem warm, its one of the things that attract people to iphones. Samsung's are usually oversaturated and maybe as you say, P20 cooler and over-sharp. I guess we just get to know our phones and much harder when you have two high end devices in your hands !!

That’s what I’m trying to say, John. I struggle to focus the P20 and as most of my images will be handheld, if the iPhone does a better job of doing it for me then, hey, guess which one I’m going for. Having said that maybe with a bit of practise I’ll get better at it. February is going to be a month of P20 Pro on my 365 so I’m looking forward to giving it a real go. I definitely think the P20 produces better images at a distance and in lowlight. The front camera is not great. There has been a lot of criticism of the fixed focus being a problem and you have to have the camera exactly the right distance away. Not that this is a problem for me - I use it twice a year on a good year.

 

[Starzee]

Close-up: P20 Pro vs iPhone 7+

I’ve struggled with the focus on the P20 and reading up, the closest you should be is 10cm with the 40Mb lens which is still the best way to go apparently. One article said you can get closer by going into Pro mode and selecting manual focus. The slider is quite tricky and I found the depth of field too narrow this way. Better to keep further away although I did manage to get a little closer in Photo Mode. You do absolutely need to tap the screen even if the main subject is in the middle. I do think the iPhone does a better job of continually focusing for you if the subject is in the middle and I ended up taking twice as many images to get a similar result on the P20. I will give it the benefit of the doubt as it might just be down to what I am use to but the x2 telephoto with it’s larger depth of field makes focusing a lot easier.

First set of images. I tried to get a similar crop. Yes, I probably should have tried the x3 zoom on the 8Mb camera but too dark now.

iPhone 7+ Original
View attachment 119158

P20 Pro Original
View attachment 119159

iPhone 7+ cropped
View attachment 119160

P20 Pro cropped
View attachment 119161

Second set of images

iPhone 7+ Original
View attachment 119162

P20 Pro Original
View attachment 119163

iPhone 7+ cropped
View attachment 119164

P20 Pro cropped
View attachment 119166

Without the x2 zoom, the resolution of the crop is about the same despite the fact that the P20’s original file is bigger. It’s all about the focus distance.

Oh oh. I like the P20 better. Noooooooo!!!!

 

[sinnerjohn]

Oh oh. I like the P20 better. Noooooooo!!!!

 

[GroovyGouvy]

Thank you, Ann, this phone was/is still the one I'd like to get instead a new iPhone. But I could never test it properly, just a comparison shot at the shop. I still have an eye on it, but would miss all the apple apps.
But I'm always tempted to get a P20 Pro just for the Leica lenses. Your book of tests is very helpful as I know you'll dig deeper as I would, too. Thanks for doing it so detailed.

 

[sinnerjohn]

Thank you, Ann, this phone was/is still the one I'd like to get instead a new iPhone. But I could never test it properly, just a comparison shot at the shop. I still have an eye on it, but would miss all the apple apps.
But I'm always tempted to get a P20 Pro just for the Leica lenses. Your book of tests is very helpful as I know you'll dig deeper as I would, too. Thanks for doing it so detailed.

That's 3 prospective customers for the P20 Pro!!