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LIST: Reasons why we think the OPPO Reno5 4G’s camera system is just OP (overpowered)

Julian Cirineo

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LIST: Reasons why we think the OPPO Reno5 4G’s camera system is just OP (overpowered)
We took a quick food trip with the device, and here's why we think it's a content and gaming powerhouse

Editor’s note: The sample photographs taken with the OPPO Reno5 4G and phones from Brand S and Brand R have not been edited. This phone is part of the #OPPOReno5 series.

The job of a content creator is to make the mundane beautiful without looking like he broke a sweat. The reality is, the job is no joke, especially if you have a specific style or vibe you’re trying to achieve. Life isn’t like Pinterest. Zoom out of the photograph, and you’ll see actual hard work happening behind the scenes.

When it comes to visuals, many creators work with expensive cameras (mirrorless being the fad these days), but mobile phones have proven to be just as effective especially when you’re dealing with social media. And as a creative who needs downtime to get the juices flowing, mobile phones now provide an avenue for them to work hard and play hard, too.  With how far mobile phone technology has gotten, it’s hard to go wrong with any purchase.

The deciding factor for what phone you should pick always needs to be aligned with your priorities. When it comes to ‘phoneography’ (phone photography) and gaming, we noticed that a cut above the rest in its price range was the OPPO Reno5 4G.

We gave the phone a test drive by spending a day taking photographs and playing three games with it. The photo test was done in two parts – a controlled shoot inside a home and a quick (also safe and socially distant) food trip around Rizal to test its flexibility. We also brought along with us two other phones within the same price range, Brand R and Brand S, so we can compare their output.

Before diving into it, here are a few things that we greatly appreciated about the phone:

  • The screen is elegant and flush, and you only notice the front camera once you start looking for it
  • ColorOS is smooth and stunning and has a lot of built-in customization options
  • The back cover is textured, which means no finger smudges
  • The iridescent “Fantasy Silver” back cover of the unit we received was elegant even with a silicone case on it; also comes in “Starry Black”

The OPPO Reno5 4G’s gaming features are great. Its 90Hz refresh rate powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G octa-core CPU with Adreno 618 GPU and 8GB of RAM made gaming smooth like butter.

The phone’s Game Assistant also enables you to switch over to “Gamer Mode” which locks in your screen’s brightness, makes sure performance and connectivity are dedicated to the game, and blocks notifications for you. This makes heavyweight games like Genshin Impact even more immersive, and Dead by Daylight even more heart-pumping and without any distractions. Also imagine how you can simply just focus on winning your battles on Mobile Legends: Bang Bang with this feature.

Those bonuses helped with the experience, but here are the nine reasons why we think the OPPO Reno5 4G is a content powerhouse perfect for any creator looking for a new main device:

Clarity
Camera features used: 5x Telephoto, and equivalent for Brand R and Brand S

When it comes to cameras, the clarity or sharpness of an image is one of the first things we notice. Many cameras, especially in mid-range phones, can produce crisp shots especially when lighting conditions are optimal. While Brands R and S showed good potential, the OPPO Reno5 4G simply performed better. 

This model comes with a quad-camera system, which includes a 64-megapixel (MP) camera, 8MP ultra-wide angle, 2MP macro, and 2MP mono camera. Even as we zoom closer to subjects, it keeps a crisper image than the two other phones we tested.

Doesn’t overcompensate by saturating colors or increasing contrast
Camera features used: 64mp rear camera, and equivalent for Brand R and Brand S

Quality of color is always difficult to discern even with standalone cameras, all the more so on mobile phones. What we noticed with the three phones, however, is that the OPPO Reno5 4G didn’t need to compensate by intensifying colors to make the photos look good. At first glance, you’ll think that the colors compared to the two other phones need work, but for a content creator, highly saturated colors aren’t always desirable because an over-saturated photograph may not interpret colors accurately and will be harder to edit if needed.

Good dynamic range
Camera features used: 64MP rear camera, and equivalent for Brand R and Brand S

Related to the previous point is the phone’s dynamic range. This is a close one, but after playing with the phone for an entire day, it seems like the shooter on the OPPO has a better range than the other two.

Dynamic range refers to the difference between an image’s darkest and lightest tones, and a camera with a good range will lessen instances where highlights are blown out or shadows are crushed.

Consistency
All photos taken with OPPO Reno5 4G

As a user gets to know their device, they become accustomed to how it works. They begin to understand its quirks, and how it will behave in certain conditions. One aspect of the OPPO’s camera we noticed is that compared to the other two phones we tested, its camera behaved consistently. It may be because it doesn’t try to overcompensate or because it has a good dynamic range, but we can also probably attribute this to the AI that assists the camera.

Zooming actually works
Camera features used: 5X Telephoto, and equivalent for Brand R and Brand S

A few years ago, if you wanted to take a good photo with your phone, you never zoomed the camera in. With this phone, you can go for it.

The details are as sharp and soft as needed, and that’s a great thing if you’re a content creator taking photos in a cafe with other people around. Plus, bonus points for enabling you to keep socially distanced from other people in the room.

Dual Video mode

This is an innovative feature we’re excited to see executed well because this opens a lot of doors for content creators, especially those who livestream. A popular segment in streaming platforms is ‘React Streams’ where people show their candid responses. This feature will be great for showing both their reaction and what they’re reacting to.

Wide selfies
Camera features: 44MP front camera, and equivalent for Brand R and Brand S

Getting up close and personal is great, but sometimes cameras just get too close. Wide selfies then are well appreciated when you’re creating content for a cafe, for example, because you’re keeping the story not to yourself but your surroundings. Plus, a good wide front-facing camera also helps when you’re popping into a zoom call, or even as a camera for streaming.

Ultra Dark Mode

Who doesn’t appreciate a good photo taken under low light conditions? But to be honest, the normal mode also looks pretty good.

Fun AI features

Of course, the OPPO Reno5 4G’s camera system also comes with fun AI features that make your videos more dynamic. Content creators looking to mix in more spirited styles will greatly appreciate features like the AI Video Highlight, AI Color Portrait video, and AI Mixed Portrait. Imagine doing crazy TikToks with these snazzy modes.

Other photos that were taken with the OPPO Reno5 4G:

As the lockdown persists, demand for good content keeps rising. People are looking for ways to stay connected with their loved ones and what life used to be like before the pandemic hit. And if you need a new driver, the OPPO Reno5 4G may just be the device to help you raise the bar on your content and #PictureLifeTogether.

The Reno5 4G is available in OPPO Brand Stores and partner dealers nationwide with a price drop period extended until July 31. Lazada and Shoppe also carry the unit on price drop only during the special flash sale, offering free shipping on all Reno5 4G orders for the rest of the month. Reno5 4G currently retails at P16,999 (P2,000 off from its original SRP).– Rappler.com

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OPPO

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone - “Smiley Face” - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO provides its users with the ColorOS operating system and internet services like OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO operates in more than 40 countries and regions, with 6 Research Institutes and 4 R&D Centers worldwide, as well as an International Design Center in London. More than 40,000 of OPPO's employees are dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.