Oneplus Camera Upgrades: Significant Improvements Or Minor Changes?

OnePlus has made significant upgrades to its camera hardware and software over the years, with the OnePlus 12 and 13 models standing out as notable improvements. The OnePlus 12, for instance, features a powerful main camera with one of the best sensors on the market, the Sony LYT-808 sensor. This sensor is capable of capturing sharp images with a 3x telephoto camera that can go up to 6x zoom while maintaining impressive detail. The OnePlus 13 is also rumoured to have a triple camera setup with three 50MP sensors, promising better image and video quality. Additionally, OnePlus has been working on improving colour balance and saturation, dynamic range, and low-light performance through software updates, as seen with the OnePlus 9 series.

The OnePlus 12's camera is a considerable upgrade from the OnePlus 11

The OnePlus 12 is a significant upgrade from the OnePlus 11 in terms of camera capabilities. The main camera is now powered by the new Sony LYT-808 sensor, which is one of the best on the market. The 3X telephoto camera, with its 64MP sensor, can reach up to 6X zoom while maintaining impressive levels of detail. This is a notable improvement over the 2x zoom on the OnePlus 11's telephoto camera.

The ultra-wide camera on the OnePlus 12 remains unchanged from its predecessor, but the main and telephoto cameras offer a more balanced colour palette, enhancing the overall image quality. Additionally, the OnePlus 12 introduces full support for Dolby Vision, allowing users to shoot, edit, and display in Dolby Vision HDR. However, this feature requires ample storage space due to the large file sizes.

One of the most notable upgrades in the OnePlus 12's camera is the inclusion of a periscope telephoto lens. Unlike standard telephoto lenses, periscope zoom lenses utilise a series of prisms and a mirror to achieve higher levels of magnification. This feature is becoming a standard in flagship phones, and the OnePlus 12 now joins the ranks of devices offering this advanced camera technology.

While the OnePlus 12 camera has seen substantial improvements, it is not without its drawbacks. The stabilisation feature, for example, seems rather lacklustre when compared to more expensive flagship phones. Additionally, the camera tends to expose more for the shadows than the highlights, which can affect the overall lighting balance in images. Nevertheless, the camera upgrades in the OnePlus 12 are a notable step forward, offering users a more versatile and powerful photography experience.

The OnePlus 12 has a powerful main camera with one of the best sensors on the market

The OnePlus 12 is a powerful smartphone with a host of impressive features, but its camera capabilities are what truly stand out. The device offers a significant upgrade in camera performance compared to its predecessor, the OnePlus 11.

The main camera on the OnePlus 12 is a standout feature, powered by the new Sony LYT-808 sensor with a 1/1.4-inch size. This sensor is claimed by OnePlus to be one of the best in the market, second only to Sony's 1-inch sensors. The 50MP resolution of the main camera captures detailed and sharp images, delivering exceptional performance, especially in low-light conditions.

One of the most notable improvements in the OnePlus 12's camera is the inclusion of a periscope telephoto lens. This lens provides a 3X optical zoom while still maintaining impressive levels of detail, thanks to its 64MP sensor. The telephoto camera also supports up to 6X zoom via sensor crop, allowing users to capture highly detailed images even at higher magnification. Additionally, the camera offers up to 120X digital zoom, although the image quality deteriorates at such extreme zoom levels.

The ultra-wide camera on the OnePlus 12 remains unchanged from the OnePlus 11, featuring a 48MP sensor. However, it still captures impressive shots, especially when capturing wide-angle scenes or when used in conjunction with the main camera.

OnePlus has also introduced full support for Dolby Vision in the OnePlus 12, allowing users to shoot, edit, and display videos in Dolby Vision HDR. This feature results in large file sizes, so users who plan to utilise this capability are advised to opt for the higher 512GB storage variant.

While the OnePlus 12's camera system may lack some of the flair found in more expensive flagship phones, it still offers excellent value for money, delivering impressive image quality and performance, especially considering its modest starting price of $799.

The OnePlus 13 will have improved camera hardware, on par with rival Pro models

OnePlus has been making significant strides in improving the camera hardware in its smartphones, and the upcoming OnePlus 13 is expected to be no exception. According to leaks and rumours, the OnePlus 13 will feature improved camera hardware that rivals Pro models from competitors. This upgrade will reportedly include enhancements to the main camera and the periscope zoom, addressing some of the limitations of its predecessor, the OnePlus 12.

The OnePlus 12, which was released in 2024, already offered a notable upgrade in camera performance compared to the OnePlus 11. The OnePlus 12 introduced a powerful main camera with one of the best sensors on the market, the Sony LYT-808 sensor, capable of capturing sharp and detailed images with its 50MP resolution. Additionally, the 3X telephoto camera with a 64MP sensor allowed for impressive 6X zoom via sensor crop while maintaining exceptional detail.

However, the OnePlus 12's camera had its shortcomings, particularly in stabilisation and zoom quality when compared to rival smartphones like the Pixel 8 Pro. The upcoming OnePlus 13 is expected to address these limitations and take camera performance to the next level. Leaks suggest that the OnePlus 13 will feature a triple camera setup with three 50MP sensors, which could indicate the use of newer, higher-quality sensors, resulting in better image and video quality overall.

One of the most anticipated improvements in the OnePlus 13's camera is the rumoured upgrade to the periscope zoom. The current OnePlus 12 is limited to 3X optical zoom, which falls short of the 5X zoom offered by competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max. By incorporating a periscope telephoto camera, the OnePlus 13 could achieve higher levels of magnification and improved optical zoom capabilities.

In addition to the camera hardware upgrades, the OnePlus 13 is also expected to feature a larger battery, although this may come at the expense of wireless charging. While there have been some conflicting rumours regarding the extent of the camera upgrades, the consistent leaks point towards a significant improvement in the camera department for the OnePlus 13, making it a strong contender in the smartphone camera space.

OnePlus may be planning to add a periscope telephoto camera to an upcoming phone

OnePlus has made significant upgrades to its camera hardware over the years, and there are rumours that the company may be planning to add a periscope telephoto camera to an upcoming phone. While this is not yet confirmed, it would be a notable addition to the OnePlus lineup and a departure from their previous camera systems.

Periscope telephoto cameras have become increasingly popular in smartphone design, offering a way to achieve higher levels of magnification without increasing the thickness of the phone. This type of camera uses a series of prisms and a mirror to capture distant subjects with greater clarity. In recent years, manufacturers have embraced this technology to overcome the space constraints inherent in phone design.

OnePlus has yet to incorporate periscope zoom lenses in its smartphones. Their previous models, such as the OnePlus 10 Pro and OnePlus 11, relied on traditional zoom methods, maxing out at 3.3x and 2x zoom, respectively. However, rumours suggest that OnePlus may be preparing to adopt this technology for an upcoming release.

Digital Chat Station, a source on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, has reported that OnePlus has a "periscope arrangement" in development, although the specific model and release date remain unknown. Speculation suggests that the technology may debut in the OnePlus 12 or a potential upcoming foldable phone.

The fourth-generation Hasselblad camera system in the OnePlus 12 includes a 70mm periscope telephoto camera with a 64MP sensor, capable of 3X optical zoom and OIS. This camera system also features a 50MP primary camera and a 48MP ultra-wide shooter with autofocus. The phone offers a total of four cameras, including a selfie camera embedded in the display.

OnePlus's adoption of periscope telephoto camera technology would be a significant upgrade, providing users with enhanced zoom capabilities and improved image quality, especially for distant subjects. While the exact specifications and performance of this rumoured camera system are yet to be officially confirmed by OnePlus, it is clear that the company is committed to enhancing its camera offerings and staying competitive in the smartphone market.

The OnePlus 9 Pro's camera software update improved the quality of captured photos

OnePlus has been making efforts to enhance the camera capabilities of its smartphones, with rumours of upcoming models featuring significant camera upgrades. While the OnePlus 9 Pro was anticipated to offer improved camera performance, some users have reported issues with the camera and battery life following the OxygenOS 13 F.20 update. However, the majority of user feedback has been positive, praising the camera's improved quality after the update.

The OnePlus 9 Pro, in collaboration with Hasselblad, introduced the XPan Mode via a software update. This mode is inspired by Hasselblad’s cinematic XPan camera, allowing users to capture wide-aspect-ratio images. The update also improved the dynamic range in low-light conditions, enhanced the success rate when shooting moving objects, and reduced shutter lag.

OnePlus 9 Pro users expressed their excitement about the XPan Mode, which captures photos with a 65:24 (8:3) aspect ratio. The mode utilises the device's 48MP main camera and 50MP ultra-wide camera, resulting in high-resolution images with a unique panoramic view.

While the OxygenOS 13 F.20 update was intended to be bug-free and enhance security, some users encountered camera issues, including video lagging and frame breakage. These issues persisted despite adjustments in settings, affecting the overall video quality.

Despite the reported issues, the OnePlus 9 Pro's camera software update generally improved the quality of captured photos. The addition of the XPan Mode, dynamic range enhancements, and improved stability demonstrate OnePlus' commitment to refining their camera offerings.

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