Huawei P10 camera review

here are some images processed from "P10 Plus" DNG - and one 50% downsized JPEG that even downsized hasn't acaptable IQ...

some HUAWEI P10 Plus DND processed sample Images:
https://www.dpreview.com/galleries/4128957638/albums/huawei-p10-plus

Apr 25, 2017permalink

halc

I have P10plus (with the slightly upgraded lenses, same sensors). My initial takeaways:

- can't get neutral colour easily in auto or HDR mode, regardless of colour/filter mode setting
- JPEG images are clearly over-sharpened (not a huge issue if you scale down 50% and do not post-sharpen after scaling)
- Settings for image ratio change according to shooting mode (auto, hdr, b&w, aperture) -> confusing and annoying, imho
- Cant' set 16:9 in aperture mode (only 4:3)
- way too modal interface : if you are in mode X, you can't use feature A, B, C. If you are in mode Y, you can't use features D, E, F. Takes time to learn all these restrictions (reminds me of Sony Ax000 series cameras with their restrictions and deep menus, although not quite as bad)
- HDR takes a bit longer than on Galaxy series and esp. in low light can cause significant double-exposure blur

Apr 24, 2017permalink

halc

.... continued from above:

- in low light you lose a lot of saturation (subdued colours) in auto mode
- in low light you almost have to use HDR mode to get proper colour saturation, but that leads easily to blurred shots (due to long exposure times and double-exposure blur)
- to control exposure in long light you need to activate the pro mode to control exposure time, but then you can't use HDR anymore

Don't get me wrong, it's a very nice phone cam. That's why I chose it, but it does have its own quirks and limitations - just like any other phone. I love the tone curve of the b&w filter/mode, it takes really nice b&w photos for me - with very little need for post-processing (unless you want a really stark or toned-down look).

Apr 24, 2017permalink

User5185721317

Excellent review! In many cases, an owner who laid out $750+ for the phone he/she is evaluating doesn't get too detailed about its faults because his/her ego gets in the way - defined as, "I don't want to look stupid for buying a phone with all of these faults!" Well, you managed to overcome this and in the process, convince me to buy the phone! Thanks SO much! I do feel I understand all of the pros and cons going in!

May 11, 2017permalink

Josh Leavitt

Any sample pics with the monochrome sensor coming to the gallery?

Apr 24, 2017permalink

eno2

Wonderful, you reviewed the P10 but in the "Image quality comparison" you actually see the Mate 9 (a totally different phone). :)

By the way, the image quality produced by the P10 is garbage (full of noise, artifacts and limited in DR even at base ISO and abysmal at higher ISO values), lower in fact then the single chip camera found on the P9 lite and nowhere near the very good quality of P9 or Mate 9.

For me the P10 is a total disappointment!

Apr 24, 2017*permalink

Mate 9: http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/huawei-mate-9/camera/gsmarena_001.jpg

if you look closely there is an explanation on the IQ pages as to why we used the Mate 9 images. We are planning to exchange them with the P10 shots as soon as possible.

Apr 24, 2017permalink

eno2

"We've used the Mate 9 for our studio shots, which uses the same camera hardware as the P10, but we can't be 100% certain that it provides the same results."

I've compared the two phones side by side and the P10 looks absolutely terrible in contrast to the very good Mate 9. I don't know why the image quality is that bad but from what I've seen is beyond bad. It may be a software thing but I suspect Huawei decided to use smaller and cheaper sensors thus the image quality has significantly downgraded.

Here is a comparable scene shot with both the P10 and Mate 9. The difference at pixel level is beyound doubt obvious.

P10: http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/17/huawei-p10/camera/gsmarena_001.jpg

Obs: The images were take on a different time and lighting, but evaluation shouldn't be hard to make. :)

Apr 24, 2017permalink

Samuel Spencer

Looks to me like your Mate 9 is in 12MP mode, and your P10 is in 20MP mode.

Apr 24, 2017permalink

eno2

You are right @Samuel Spencer, this is the 12 MP one: http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/17/huawei-p10/camera/gsmarena_011.jpg

The P10 image is still full of noise and artifacts, even at minimum ISO compared to the Mate 9.

Apr 24, 2017permalink

axelpix

Sadly, no word about the zoom functionality?

Apr 24, 2017permalink

Fixx

digizoom as usual I suppose.

Apr 24, 2017permalink

https://z-p3-scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-0/p600x600/17973932_1374621029250176_6215905491654337926_o.jpg?oh=fc03a4b6db3f7f43655c6f76b57dbbdb&oe=59934879

yep, we don't usually talk much about digital zoom because zoom tends to be, apart from very exceptional cases, like the Lumia 1020, terrible and best avoided. You are almost always better off cropping manually after shooting. The Huawei uses image information from the mono sensor for digital zooming, so you could get the same effect by shooting in 20MP mode and cropping from those images. There are a few 20MP samples in the samples gallery.

Apr 24, 2017permalink

(unknown member)

Lars, that's not true. I have just tested a Huawei P10 Plus and the 2x zoom in the 12 megapixel mode delivers slightly more detail and slightly less noise than a crop in the 20 megapixel mode.

Jun 26, 2017permalink

mileCro

Noisy images as expected...

Apr 24, 2017permalink

Cornu

Wow, finally! Looking at the low-light studio scene, the colored circles of the P10 show almost no aliasing. This is even better than many ILC cameras!

Apr 24, 2017permalink

wakaba

A phone is never a premium product. It's a subscription service with a hardware dongle.

Apr 24, 2017permalink

wfb-foto

This is an excellent Definition :)

Apr 24, 2017permalink

Coguar

Huawei P10 is great mobile for photographer in mind, Yes it has so so battery & Video, but everything else is great. Many pro cameras, are not so good in Video :)

here is one shoot that show how good & editable files are (facebook destroy sharpness little) but good to see a dynamic range.

Apr 24, 2017permalink

Nixyz

Why do phone manufacturers make photography as a main feature of their devices but does not include dedicated shutter buttons on the lower right side of the bodies? (Sony is an exception here)

Apr 24, 2017permalink

Karroly

Because it would no longer be a smartphone but a camera.
Sony is an exception because they are also a camera manufacturer.
I am joking of course...

Apr 24, 2017*permalink

to be honest, I don't really miss the shutter buttons, the virtual shutter or touch-to-capture works just as well or even better and can always put the shutter function on the volume buttons as well. Yes, there is no af-lock function with any of those options, but with the small sensors and fast AF on smartphone cameras I can personally easily live without that. There are still a few phones with shutter buttons around, though, apart form the Sonys. Check out the Kodak Ektra for example :)

Apr 24, 2017permalink

Sho-Bud

I have a Lumigon smartphone that has a hardware shutter button. Problem is: the phone is lightweight and thin, pressing a hardware shutter button causes motion blur. Using the virtual on screen button gives sharper images.

Apr 24, 2017permalink

onurcildir

Hi,

I own this mobile but there's something I don't really understand:
In standard mode (non-Pro), the shutter goes until 1/4 s and keeps the iso low in low light. In Pro mode, it keeps shutter speed at 1/17 s. Basically this has OIS, why is it selecting higher iso in pro mode?

thanks,

Apr 23, 2017permalink

well, Pro mode is all about selecting you own preferred ISO and shutter speed settings, so if you want lower ISO in Pro mode, just set ISO directly or reduce the shutter speed manually. The advantage of a faster shutter speed would be a reduced risk of motion blur but of course it all depends on the shot you want to take. Photography is all about compromises :)

Apr 24, 2017permalink

TheClueless

Studio shot for low light seems to be significantly outperforming the review shots. Weird, but maybe not entirely atypical for DPR.

Excellent attention to detail though, even getting the Leica fonts right in the app - even though Leica's actual involvement in it is almost certainly minimal.

But you don't choose a phone by the camera alone and the rest of the specs are... uninspiring.

Apr 23, 2017*permalink

Dreamscape Photo

Shame not many B+W samples, thats what i really like the mono sensor idea.

Apr 23, 2017*permalink

BostonC

Today's phone cameras are sharp & contrasty, really good for scanning documents. But still lack in micro contrast, e.g. hair & skin details are not so good.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

(unknown member)

What I like about Huawei's camera app:
You get exposure compensation for Auto ISO in shutter priority mode. Neither Samsung nor LG give you this option.
Though Huawei's camera app has some disadvantages, I think there's no button to reset the manual settings for shutter speed, iso, etc at once. You can go into auto mode, but then you can't shoot raw.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

As long as it has a headphone plug it's ok.Keeping track of the little cords that you need on iPhone 7+ is a real nuisance and if you lose them apple are ready with a new one for 30 dollars.Want to use non apple headphones and recharge,another forty dollars.Designed rip off.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

Did you just wake up today and decided to lie? Apple.com is charging $9 for the adapter, Best Buy $9.99 and Amazon $12.99

Apr 24, 2017permalink

Feeling bitchy are we.

Apr 25, 2017permalink

Yeah, I do like to b!tch when I see scammers like you ply their trade on unsuspecting people.

Who would have guessed someone that joined DPReview since 2006 would pathologically lie to follow photographers so readily.

Apr 25, 2017permalink

Calm down girl!

Apr 25, 2017permalink

I think you should consider registering a new name because I am gonna follow you around making sure you are not scamming more people.

Apr 25, 2017permalink

Your a weird girl indeed.

Apr 25, 2017permalink

Sezano

Expensive.
Moto G5 plus: $240.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

cdembrey

"Leica Camera has established LC Light and Imaging Systems, a subsidiary that will focus on developing customer-specific optical systems for industrial applications, such as 3D inspection." https://www.imveurope.com/news/leica-camera-establishes-optical-system-subsidiary-industrial-inspection

Machine Vision and Cameras for Phones is the future. ILCs are dead/dying.

Schneider switched their emphasis to machine vision several years ago https://www.schneideroptics.com/industrial/index.htm

Today most cameras are made by Apple, Huawei and Samsung (who stopped making ILCs), not by CaNikon.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

Biowizard

OK, I get it - the words are ambiguous. Nonetheless, somehow, when I go to a website like DPReview, and see an article called "xyz CAMERA Review", I tend to expect to find - how can I put this - a Review of a, er, um, CAMERA made by xyz. Not a phone!

Brian

Apr 23, 2017permalink

Alex Permit

Heard of a camera phone? A camera phone is a mobile phone which is able to capture photographs and often record video using one or more built-in digital cameras. The first camera phone was sold in 2000 in Japan, the Sharp J-SH04.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

Biowizard

Alex, perhaps you are not from the UK, so perhaps you missed my not-so-subtle prefix to my post. For the non-UK-world, "OK, I get it - the words are ambiguous." means "YES, I figure this is another phone cam review, but wish it said so, rather than implying this was primarily a CAMERA". The title, "Review of the Huawei P10 Phone's Camera" would do it. Or even, "Phone Review: the Huawei P10 Camera". But I understand that, for you, without this stating of the obvious, it was all too subtle. So sorry you felt moved to respond that way.

Brian

Apr 23, 2017permalink

Alex Permit

Ah, the subtle differences in our respective languages. I took it as a sarcastic comment. I hear you, and I mean that in the American, not British way :-)

Apr 23, 2017permalink

Eric Hensel

Your post wasn't subtle at all Brian, merely tedious. Alex's sarcasm was too subtle for you.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

well, that's why we call it Huawei P10 camera review, just to make clear that is's a review of the phone's camera and not, say, its performance as a gaming device.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

(unknown member)

The P10 is not more a phone than a camera.
The Huawei P10 is a 4mm f/2.2 dual camera with 1/2.9" sensors.
4k video, monochrome sensor, in-camera raw conversion, blur simulation, exposure compensation for auto iso in shutter priority mode and the option to shoot in raw are 6 things that several "normal cameras" don't have. It also has a better and larger display than most "normal cameras".

Apr 23, 2017*permalink

Biowizard

Eric, even though I am PASSIONATELY pro-EU, and ANTI-Brexit, I have to concede, that remarks like yours explain why my otherwise wonderful country decided, by 52% vs 48%, to commit political suicide.

It's so strange being stuck in a place with amazing shared culture (Europe, for the US readers), but in which we don't understand each other's humour, while talking to others (Americans, amongst them, for the US and EU readers) within whom we share most of our sense of humour, but not, always, our culture.

I guess that is the price I pay for being born English.

Brian

Apr 23, 2017permalink

Alex Permit

The British were always known for their sense of humor. For fun, this 15 year old blog post was quite popular in its day
http://www.economist.com/blogs/johnson/2011/05/euphemistically_speaking

Apr 23, 2017permalink

Petak

Dear Brian,

Yours is not exactly humour as the only sentiment it provokes is sadness. It also a good hint as to why the rest of the EU seems to cope rather well with you decision to leave.

Have a nice day,
Peter

Apr 23, 2017permalink

jim seekers

Does anyone think that the P10 takes better stills and video than the Samsung Galaxy S7, the reason why I am saying this, my friend has a S7 and she is wondering if the P10 will be better for Color Rendition , stills and video.
She doesn't like the S8 due to the screen aspect. rario.
Also Auto white balance is important for her.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

walker2000

I have Samsung S7 and Huawei Mate 9 (same camera as P10). Mate 9 is better than S7 on stills.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

On video, Samsung. On still, Huawei

Apr 24, 2017permalink

speculatrix

this is 5.1" and you're calling it a phablet? By current standards, this is a below average size phone!

Apr 23, 2017permalink

jimmytong

I did not read any line that state P10 is a phablet.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

vadims

> I did not read any line that state P10 is a phablet.

There is eveb one line where DPR says it's *not* (smaller than a phablet): "more compact form factor compared to the company's Mate 9 phablet. "

speculatrix is just... err, speculating.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

Halina123

The Mate 9 is the phablet with a 5.9" screen.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

speculatrix

sorry, I misread it.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

noirdesir

Why isn't the sensor size part of the 'Key Photographic Specifications'? I know that dual cameras and computational photography significantly shift what image quality we can expect from this phone, but still.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

Boissez

I agree that it should be listed, but it really should be taken with a grain of salt.

1 RGB + 1 BW sensor has about 3-4 times better light gathering ability than a single RGB sensor.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

Huawei does not provide any information on sensor size. I could speculate but I'd rather not put any info in the article that is not officially confirmed.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

noirdesir

Neither does Apple, yet everybody knows the sensor size they use. This information is obtained in multiple ways. A simple one is if the actual focal length is reported in the EXIF data to compare that with the equivalent focal length. Beyond that, teardowns can reveal sensor product numbers as can developer documentation. And while not 100% guaranteed to be correct, leaked information from the supply side can also identify the sensor module product number. Sometimes information about the pixel size can be obtained (which can then be used to calculate the sensor size). Or either of those data is available for the preceding phone model and when essentially nothing changes in the camera specifications, it's a pretty safe bet that the sensor size hasn't changed either. The P9 seems to have a sensor size of 1/2.9" (and 1.25 μm pixel size).

And if you don't fully trust a source, it is always possible to use words like 'probably' or 'most likely'.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

JohnCarolan

Would have been interesting to see some samples from the monochrome camera only, particularly raw files. Surprised this wasn't covered in more detail.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

Allison Johnson

We're working on a Mate 9 gallery and will be sure to include some mono-only shots.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

JohnCarolan

thanks for replying, I look forward to seeing that, particularly if you can show samples converted from raw rather than out of camera jpegs.

Apr 23, 2017permalink

what about the P10 Plus with f1.8 lens? That one is made for the ones looking for IQ...
I own it and like the faster lens a lot...
Another thing: The jpeg settings of all current smart phones are garbage! It does'nt make sens to squeze a 12MP image into a jpeg smaller than 5MB. A real photo camera needs more than 2x the size to store all the details to the image.

So raw is the only way to take a good shot...

Apr 23, 2017*permalink

Henrik Herranen

nw42: Sorry, but you are simply wrong here.

The limits of mobile phone image quality have very little to do with JPEG compression artifacts, at least at those file sizes. My original Canon 5D took 12.7 MP images typically between 3 and 7 MB for daylight photos with best JPEG quality. I've never encountered artifacts related to JPEG compression in these images. And yes, in my opinion the 5D was a real camera.

Apr 23, 2017*permalink

Do you have compared the snart phone jpegs with the ones from your canon?
First you can think the camera isn't capable of capturing better image quality. Then you take a RAW image and realise the camera is perfectly ok but the saved jpeg isn't.

Doesn't matter if it's to save battery power or file size - the resulting pictures are looking really terrible...

Apr 23, 2017permalink

Henrik Herranen

nw42: It's still not the JPEG encoding that is the problem. The main issue almost invariably is the heavy-handed automatic noise reduction, which has zero to do with JPEG encoding.

Apr 23, 2017permalink