We just released a three-way camera comparison of smartphones under PHP 20k. Now, we’re going to explore the camera results of three handsets under the PHP 30k price point. With the price differences, let’s see how these three handsets differ from one another or if they differ at all. But first, the specs sheet:
| SPECS | ASUS Zenfone 5Z | Huawei Nova 3 | Nokia 7 Plus |
| Rear Camera | Dual: 12 MP (f/1.8, 24mm, 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, PDAF) + 8 MP
(f/2.0, 12mm, 1/4″, 1.12µm), gyro EIS, dual-LED (dual tone) flash |
16 MP, 27mm, f/1.8, PDAF + 24 MP B/W, 27mm, f/1.8, PDAF | 12 MP (f/1.8, 25mm, 1.4µm) + 13 MP (f/2.6, 1.0µm), gyro EIS, dual pixel PDAF,
2x optical zoom, Zeiss optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash |
| Front Camera | 8 MP (f/2.0, 24mm, 1/4″, 1.12µm), gyro EIS, 1080p | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm + 2 MP, depth sensor | 16 MP (f/2.0, 1.0µm), Zeiss optics |
| Price (SRP) | PHP 29,995 | PHP 25, 990 | PHP 21, 990 |
For our first photo sample set, the output from the ASUS and Huawei handsets delivered almost identical results. But when you look closely, the blacks and shadows are more apparent on the ASUS compared to the Huawei’s, however, the Huawei Nova 3 has brighter highlights. Going to the third handset, the result leaned on to a more warmer feel. Either way, clarity seems to be at par within the three.
This sample set contradicts the color value of our previous photos. The difference of the sky is evident, event at the first glance. The sky on the ASUS’ handset has strong highlights that ruined the details of the shot. The greens on the trees also appeared to look faded as the highlights scattered throughout the frame. Same on the previous sample set, the Nokia 7 Plus’ shot had a warmer-toned output. Out of the three, the Huawei Nova 3’s photo depicted the real-life scenario look.
We turned on the portrait mode or the depth effect option on the three handsets. The ASUS Zenfone 5Z’s photo looked like it was taken using a DSLR camera as the bokeh did not look artificial at all. It also has the best focus out of the three. The Huawei Nova 3 also produced a nice looking bokeh effect, but not as focused on the specified subject as the ASUS’ shot. Disappointed by how we had a hard time taking a photo with live bokeh on the Nokia 7 Plus. It kept on saying “too close” even if we already took a few steps back from the subject.
Another sample shots with the bokeh effect. Similar to the previous sample set, the ASUS and Huawei produced shots with good bokeh. But on this one, the shot on the Nova 3 is more focused on the subject and has more detail clarity. The Nokia shot, on the other hand, still delivered a blurry photo.
HDR turned on. A little different from the previous results, the ASUS looked the darkest out of the three shots. The sky has low saturation and the overall photo lack vibrancy. Going to the Huawei’s sample photo, it has the brightest and most vibrant shot among the others. Lastly, the Nokia 7 Plus produced a more realistic output.
With the 2x zoom, changes from the original framing are apparent -, especially in color representation. Now, the brightest photo goes to Nokia and the darkest to Huawei. The highlights on the Nokia 7 Plus were too much that the overall photo looked overexposed. As for clarity, the ASUS Zenfone 5Z claims the top spot.
It’s important that the food should look enticing when taking food shots – even the simple ones. And in this department, the Huawei Nova3 shot won. The vibrancy and clarity of the Nova 3 shot made the burger look appetizing despite the low lighting and lack of artsy ambiance.
In this night-lit assisted sample photos, the Huawei Nova 3 shot undoubtedly wins. It brightens the overall shot without overcompensating the whole frame. Also, details are sharper on the Huawei shot. – all of that is because of its AI capability. The ASUS and Nokia sample photos produced more natural or normal looking night-lit assisted photos, with the Nokia being slightly darker than the latter.
Another low-lit shot with depth effect turned on. What do you think?
These selfies were taken without the beautification mode, and as you can see, it produced decent selfies without the beautify option. When it comes to color representation, the ASUS shot differs from the others – the subject looked paler compared to the other sample selfies,
Turning the Beautification mode on, changes from the original mode are visible. The beautification mode got rid of some dark spots. The skin of the subject also looked fairer than the original. Same with the previous sample selfie, the ASUS made the subject looked paler again.
Both the ASUS and Huawei handsets produced visually appealing low-lit self-portraits. Which isn’t the case for Nokia 7 Plus. The selfie from the Nokia device seemed gloomy than the other two.
After laying out the results on all three, which smartphone under PHP 30,000 do you think has the best camera? Price greatly varies with the three, but are you getting the result that you paid for? Comment down below what you think.
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