Nearly as good as smartphone cameras are in 2024, there are a number of areas by which they normally can’t compete with devoted digicam {hardware}.
That features portrait images, the place even the most effective digicam telephones are typically a poor imitation of a top-class mirrorless digicam.
So, once I was provided the possibility to have my portrait taken with the brand new Honor 200 Professional, I used to be greater than a bit sceptical. In spite of everything, this telephone isn’t even a real flagship, costing £699.99 within the UK.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Nonetheless, there was a purpose Honor was providing attendees to the 200 Sequence launch occasion in Paris a free portrait. The corporate has collaborated with iconic French images studio Studio Harcourt on the 200 Professional, to create what it calls a “studio-level portrait digicam”.
Alongside portraits utilizing the 50Mp fundamental (1x zoom) or 50Mp telephoto (2x or 2.5x zoom), the 200 Professional allows you to seize in three distinct modes: Harcourt Vibrant, Harcourt Color or Harcourt Traditional.
The latter was the one used for our portraits on the occasion, making a black and white picture that appears prefer it was taken within the Thirties or 40s. And it was very talked-about: regardless of becoming a member of the queue simply minutes after the keynote ended, it took me greater than two full hours to get to the entrance.
At numerous factors throughout that point, I used to be involved that it’d all be a waste of time. However I needn’t have anxious.
With the assistance of a really proficient photographer and studio lighting, the pictures captured had been phenomenally good. As somebody who isn’t very photogenic, I’m blown away by the tip outcomes, and may’t fairly imagine they had been taken on a smartphone.
I actually appreciated all of the pictures of me, however this was my private favorite. The standard of the picture speaks for itself:
Honor / Studio Harcourt
Honor / Studio Harcourt
Honor / Studio Harcourt
In fact, you most likely don’t have entry to a top-class photographer or studio with excellent lighting frequently. However the excellent news is that even common portraits on the road retain that iconic look and wonderful element, plus the choice for a sensible background blur.
Whereas not the most effective all-round digicam telephone (the ultrawide lens wants work), the Honor 200 Professional has a function that no different smartphone can match. It’s elevated the common-or-garden smartphone into an elite software for portrait images, which is one thing I by no means imagined myself saying.
Along with the pictures you see right here, I took over 100 pictures with the Honor 200 Professional, studying loads alongside the way in which.