Pretty much as good as smartphone cameras are in 2024, there are just a few areas by which they often can’t compete with devoted digicam {hardware}.
That features portrait images, the place even the perfect digicam telephones are usually a poor imitation of a top-class mirrorless digicam.
So, once I was supplied the possibility to have my portrait taken with the brand new Honor 200 Professional, I used to be greater than somewhat sceptical. In spite of everything, this cellphone 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 cause 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 extremely popular: 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 varied factors throughout that point, I used to be involved that it’d all be a waste of time. However I needn’t have apprehensive.
With the assistance of a really gifted photographer and studio lighting, the photographs captured have been phenomenally good. As somebody who isn’t very photogenic, I’m blown away by the tip outcomes, and may’t fairly imagine they have been taken on a smartphone.
I actually favored all of the photographs 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
After all, you in all probability don’t have entry to a top-class photographer or studio with good 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 practical background blur.
Whereas not the perfect all-round digicam cellphone (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 device for portrait images, which is one thing I by no means imagined myself saying.
Along with the photographs you see right here, I took over 100 photographs with the Honor 200 Professional, studying lots alongside the best way.
