OnePlus 9 Pro ultra-wide angle experience: How good is the ultra-wide angle with good picture quality and no "distortion"?

Since smartphones have entered the era of multi-camera, we often hear the terms main camera and secondary camera. Indeed, in the era of multi-cameras, the specifications of each camera are different based on differences in functions. But there is a "basic rule" in between, that is, the specifications of the main camera are often the highest. After all, in a multi-camera module, the main camera is responsible for image quality and appearance, while the other cameras are responsible for more functions, which also makes it slightly different from the main camera in terms of specifications.

Because of this, most multi-camera modules have some differences in image quality and color at different focal lengths, which makes many users "love or hate" multi-cameras. As time comes to 2021, some brands have begun to pay attention to this issue. For example, OnePlus recently released the OnePlus 9 series of new products. In addition to having an imaging system jointly developed with Hasselblad, it also has a full range of features on the ultra-wide-angle end. The system is equipped with the same Sony IMX766 sensor as the main camera. And a special "free form" lens was used. It can level the image quality of the main camera while effectively alleviating the distortion caused by the ultra-wide angle. So what is the actual effect?

The shorter the focal length, the larger the viewing angle

As we all know, ultra-wide-angle lenses are actually wide-angle lenses in the traditional camera field. As shown in the picture above, their biggest advantage is that they have a shorter focal length. Give your photos a wider perspective. Simply put, for the same distance, a shorter focal length can accommodate more images.

Standard focal length

Ultra-wide-angle focal length

But compared to standard focal length cameras, ultra-wide-angle cameras also have some "side effects." As mentioned earlier, the characteristics of ultra-wide-angle and short focal length are achieved through special lens shapes and structures, and this structure will cause shape changes in the photos that are not present in the subject itself and cannot be seen by the naked eye. In photography industry terms, this is "lens distortion."

To solve the problem of lens distortion, there are currently two approaches in the imaging industry, namely algorithm adjustment and optical adjustment. The algorithm level is easier to understand, that is, using post-processing algorithms to stretch and adjust the distorted picture. Repair, this is also the mainstream method used by most mobile phones to optimize ultra-wide-angle distortion.

The optical level is more complicated. It requires adding special-shaped corrective lenses inside the camera lens to achieve the effect of controlling distortion. In theory, the use of hardware optical level repair will be more natural than later software algorithms. The loss of image quality will also be smaller.

This time the OnePlus 9 series ultra-wide-angle lens controls distortion at the optical level. It adds a free-form lens inside the 14mm equivalent ultra-wide-angle lens set to reduce the occurrence of distortion at the optical level. So actually What is the effect?

As you can see in this set of comparison samples, the ultra-wide-angle attribute allows it to accommodate more content in the same position. There is another small detail here, that is, the partition of the bookshelf. If it is a traditional ultra-wide angle when encountering such a scene, the picture will have exaggerated "triangular" perspective distortion, which is basically invisible on OnePlus. , I have to say that the anti-distortion effect of free-form lenses is still very good.

After zooming in on the edge, you can also see how well the free-form glass of OnePlus 9 Pro controls distortion. It can be seen that there is no obvious shape change in the ultra-wide-angle focal length at the edge, and the overall appearance is basically the same as the standard focal length. And in terms of image quality, the image quality, color, and white balance of the two cameras are very consistent, and they look very comfortable.

Not only does the anti-distortion work well, the OnePlus 9 series also uses an ultra-high specification sensor for the ultra-wide-angle lens: Sony IMX766. This sensor has 50 million pixels, a sensor size of 1/1.56 inches, and a maximum equivalent pixel size of 2.0μm in four-in-one pixel mode.

In order to give everyone a comprehensive understanding of the image quality performance of this ultra-wide-angle lens, the author also took some samples:

OnePlus 9 Pro ultra-wide-angle samples

一 OnePlus 9 Pro ultra-wide-angle sample

OnePlus 9 Pro ultra-wide-angle sample

OnePlus 9 Pro ultra-wide-angle sample

OnePlus 9 Pro ultra-wide-angle sample

The weather in Guangzhou has been cloudy these two days, and OnePlus 9 Pro restored the weather at that time very well. And it shows a very high level in terms of image quality, overall brightness and edge distortion control. The color performance is also very Hasselblad. The overall picture is natural and not too rich.

At night, for many ultra-wide-angle cameras, night is a nightmare. So how does OnePlus 9 Pro perform? Let’s take a look below:

OnePlus 9 Pro ultra-wide-angle sample

OnePlus 9 Pro ultra-wide-angle sample

OnePlus 9 Pro ultra-wide-angle samples

OnePlus 9 Pro ultra-wide-angle samples

OnePlus 9 Pro ultra-wide-angle samples

With the support of Sony IMX766, a high-standard CMOS Regardless of picture purity, noise control or amplified details, OnePlus 9 Pro still performs well at night and in dark light environments.

Even under the influence of harsh lighting environments with different colors and light intensities indoors, the overall performance of OnePlus 9 Pro is still worthy of recognition. There is no weird glare, the white balance of the picture is not drifting, and the main camera sensor is The strength is still very online.

Who doesn’t want a super wide angle with good picture quality and no “distortion”?

In the era of multi-camera, how to prevent multi-camera from becoming a "gimmick" has always been a headache for many mobile phone brands. The OnePlus 9 series shows its answer through its powerful multi-camera module. Judging from the comprehensive experience, whether it is the imaging system in cooperation with Hasselblad or the high-standard ultra-wide-angle CMOS, or the excellent anti-distortion capabilities of the free-form lenses, the OnePlus 9 series has indeed blazed its own path in terms of mobile phone imaging.

Looking to the future, with the innovation and upgrading of technology, future flagships will definitely abandon the idea of ??a single main camera in terms of imaging and pursue a more comprehensive experience. As a participant, OnePlus, whether it is its previous efforts in screens or its current exploration in imaging, each of its products has a sense of not giving up until it reaches the top. This spirit of courage to explore is worth it. All brands learn.