The first phone with an external lens is so niche that I had to try it myself

More Android -Phone Manufacturers have shown concept phones with external camera lenses over the years. Actually, realme showed off a concept phone with 3x or 10x external lenses on MWC earlier this year. But Vivo decided to increase ante with the launch of the X200 Ultra in China last month, and it may be the first commercial phone with an optional (first -party) external lens. Of course, this is a product with extremely niche appeal, and being a bit of a mobile photography nerd, I had to test it out for myself to know if it’s actually something good. Here are my thoughts after spending just under a week with this unique combination of a phone and an accessory.

Set up Vivo’s external lenses

The X200 Ultra’s Lens is an optional accessory available as part of the company’s photography set. This kit includes a telephone case, a Xiaomi 15 Ultra-style Camera Gripa camera ring, and a shoulder strap. The good news is that all versions of the X200 Ultra support the kit so you are not forced to buy it as part of a bundle. You can also theoretically buy the baselaging variant and then buy the photography set down the line.

I thought it was relatively easy to set up things, even though I had to refer to the review guide at first. The camera course contains a decorative ring that must be removed using a nearby button. From here, add the buddy with a simple twist until you hear a click. To add the lens itself, you need to set up a white dot on the lens with a white dot on the camera. You just twist until you hear a click. There are quite simple things and are reminiscent of the right cameras.

This lens is a 2.35x telecommunications converter that attaches to the 200MP 85mm periscope camera. Unlike some previously removable cameras, Vivos Zoom Module does not have its own camera sensor. What it effectively does is multiply the 85mm camera’s native zoom level by 2.35. This means that you get 200 mm native zoom using this lens.

The first thing you will notice about X200 Ultra’s external lens is its enormous size. You are not going to put the phone in your pocket while the lens is attached. The X200 ultra also becomes ridiculously tongue when the lens is attached, to the point where I do not feel completely comfortable using the phone on one hand. You must also take into account when using your phone in portrait orientation because of this top -heavy design. I tended to shoot with two hands, with one hand holding on to the lens. The combination is heavy in general, but I did not feel armal as I shot for extended periods.

However, you can’t just switch to the Periscope camera to use this external lens. Shooting like this results in an extremely annoying viewfinder that is also upside down. Instead, Vivo offers a discreet telecommunications extender mode for the lens, giving you 200 mm, 400mm, 800mm and 1,600 mm preset buttons. This mode also gives you access to the stage mode option (used for concerts and similar scenarios), a few sliding switches for brightness/saturation/contrast/contrast/sharpness and video recording.

The good news is that 200 mm shoots (equivalent to ~ 5.7x at 35mm x200 ultra or ~ 8.3x on any other phone) in general looked amazing. Pictures taken via the lens also gave very nice bokeh effects compared to lens-free shoots, and this is very noticeable without having to need pixel peep. Check out the pictures below, with the lens -free shot with blown highlights and a more washed -out look as well.

I found that the extra clarity in 200 mm images was not always noticeable immediately compared to lens -free images. I had to start squeezing in to appreciate the difference here.

Where the external lens withdraws from the standalone periscope camera is around 400 mm (~ 16x or 17x), which is effectively a loss -free dissolution crop. Images taken at this zoom level still pack a good level of detail. We see a few more cases of blown highlights, minor cases of color edge and the watercolor effect that creeps on the occasion. But I found that you could still not get a good quality snap at this level. And there is often room for less pruning as well.

Shooting at 800mm (~ 33x) becomes a hit-and-miss experience. The company previously claimed that 800mm focal length was “very usable.” But I thought the results were 50/50 and also depended on the topic. It is not uncommon to see blown highlights, edge edge and spotchy textures. However, I was pleasantly surprised by many 800 mm shots, as I often assumed that the final image would be useless.

When it comes to 1600mm (~ 66x) focal length, I’m not quite sure why Vivo decided to add this as a preset zoom level. I found that 90% of the images taken in this area were blurred and full of fringe, even if you sometimes get a snap that can be fine for an Instagram story. We also see some weird processes on more complex structures, along with overcharping. Check the mountain at 800mm and 1600 mm shoots below.

Still, long-distance shots were taken with the lens are usually more defined and detailed than relying on the periscope camera alone. The example below is quite remarkable due to the more readable letters and balcony fencing that have been air -brushed away in the lens -free shot. When you say it, the phone can sometimes catch ~ 600mm to 800mm shoots comparable to the lens version.

I also found that it was a tough challenge to take pictures of quickly moving subjects. I bet Vivo leaves the shutter a little longer than if you just took a picture with the Periscope camera alone. Still, I would love to see a snapshot or sports mode feature incorporated into Teleoto Extender mode, as it would for a less frustrating experience on the racing track. This will obviously be a blessing for parents and wildlife enthusiasts as well.

When it comes to shoots with little light, I noticed that images taken through the external lens could usually hold their own against lens -free shoots with a similar focal length. In fact, the image has taken with the lens particularly more detailed and legible text than the objective versions.

Take a look at the image comparison below to get a better idea of ​​how each approach went. The difference is quite strong, with the lens -supported shot that offers far more readable text.

I found that focusing and blur could be a challenge in little light situations. This is probably because the shutter stays longer to take the shot. So you sometimes need a smooth hand to ensure good results when the sun goes down.

When we talk about a smooth hand, the external lens also supports video facility up to 4K/60 FPS, Dolby Vision Capture and 2.8K/60 FPS ultra-stabilized video recording. I thought the standard video recording of 200mm looked just fine, albeit with a little trembling now and again, but the stabilization option does a good job of smoothing things out. Unfortunately, it is difficult to avoid extreme judgment and instability at 800 mm and 1600 mm, especially when tracking a moving subject (eg a jetliner or racing car). At least the accompanying camera grip has one stand Mounting.

The external lens also supports step mode introduced at Vivo x100 ultra and X200 proBut I haven’t had the opportunity to try it yet. I found that stage mode on the older phone was hit-or-miss, with pictures of 20x or higher make people wax sculptures. So I look forward to trying this phone and lens in a concert environment.

It is easy to install and remove the lens, but the time spent on doing this means that I have missed shooting options. You need to be sure that you just want to shoot long -range images (200 mm or higher), as switches take 10 to 20 seconds. In fact, it will take a little longer if you are like me and always put the hoods back on the lens. This is reinforced by the fact that the rear cameras quickly incur dust when the camera is attached, which necessitates a dry of the Periscope camera glass.

Nothing actually prevents you from switching to the main or ultrawide cameras while the lens is attached. It’s just that each shot is partially clawed by the lens, as if driving a tank. Check the pictures below for an idea of ​​what I mean.

There are also many ways Vivo can improve the actual camera software. For one does not offer Tele -extender -mode pro -checks. You would think that there would be a big transition between people who are interested in an external lens and people who want pro -checks.

I also liked to see different color profiles/styles in Tele -extender mode. This omission means that you cannot choose between realistic and lively color profiles, nor can you use the new styles as Classic negative and CCD. It would also have been cool to see high resolution support at 200mm (eg 200MP or 50MP), 4K/120 FPS Slow catch and focus top. Finally, the external lens large bokeh delivers, but it would have been fun to use the Zeiss Bokeh effects (eg biotar, sonar, plan) with this lens.

I am glad to finally see a commercial phone with an external lens, which comes a few years after we first saw concept phones with this technology. It is clear that this is a step over using a periscope camera alone, especially on ~ 15x to ~ 30x. However Best camera phones In the market, there are still enough 6 times to 10 times, although the lens will often provide better image quality.

But here’s the big problem: The VIVO X200 Ultra’s external lens is the antithesis to the smartphone photography experience. Lens installation/removal process means you can miss important moments. Furthermore, your most important and ultrawid cameras are out of action with this lens attached, which means you really need to be sure that you just have to shoot long distance snaps. The general bulk also provides a tight fit in the pockets when dismantled. Some important software features (eg Pro mode) are missing in action, although there is a decent foundation so far. And finally there is a release of China but it is Available for ~ $ 200 Via dealers like GizTop … Even if you still have to import the Vivo X200 Ultra as well. There are many braces to jump through!

I would advise most people to buy an actual DSLR camera if they want a proper camera experience. However, if you are due to a phone upgrade, you appreciate a large zoom with long range, and really Nothing against a hefty external lens, this combination can produce top results. It is also the only option on the market. Still, as impractical as this is, I would like to see a Google Pixel phone with a separate external lens. A Google-made lens is likely to cost more than $ 200, but the combination of this and Super Res Zoom would be fantastic on paper.