OPPO F3 Plus is a no compromise flagship smartphone at an affordable price

OPPO has launched yet another class leading product- the F3 Plus Selfie centered phablet in the Indian market. The handset marks an upgrade of OPPO's Selfie Expert family of smartphones by integrating a first of its kind dual front-facing camera that comprises of a 16MP primary and an secondary 120°wide-angle lens for extra-wide selfie shots.

The smartphone is launched at a price of Rs. 30,990 and in addition to a revolutionary dual selfie-camera; it also offers a crisp 6-inch Full HD screen for unmatchable multimedia viewing experience, a snappier Snapdragon processor, 4GB of RAM and a big 4,000 mAh battery unit with company's VOOC fast charging support. The devices will be available in OPPO stores across the country and on e-commerce platforms such as Flipkart, Amazon and Snapdeal.

With so much of latest technology tucked inside a sleek metal deign, OPPO F3 Plus is bound to deliver the best-in-class mobile experience. So without any further ado, let's find out how OPPO F3 Plus does that with this in-depth review of the new Selfie Expert.

OPPO F3 Plus Camera is way ahead of competition

With the latest F3 Plus, OPPO has once again proved its expertise in mobile photography front. The smartphone sports a first-of-its kind dual front-facing selfie camera featuring a 16MP primary camera paired with an 8MP secondary camera that utilizes a 120-degree wide angle lens. This secondary lens offers a good105% field-of-view, almost double what other smartphones can achieve to make sure you capture extra wide selfie shots without a selfie stick.

The 16MP primary lens capture selfie image with incredible detailing. The images on the large 6-inch Full HD screen look impressively bright, vivid and have natural colour tones.

Besides, you also get Beautify 4.0, OPPO's indispensable software feature that give clear-cut facial contours with adjustable tone, shadows and light while capturing selfies. Beautify 4.0 is optimized to highlight beauty, but never at the expense of looking natural.

The camera will have Beautify 4.0 Southeast that offers a natural and smooth complexion of the skin, clearing out any imperfection or blemishes. Besides, there are various filters available for all scenarios you can imagine to capture flawless selfies every time and everywhere.

When you have your whole gang with you, just tap on the switch toggle at the camera interface to activate the secondary 8MP sensor to capture extra wide selfies. The 8MP secondary shooter also has 6P lens attached to it that takes care of distortion around the corners. With such groundbreaking camera technology, you can capture more subjects can without using a selfie stick.

Moreover, the camera app has screen flash to brighten up the images in low-light conditions. And with the built-in 'Palm Shutter feature, you can say bye-bye to those shaky blurry selfies.

The mode allows you to just wave your hand in front of the camera to activate an automatic selfie countdown to capture no shaky selfie images. And last but not the least; you also get various filters and watermarks, allowing for endless creativity and fun. You will not feel the need to download any third-party apps while using the upcoming smartphone.

Coming on to the 16MP rear shooter that utilizes Sony IMX398 sensor, the camera has an extra-wide f/1.7 aperture and also comes equipped with dual PDAF that doubles the area of the sensor's pixel array and speeds up autofocus speed by 40 percent. All of this results in images that look super vivid and have unmatchable detailing. The captured shots have true and accurate colour tones without any artificial tones to them. 

And for users who keep photography in their highest regard, the camera app offers a variety of modes and filters. The camera app has an 'Expert Mode' allowing you hone in on every detail of photography, offering adjustment for shutter speed, focus, white balance and ISO, along with a leveling gauge and more. You also get Ultra-HD mode, which was first seen in 2014 on OPPO Find 7.

With the mode switched on, the camera shoots four photos consecutively and combines the best parts of each to make one 50-MP, ultra-high-definition image. And you also get Super GIF that instantly creates GIFS that can be played forward or backward. The 16MP rear camera can also record videos in 4K resolution that looks amazingly detailed and crisp on the 6-inch full HD screen.

Summing up all, OPPO F3 Plus packs in some amazing camera features and offers the best-in-class performance in its price-point. It is undoubtedly the finest camera smartphone from the house of OPPO till date.

Battery Performance: A 4,000 mAh battery unit that lasts long and charges up quickly

OPPO F3 Plus is backed a 4,000mAh battery unit that can last for more than one day even with a heavy usage. You can stream full HD videos on the 6-inch Full HD screen, browse the web, play graphic intensive games, stream music throughout the day and there will be still juice left on the F3 Plus. In the real use test, it could easily accompany you for more than one and a half day.

You also get a VOOC charging adaptor equipped with company's VOOC technology that can easily fill the 4,000 mAh battery from 0 to 100 percent in less than an hour and half, which is quite impressive. OPPO's VOOC charging technology features a five-layered protection system that utilizes a micro-programmed control unit (MCU), to charge the F3 Plus instantly in an efficient manner.  

OPPO F3 Plus Design: It's big but the most ergonomic phablet we have used in a while

Coming on to design of the OPPO F3 Plus, the large six inch phablet is by far the most ergonomic phablet we have come across in while. The phablet has a sleek body (7.53mm) and the overall weight (185g) is very well managed giving the F3 Plus a light feel in hands. The rounded corners and the careful placement of physical buttons on right and left edges allow you to operate the handset with one hand.

OPPO F3 Plus is made out of aircraft grade aluminum and the handset has a metal unibody design. The smartphone has a 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 at front with a pre-applied protective screen coating on the display. And instead of those white thick antenna bands that we have seen in various iPhone lookalikes, OPPO F3 Plus has a 'Six-String' ultra-fine antenna lines at the back shell that gives the handset a unique look.

The design also takes care of everyday convenience and you will get a microUSB charging port at the bottom. The non-clickable home button at front integrates a fingerprint sensor that unlocks the handset in a jiffy, in just 0.2 seconds. Moreover, you can instantly launch apps or activate calling contacts via customized Fingerprint-activated app launch feature.

Display: The large 6-inch Full HD screen offers best-in-class multimedia experience

The 6-inches multi-touch full HD IPS display is bright, has good viewing angles and offers an amazing touch response. The images look vivid and the full HD videos will make you stick to the screen for hours. Besides, users who love to play 3D games will find the large screen a sheer delight or long gaming sessions.

There's an eye protection mode that filters the blue light that can strain your eyes when you use the handset in low-light conditions. The display also gets Corning's latest Gorilla Glass 5 protection to protect it from accidental damages.

Processing and Multitasking: Snappier but not the best performer in its price-point

While OPPO F3 Plus delivers unmatchable camera performance and a practical yet premium design, the handset also excels in computing and multitasking performance. The smartphone is powered by a Qualcomm's Snapdragon 653 SoC paired with 4GB of RAM.

The combination delivers lag free performance in everyday usage, apps fire up instantly and the handset does not stutter while you run the most demanding operations such as editing pictures in photo editing apps, live-streaming on Facebook, full HD video recording, emails, etc.

Moreover, the smartphone's hardware can also run heavy 3D games with no frame drops and can also render heavy graphics from Asphalt 8, Modern Combat 5 with no major performance issues.

Call quality is pretty solid on the handset and 4G, Wi-Fi works smooth. And as far as audio is concerned, the F3 Plus gets a mono speaker unit at the bottom, which is decently loud and produce clear sound. The audio performance through the earphones is also decent.

OPPO's Color OS V3.0: Loads of customization and nifty features

OPPO has made sure you get lag free user experience in everyday life, and to do that the company is offering Color OS V3.0 custom UI skin on top of Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. The custom skin is quite colorful and packs all the tricks under its sleeve to enhance the Android user experience.

There's a dedicated 'Theme Store' that allows you to install various themes to change the look and feel of your smartphone. You can also set gestures to make it easy to operate the handset with an ease. A swipe down from any screen let you search anything on the device and you can also activate the 'Simple Mode' to get rid of all customary Android launcher features. The user interface is smooth and apps don't waste time in loading.

You also get 'Long screenshot' that are great to capture a lengthy chat history or article. And if you are bored of Google Play store, OPPO has also provided a dedicated app store that offers a variety of selected applications from Google Play Sore.

But what is truly the highlight of software part is the addition of Google Assistant. Just long tap the home button and the Google's Virtual Assistant is all set to help you with news updates, weather, and appointments; can draft a mail for you and even save notes among many other tasks it can accomplish.

Storage and Connectivity: Ample storage space for and all required connectivity features

Storage will not be an issue with the OPPO F3 Plus as the smartphone comes with 64GB inbuilt memory with an extensible storage up to 256GB via microSD. For connectivity, you get hybrid card tray that can hold two nano 4G SIM cards or one nano SIM card with a microSD card, VoLTE, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Verdict

OPPO F3 Plus is more than just a selfie centered smartphone. It offers an amazing multimedia experience with its large 6-inch display, lasts long and charges up quickly, captures best-in-group selfies, offers Google Assistant and serves everyday tasks without breaking up a sweat.

At a price-point of Rs. 30,990, it seems like a value for money deal for consumers who don't want to compromise on camera, display, battery, design, computing and multitasking performance.

Source: OPPO F3 Plus is a no compromise flagship smartphone at an affordable price

Samsung Enhanced Camera Capabilities on the Galaxy S8 and S8+

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ went official today, bringing lots of new features and powerful performance that could make the two phones some of the best to be announced this year. One area that Samsung paid special attention to is the camera department.

Samsung states that "the Galaxy S8 and S8+ take mobile photography to a new level with their ability to capture vibrant photos in low light as well as new features that add even more fun to photos." This proves that the Galaxy S8 is ready to take on the smartphone with one of the best cameras in the world, Google's Pixel.

Galaxy S8 camera has many shortcuts

The Galaxy S8 comes with multi-frame image processing to provide bright and crisp images, regardless of the environment. The camera actually takes three images instead of one and then chooses the clearest picture, while utilizing the other two to reduce the blue. Samsung says that this process is so quick that users can't spot the difference.

Dual pixel, autofocus and other camera features

The rear camera on the Galaxy S8 has a 12MP sensor with f/1.7 aperture, autofocus and dual pixel technology that was first introduced with the Galaxy S7. The feature provides fast focus even in low light conditions.

In the front, the 8MP f/1.7 aperture sensor also comes with smart autofocus and sees an improvement from the 5MP camera on the Galaxy S7. In addition, the sensor provides a fixed focus for selfies and utilizes facial recognition for detecting human faces.

Galaxy S8 camera details

Samsung also added a number of fun stickers and filters directly in the camera app, together with stamps and other editing tools so that users don't have to download separate apps for enhancing their images. Users can choose from 34 stickers, 50 stamps and 16 filters, including eight beauty filters that are available on other Samsung phones too.

Moreover, the camera can be launched with one hand and pictures or video can be recorded with a simple swipe of the finger, thanks to Samsung's convenient UX.

  CHECK OUT THE GALLERY  (6 Images)

Source: Samsung Enhanced Camera Capabilities on the Galaxy S8 and S8+

Chinese APUS Group Acquires AI Driven Photography Startup SIFTR Labs

AI-driven photography curation platform SIFTR Labs has been acquired by Chinese's mobile Internet company APUS Group, for an undisclosed amount.

With the acquisition, SIFTR's existing backer, seed investment and innovation platform, Venture Catalysts has exited the startup successfully.

Commenting on the development, Apoorv Ranjan Sharma, co-founder, Venture Catalysts said, "The acquisition will help Siftr to grow vertically by tapping the extensive global experience of APUS Group. This deal has also hinted towards continued interest of global players in building their arsenal of machine learning technologies, and has marked the beginning of sustained Chinese tech acquisitions on Indian soil."

The startup was launched in 2015 by Romil Mittal and Mayank Bhagya and aims to assist creative people like photographers/designers/artists with digital content photography platforms by employing machine learning. The startup has a proprietary computer vision engine that can perform multiple tasks including object identification, facial recognition, age and gender detection, as well as perceiving photo genres.

Launched in May 2016, Siftr's Magic Cleaner App cleans junk images from leading messenger apps like Whatsapp, Hike, Line, Snapchat, Telegram etc. on smartphones. The app scans photo gallery of smartphones to zero in on junk photos, analysing 500 photos in a go. Siftr has analysed and built a repository of more than 3 Cr images on its server, which allows the app to find the junk photos on a user's phone in an effective and efficient manner.

Romil Mittal, co-founder and CEO, Siftr Labs, said, "Our team has always been passionate about building innovative tech products with the potential to impact and enhance people's lives. Our global elevation has given us an opportunity to keep doing the same on a much larger scale and at a faster pace."

In January 2016, the startup raised $150K in seed funding from Venture Catalysts (VCats). Angel investors Vishal Maheshwari, Vikas Kapoor, Daud Ali, and Nitin Agarwal led the round.

In April 2016, online marketplace for photography, Picsdream raised angel funding led by Raman Roy (co-founder, Indian Angel Network). In August 2016, Bengaluru-based online photography startup, Canvera Digital Technologies raised $3 Mn (INR 20 Cr) in a new funding round led by Info Edge (India) Ltd.

Other startups in the space include Photodilse, Pictor Imaging, ZoomIn etc.

Note: We at Inc42 take our ethics very seriously. More information about it can be found here.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Source: Chinese APUS Group Acquires AI Driven Photography Startup SIFTR Labs

Panasonic launches LUMIX GH5 Camera with 6K photography in India

Panasonic is finally introducing Lumix GH5 camera in India today. Panasonic targets the professional photographer and videographers through its new launch. As the Vlogging is at its peak in India, this is the best time to introduce DSLR beast like Lumix GH5 in India.

Now, Lumix GH5 is one of the best DSLR cameras out there in Indian market with 6K photos and 225 autofocus point. It also has the capability to record high precision 4k 60p/50p video and 4:2:2 10-bit 4K 30p/25p internal video.

Flat Rs. 2590 Off on Galaxy OnNxt Galaxy OnNxt- Flat Rs. 2590 Off |Upto Rs 15000 off on exchange | No Cost EMI: Rs.2055/month

Panasonic upgrades LUMIX GH5 to a 20.3MP digital live MOS sensor without low-pass filter. It has new "Venus Engine" which combines with this sensor and gives great picture quality in resolution, color reproduction, and noise reduction.

The DC-GH5 body is priced at Rs 143,990 and DC-GH5 kit with 12-60 mm F2.8-4.0 will be available for Rs 188,990, the company said.

More features of Panasonic Lumix GH5 is below:

Splash/Dust/Freezeproof Rugged Design:

The Panasonic LUMIX GH5 is built for all the climate situations. It is freezeproof means it can be used in temperature down to -10-degrees, can be used in rains as it is splashproof, can be used in dusty area as it is dustproof. The camera body is lightweight as it is framed with a magnesium alloy full diecast yet durable while bringing ruggedness to the compact size. This Lumix G5 camera can go anywhere you can.

High Durability Shutter Unit

It offers the highest shutter speed at max. 1/8000 to capture fast-moving shots. As per Panasonic testing, the shutter unit is durable for approx. 200,000 times release.

20.3MP Pixels

The LUMIX GH5 packs with high-performance 20.3MP Digital Live MOS sensor to capture beautiful pictures.

4K 60p/50p Smooth Quality Video and 6K photos

The LUMIX GH5 records 4K 60p/50p (QFHD 4K: 3840 x 2160 / MOV or MP4) video. Also, it captures 6K resolution photographs. This is the first DSLR that can do 6K photography.

Dual SD Card Slots

Dual SD card slots increase storage capacity and file arrangement efficiency. Now you cand record more without taking tension of storage. The dual SD card slots allow you to record in relay, backup, and simultaneous modes.

Bluetooth 4.2 & Wi-Fi Connectivity

The Bluetooth 4.2 in Lumix GH5 enables full-time connection between camera and smartphone. It automatically switches to Wi-Fi connection and transferring data to your smartphone after your shooting.

You can check more about this Lumix GH5 camera on Panasonic official website

Advertisement

Source: Panasonic launches LUMIX GH5 Camera with 6K photography in India

Google Pixel & Pixel XL Features Camera Software Originally Developed for Google Glass

The Google Pixel and Pixel XL are the company's in-house smartphones replacing the Nexus smartphones that come with OEM's logo. Unlike the Nexus series, the Pixel smartphones are priced on par with the other premium smartphones and features flagship specifications. The devices are well received in the market for its amazing camera capabilities. It comes with a 12.3MP rear camera which is also the highest rated smartphone camera according to DxOMark. With 1.55μm large pixels and f/2.0 aperture, the Pixel and Pixel XL captures amazing photos in low-light conditions.

Now, Google mentioned that the camera software on the Pixel smartphones is actually the one from the Gcam, that was earlier developed for the Google Glass. According to Google, the Gcam improves mobile photography using techniques from computational photography and is now part of the Google Research. With the camera on Google Glass, the users can capture photos and videos in first person view. The HDR+ technology was first debuted in 2013 with Google Glass and was later introduced with the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 smartphones.

With the Pixel smartphones, the HDR+ technology from Gcam was made the default mode. Even the Lens Blur feature in the Google Camera app is also said to be developed by the Gcam team. As the camera sensor on the Google Glass needs to be smaller in size, it might have helped the Google Pixel devices to skip the camera bump that can be found on other premium smartphones like Galaxy S7 and iPhone 7. The team that worked on the Gcam is now part of the various portfolios across Android, YouTube, Google Photos and Jump, the 360˚Virtual Reality camera rig.

In the second half of 2017, we will see two new Pixel smartphones as the successors to the Pixel and Pixel XL. The leaks suggest the upcoming Pixel smartphones to be codenamed as Muskie & Walleye. The first-gen Pixel smartphones came with the codenames Marlin & Sailfish. Both these new devices will be running on the latest Android O. Earlier this month, Google released the developer preview of the new Android O for the Pixel and few Nexus smartphones.

Recommended: Android O Developer Preview –  Features & How to Install Tutorial

Related

Source: Google Pixel & Pixel XL Features Camera Software Originally Developed for Google Glass

nubia Z11 Mini S launched exclusively on AMAZON India

nubia Z11 Mini S has a 23 MP fast focus rear camera + 13 MP front camera with Selfie Fill Light and Real-Time Video Call Filters

nubia Z11 Mini S comes with a Qualcomm®Snapdragon 625™ , 4GB RAM + 64GB ROM

nubia Z11 Mini S has a 98% metal unibody, and screen size 5.2 inch full hd with 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass

nubia, an exciting and innovative global mobile device brand, officially launched its nubia Z11 MINI S premium photography mobile phone in India in an exclusive partnership with Amazon. Designed to keep up with the pace of the today's smart-phone user, the mighty nubia Z11 MINI S comes with a powerful processor and battery. The Z11 Mini S combines elegant design with a vibrant full HD display and a high quality DSLR level camera system.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Dheeraj Kukreja, Marketing Director, nubia India, said: "nubia is a metronome when it comes to pushing user experience. The Z11 Mini S will lead the way in camera phone(s). We have been meticulous in building this device and it is tailored to meet the modern user's requirements. The phone features a high-end camera that is powered by nubia's proprietary NeoVision 6.0 photography system. It has everything a photography enthusiast can ask for, and that too in a phone." He went on to add, "Z11 mini S comes 0.1s rapid focus and the capability to beautify videos on the fly and will serve as a bench mark in this segment. We are committed to our customers and will continue to focus on making nubia the leading smart-phone brand in India."

Unprecedented Leap in Mobile Photography: DSLR in a phone – Always in Focus

The Z11 Mini S features a 23-megapixel rear camera sensor coupled with SONY IMX318 Exmor RS, PDAF+Contrast Focus, Sapphire Protective Lens, 6-piece Motor Drive Lens and ƒ2.0 aperture. The addition of NeoVision 6.0 makes it a formidable choice for photographers and enthusiasts alike. It produces high quality photos and can capture 1080p high definition video. What's more, nubia has also ensured that the camera is equipped with 0.1s rapid focus for you to never miss a memory and stay always in focus. Its 13-megapixel front camera is coupled with SONY IMX258 CMOS, 5 piece lens, ƒ2.0 aperture 80-degree wide angle and skin-retouching feature making it a great choice for wide-angle selfies.

Z11 Mini S –Mighty Returns, Mightier Than Ever

The Qualcomm® Snapdragon 625™ MSM8953 Octa-Core Processor clocked at a speed of 2.0 GHz that is coupled with Adreno 506 image processor powers the device. To keep up with these, the Z11 Mini S has a 4GB Ram and a 64GB ROM, expandable up to 200GB, making it ideal for multi-tasking efficiently and quickly.

nubia Z11 mini S features a 5.2-inch full HD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The display offers a pixel density of 424ppi and brightness of 450 nits. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass and is backed by a non-removable 3000mAh battery with support for nubia's proprietary NeoPower energy saving algorithm. nubia Z11 mini S features a multi-function fingerprint sensor with support for unlocking, screenshot and pictures.

nubia Z11 mini S is 7.6mm thick and weighs 158 grams. The smart-phone is being offered in Khaki Grey initially and will be soon launching the Moon Gold color variant. The dual SIM device supports both TD-LTE and FDD-LTE network support.

Pricing and Availability

The nubia Z11 mini S will be available in India priced at Rs. 16,999/- exclusively on Amazon.in starting from March 21, 2017 at 4PM.

Tech Specs   Camera Rear Camera 23MP SONY IMX318 Exmor RS PDAF+Contrast Focus Sapphire Protective Lens 6-piece Motor Drive Lens ƒ2.0 aperture NeoVision 6.0 Front Camera 13MP SONY IMX258 CMOS PDAF+Contrast Focus 5-pieces Lens ƒ2.0 aperture 80°Wide Angle Skin Retouching Display Size: 5.2″ Resolution: 1920×1080 Color saturation: 85% Contrast: 1500:1 PPI: 424 Brightness: 450nit Material: Corning Gorilla Glass Manufacturing process: in-cell 2.5D glass Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon  MSM8953 Octa-Core Processor, 64 bit CPU: 2.0GHz 14nm Process Adreno 506 image processor Memory RAM: 4GB RAM, LPDDR3 933MHz RAM: 64GB, eMMC 5.1 MicroSD（TF）card: up to 200GB Storage Expansion: up to 200GB Network & Wireless 6 Mode 16 Frequency TD-LTE B40 FDD-LTE B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20 WCDMA 850/900/1900/2100 CDMA 1x&EVDO 800 GSM 850/900/1800/1900 Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac wireless networks Supports 5GHz and 2.4GHz Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.1 Supports BLE Sensor Electronic compass G-sensor Light sensor Gyro-sensor Proximity sensor Location GPS GLONASS navigation Operating System nubia UI 4 Edge gestures, Super Screenshoot…. Multimedia DTS Supported video formats MP4, 3GP, MOV, MKV, AVI, FLV, MPEG Supported audio formats FLAC, APE, AAC, MKA, OGG, MIDI, M4A, AMR Supported image formats JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP Battery Li-ion Polymer battery cell 3000mAh NeoPower Non-removable Basic Information Height: 146.06mm Width: 72.14mm Thickness: 7.60mm Weight: 158g ROM: 64GB RAM: 4GB Colors: Moon Gold/Khaki Grey
Source: nubia Z11 Mini S launched exclusively on AMAZON India

The best Android phones of 2016

Who wouldn't like to buy a top-of-the-line Android phone? However, there are so many options and brands to choose from. This little guide gives you the specs and features of the top 10 Android phones introduced in 2016. Choose wisely.

Android phones have dominated the mobile and tablet market for the last four to five years. Picking up the best Android smartphone from the wide range offered by top companies like Samsung, LG, Sony, etc, has become a real challenge. This is more so as various local companies and some Chinese companies have entered the market with phones that are cheap, yet have advanced configurations.

Android phones seem to have little competition from other platforms like iOS, Windows Phone, etc. From sleek devices with premium designs, power-house configurations and smart features, to all-round great devices, these affordable phones have grabbed substantial market share. The Android ecosystem is populated by a staggering variety of attractive phones.

This article presents a line-up of the top Android phones of 2016. The main focus here is on flagship devices, by which we mean the best-in-class with regard to the processor, decent RAM, high end and feature-rich cameras, high speed and fully loaded connectivity options, full to Quad-HD display, decent battery life, the latest version of Android (Marshmallow/Nougat) and much more.

1. Google Pixel XLGoogle has partnered with multiple phone makers over the past couple of years. But, in 2016, it finally introduced a smartphone made entirely by Google itself. The software and hardware design were done in-house by Google, incorporating some of the best features – particularly with regard to the software and camera, when compared to Samsung Galaxy 7 and iPhone 7.

Technical specifications

13.97cm (5.5-inch) Quad-HD AMOLED display at 534ppi

Snapdragon 821 processor 2.15GHz + 1.6GHz, 64-bit quad core

4GB LPDDR4 RAM

2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 4

32GB or 128GB storage

12.3MP (rear) and 8MP (front) with face detection + laser detection autofocus

USB Type-C

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2×2 MIMO, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, GPS

Sensors: Proximity/ALS, accelerometer/gyrometer, magnetometer, pixel imprint, barometer, Hall effect, Android Sensor Hub, and advanced x-axis for sharper response

3450mAh non-removable battery

Pros and consPros: Brilliant low-light photography, long battery life, Google Assistant is better than Siri, the best version of Android (which will keep getting continuously updated), bright display.Cons: Not water-resistant, pricey, no option to expand storage.

2. Samsung Galaxy S7 EdgeSamsung's S series of phones has played around with a few curved screen smartphones and has become a recognised technology now. Galaxy S7 Edge looks a lot like its predecessor S6, and even technologists call the S7 as S6. Samsung, however, has taken S7 Edge to the next level by introducing water protection and SD card support, and a few more tweaks. What sets the device apart is its high quality optics, wonderful display and performance when multi-tasking.

Technical specifications

13.97cm (5.5 inches) curved super AMOLED display with 534ppi

Gorilla Glass 4

Snapdragon 820 quad-core Kryo processor — 2 x 2.15GHz and 2 x 1.6GHz, Adreno 530 GPU

4GB RAM

12 MP (rear) + 5 MP (front) with optical image stabilisation, face detection, auto-focus, LED flash

Wireless charging

32/64GB internal storage; microSD card slot up to 200GB

Connectivity: Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac; Bluetooth 4.2, ANT+, NFC, GPS, GLONASS, BEIDOU

Sensors: Heart-rate monitor, barometer, SpO2 sensor

3600mAh non-removable battery with fast charging

Pros and consPros: Easy to handle, fast processing, very good camera, IP68 protection, water resistant, wireless charging, luxurious design.Cons: Fingerprint magnet, non-removable battery, no FM radio, speaker volume is low.

3. LG V20The LG V20 is a mammoth phone with top specs and some distinguishing features when compared to Samsung and Google. It is a top-of-the-line phone, featuring Android 7.0 Nougat. Some of its specs don't quite match up to Galaxy S7 Edge, though. The V20 is a metal smartphone with a secondary display, two rear cameras, and many features for music enthusiasts and people who love mobile photography.

Technical specifications

14.47cm (5.7 inches) IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with 16 million colours and 513ppi

Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 processor (2 x 2.15GHz Kryo + 2 x 1.6GHz Kryo), Adreno 530

4GB RAM

Corning Gorilla Glass 4

Secondary display–160 x 1040 pixels, 5.33cm (2.1 inches)

32GB/64GB with 256GB support (microSD card slot)

Dual 16MP (rear) + 8MP (front) camera with laser auto-focus, optical image stabilisation, LED flash

Fast charging

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi direct, DLNA, hotspot, Bluetooth 4.2, A-GPS, GLONASS, NFS, infra-red, FM radio with RDS, USB Type C

Sensors: Fingerprint reader, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, colour spectrum3200mAh removable battery

Pros and consPros: Android 7.0 Nougat, durable metal body, loud audio, high quality camera, secondary display and removable battery.Cons: Low USB transfer speed, difficult-to-use single handed, heavy software layer, limited battery life, not water resistant and the software needs overhauling.

4. Moto Z ForceMoto Z Force offers a modular design and delivers the same premium performance as a regular Moto Z but takes the smartphone specifications to the next level with a better battery, improved camera (especially low light photography), a better screen and much more. Moto Z Force surpasses the Droid Turbo 2 and Moto Z in terms of ergonomics, design and performance.

Technical specifications

13.97cm (5.5 inches) AMOLED screen with Quad HD display — 1440 x 2560, 535 ppi

Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 – dual core 2.15GHz Kyro and dual core 1.6GHz Kyro, Adreno 5304GB RAM

Gorilla glass

32GB/64GB internal storage, 256GB support via memory card

21MP (rear) + 5MP (front) camera with laser and face detection auto-focus, optical image stabilisation, dual-LED flash

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi direct, Hotspot, Bluetooth 4.1, A-GPS, GLONASS, NFC, Type C USB

Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass and ambient light

3500mAh non-removable battery

Pros and consPros: Fast performance, light design, fantastic display, accurate and fast finger print scanner, excellent camera.Cons: No USB cable bundled, no 3.5mm audio jack, limited battery life, higher price.

5. OnePlus 3TOnePlus is one of the fastest growing companies in the Android market of flagship phones. In a competitive market like India, it has surprisingly occupied one of the top spots. The OnePlus 3T is a vivid example of how far the smartphone has come in terms of craftsmanship. Everything looks beautiful and sleek on this phone.OnePlus 3T is very comfortable to hold and the placement of every button is good. The OnePlus 3T is one of the phones that kickstarted a tough, competitive market for value-driven devices with high-end specs.

Technical specifications

13.97cm (5.5 inches) optic AMOLED display with full HD resolution with 401ppi

Metal black body with Corning Gorilla Glass 4

Snapdragon 821 SoC (2 x 2.35GHz + 2 x 1.6GHz) processor, Adreno 530 GPU

6GB LPDDR4 RAM

64GB/128GB fast UFS 2.0 storage

16 MP (rear) + 16 MP (front) camera with face detection auto-focus, optical image stabilisation, single LED flash, 2160p video @ 30fps

Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, GLONASS, BDS, USB Type-C

Sensors: Fingerprint scanner, hall sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, electronic compass

3400mAh (non-removable battery) with dash charge utility

Pros and consPros: Metal unibody design, 4K video recording, dual SIM 4G LTE support, powerful processor, responsive fingerprint sensor, good battery life, compatible with VR headsets, bright camera.Cons: No FM radio or microSD card, non-removable battery.

6. Google Nexus 6PThe Google Nexus range of devices has become a standard with regard to configuration and performance. The Nexus 6P was the first of Google Android's premium phone offerings. The design of the Nexus 6P is a strong rival to the iPhone 6S Plus, Samsung Galaxy S7 and Note 7.

Technical specifications

14.47cm (5.7 inches) AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with 16 million colours, 1440 x 2560 pixels and 518ppi.

3GB LPDDR4 RAM

Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core (4 x 1.55GHz Cortex A53 and 4 x 2GHz Cortex A57), Adreno 430 GPU

32GB/64GB/128GB internal storage

12.3MP (rear) + 8MP (front) camera with laser auto-focus, dual-LED flash, geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2×2 MIMO, dual-band, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, GPS, GLONASS, digital compass, USB Type C

Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, barometer

3450mAh non-removable battery

Pros and consPros: Excellent display, speedy performance, decent camera, good battery life, responsive finger print scanner.Cons: No microSD card slot, optical image stabilisation, wireless charging nor FM radio, and is expensive.

7. HTC 10The HTC 10 is another great flagship Android phone of 2016, which flaunts next generation hardware. HTC fitted the phone with a 2K display, UltraPixel camera and a best-in-class audio quality. HTC 10 has a lightning fast performance compared to Huawei P9 and is regarded as the first phone to have optical image stabilisation in the front camera.

Technical specifications

13.2cm (5.2 inches) Quad HD Super LCD 5 capacitive touchscreen, 1440 x 2560 resolution, 564ppi

4GB LPDDR4 RAM

Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad-core (2 x 2.15GHz Kryo and 2 x 1.6GHz Kryo) processor

32GB/64GB internal storage; expandable up to 256GB via microSD slot

12MP (rear) + 5MP (front) camera with optical image stabilisation, geo-tagging, laser auto-focus, flash

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi direct, DLNA, hotspot, Bluetooth 4.2, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, NFC, USB Type C

Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity and compass

3000mAh non-removable battery

Pros and consPros: Iconic design, good audio quality, UltraPixel camera with OIS at the front and back, fast charging.Cons: Top mounted headphone jack, finicky laser auto-focus, lock button placement.

8. Xiaomi Mi Note 2Xiaomi Mi Note 2 is a premium, luxurious smartphone with a curved glass and looks more like the Note 7. Another flagship phone by Xiaomi, it has glass on both sides, unlike the ceramic-backed Mi Mix, which makes the phone more prone to scratches. Excellent technical specifications and features ensure great performance.

Technical specifications:

14.47cm (5.7 inches) AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16 million colours, 1080 x 1920 resolution and 386ppi

4GB RAM/ 6GB RAM

Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 quad-core processor (2 x 2.35GHz Kryo + 2 x 1.6GHz Kryo) processor, Adreno 530 GPU

64GB/128GB internal storage; no SD card slot

22.5 MP (rear) + 8 MP (front) camera with EIS (Gyro), face detection autofocus, dual-LED flash

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi direct, hotspot, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, infra-red, USB Type C

Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass, barometer

4070mAh non-removable battery

Pros and consPros: Overall camera and better performance, fast charging, optimised display for better viewing, dual SIM with VoLTE support, secure payments due to fingerprint scanner, IR sensor works like a universal remote.Cons: No SD card slot, bulky, no FM radio.

9. Huawei P9Huawei had a low profile in the Indian market last year. Its previous flagship phone was Huawei P8. After the launch of the Nexus 6P, Huawei launched the P9. While the phone's camera performance is good, its overall performance is not great due to shoddy software.

Technical specifications:

13.2cm (5.2 inches) IPS-NEO LCD capacitive touchscreen, 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16 million colours, 423ppi

3GB/4GB RAM

HiSilicon Kirin 955 octa-core (4 x 2.5GHz Cortex-A72, 4 x 1.8GHz Cortex A-53) processor

32GB/64GB internal memory, expandable to 256GB via SD card slot

12 MP (rear) + 8 MP (front) camera with Leica optics, face detection auto-focus, dual-LED flash

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi direct, hotspot, Bluetooth 4.2, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, NFC, USB Type C

Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass

Li-ion 3000mAh non-removable battery

Pros and consPros: Excellent camera with fantastic low-light performance, good looks and well built, responsive fingerprint scanner.

Cons: No image stabilisation, no 4K recording option, performance lags, overpriced when compared to competitors with the same configurations.

10. LeEco Max 2The LeEco Max 2 might be a slightly larger phone, but it is one of most affordable options offering a flagship class Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC. This device features a bright 2K display with good viewing angles. LeEco bundles a free subscription of Le Live and Le Vidi apps, which offer live TV and movie content. The rear camera does a good job, although the battery life could have been better.

Technical specifications:

14.47cm (5.7 inches) LTPS IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 1440 x 2560 resolution, 16 million colours, 515ppi

4GB RAM / 6GB RAM

Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 quad-core (2 x 2.15GHz + 2 x 1.6GHz) Kryo processor, Adreno 530 GPU

32GB/64GB internal memory; no memory card slot

21MP (rear) + 8MP (front) camera with face detection auto-focus, dual LED flash

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi direct, hotspot, Bluetooth 4.2, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, NFC, infra-red, USB Type C

Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass

Li-ion 3100mAh non-removable battery

Pros and consPros: Fast performance, good camera quality with 4K recording, good music experience via Dolby Atmos, fast charging, value for money, smooth 3D gaming experience.Cons: No expandable memory, limited battery and no 3.5mm headphone jack.

Source: The best Android phones of 2016

How Jose Luiz Saez Martinez Brings Glamour to B&W Mobiography

Jose Luis Saez Martinez took first place in the iPhone Photography Awards in 2015 with a dramatic black-and-white image, but it's just one of his many pieces that capture the essence of mobile photography. As he proves through his work, color isn't everything when it comes to emotionally moving your audience. We spoke to Jose for more insight into his inspirations.

What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of photography?

"The most challenging aspect of photography, in general and even more in mobile photography, is to take it seriously. A good photographer must invest a lot of time in their photography, and for non-professional photographers like me this is the most challenging aspect, to find enough time."

What has been the most difficult subject to shoot in the past?

"Kids. To show their spontaneity and happiness whit in backlight photography is really difficult. I think my best [subjects] are kids on the beach at sunset. That takes my breath away."

What do you define as your strength as a photographer? What does your audience resonate with in your work?

"I am the photographer of backlights subjects, mainly by shooting at dawn or dusk. Light conditions are much better during these golden hours. I [also] love urban scenes and architecture – huge [structures] with tiny people in them to show a sense of loneliness. That's what I think my audience expects from me."

What serves as the inspiration for your mobile photography?

"Inspiration comes from many sources. I love the best film noir of the '40s, some recent films as "The Road," and the classic black and white photographers. I carry all that in my personal backpack, and of course my photography is a result of these influences."

What are your favorite mobile photography accessories (lens, etc.)?

"Well, I have lots of them but 90% of my photography has no accessories at all. But when necessary, I love using my Shoulderpod S1 Smartphone Rig tripod mount, as a tripod itself or on a Gloxy GX tripod, and of course a remote control shutter. This is the way I achieve a really good quality. And I also have a 3-in-1 lens (fish-eye, wide angle and macro). Keep in mind that an iPhone is like any other camera and accessories are great for widening its potential.

What advice do you have for new mobile photographers?

"Symmetry is always a good choice for square format photos, but spending time and effort on the selection of a scene is of central importance to ensure a good end result. My main advice is always to choose a scene without any disturbing or distracting elements. Including objects that have nothing to do with the story you're trying to tell reduces the power of the picture, so keep it simple. I also need to set aside time for ruling out photos and editing the best from each session. I utilize a poor 5% of the total quantity of my work. Improvisation does not function in the vast majority of cases."

Do you have any post-photography editing tips or advice?

"In terms of editing, I always increase the contrast and reduce the brightness a bit."

Any other tips or advice you would like to share on mobile photography?

"First you need to know what the goal of your photography is, then you have to put the time into looking for good scenes. You should make sure you have enough time to shoot regularly. And never forget this quote by Henri Cartier-Bresson: 'It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera…they are made with the eye, heart and head.'"

To view all of Jose's work, make sure to visit his Instagram (@jl_saez).

Comments

comments

Article Tags

Tags: black and white mobile photography, black and white photography, editing with enlight, enlight, enlight app, enlight tutorial, iphone editing, iphone photography, mobile photography, mobiography, photo editing Krystle Vermes

Krystle Vermes is a professional writer, blogger and podcaster with a background in online and print journalism. Passions include everything tech, sports, and the paranormal. When she isn't freelance reporting, she's running her paranormal blog, GetSpooked.net. Krystle is a graduate of Suffolk University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Print Journalism.

Source: How Jose Luiz Saez Martinez Brings Glamour to B&W Mobiography

This smartphone mount was made for an active lifestyle

All the filters in the world won't save your smartphone pics from a shaky hand. To really step up your mobile photography game, you'll need some kind of mount to hold it steady. You could buy a smartphone attachment for a conventional camera tripod, but who wants to carry that kind of gear everywhere they go?

The Gekkopod offers extensive flexibility thanks to its bendy legs, and secures smartphones tighter than a rubber band wrapped around a finger two dozen times. You can use it as a quadrupedal stand to keep your phone out of the dirt, wrap it around branches for high-vantage shots, attach it to a backpack strap, or even upgrade to make it compatible with your GoPro.

Made with waterproof material, this rugged camera companion folds up into a pocketable bundle so you can take it anywhere. You can get the Gekkopod Mobile Smartphone Mount here for $19.95, that's 20% off the sticker price.

report this ad

Alex Wood is an addict but won't give up his smartphone. But he has five strategies for limiting its control over him: "I used to wake up tired. My body would ache and my head felt sore, like waking up with a hangover. Finally, I took control, like attending an AA class for addicts, I […]

READ THE REST

We just got the Sport model of the EPIKGO hoverboard at my office. Besides being terribly chic, it's apparently bulletproof.

READ THE REST

Ok, it's not just solar powered. It's also an anti-theft, waterproof marvel that keeps my phone's power bar from ever getting into the red.Sure the idea seems obvious now – tuck a gigantic solar powered battery pack into an exposed slot and turn the wearer into a walking energy harvester.  Simple maybe, but I didn't […]

READ THE REST

The forced transition from analog to digital TV signals was probably met with relative indifference from people with Netflix subscriptions and the "I don't even own a TV" snoots. But anyone living in the vast swaths of the country that don't have guaranteed high-speed internet, broadcast TV is a perfectly valid (and 100% free) way […]

READ THE REST

When Apple revealed the new MacBook in 2016, one of the biggest issues raised with the notebook's new design (aside from ire over the slew of new adapters you'd inevitably have to buy) was the removal of one of its most beloved proprietary features, the magnetic charging cable. Thankfully, third-party peripheral makers have taken up […]

READ THE REST

Lately virtual reality has been touted as the future of movies, games, journalism, and even sex. Unfortunately, most consumer VR still requires investing in some not-insignificantly expensive equipment. You can, however, get a taste of the VR hype with just your smartphone and this budget-friendly headset.The VRX10 Virtual Reality Headset is 3D-compatible with most smartphones, adding […]

READ THE REST

report this ad

Source: This smartphone mount was made for an active lifestyle

Seizing the Light: A Social & Aesthetic History of Photography

Features

The most comprehensive, up-do-date photographic history available on the market

More than 350 full-color photographs, from the birth of photography through contemporary practitioners

Updates include new section on alternative processing, contemporary photographers, contributions from hundreds of international artists, and comprehensive coverage of the digital revolution, including the rise of mobile photography, the citizen as journalist, and social media

Attention given to contemporary artists who are expanding the practice of photography and bringing their works to a broader audience, as well as to important women and minority photographers throughout photographic history

Continues to move beyond the canon in focusing on certain overlooked vernacular genres of historic practice, such as stereographs, snapshots, and postcards, along with updated images in this area

Summary

The definitive history of photography book, Seizing the Light: A Social & Aesthetic History of Photography delivers the fascinating story of how photography as an art form came into being, and its continued development, maturity, and transformation.

Covering the major events, practitioners, works, and social effects of photographic practice, Robert Hirsch provides a concise and discerning chronological account of Western photography. This fundamental starting place shows the diversity of makers, inventors, issues, and applications, exploring the artistic, critical, and social aspects of the creative process. The third edition includes up-to-date information about contemporary photographers like Cindy Sherman and Yang Yongliang, and comprehensive coverage of the digital revolution, including the rise of mobile photography, the citizen as journalist, and the role of social media.

Highly illustrated with full-color images and contributions from hundreds of artists around the world, Seizing the Light serves as a gateway to the history of photography. Written in an accessible style, it is perfect for students newly engaging with the practice of photography and for experienced photographers wanting to contextualize their own work.

Table of Contents

1. Advancing Towards Photography: The Rise of the Reproduction

2. The Daguerreotype: Image and Object

3. Calotype Rising: The Arrival of Photography

4. Pictures on Glass: The Wet Plate Process

5. World News - Current Events: Picturing Tragedy  

6. A New Medium of Communication

7. Standardizing the Practice: A Transparent Truth

8. New Ways of Visualizing Time and Space

9. Suggesting the Subject: The Evolution of Pictorialism

10. Modernism's Innovations

11. The New Culture of Light

12. Social Documents

13. Catching Time

14. From Halftones to Bytes

15. The Atomic Age 

16. New Frontiers: Expanding Boundaries

17. Changing Realities 

18. Thinking About Photography

19. The Politics of Representation

20. Photography Becomes Digital Imaging

Author(s) Bio

Robert Hirsch is a photographic imagemaker, curator, historian, and writer. Former executive director of CEPA Gallery and now director of Light Research in Buffalo, NY, he has published scores of articles about visual culture and interviewed numerous significant members in the photographic arts. His other books include Exploring Color Photography: From Film to Pixels; Light and Lens: Photography in the Digital Age; Photographic Possibilities: The Expressive Use of Concepts, Equipment, Materials, and Processes; and Transformational Imagemaking: Handmade Photography from 1960 to Now. A former associate editor for Digital Camera and Photovision, Hirsch has also written for Afterimage, Exposure, History of Photography, The Photo Review, Photo Technique, and World Book Encyclopedia, among others. He has curated over 200 exhibitions and has had many one-person and group shows of his own work. For details visit www.lightresearch.net.

Source: Seizing the Light: A Social & Aesthetic History of Photography

Gekkopod Mobile Smartphone Mount

When it comes to mobile photography, you won't find a smarter, more useful tool than the Gekkopod. The lightest and most versatile smartphone (and GoPro) mount on the market, Gekkopod blends seamlessly with an environment to give you a steady shot every time - even on action shots. Perch it on a rock or tree, hook it on your bike, or treat it as a glorified selfie stick, the possibilities are virtually endless.

Compatible w/ nearly all smartphones & GoPros

Rugged, waterproof design is intended survive even the most aggressive everyday use

Portable design can be used to secure your camera in your bag

Usable as a car mount or iPad stand

Source: Gekkopod Mobile Smartphone Mount

ABDZ Photo Challenge: #abdz_lookup

Today I want to share with you a selection of really cool photography inspired by the Film Noir style. This style brings me back so much memories from my childhood watching movies like, Blade Runner, Dick Tracy, even the 1989 Batman by Tim Burton. Later on Sin City reproduced the style with perfection. Well, in theory to achieve the style we just need some black and white photos with high contrast of light and shadows, but predominance of dark.

Source: ABDZ Photo Challenge: #abdz_lookup

The Rise of The Mobile Photography Era - An Interview With Lara Aucamp

Digital photography, especially concerning smartphones, is taking the world by storm these days. It's become the norm to see people whip out their phones when something dreadful happens in public, or when they want to photograph that special moment with their friends while cruising down the freeway at some awful speed. When that wasn't extreme enough, there's the very recent case of the model hanging off the edge of Dubai's 307-meter Cayan Tower. 

The constant need to have your photos liked and shared across the internet has become grossly intertwined orgy with an ever growing trend of narcissism. But what if there's some hope out there?

On the other side of the spectrum, you have people who genuinely use this new form of technology as a form of self-expression. And with one click, they're able to share their vision of the world with the rest of us. 

Instagram is host to some of the most incredible imagery I've ever seen. Many, like myself, use Instagram to either post their images, search for inspiration, network with other like-minded creatives, or use it as a source for mood boards. This is how I stumbled upon one of my favourite Instagram Photographers, Lara Aucamp. 

As a local, like myself, to one of the world's most scenic cities, Cape Town, nestled in the Southern most tip of Africa, I met up with Lara where she describes her work:

Photography is a form of self-expression. I'm not a professional, and I don't even own a real camera. I really only got into photography after I got my iPhone. I find the format of mobile photography liberating and empowering - I have my iPhone with me wherever I go, and can easily edit and share photos on the go. The convenience of it is perfect for my busy lifestyle.

At first, I was taken aback by this statement. With a history of a traditional photography background, this seemed completely alien to me. But the quality of her images and the number of fans she's gained over time, it seemed to have transgressed the barrier I've always had stuck in my mind when it came to Photography. 

She was able to capture incredibly captivating imagery, using only a compact device. Not using a film camera, spending hours in the darkroom, processing and developing images. Or using a digital DSLR, spending hours in Capture One or Photoshop. Instead, she used an iPhone. A simple mobile device to capture and carry across her art; her self-expression. 

I actually think mobile photography will change the way we think about photography in the future. It certainly has decreased the barrier of entry and made photography more accessible. I know of teenagers with iPhones that take better photos than some professional photographers I know.

The more I think about it, the more I actually agree with her.

Film photography had a foothold in society back in the day. It still has in the modern day, don't get me wrong. But what if this is just the next step of the photographic evolution? Instead of shunning it, why not adapt and explore this newly created platform of self-expression? Sure the technical specifications aren't nearly there when it comes to the latest DSLR's or even the medium format Hasselblad's, Phase One's and Mamiya's, but something inside me tells me that a picture is still a picture. And if the content of the image makes me feel a certain way, why is that such a bad thing? It evoked emotion. Isn't that one of the principals of photography?

What is it about Lara's photos that make her's so spectacular, you ask? You might as well ask what made Henri Cartier-Bresson's images so iconic. Or what about Ansel Adams, Irving Penn, Ernst Haas, Werner Bischof, or Richard Avedon? Lara has an eye for the right moment. Just like the aforementioned photographers, she captures an intrinsic moment between the subject and its environment which evokes a certain emotion to the viewer. 

Scrolling through her Instagram feed, you get the feeling of loneliness, love, independence, beauty, and symmetry. She has a clear understanding of how movement and symmetry can stir up an emotion from the viewer and uses that to her full advantage.

In the end, it doesn't matter what medium you use. History taught us that if you have something to say, you'll say it regardless of the limitations of a smartphone or whatever medium you use to capture the moment.

Technical aspects aside, are there really limitations when it comes to a photographer using a smartphone? A hundred years ago, people took photos on an even more simplistic device and they were arguably more iconic than the ones we took today, even with the technological advancements we've had over the past decade. It would appear that the difference is the internet and modern media made it such day-to-day advancement that we became naive to the fact that it is indeed an art form.

After my meeting with Lara, I walked away not only with a newfound sense of inspiration, only wanting to pick up my phone and take photos. But I couldn't keep asking myself what photography was really about. Has modern day society turned us into techno-junkies, always looking towards the latest camera release? The latest upgrade? The latest lens release? And then delivering our opinion on that particular piece of technology?

Have we forgotten all about expressing our hatred, our love, and sadness about the world we live in? 

Why are we not praising and adapting towards the latest invention in photography? It's a whole new playground. It's a place where dreams go to live and die. Why not explore it further and make the most of it?

Follow Lara's adventures on Instagram.

Images used with permission of Lara Aucamp.

Source: The Rise of The Mobile Photography Era - An Interview With Lara Aucamp

Samsung Galaxy S8 to come with high-speed camera sensor, can shoot 1000 images per second

Another day, another Samsung Galaxy S8 rumor. But this is one you may not have heard of yet. The Galaxy S8 is rumored to be coming out with a top-of-the-line camera sensor that has a high-speed function, apparently able to shoot close to "1000 shots per second."

According to Korean news outfit Chosun, rumors from Samsung's home market say that the upcoming flagship – the Galaxy S8 – will be coming out with a camera sensor that renders itself well to high-speed photography. The sensor uses dedicated DRAM chips to store images at a much faster rate than the standard cable from sensor to chipset.

We think that this sensor might be Sony's new 3-layer stacked CMOS sensor which it announced in February. The similarities include the usage of DRAM for storage, a first in the mobile photography and mobile camera sensor market. For those wondering at the speed, you can just imagine shooting slow motion videos in FullHD (1080p) at 1000 frames per second, where the standard is usually only at 60 frames per second.

The Galaxy S8 will be officially unveiled on March 29, a little less than two weeks from now. As much as we already know about the flagship, we're still excited to see which of the rumored features will make it to the official device.

VIA: Chosun

Source: Samsung Galaxy S8 to come with high-speed camera sensor, can shoot 1000 images per second

OPPO is leading the smartphone photography with its cutting edge camera technology

 |   |   | OPPO is leading the smartphone photography with its cutting edge camera technology

OPPO is all set to redefine the selfie experience with its upcoming smartphone in India

Updated: Friday, March 17, 2017, 16:13 [IST]

Smartphones are gradually turning into high-end portable camera devices. These pocket sized marvels have evolved considerably to the point where you are no more required carrying a standalone point and shoot camera to capture stunning shots. All you need is a smartphone that packs in some sophisticated camera tech to get the job done.

Luckily, we have one company that has always been at the forefront of the smartphone photography and is still constantly pushing the envelope with its breakthrough mobile camera technology. You may have guessed it by now, and yes we are talking about OPPO, the smartphone maker that is giving mobile devices the ability to be your one-stop camera devices.

SEE ALSO: Moto G5 Plus First Impressions: Is it the new budget king?

Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates!

OPPO took the 'Selfie-Experience' to next level with innovative front camera features

It was in 2012, when OPPO realized that users were crazy about sharing beautiful pictures of themselves with their friends, but there were no cameras on the market that could really do this phenomenon justice. To fill the gap and give users something that was never before seen in the market, OPPO introduced the first-ever 'Beautify mode' packed inside the camera of OPPO U701 smartphone. It was the world's first handset with built-in beautify mode to allow users to capture flawless selfies with smartphone's front camera. The breakthrough technology become an instant hit among smartphone users and provoked other brands to research and include the same in their products.

That said, beautify mode has now become a standard feature on Android devices; however OPPO is still leading the trend with the latest version-Beautify 4.0, which includes advanced processing algorithms and 7 levels of intelligent beautification, an exclusive feature on OPPO smartphones.

To further enhance the selfie experience, OPPO in 2012 introduced the industry's first 80-degree 'Golden Angle' field of view on the smartphone's front camera. The feature ensures that users could get the whole group in the picture. And the company didn't just stop there; it also introduced a Selfie Panorama feature for even bigger group shots that makes sure you don't miss on a group member while capturing a selfie. Seems they are now ready to bring us some new tech for a better group selfie this time.

OPPO pushed the limits with first-of-its kind Rotating camera

It was in 2013 when OPPO redefined what a smartphone's rear camera can achieve. The company launched OPPO N1, the world's first smartphone with a 206 degree rotating camera allowing users to capture regular images and selfie shots 13MP resolution. The camera worked on CMOS sensor with a specially-designed Fujitsu IPS imaging chip and a 6-piece lens design, which once again was the first of its kind on a mobile phone. The smartphone also offered dual-mode flash light up the front and back shots. OPPO further improved the design and performance with the launch of OPPO N3 in 2014.

World's first Ultra HD Camera mode delivering stunning 50MP resolution images

To make sure users also capture the best-in-class pictures from the rear camera, OPPO in 2014 introduced OPPO Find 7. The flagship smartphone offered class-leading camera technology packed inside its 13MP rear snapper. Once again it was the world's first handset to achieve images with 50MP resolution with the help of 'Ultra HD' mode. Such high resolution images can be easily transformed into giant posters to decorate your home or office interiors or to simply create high quality prints for magazines. The rear camera on OPPO Find 7 featured a six element lens, dedicated ISPs for image processing, a reliable HDR mode, and a bunch of other tricks to forever change the smartphone photography experience.

OPPO made Screen Flash a standard feature in smartphones

With OPPO smartphones, users don't need to worry about light conditions while capturing images. While the company's smartphones comes packed with bright LED flashlights at the rear panel, the company also introduced 'Screen Flash' technology with OPPO R7 line-up in 2015. The Screen Flash offers selfie snappers a light from the screen to brighten even the darkest areas in selfies that users capture. The innovative feature has been adopted by a number of smartphone makers in the last two years.

OPPO 5x Dual Camera Optical Zoom- the recent breakthrough in mobile camera technology

OPPO's most recent breakthrough in mobile camera technology is '5x Dual camera Optical Zoom'. The technology was first showcased in the 'Mobile World Congress (MWC 2017) and is bound to set new benchmarks in the field of smartphone photography. Termed as 5X Precision Optical Zoom, the camera setup comprises of a dual-lens camera setup that features a wide-angle lens paired with a telephoto lens to offer lossless 5X digital zoom.

It is world's first periscope style dual-camera technology that has the setup to divert the incoming light through a prism using a periscope-style structure placed at a 90-degree angle to the rear-facing wide-angle lens. The wide-angle lens also integrates OIS technology. This all-new optical image stabilization solution is said to improve performance by over 40 percent when compared to OPPO's previous camera technologies. This suggests that the pictures taken by the OPPO's 5X dual-lens camera setup will come out to be sharp and free of blur even when a user zoom-in the camera by 5X.

What's next?

OPPO F1 series is another gem in company's selfie-focused smartphones series. The recently launched OPPO F1s packs in a powerful 16MP front camera that simply blows away the competition in terms of sharpness and image quality. Powered by an octa-core processor, the smartphone's 16MP front camera has an f/2.0 aperture that delivers pretty detailed selfies even in non ideal lighting conditions. Besides you also get Beautify 4.0 mode to get rid of any 'blemishes' while capturing selfies.

Having said that, OPPO is once again set to become the world's 'Selfie Expert' with the company's upcoming launch. The Chinese smartphone maker will launch its latest handset- OPPO F3 Plus that will take selfie technology onto another level with its dual-selfie camera at front. What will OPPO bring us this time? Let's keep an eye on the coming launch event on March 23rd.

Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates!

Source: OPPO is leading the smartphone photography with its cutting edge camera technology