If you are marketing a camera specific phone, you better have a great camera. Then again, if you are restricted to a mid-range budget, this could be tough to execute. Lenovo gives it a shot with Vibe Shot, which will soon launch in India for an expected price of around 20,000 INR. We spent some quality time with Lenovo Vibe Shot today and here are our initial camera impressions.
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Why is this a camera specific phone?
The Vibe Shot has been designed to resemble a point and shoot camera. It includes a dedicated shutter key, a detailed pro mode, and a dedicated slider to toggle between Auto mode and Pro mode. A Quick Snap feature has also been added, which allows you to shoot directly by double pressing the shutter key or volume down button, even when the display is off. The rear camera also flaunts optical image stabilization, IR based laser AF and triple LED (but dual tone) flash.
Camera Performance
The rear camera includes 16 MP rear camera, Optical image stabilization, IR Laser AF and triple LED flash for balanced tones and exposure in low light. While taking still shots outdoors in apt sunlight, Vibe Shot camera is surprisingly good. Colors are accurate, details are good and there is not much noise or distortion in clicked images.
HDR mode seemed a bit over dramatic and low light shots in auto mode also left us wanting for more. However, Lenovo has included an elaborate pro mode (and a dedicated slider to toggle to pro mode on the fly), and if you have basic understanding of photography, you can use the pro mode to improve performance in low light.
The rear camera had no problem focusing on subjects and shutter speed is also quite fast. The phone did heat up, but since we tested it in afternoon sun, that was bound to happen. Heading didn’t have any impact on camera performance and speed. OIS also seems to work pretty decently.
Camera Samples
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- Front Camera, Indoor
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- Low Light, Rear Camera
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- Front Camera, Outdoor
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- Cropped Image
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- Macroshot, Rear Camera
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- Against light
Lenovo Vibe Shot Rear 16MP Camera Video Sample in Day Light
Lenovo Vibe Shot Front 8MP Camera Video Sample in Day Light
Conclusion
The Vibe Shot justifies itself as a Camera centric smartphone. If you are photography enthusiast, there is lot to like here. Its biggest challenger in the same price bracket will be ZTE Nubia Z9 Mini, which also comes with an excellent rear camera.
