Introduction
In many ways, Vivo X series are defining mobile photography. What is more interesting is that the improvement is all around, with no stones left unturned. A good daylight output, improved HDR, best in class low light imaging and ultra-stable video recording.
The new generation of Nokia device such as Nokia X30 5G is a step in the right direction with improvement all around as well. It introduces new camera algorithm, a much improved low light capture, and fusion technology for sharper ultrawide output.
In my previous videos, I tested the Nokia X30 5G to recent Pureview devices to understand how the new camera software works. It is interesting to see how the Nokia X30 5G has evolved, albeit at a slower phase.
Nokia X30 5G vs Vivo X70 Pro+
Now that we know how the Nokia X3O 5G performs, it is time to compare it with other flagships to understand where we are now and the areas that needs to be improved.
Primary Sensor
In the samples above, Nokia X30 (above) has good details in auto mode, but the HDR effect is not as advanced as the ones on Vivo X70 Pro+ which is able to contain blow outs from the light bulb to see the details written on it. This is the same observation that I made earlier on the comparison with other Pureview devices where the standard output of the X30 5G could benefit from a better HDR algorithm.
In these images shot in indoor low light area, the Nokia X30 5G(top) seems to have a more vibrant output compared to X70 Pro + below. This is another area where Nokia X30 5G should improve, in terms of color accuracy. The peripheries are less detailed on the X30 5G and again, a better HDR algorithm would have produced a much detailed output.
Ultrawide
The ultrawide on the X30 5G(top) has the edge here with much sharper details at the centre compared to the X70 Pro + (below). Unfortunately, once you zoom into the peripheries, the images are not as detailed as ones on the X70 Pro+ which has a much uniform output.
Night Mode
The Nokia X30 5G (top) impresses with a more natural looking night mode. The X70 Pro+ has a brighter image and introduces a different algorithm to the sky to have a more artificial but pleasing output. Do note that the images here are taken on the standard night mode and you could get a much brighter and detailed image on the Nokia X30 5G with the Dark Vision mode, but the same can also be done on the Vivo using Extended Night Mode. In general, the night mode output of Nokia X30 5G is among the best out there but the ones on Vivo is certainly on a whole different level, which involves a more complex algorithm with more emphasis on AI input.
You can watch more samples here:
Conclusion
It is not surprising for the Vivo X70 Pro+ having a better output overall here. But this is a full-fledged flagship compared to the Nokia X30 5G that cost half the price. From my observation, the Nokia X30 5G has a very good and capable hardware. What it needs is the continuous development on the software side to elevate the camera quality. I would prefer a more aggressive HDR to contain blow outs from bright subjects, a more natural color output, a better fusion algorithm to preserve details at the periphery and a brighter low light image. And it would also benefit from a slightly sharper output. All this are software dependent, and I am confident that the engineers over HMD Global have the means to improve this.
What is more exciting is that the Nokia X30 5G is in the midrange category and sits below the 8 series. I am excited with the next upper end midrange and flagship by Nokia. For now, the Nokia X30 5G certainly gives you the best Pureview experience and it can only get better from here.
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