After matching several previous iterations of The flagship of the Vivo X series with a telephoto converter lens, the Vivo through a dedicated lens. Launching tomorrow i.e. on May 6, the
While our review will cover all aspects of the Vivo X300 FE in detail, we had an early opportunity to experience its cameras during a trip to Jaipur. We captured the city’s iconic architecture and historic landmarks, making extensive use of the telephoto extender lens along with the variety of camera features and details the phone offers.
Star of the show: ZEISS 50MP Super Telephoto Lens and Extender
Aiming to deliver the aesthetics of images taken at long zoom ranges, i.e. making the background appear closer and softer, while maintaining excellent edge detection and separation, the Telephoto Extender achieves exactly that. Called the ‘vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2’, the lens increases the default 73mm focal length of the 50MP IMX882 telephoto lens to 200mm, increasing the optical zoom from 3x to around 8.2x. This allows you to capture shots from afar while maintaining almost the same detail and clarity as shots taken without the lens extension.
In my brief time with the Vivo X300 FE and the telephoto extender, I found that shots at 200mm offered enough detail and sharpness. Beyond this focal length, the camera digitally crops the image. Additionally, at focal lengths beyond about 600mm, images undergo AI enhancement which, while delivering usable shots with refined edges and adequate colors, tends to make images appear artificial.
Another important advantage of the telephoto lens is its ability to compress the background, producing creamy bokeh that brings the background closer to the subject and offers a DSLR-like look. Combine this with fast shutter speeds and I managed to capture some great images of distant animals and flowers. With the lens attached, you can access photo, video, and stage modes to make the most of its zoom capabilities.
While the ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 is sold separately, it could be a valuable addition for those who enjoy capturing long-range zoom photos on the go. The accessory weighs 153g, making it lighter than Vivo’s ZEISS 2.35x telephoto extender used on the X300.
Immense camera versatility – capture shots from 15mm to over 2000mm
The Vivo
The camera’s viewfinder offers a zoom of 0.6x at 15mm with the ultra-wide angle lens, 23mm at 1x, 46mm at 2x, 73mm at 3x and up to 100x digital zoom. Add the telephoto extender and you get focal lengths up to 5400mm. All lenses on the Vivo X300 FE come with multiple color profiles, including Vivo’s signature ZEISS and Texture modes, which I used most frequently during my trip to Jaipur. You can play more with the modes by adjusting the brightness, saturation, contrast and sharpness to your liking.
While the ultra-wide lens helps capture wider perspectives crucial for capturing architectural wonders and historic buildings, the main camera performs reliably, delivering sharp, contrasty images in ZEISS and Texture modes.
AI Creative Mode – Add a fun element to images
One of the camera’s standout features this time around is “creative mode.” Integrated directly into the camera app, the mode offers around 25 different styles and themes that add a fun touch to your clicks. All you need to do is switch to Creative mode and select a theme, including Sunlight, Glow, Dream, Dunes, Underwater, Fireworks, and more.
After selecting a subject, you’ll be able to capture images with any lens and focal length. However, you can’t access Creative mode with the attached telephoto extender.
Street Photography Mode – Tons of filters and styles to explore
Like most of the camera-centric Vivo smartphones released previously, the Vivo X300 FE features ‘Humanistic Street Photography’ mode. For those who don’t know, it is designed to quickly capture moments of people and scenes in an artistic or cinematic way. Upon invoking Street Photography mode, which can be done by double-tapping the volume down button when the screen is locked, you’re greeted with a completely different user interface that offers a collection of focal lengths and film simulations.
Among all the film filters available, I really enjoyed capturing images with the ‘Positive Film’ filter, which adds a dreamy look to the scene, while the B/W filter adds an artistic monochrome look.
Practical, portable and burden-free design
The Vivo X300 FE gets rid of the verticalPill-shaped camera design found on the X200 FE in favor of an extending horizontal camera island the entire width of the rear panel. Whenever I used the device without the included case or telephoto extender case, the camera bump helped my fingers rest naturally, providing a more comfortable and secure grip.
Following in the footsteps of the Vivo X200 FE, the X300 FE features a practical design that weighs just 191g and is quite sleek at 7.99mm thick. With a metal side frame and a matte finish on the rear panel, the X300 FE feels quite sturdy to handle, although most may find it slippery to use without a cover.
While I got to experience the Lilac Purple shade, a bright and fun color, the phone will also be available in Noir Black, which offers an understated look, and the Urban Olive Green colorway, exclusive to India.
At its core is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, while a large 6,500 mAh battery powers the Vivo X300 FE, which is a big plus for a device as compact as the X300 FE. Backed by OriginOS 6, the phone handles any task, especially when using the camera for long periods, and showed no signs of straining or slowing down, even in hot weather.
Based on this initial experience, if you prioritize cameras, especially spending a little more on the camera kit and a compact form factor, this phone looks promising. However, wait for the full review for final price and performance details before making a decision. The phone is all set to launch in India on May 6 along with the Vivo X300 Ultra. So if you’ve been eyeing any of these smartphones, stay tuned for 91mobiles for in-depth coverage of Vivo’s latest flagships.
