OPPO’s GenAI features on Reno12 Series capture picture-perfect moments like never before
A whole day outdoors with OPPO’s newest AI phone was enough for us to conclude that it’s one of the best next-gen photography companions.
PhilSTAR Tech was invited to the OPPO Reno12 Series 5G event and a photo walk held in Pampanga on July 13, 2023, and for the trip, we had the chance to try out the Reno12 Pro 5G in Space Brown.
Brimming with aesthetic cafes, homegrown restos, and beautiful churches like Betis Church, Pampanga provided the perfect backdrop to test the Reno12 Pro 5G’s camera.
On the phone
There’s a 50MP front camera with built-in optical image stabilization that we enjoyed, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP telephoto camera with 2X optical zoom. For selfies, there’s a 50MP sensor with AF capabilities.
By default, the Reno12 Pro 5G prioritizes vibrant colors and high contrast in photos. The overall dynamic range and shadows remain balanced, at least in daylight. As a result, images may appear slightly dramatic, though punchier colors make them more IG-ready.
The overall sharpness is decent, but once you zoom in, the clarity gets sketchy. That’s likely because the phone tends to soften some areas to reduce noise.
When we add human subjects into the photo, the story remains broadly the same. You will notice high contrast, some degree of softening, which hides facial details, and punchier colors. The skin tone detection remains accurate, though facial details aren’t the best.
We also liked how the primary camera allowed us to record 4K ultra-clear videos, offering a clarity that is four times the industry standard.
The real star of the show is the AI processing power under the hood, designed to elevate your photos and help you create the shot you want. Even if it’s not quite the shot you took.
AI Editing Features
For us, the feature that stood out the most is the AI Eraser Tool 2.0, which we used to remove unwanted details from photos. See the differences below.
The results are undeniably impressive—with just a quick swoosh, a person in the background can be erased, thanks to the “Remove People” tool of the AI Eraser 2.0. It took the Reno12 Pro 5G less than 20 seconds to implement the edits and we got a clean image that’s devoid of any photobombers.
For more freedom in editing, we used the Paint Over mode to swipe over the object we want to erase from our photos. The Smart Lasso tool also allowed us to circle through objects and the device easily detected which objects we’d like to be removed.
It’s a cool device that packs a lot of other useful AI features: There’s AI Perfect Shot with AI Clear Face that ensures crisp and detailed portraits even in group photos plus the pre-installed AI Studio app can take your standard selfie—or any photo in your gallery—and transform it into a digital avatar. One can try the Urban Night style like we did, or go old school with a retro version of yourself or be at the beach enjoying the sunset.
We love the camera system’s capabilities when it comes to shooting, editing, displaying, and sharing photos and video content. You get notable photography and videography features, supported by AI, packed into a smartphone.
It’s a fantastic phone all around, with software that is intuitive and fun to use and all of the advanced tools you need to elevate your photography skills. Sounds too good to be true? For its mid-range price of P34,999, you may want to take the risk.
