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For the provided smartphone Blackview A200 Pro Meteor Purple Huge thanks to the company BlackView.

Navigation

1. Briefly about the Blackview A200 Pro smartphone
2. Blackview A200 Pro Main Photo Module
3. Samsung 108MP ISOCELL HM6 Sensor Properties and Features of Its Work with Blackview A200 Pro
4. Other cameras
5. ISOCELL Plus Technology
6. Nonapixel / Nonacell Technology
7. Sample photos of the main module of Blackview A200 Pro
8. My experience
9. Video review
10. Results
11. User Comments
12. Add your review or question on the lens

Briefly about Blackview A200 Pro

1. 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and curved edges, 2400 x 1800 pixels (2.4K FHD+ 395 ppi) with Tough CORNING GORILLA GLASS 5 and TÜV SÜD Low Blue eye protection and DC Dimming
2. Under-display optical fingerprint scanner
3. RAM LPDDR4X 2133 MHz 12GB + storage with UFS 2.2 support 256GB
4. MediaTek Helio G99 processor (announced May 2022), 6 nm process technology, 2 Cortex-A76 2.2 GHz cores + 6 Cortex-A55 2.0 GHz cores with heat dissipation system, ARM G57 MC2 video core
5. Android 13 with DokeOS 4.0 shell
6. 5050 mAh battery with 66W fast charging
7. NFC, USB TYPE C (without 3.5mm jack), Wi-Fi 5, BT 5.2
8. dual slot for two SIM cards or one SIM card and one microSD flash card (up to 1 TB)
9. 196 gram weights
10. three body colors to choose from (black, blue, purple)
11. announced on July 29, 2023
12. the current price is around $210, Blackview recommends using here is this link to Aliexperss

The rest of the parameters can be see on the manufacturer's official website or here.

Main photo module

The main camera is built on a sensor (matrix) Samsung 108MP ISOCELL HM6. The same sensor is used by the model Blackview Hero 10 FlipThe physical size of this sensor is 1 / 1.67 in.. The Samsung 108MP ISOCELL HM6 has a diagonal of 9.58 mm, a width of 7.67 mm, a height of 5.75 mm, and an area of ​​44 square millimeters, with crop factor Kf = 4.52. The sensor area is 20 times smaller than the classic Full Frame sensor with dimensions of 36 mm x 24 mm. Pixel size 0,64 microns (one of the smallest pixel sizes for 2022-2024).

If a full-frame sensor of a modern full-frame camera were filled with pixels of the same size as the Samsung 108MP ISOCELL HM6, we would get 2115 as an output megapixels! It is easy to count: (36 * 24) / (7,67 * 5,75) * 108 = 2115 (MP).

The maximum size of the photos is 12.000 X 9.000 pixels. More than 10.000 pixels on the long side! Frame proportions 4:3 (not the classic 3:2 found in many digital cameras). The 4:3 aspect ratio is native to the system Micro 4 / 3 and some medium format cameras, such as Hasselblad XCD or Fujifilm GFX.

Optics are used with F/1.89 (F/1.9) and 5.89 mm focal length with a viewing angle of 80 degrees (diagonally). When converted to Full Frame, we get EGF equal to about 27 mm focal length.

Unfortunately, the camera module does not have a built-in optical stabilizer. And also, most likely due to the limited capabilities of the processor, it shoots only 2K (1440p) video at 30 FPS (although the sensor itself can handle 8K 24p). Electronic stabilization in video shooting mode works well (it can be turned off).

Sensor properties and features of its operation with Blackview A200 Pro:

1. the sensor was announced in March 2022 of the year. At the time of writing this review, it is the latest 108 MP development from Samsung. The line of 108 MP sensors includes the models: HMX (2019) -> HM1 (2020) -> HM2 (2020) -> HM3 (2021) -> HM6 (2022).
2. 108 MP (but there is a nuance - the Nonapixel RGB Bayer pixel pattern is not a classic Bayer one)
3. technology NinPixel Plus with pixel binning based on Nonacell
4. technology is used ISOCELL 2.0. This is a further development of the ISOCELL PLUS technology described here.
5. two signal reading chains to work at High or Low ISO, which helps reduce noise levels
6. SMART ISO – automatic selection between working at High or Low ISO
7. Multisampling – combining multiple images into one, reducing noise levels and improving overall image quality
8. WDR – wide dynamic range, built on the basis of SMART ISO PRO (in Blackview A200 Pro it is called HDR/HDR AUTO)
9. SMART ISO PRO – instant stitching of two images taken simultaneously at High and Low ISO
10. there is a possibility to shoot video 8K 24p, 4k 120p (but Blackview A200 Pro shoots max 2K 30p due to CPU limitations)
11. to focus using phase sensors Super-PD (PDAF) + contrast focusing. The sensor has 12 million phase sensors (every ninth pixel is responsible for focusing), which allow focusing across the entire sensor area. This is four times more phase sensors than in the previous 108 MP sensor from Samsung - ISOCELL HM2.
12. reading speed 8 frames per second at 108 MP and 90 fps at 12 MP (Blackview A200 Pro can do about 1 fps at this resolution)
13. sensor uses 10-bit ADC
14. RAW 8, 10, 12 bit (but original Blackview A200 Pro software does not allow shooting in RAW format)
15. Electronic shutter with rolling shutter and global reset
16. range ISO 100-3200, but most likely it is for LOW ISO mode. The main camera module of Blackview A200 Pro can use ISO from 100 to 25.600 in automatic modes (most likely 25.600 gives HIGH ISO). In manual exposure control mode, only the range of 100-1600 can be used.
    
17. Minimal excerpt is 1 / 16.000 seconds (but Blackview A200 Pro can use excerpts only from 1/4000 to 1/3 second)
    
18. the average size of a 108MP image is 10-50MB, the largest JPEG file I've seen created was around 50MB (example)
19. there is a function of three-fold zoom without loss of quality (due to cropping, Blackview A200 Pro can also use 4X zoom)
20. it's important: Blackview A200 Pro does not have optical stabilization on its photo modules
21. it's important: With manual settings on Blackview A200 Pro you can only shoot at 12MP resolution (in binning mode)
22. it's important: In 108MP mode, Blackview A200 Pro does not support digital zoom
23. it's important: Blackview A108 Pro does not support HDR in 200MP mode
24. it's important: despite the fact that the aperture is stated to be F/1.9, the real one Exposition matches the lens with aperture (light transmittance) at level T/5.6. When comparing exposure photos taken on Blackview A200 Pro at ISO 100, F/1.9, Exposition corresponds to that of the Sony a7 camera with the parameters 28 mm, ISO 100 and F/5.6. It is difficult to say exactly where the loss occurs exposure – in the actual aperture of the lens (T-stops) or in certain tricks with ISO. During real shooting, it really feels like you are shooting not at F/1.9, but with a “darker lens”.

Other cameras:

• Front camera with a sensor size of 1/3.1 inch, 16 MP, Samsung S5K3P9, pixel size 1 µm
• Macro camera F/2.4, 2 MP
• Wide-angle camera with 1/4-inch sensor size, 8 MP, F/2.4, 117˚ field of view, 1.12 µm pixel size

ISOCELL Plus

ISOCELL (Isolated single Cell) technology was introduced back in 2013 and is still being developed.

ISOCELL has undergone several major upgrades: FSI (frontside-illuminated) -> BSI (backside-illuminated) – > ISOCELL -> ISOCELL PLUS -> ISOCELL 2.0 (used in Blackview A200 Pro).

ISOCELL 2.0, in turn, is based on ISOCELL Plus technology, by additionally replacing the lower part of the color filter barriers with a more reflective material. All the metal that remained in the lower part of the color filter barriers has been replaced with a new material for ISOCELL 2.0. Now, light leakage that occurs near the color filter is minimized. This further reduces optical loss in each pixel and increases light sensitivity, creating a higher-quality image with reduced noise.

Nonapixel / Nonacell

In short, thanks to Nonapixel technology, information from 9 adjacent subpixels (photodiodes) of the same color can be combined (called 'binning'), which ultimately leads to an increase in the physical size of the subpixel, which allows it to absorb more light and produce less noise when shooting in low light. With this combination, you get a 12 MP photo (108/9=12).

The result is a very interesting situation: when there is good lighting, you can get a highly detailed photo using the sensor in 108 MP mode, when there is little light, you can sacrifice resolution, but reduce the noise level by combining subpixels. In addition, 9 subpixels, located in a 3 X 3 square, are covered with one color Bayer filter, which simplifies the production of such a sensor. For 108 MP, only 12 million color filters are needed.

When the sensor with Nonapixel technology works in binning mode, it is not fundamentally different in its mosaic from the Bayer RGB. It's just that 9 subpixels of the same color become one big one, but the pattern of 'large combined subpixels' is completely analogous to the pattern of the classic Bayer RGB. In low light, Nonapixel takes pictures with a resolution of 12 MP, so the pixel size is equal to 1.92 μm.

When the sensor with Nonapixel technology works in the normal mode (without merging), then it is necessary to make a specialized demosaic algorithm. Specific demosaic for restoring the color of the final image is a disadvantage of Nonapixel technology.

Sample photos of the main module of Blackview A200 Pro

Below are examples of photos taken on the main photo module of the Blackview A200 Pro. All photos in this review are shown without processing, according to the principles ZEROJPEG.

I don't know the optical scheme of the Blackview A200 Pro main camera lens, but I must say that it copes well with resolution across the entire frame. Resolution drop at the edges and corners of the image is low. It is also nice that there is a low level of chromatic aberrations, distortion and vignetting (perhaps this is due to the built-in algorithms for suppressing the shortcomings of the optics used).

At high ISO values, noise reduction algorithms aggressively suppress not only noise, but also image detail.

It's important: sometimes the ISO value in the parameters EXIF is indicated incorrectly.

It's important: sometimes meaning excerpts in the parameters EXIF not specified (the reasons are unknown to me, it happens by chance).

Full size original photos can be downloaded or viewed at this link (Gallery on Google Drive cloud). Some of the photos helped me get Anna Anuttara.

In the future, I will supplement the review with other photo examples.

My experience

The Blackview A200 Pro came to me for review completely new, in the factory packaging. The package includes a silicone bumper and a 66-watt fast charger.

Blackview A200 Pro is a nice and inexpensive smartphone, first of all it has a nice display and a nice design. This is the first smartphone with a 100 MP camera that I have ever shot with.

When shooting intensively in the “108 Million” mode (that’s what the 108 MP mode is called), the app may refuse to take the next photo (the shutter button simply stops pressing). In this case, I simply restarted the camera app. Also, when shooting intensively, some photos turn out completely dark (black rectangles). Sometimes the app gives the error “unable to connect to the camera”.

Unfortunately, in the “108 Million” mode you can’t use additional settings, such as HDR, zoom (at least digital), etc. Also, it’s a pity that the main module doesn’t have optical stabilization, while electronic stabilization works well during video shooting.

Switching to the “108 Million” mode is inconvenient, as is switching to the “Macro” mode. You have to scroll through other modes. The “Macro” mode is generally located in the “Additional settings” submenu.

The manual shooting control mode is inconvenient, the virtual selector-wheel for changing the parameters is inconveniently configured, running over the desired value. You can adjust the focusing distance, ISO value, shutter speed and white balance. White balance has only four preset values. It is also a pity that in manual mode you cannot take photos at 108 MP, binning to 12 MP is always used, and you cannot use the HDR function.

I was asked to shoot with a watermark responsible for indicating the smartphone model. But this setting does not work in the “108 Million” mode, and in other modes it often turns off on its own (possibly after a certain number of frames). The application responsible for the photo modules (commonly known as the “camera”) clearly requires improvement.

The large amount of data (due to the large number of megapixels) allows you to process the resulting photos well on a computer. However, it is a pity that there is no option to shoot in RAW format (you need to use third-party applications, which, according to the review conditions, I do not want to use). But even third-party programs for working with the camera module do not allow you to get 108 MP RAW files, but only 12 MP files.

Focusing in the “108 Million” mode on the main module is not bad, but still focusing errors occur, especially when shooting objects at very close distances. But focusing in the video shooting mode is beyond praise. Most likely, the problem is with the algorithms.

The wide-angle and macro cameras are very weak. The wide-angle camera doesn't have a very wide viewing angle, and the macro camera doesn't have autofocus and only has a 2MP resolution.

The front selfie camera is quite good.

The so-called “night mode” of shooting is practically no different from the usual “Photo” mode.

Samsung 108MP ISOCELL HM6 uses and other smartphone models: Infinix NOTE 12 PRO, Infinix Note 12 VIP, Motorola Moto G72, Oppo A1 Pro, Realme 9 4G, Realme 10 Pro, Realme 10 Pro+, Redmi K50 Ultra, Xiaomi 12T, Samsung Galaxy M53, Samsung Galaxy M54, Samsung Galaxy F54 and many others.

The best result I got on the Blackview A200 Pro was when I shot in the regular “Photo” mode with the 'HDR' function forced on. The “108 Million” mode, although it provides high detail in good lighting, does not have the ability to use 'HDR', which makes the final photo more “faded”. The “108 Million” mode is well suited for further post-processing on a computer. With a little refinement, you can get a very good or even good result. Examples with refinement can be found on my 500px: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

I was also pleasantly surprised that the main photo module at close focusing distances produces pronounced bokeh (natural, not software). Bokeh example 1, bokeh example 2, bokeh example 3.

Video review

Results

Blackview A200 Pro is positioned as one of the company's flagships among unprotected smartphones.

Overall, the Blackview A200 Pro showed a good result of its main photo module. The limitations of photo and video capabilities are mainly related to the not very productive processor, as well as the non-optimized camera control interface. When shooting at a high resolution of 108 MP, you have to sacrifice the dynamic range and the lack of manual settings, since at this resolution you cannot use the built-in HDR function or change any settings. In the normal “Photo” mode (with binning up to 12 MP) and HDR mode, you can get the most pleasing result.

The lack of optical stabilization and the limitation to 2K video are serious shortcomings in 2024.

Overall, the Blackview A200 Pro is a responsive and pleasant smartphone. I spent about three weeks with it and never found any problems during operation. Only during intensive photography could the camera app be capricious.

1. Full frame mirrorless systems... Discussion, choice, recommendations.
2. Cropped mirrorless systems... Discussion, choice, recommendations.
3. Cropped mirrorless systems that have stopped or are no longer developing
4. Digital SLR systems that have stopped or are no longer developing
5. JVI or EVI (an important article that answers the question 'DSLR or mirrorless')
6. About mirrorless batteries
7. Simple and clear medium format
8. High-speed solutions from Chinese brands
9. All fastest autofocus zoom lenses
10. All fastest AF prime lenses
11. Mirrored full frame on mirrorless medium format
12. Autofocus Speed ​​Boosters
13. One lens to rule the world
14. The impact of smartphones on the photography market
15. What's next (smartphone supremacy)?
16. All announcements and novelties of lenses and cameras

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.