Note : This review is only on the Vivo X60 Pro camera’s super macro mode. It has many other modes.
On 1 Aug 2021, I took a calculated risk and got myself a Vivo X60 Pro mainly because of the Super Macro mode. Most user reviews I read had given the camera the thumbs up. Turned out I was so frustrated with the performance of the macro mode that I wanted to sell it off within a few days. However, I decided to test it out a few days more and to my relief, once I got the hang of how the super macro mode performed, I was able to squeeze some rather decent macros out of it. Let me touch on a few characteristics for those who are thinking of buying the phone for its macro mode.
1. Focus. I can only get the focus right about 70% of the time. I must say the macro mode is rather extreme. When it performs, it does so very well. But when it doesn’t (that’s when it simply refuses to focus at all), I feel like throwing it on the ground!! I have a lovely insect waiting to be shot and a phone camera that’s not co-operating at all! Imagine the frustration! That is why I have a back-up phone with me nowadays.
2. No magnification. There is no magnification for the super macro mode. But you can move the phone further or nearer to the subject on your own. The good thing is that it has quite a good range – I would say from 30cm down to 2cm, the images still turn out clear. Of course if you need details, then you have to shoot very close.
3. Fill Light. There is a Fill Light function that is really a great help. Now you don’t need to get an external light source – it’s built-in to the phone. Just one setback – it is too bright and therefore the images that are lighted up turn out harsh. Thus, the Fill Light needs to be diffused … which is quite easily done. You can tape a piece of translucent white plastic over the flash. For me, I used an old clip and put in a piece of white plastic plus one piece of white paper – I feel it gives the best lighting effect that way (please see photo). You will have to experiment on your own which is the best way to go about diffusing the Fill Light.
4. No bokeh effect. That is really a pity because in the very same camera, there is a Portrait mode with a beautiful bokeh filter.
5. Somewhat cumbersome at times. The macro mode cannot be turned on permanently. Eg I am shooting in macro mode and I accidentally press the Home button. When I get back to the camera, I have to turn on the super macro mode again, and the Fill Light if need be. Leaving it on Auto macro doesn’t work well as it skips from macro to normal mode based on the camera’s intuition. I’m not sure whether the other brands have the same problem.
Conclusion
If you want to buy this phone for its macro mode, I would suggest you consider carefully and try to get one to test out before you commit to buying. It’s not a cheap buy. The macro mode is good – I have no regrets but on hindsight, I should have just gotten a pre-loved Google Pixel and used my present external macro lens – that’s a much cheaper option. By the way, the X60 Pro video with its gimbal capability is really impressive. And I like the Portrait mode with bokeh filter. I haven’t had the chance to use the Huawei/Xiaomi/Redmi’s macro mode so you might want to consider that as well. Leaving you with a few more X60 Pro macro shots that I like.
