Previously in this articleThe most attractive feature of this new smartphone, which is also FeliCa compatible, is its camera function developed in collaboration with Hasselblad. I went to Macau during the Christmas season to take photos, as I am a traveler when I want to take photos.
XPAN mode to gain new perspectives.
A mixture of the West and the East. Macau, a Portuguese territory from the 16th century until its return to China in 1999, is now home to 30 World Heritage sites.
The purpose of my visit to Macau, which was visited by more than 40 million people last year, was to test the camera of Oppo's new smartphone, the Find X9. Although many people in Japan are not yet familiar with the company since it began full-scale development in 2018, it is actually one of the top five most popular smartphone makers in terms of global market share.
The appeal of the Find X9 is that it was developed in collaboration with Hasselblad, a long-established Swedish camera manufacturer founded in 1841. The camera is designed in collaboration with Hasselblad, a long-established Swedish camera manufacturer founded in 1841. It is a rare smartphone that makes you want to preserve memories.
I found myself taking more than 1,000 photos during my 3-day/2-night trip, and I will start by introducing the XPAN mode, an unusual shooting mode that was also available on the previous model.
This unusually long horizontal photo is in XPAN mode. The unusual aspect ratio of 65:24 (long side:short side) is said to be derived from the "XPan" panoramic camera released by Hasselblad in 1998. The image is wider than expected, giving the viewer a very strange sensation. Incidentally, it is also possible to take a portrait image.
This is what the XPAN mode shooting screen looks like. Top left: The screen when the phone is held vertically. Top right: When the shutter is released, the screen looks like a negative-positive image. Bottom: When the phone is held horizontally, the "Hasselblad" logo and other images appear.
It can be a narrow alley or an open area. It is a little difficult until you get used to it. However, as I was taking pictures, I started to enjoy the unique and fresh images. It's a cinematic experience, a change in perspective.
More impressive cultural aroma.
The atmosphere of the former Portuguese territory has been strongly preserved in the Macau Historic District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pastel-colored Western architecture, austere Oriental architecture, and modern buildings are all mixed together to create an atmosphere that is truly Macau.
The mood is even stronger during the Christmas season, which makes us want to try out the Find X9's three rear lenses. Each has a 15mm f/2.0 ultra-wide-angle lens, a 23mm f/1.6 wide-angle lens, and a 73mm f/2.0 3x optical zoom, all with about 50 megapixels. Add to this Hasselblad's accumulation and the latest AI correction, and you are left with photos that are more dramatic than you can remember.
However, I am an amateur photographer, so I won't say much. Instead, please enjoy the large number of photos as they were taken, unretouched.
Night views are also a specialty.
Just as popular as the Old Town is the Cotai area, another face of Macau. This area is being developed as a resort facility with casinos, luxury hotels, and a huge shopping mall.
The night scene is a spectacular sight to behold, and that's where the Find X9 comes in. With the night view mode and slow shutter speed, you can capture beautiful images without blurring the artificial light.
Photo taken in night view mode.
Photo taken in night view mode.
Photo taken with slow shutter speed.
Photo taken in XPAN mode.
Photo taken in XPAN mode.
Photo taken in XPAN mode.
Photo taken in XPAN mode.
A digital camera that can take beautiful pictures is good, but a smartphone that can take quick pictures is more convenient when traveling with a lot of luggage. We spent three days and two nights walking around Macau's historical district by day and the Cotai district by night. Having the Find X9 at hand made my life more enjoyable than usual. It was so enjoyable that even those who are not good at getting up early went out for a morning walk to take pictures of the morning scenery.
