The OPPO Find X6 series was released on March 21, and this year the Find X6 series has also become the flagship of the top stacking image. After the press conference, Liu Zuohu, OPPO's senior vice president and chief product officer, and Zhang Xuan, OPPO's image product director in charge of Find X6 series images, were interviewed by media teachers/photographers.
Key points that players may care about:
Liu Zuohu personally focuses on design, which is the route of "design serves function". The reason why the previous two generations did not make a telephoto is "because we think that the periscope telephoto is just a tool. If you do not figure out how to use it well, you should not make it". Dim telephoto will be the next industry direction.
Mariana X also provides great help in maintaining the consistency of algorithms on different SoC platforms.
The power consumption of the image will be continuously optimized throughout the life cycle of the product. There will be obvious changes in the next version.
The reason why Hasu color is not put in the normal mode, but in the professional mode: if Hasu is directly put in the normal mode, it will be bound to be limited by more user use scenarios. We do not put Hasu in the professional mode, but make the professional mode more Hasu. In addition, the tone will have a dynamic adjustment process.
The reason for not doing macro and telephoto: adding macro capability will cause loss of lens light path and affect the setting of aperture value. Even if the suspension lens design is adopted, the macro function will reduce the aperture by 1-2 gears. Therefore, on balance, our generation is not equipped with 2~3cm macro.
The front 4K will support it soon. The petal shaped edge design of the telephoto lens is to solve the problems of "glare" and "stray light" by controlling the diffraction of light.
The following is the original interview summary, which can be seen in detail by interested aircraft users:
Media: In order to reduce the traces of computational photography, Find X6 has multiplied the amount of computation. It seems that the logic is very complex. Why do you use this method? What is the difference between this and directly reducing the participation of image algorithms?
Zhang Xuan: Take the portrait shooting as an example. If the algorithm is removed from the portrait mode, the mobile phone will not be able to achieve the portrait mode. The reason is that due to the requirement of portability, mobile phones can not realize camera like virtualization optically. Even the Find X6 series, which has the largest perifocal aperture value in the industry, objectively speaking, its optical virtualization effect still cannot reach the degree of virtualization of professional cameras we hope to approach.
Therefore, we must involve the algorithm to make the mobile phone simulate the optical virtualization through calculation, and this process is where the amount of calculation has an impact on the effect: we more involve the algorithm to make the virtualization effect of the Find X6 series look like the difference between the front and rear depth of field of the real optical lens, and the accuracy of the virtualization is also better, Make its production in portrait mode naturally like optical lens shooting. At this time, it seems that we can hardly detect the participation of the algorithm with the naked eye, but what supports this "no trace" effect is actually the multiple calculations behind.
The sense of nature brought by the algorithm is also reflected in the light and shadow we emphasize. When communicating with some media friends, they told me that after calculation, the photos of the Find X6 series are basically the same as the ambient brightness they see with their naked eyes, and the contrast between light and dark is very strong. Behind this visual effect, there are also multiple algorithm calculations to support it.
Liu Zuohu: Why did people dislike image computing in the past? The core reason is that the previous calculation is not good enough and natural enough. The image of the Find X6 series has really brought about a qualitative leap. In particular, the sense of natural light and shadow can enable ordinary people like me, who do not have much photography foundation, to take pictures of professional studios. This has changed a lot.
Media: The design of the Find X6 series is very different from that of the Find X5 series. How does OPPO deal with the inheritance and innovation of Find series design in terms of design language?
Liu Zuohu: I always have a point of view: "Design serves function". One of the core goals of the Find X6 series design is to enable users to see professional image strength when they get their mobile phones. The Find X6 series is indeed quite different from the Find X5 series. There are objective factors: for example, the one inch wide base angle and the long focus and ultra wide angle of the IMX890 occupy a lot of space, so there is no way to achieve the small camera module like the Find X5 series. Therefore, we return to the concept of "design serves function" in the Find X6 series, hoping to fully reflect the professionalism of cameras. Design is an area I have been focusing on. If we look at the issue of design inheritance in the short term, it seems that there will be great changes; However, if the time dimension is extended, we will find that the temperament of the Find X6 series and its ultimate pursuit of CMF technology, texture and feel are what OPPO products should look like, which is the unique gene of OPPO products, which is also the place we have always inherited in design.
Media: If we shoot a person with the Find X6 series, who does Pete want to shoot?
Liu Zuohu: I would like to take pictures of children, because the effect of the Find X6 series makes my children look like they were taken by professional studios. Because of this, I have taken pictures at least 10 times more frequently recently.
(Embarrassing question 1) Media: As early as the 10x zoom version of Reno, OPPO was doing periscopic telephoto lens, but the two generations of Find X3 and Find X5 did not carry the configuration of telephoto, and the generation of Find X6 also focused on periscopic telephoto. What is the thinking logic behind this change? Why didn't the previous two generations give users a usable telephoto?
Liu Zuohu: OPPO's pursuit of images has never changed. We have been pursuing to bring users more and better experiences. Although the stacking of find X6 series telephoto is very fierce, you should also notice that today's press conference, we basically did not talk about the limit telephoto multiple of periscope telephoto. Because we think the periscope telephoto is just a tool. If you don't figure out how to use it well, you shouldn't do it.
In the Find X6 series, we really understood the role of telephoto through systematic image cognition construction: that is, free composition and shooting. The Find X6 series uses a large base and a large number of algorithms on the ultra wide angle and periscope telephoto. The biggest advantage is that users can directly compose and shoot pictures without worrying about the multiple of the lens and the quality of the telephoto. This is also my personal experience as a photographer and an ordinary user. It is precisely because of this understanding that we no longer talk about the multiple of foresight internally, but focus on the freedom of composition and shooting.
Media: What progress has Mariana X made in the past year? On Find X6, does Mariana X assume other functions or provide other capabilities?
Liu Zuohu: Our algorithm has been iterating in the past year. The Find X5 series had a software upgrade in the second half of last year, and the image upgrade was very obvious.
Zhang Xuan: Mariana X was launched for the first time in OPPO Find X5 series last year, and solved the shooting problem of 4K HDR video with the advantage of computing power. In the Find X6 series, Mariana X makes the self developed 3A algorithm more deeply connected to the entire image computing. At the same time, Mariana X also provides great help in maintaining the consistency of algorithms on different SoC platforms. More importantly, with Mariana X, we can stably migrate our algorithm capabilities to different models: algorithms are afraid of the latest, and enabling new algorithms will lead to reduced reliability. Therefore, our overall strategy is to sink our algorithm capabilities to maintain stability on different products and SoC platforms. This includes algorithms such as the portrait model that calculate the intensity. The Find X6 series algorithm is probably the most complicated portrait mode at present. We changed serial processing to parallel processing, which solved the problem of processing time.
Media: OPPO paid more attention to video shooting before. Does the return of Find X6 to flat photo shooting represent a change in the positioning of Find series products? Or the overall change of product strategy?
Liu Zuohu: From the perspective of images, I personally think that photography is ahead of video, but that does not mean that video is not important.
In taking photos of this track, our pursuit has never changed. We have always been focusing on clarity, color and light and shadow. From the Find X3 series to the Find X5 series, and then to the Find X6 series that has brought about qualitative changes today, we have been strengthening our video capabilities as well as our shooting capabilities.
To sum up, our positioning has not changed, and we always believe that photography is prior to video.
Media: The Find X6 series has a lot of ink on the telephoto. Do you think this is what users really need?
Liu Zuohu: I think it is not the real demand of users to see the people on the Ferris wheel when the periscope telephoto takes 100 times. In fact, users rarely save more than 50 times of photos on their mobile phones.
We believe that the periscopic telephoto is to achieve freedom of composition and creation, especially the triple telephoto. The core is to shoot well and have a sense of work, which is the essence of photography. It is unrealistic to expect the mobile phone to achieve the effect of professional 300 mm lens when shooting things farther than 100 meters or 200 meters away. So I said that the phenomenon of ultra long focus in the industry is an alternative, and the use of long focus in Find X6 is the mainstream.
Zhang Xuan: From the creative point of view, there are many good works of the super telephoto, but there is no good scheme for mobile phones. Taking the sense of works as the premise, our choice is correct. If you want to make a longer focal length, you may need a 1/4 inch or smaller sensor.
Media: Why is the performance of Find X6 Pro more aggressive? Is there a low-power optimization that takes into account daily use? In addition, Find X6 Pro does not have the function of game optimization. What is the reason behind this?
Liu Zuohu: The Find X6 Pro is not only strong in performance this time, but also leading in flash charging. When the balance between endurance and energy consumption is achieved, the experience improvement brought by these capabilities is also of great value to business people.
Of course, the Find X series, as our image flagship, focuses on the ultimate image experience. More attention to performance can be found in our Yijia Performance Flagship.
Media: First, the image of the first IMX890 model is very different from that of the new CMOS model. Why? Second, we see that the processing time of dual cores is too long at present. Why? Can we continue to shorten it?
Zhang Xuan: With regard to the IMX890, its changes have mainly improved the data acquisition capability. More data can be collected in the same time. This feature has helped the Find X6 series ultra clear image quality engine to a certain extent, brought better resolution and details, and preserved more light and shadow. It is precisely because this algorithm improves the sensor utilization rate that the effect will be improved from generation to generation on the premise of the same hardware.
As for the processing time, it is actually a question of the choice of effect and speed, as well as a question of product ideas. In the trade-off between faster processing and better results, we believe that processing speed cannot help users get the results they most care about, so we choose the current processing link and duration. In general, the current scheme is a more balanced choice in terms of effect, power consumption and processing time.
With the improvement of hardware computing power and chip coordination, this time will continue to be optimized. For example, the nightscape mode three or four years ago required 4-5 seconds of computing time. Now, with the increase of computing power, it can be directly performed in the automatic mode, and the virtualization of portrait mode is similar. We will continue to optimize this experience through the adjustment of algorithm load and model strategy.
Media: The power consumption of the video system is relatively high. How will it be optimized in the future?
Zhang Xuan: The power consumption of the image will be continuously optimized throughout the life cycle of the product. There will be obvious changes in the next version.
Media: The physical focal length of the periscope telephoto of the Find X6 Pro is 2.7 times, and the default display of the camera UI is 3 times. In addition, the normal mode manual zoom 2.7 times starts to switch to the telephoto, and the professional mode manual zoom 3 times before zooming. What is the design logic of this focus section?
Zhang Xuan: This is actually a problem of "how many times the telephoto can be done at the farthest". The design logic of the long focal length needs to consider the focal length change of the 1x wide-angle lens, as well as the image quality of the medium and long focal length.
First, the setting of periscope telephoto magnification must follow the wide-angle focal section. With the addition of the one inch bottom, the focal section coverage of wide-angle lenses is getting stronger and stronger, and even the image quality is better than that of the single double lens when it is cut to twice. When designing the long focus section, we need to consider such factors. At present, 2.5 times is a key point.
Second, the pursuit of medium and long focus image quality. Our Find X6's telephoto is based on the traditional image quality. In order to achieve this image quality, the 1/1.5 inch sensor will be a balance point. The industry has long used the IMX766, which is precisely because this size is very balanced in algorithm performance and strategy. At the same time, based on the goal of pursuing image quality, we have also made the telephoto have a large aperture of traditional focus.
With a large bottom and a large aperture, the focus segment based on physical size falls between 65mm and 70mm. Based on the 65mm equivalent focal length of the middle frame lens XCD80, we finally set the long focal length of the Find X6 series at 65mm through calibration with Hasu. This focal length has a very good portrait effect.
Media: Why not provide a focal section of double portrait?
Zhang Xuan: This future will be provided to you through OTA. The 2x feature needs to be done well in all modes. The 2x portrait part will be more complex. We will bring a better 2x default focus experience to users in the future.
Media: Why is Hasu color not in the normal mode, but in the professional mode?
Zhang Xuan: Media friends may see that the company has done some "tone selector" functions. For us, we are deeply cooperating with Hasu in terms of overall tone, not just choosing which tone.
In fact, two factors are considered. First, how to do with tone differentiation? We need to consider the user's use scenarios and proficiency, so we extract the key parts of Hasselblad and apply them in the default straight out mode. Second, how to define the effect of portrait mode? We integrate 100% Hasselblad style with the adjustment of lighting and photographers into the portrait mode, and cooperate with Hasselblad from the hardware level, so as to bring users more than ordinary straight out to drive stylized imaging.
If we directly put Hasu into the normal mode, it will definitely be limited by more user scenarios. We do not put Hasu into the professional mode, but make the professional mode more Hasu.
Later, we will continue to explore and communicate with more multimedia teachers and users. There will be a dynamic adjustment process in the aspect of tone.
Media: Why is ProXDR ineffective in professional mode? Will there be a solution later? Will ProXDR be installed on other products in the future?
Zhang Xuan: Pro XDR function in professional mode will be solved in subsequent professional mode.
Pro XDR is not only a selling point for OPPO, but also a capability. The matching of this capability is related to the conditions of the screen hardware, the image link, and the integration of ColorOS.
Media: How does the accumulation of Mariana's self-developed chip algorithms play a role in this generation, and can old users and old models also benefit?
Zhang Xuan: In fact, there are many factors affecting the image algorithm. In addition to our self-developed chips, it is also related to the processor platform and hardware.
Liu Zuohu: On Find X5 Pro, Mariana's self-developed chip has upgraded algorithms such as portrait mode, which is loved by consumers, media teachers and photography experts. This time, in addition to the optimization of the Mariana algorithm, the Find X6 Pro also has more powerful hardware, which is more powerful in combination and can give users a better image experience.
Media: Why is the peak brightness of OPPO much higher than that of friends on the screen of Samsung E6?
Liu Zuohu: In terms of screens, although many products use Samsung's top E6 screens, different manufacturers will choose different calibration methods. OPPO has its own unique technology, and our goal is to achieve the peak brightness to the extreme. Finally, we also reached the goal of the highest peak brightness in the industry.
Media: Why did the Find X5 launch a separate version of Tianji, while the Find X6 series chose to use Tianji processors in the standard version?
Liu Zuohu: Tianji chip is very excellent, and the performance of Tianji 9200 is also very good. In fact, the overall evaluation of Tianji is very high in both the industry and the media.
Media: Do you think the dark focus is the mainstream and others are the non mainstream?
Liu Zuohu: Real insight and meeting the needs of users is the mainstream, and dark telephoto will certainly promote or drive the development of mobile images.
Media: What are the new trends of mobile video in the future?
Liu Zuohu: OPPO has been exploring the development of mobile images, and dim light telephoto will be the new direction of the industry.
Media: Will there be discoloration and wear of the plain leather this time? In addition, will such high peak brightness cause screen burning?
Liu Zuohu: As for plain skin, you can trust the quality of OPPO.
Concern about high peak brightness on screen burning. In reality, this peak brightness will not be fixed in the same place, so the peak brightness will not affect the life of the screen.
Media: Why is Mariana Y not available on the Find X6 series?
Zhang Xuan: The carrying of chips requires the time matching and combination of chips and commercial products.
Media: Some friends have used the latest battery materials, such as silicon carbon cathode batteries. In the past, OPPO has always had a deep accumulation in batteries and charging. What do you think of OPPO's actions?
Liu Zuohu: It is inconvenient for us to evaluate the technology choices of our friends. However, as far as OPPO is concerned, through the long-life flash charging technology, the mobile phone battery can withstand 1600 charging and discharging cycles, and can be used for 4 years on the premise of charging once a day. This experience can be said to be the best in the industry.
Media: Will OPPO consider equipping flagship models with a telephoto macro with the nearest focusing distance of 2~3cm in the future?
Liu Zuohu: We will seriously consider this problem.
Zhang Xuan: From the current technology, adding macro capability will cause loss to the lens optical path and affect the setting of aperture value. Even if the suspension lens design is adopted, the macro function will reduce the aperture by 1-2 gears. Therefore, on balance, our generation is not equipped with 2~3cm macro.
Media: There are some differences between the color style of Find X6 Pro and that of Find X6. It seems that they are taken by two machines. Is it due to the difference between the Snapdragon chip and Tianji chip? Can subsequent OTAs improve this color difference?
Zhang Xuan: We hope that the color rendering effect of the two models tends to be consistent. For this reason, Find X6 and Find X6 Pro will use the same white balance strategy and exposure strategy in the same scene. The final color rendering is different, which is not only related to the SoC platform, but also related to the control and framing of the algorithm strategy. For example, even if two products of the same model take pictures separately in the same scene, the final image will be slightly different due to the influence of algorithm strategy control and frame taking on the scene. To sum up, we will ensure the consistency of the overall style orientation and algorithm strategy in the entire image strategy, but objectively speaking, it is impossible to ensure the pixel level consistency of each photo.
Media: Exposure compensation adjustment can only be used after switching to professional mode. Will you optimize the convenience of this function in the future and provide exposure compensation adjustment in the default mode?
Zhang Xuan: From the algorithm level, because the algorithm is highly complex, almost all Android phones do not support panoramic exposure compensation adjustment in the default mode, while professional modes with less algorithm participation are relatively easier to achieve this function. We are optimizing the algorithm for this and will give you a reply as soon as possible.
Media: What is OPPO's ultimate goal and dream on video and mobile phones?
Liu Zuohu: I don't have such a shocking dream as "must change the world". My goal has always been to make products based on the book. In terms of product experience, there are still many unmet needs, which is exactly the fun of making products. I just want to do a good job of products, and have no other goals. Because of this, I have been pursuing to do my best to be the best product in the world. For OPPO, our channel of communication with users is our product. Users will like the product if it is well done, and will scold you if it is not well done. Last year, we did not believe that mobile images can be inversely compared with single images, but the image effect of the Find X6 series really exceeded our expectations, which is the result I want.
I believe that the way of making products in the next ten years will be completely different from today, which is the fun of making products.
Media: Why is there no 8K resolution option for the rear video of the Find X6 series? In addition, why does the front lens not have 4K resolution?
Zhang Xuan: The front 4K will support it soon.
For the 8K resolution index, objectively speaking, its priority is weaker than the 4K 60 frame full link HDR. The design specification of Mariana X chip also points to this video specification. In the future, in order to achieve good 8K video production, it is necessary to solve the power consumption problem caused by 4K 60 frame HDR with one inch bottom running on hardware, which still needs some time to solve.
Liu Zuohu: In terms of image, the most difficult thing is to balance performance and power consumption. At present, the 4K 60 frames we support can meet the needs of most users. If you force 8K resolution on this basis, the overall experience may be affected. In the future, we will also work hard on 8K video according to users' needs, and we will wait and see.
Media: The telephoto lens uses a petal shaped edge design. What are the considerations for making this decision? In addition, why did the "Hasselle Orange" element disappear from the camera interface? What are the considerations?
Zhang Xuan: The biggest challenge of making periscope lens is to deal with lens stray light. However, the large bottom periscope telephoto of the Find X6 series will encounter greater restrictions on stray light. The current "petal" part actually has the effect of a "mask". From the perspective of the lens, "de glare" can solve "glare", "stray light" and other problems by controlling the diffraction of light.
On the second question, the Find X6 series does not eliminate Hasu elements, but uses Hasu elements in the right place, that is, the pursuit of color consistency. Hasu orange and shutter sound in the interface are all appearances of cooperation with Hasu. We will continue to make efforts in the dimension of professional mode, strive to make the professional mode more "Hasu", and make the "elements" of Hasu more solid shooting experience.
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