Test shots with BlackBerry DTEK50: Impressive color processing, inadequate low-light performance

Many might argue that the DTEK50 has lost its BlackBerry essence due to its hardware similarities with the Alcatel Idol 4. However, after testing this device for a while, I believe BlackBerry still excels in the camera department through software interventions.

1. Test shots with BlackBerry DTEK50: Impressive color processing, inadequate low-light performance

Many might argue that DTEK50 has lost its BlackBerry essence due to its hardware similarities with the Alcatel Idol 4. However, after testing this device for a while, I believe BlackBerry still excels in the camera department through software interventions. The DTEK50 still maintains its advantages such as image processing algorithms, delivering good photo quality, beautiful colors, and addressing issues with camera lag on the Priv. However, the device has some drawbacks such as photos having a characteristic slight yellowish tone, as seen in previous BlackBerry models like the Priv and Passport.

Camera specifications of DTEK 50:

• Sensor: 13 megapixels
• Aperture: F/2.0
• Phase Detection Autofocus
• Dual Flash
• Face Detection

Before delving into the image section, let's take a quick glance at the camera interface of the DTEK50. This interface style has been around since the Priv era, and I highly appreciate it. All the necessary parameters are fully displayed.

In Auto mode, the device still shows all parameters without hiding anything; you can adjust the EV slider to control brightness, and the DTEK50 takes care of the rest. But when you need to adjust something, just tap on the parameter you want to adjust, and immediately the device switches to manual mode for you to take control of the camera settings. Of course, the interface is just part of the issue. Seeing is believing! 1. Photos taken in auto mode.

Here, automatic means everything is taken care of, from brightness, ISO, shutter speed to HDR. The intelligent auto HDR mode helps balance the light and dark areas harmoniously, saving users from having to think and spend time switching on HDR. Walking along Bui Vien street in Saigon, we encounter many scenes, subjects with quite vibrant colors.

a. Mixed Outdoor Lighting

These are the bamboo hammocks hanging on the wall. There are plenty of colors to choose from.

Trying a close-up shot, the color red dominates a significant area of the image.

A young couple

Additionally, one thing that impressed me is the DTEK50's ability to handle and balance colors. This is one of the best color processing capabilities I've ever experienced in a mid-to-high-end device. Testing with various shades of blue, reds, and yellows, all close-up shots yielded images with very impressive color rendition.

b. Testing skin tones:

c. Testing with indoor yellow lighting:

d. Shooting against backlight:

e. Low-light photography: 

The large aperture camera at F2 is nothing particularly special nowadays, but it still delivers quite noticeable results. In low light situations, the device boosts ISO quite aggressively to ensure brightness and shutter speed. However, this leads to grain and color shifts; upon closer inspection, we'll notice quite heavy color shifts and poor details.

Capturing in automatic mode

and capturing with a 2-second exposure - ISO 800 f. Sharpness and details:  Trying 100% crop of the 720x520-sized image area

2. Testing HDR mode:

The DTek50 is equipped with 3 HDR modes: HDR off / HDR on, and automatic HDR. In addition to manual toggling, BlackBerry also incorporates automatic HDR functionality to decide when to brighten dark areas and dim bright areas to achieve more balanced light.

Sunlight causes significant brightness differences between the outside and inside shadow areas, so the device processes HDR to ensure details in the dark areas. Personally, I find this Auto HDR mode quite pleasant, not overly harsh.

Similarly, in this situation, the HDR Auto feature helps to represent dark area details well and harmoniously. Alongside the Auto mode, you can also adjust HDR manually, turning it on or off. Below are some comparison photos between HDR and non-HDR images:

Image captured with HDR off on the left and HDR on on the right

Image captured with HDR off on the left and HDR on on the right

Image captured with HDR off on the left and HDR on on the right​

3. Autofocus capability.

BlackBerry equips the DTEK50 with Phase Detection autofocus technology. This is a feature that simulates the phase detection autofocus technology of cameras with the advantage of fast autofocus speed, although sometimes not precise. To test the autofocus capability, I let the device autofocus in the central area and follow the moving subject:

However, the autofocus capability also reveals its weaknesses when capturing close-up objects, with thin depth of field and continuous movement such as children:

I appreciate how BlackBerry listens to user feedback and makes improvements. Compared to the Priv, I can see significant improvements in autofocus speed and HDR mode. Overall, DTEK50's photos have pleasant and neutral colors. However, without Schneider's high-quality lens, daytime noise control is not good, night shots lack detail, and sometimes white balance leans towards warm tones.

We use DTEK50 as a tool to record, preserve, and share moments in life. Its competitor is Samsung's Galaxy A5. If you're not too demanding, DTEK50 can meet your needs at a price of 8 million VND.

Advantages:

• Improved HDR mode, smarter, yielding fairly balanced photos
• Good, accurate, and pleasing colors in photos without being overly aggressive
• Improved autofocus
• Good sharpness

Disadvantages:

• Lack of high detail, especially in low-light conditions
• Presence of noise in some adequately lit situations
• Photos taken in automatic mode sometimes tend to have a yellowish hue