Huawei P40 series announced: Leica cameras, 10x optical zoom and the largest sensor to date

Huawei has just announced three phones in the P40 series: Huawei P40, P40 Pro and P40 Pro+. Once again, Huawei has put the focus on the camera capabilities. All three versions of the latest flagship phone bring some improvements over the previous series. Sensor size, zoom range, and maximum ISO are only some of them, so let’s dive in and see what Huawei has come up with.

A powerful front camera system like no other! Experience the #HUAWEIP40 Series and discover 4K selfie video as well as #VisionaryPhotography.
Catch us LIVE now https://t.co/QdwooYadDM pic.twitter.com/lEsp70TcSA

— Huawei Mobile (@HuaweiMobile) March 26, 2020

Each of the models has a different number of cameras. The “basic” Huawei P40 has a three-camera array, the P40 Pro packs four cameras, whereas the P40 pro+ has five of them. In all of the models, the cameras were co-engineered with Leica, just like in the previous iterations of Huawei’s flagship phone.

Discover what makes #VisionaryPhotography possible on the #HUAWEIP40 Series.#Specsheet
Watch our global launch LIVE now at https://t.co/QdwooYadDM pic.twitter.com/yFKe4e2lFZ

— Huawei Mobile (@HuaweiMobile) March 26, 2020

All three models have 4K/60p video capabilities, not only in the rear camera but also for the front one. The ISO sensitivity can go up to ISO 51200, and all three models offer optical image stabilization, as well as AI-powered image stabilization. As for the slo-mo capabilities, the phones of the P40 line capture 7680fps Ultra Slow-Motion video. There’s also 4K timelapse, as well as real-time bokeh for videos. Plenty of interesting features for video shooters, and here’s a test from Unbox Therapy so you can see the camera in action:

Here are the specs of all three phones and their cameras:

Huawei P40

Rear Camera:

• 50 MP Ultra Vision Camera (Wide Angle, f/1.9 aperture) + 16 MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera (f/2.2 aperture) + 8 MP Telephoto Camera (f/2.4 aperture, OIS)
• Autofocus Mode: Autofocus
• Image stabilization: OIS + AIS
• Zoom Mode: Digital Zoom, Optical Zoom, Hybrid Zoom
• Video Recording: Support for 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) 60fps video recording
• Image Resolution: Support up to 8192 x 6144 pixels
• Video Resolution: Support up to 3840 x 2160 pixels

Front Camera:

• 32 MP Selfie Camera (f/2.0 aperture), IR Camera
• Video recording: Support for 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) 60fps video recording
• Image resolution: Support up to 6528 x 4896 pixels
• Video resolution: Support up to 3840 x 2160 pixels

Huawei P40 Pro

Rear Camera:

• 50 MP Ultra Vision Camera (Wide Angle, f/1.9 aperture, OIS) + 40 MP Cine Camera (Ultra-Wide Angle, f/1.8 aperture) + 12 MP SuperSensing Telephoto Camera (f/3.4 aperture, OIS) + 3D Depth Sensing Camera
• Autofocus mode: Autofocus
• Image stabilization: OIS + AIS
• Zoom Mode: 10x Digital Zoom, 5x Optical Zoom, 50x Hybrid Zoom
• Video recording: Support for 4K(3840 x 2160 pixels) 60fps video recording
• Image resolution: Support up to 8192 x 6144 pixels
• Video resolution: Support up to 3840 x 2160 pixels

Front Camera:

• 32 MP Selfie Camera (f/2.2 aperture) + Depth Camera*
• Autofocus Mode: Autofocus
• Video Recording: Support for 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) 60fps video recording
• Image resolution: Support up to 6528 x 4896 pixels
• Video resolution: Support up to 3840 x 2160 pixels
• *Depth Camera also support face unlock with IR.

Huawei P40 Pro+

Rear Camera:

• 50MP Ultra Vision Camera (Wide Angle, f/1.9 aperture, OIS) + 40MP Cine Camera (Ultra-Wide Angle, f/1.8 aperture) + 8MP SuperZoom Camera (10X Optical Zoom, f/4.4 aperture, OIS) + 8MP Telephoto Camera (3X Optical Zoom, f/2.4 aperture, OIS) + 3D Depth Sensing Camera
• Autofocus Mode: Autofocus
• Image stabilization: OIS + AIS
• Zoom Mode: Digital Zoom, Optical Zoom (10x telephoto camera 240mm, 3x telephoto camera 80mm), 100x max zoom
• Video Recording: Support for 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) 60fps video recording
• Image Resolution: Support up to 8192 x 6144 pixels
• Video Resolution: Support up to 3840 x 2160 pixels

Front Camera:

• 32 MP Selfie Camera (f/2.2 aperture) + Depth Camera*
• Autofocus Mode: Autofocus
• Video recording: Support for 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) 60fps video recording
• Image resolution: Support up to 6528 x 4896 pixels
• Video resolution: Support up to 3840 x 2160 pixels
• *Depth Camera also support face unlock with IR.

I am a fan of Huawei phones, especially the camera. I have a pretty modest Mate 20 Lite, and its camera is great. I imagine that newer and more powerful models have much better cameras. My phone has all Google apps and everything I need, which leads me to the potential problem of the P40 series. The US ban is still on, so neither of the phones from the latest series supports any Google apps.

Still, if you’re ready for a Google-free phone, all three phones of the Huawei P40 series will be available in early April. The P40 and P40 Pro come in five colors: Black, Deep Sea Blue, Ice White, Blush Gold, and Silver Frost. The P40 Pro+ comes in two: Black Ceramic and White Ceramic. As for the prices, the P40 costs 799 euros (around $880), the P40 Pro is 999 euros (about $1,100), and the P40 Pro + is the most expensive with the price tag of 1,399 euros (about $1,540).

[via Photography Blog]