Oppo R5 review

One of the thinnest smartphones in the world

Oppo R5 review
High five for the R5

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The cameras on the Oppo R5 are one of its best features. A 13MP sensor manufactured by Sony juts out the back of the slim handset, with a 5MP sensor sat neatly on the front. Having the camera poke out the back is a little worrying, I can't help but wonder just how quickly it will be for me to scratch the lens.

Oppo has included a single LED flash alongside the camera, something that initially worried me as it doesn't seem overly bright. In small areas this isn't a problem, there is no colour washout that is associated with brighter flashes.

Oppo R5 review

App wise, Sony Xperia handsets have been my favourites to use for a variety of reasons but Oppo comes really close with its offering here. It is clean and fits well into the rest of ColorOS with its translucent and round effects.

Just like Sony, third party apps can be downloaded to bolster the already impressive array of options. HDR and Panorama modes aren't, confusingly, included as standard but are available as downloads. Elsewhere you can download the ability to create GIFs, photos with sound, a super macro mode and Ubifocus.

Oppo R5 review

This last mode allows you to adjust the focus post shot, although in tests I didn't find the focus to change a lot. If this is a mode that you wish to use, I'd recommend the Lytro Light Field camera.

Pre-installed options include a slow shutter speed, colourful night shot, HD picture and Beautify. There is also an expert mode that allows you to manually toggle the white balance, exposure and even the focus levels. It's nice to see these hidden away as I've never found that I use them when out and about.

Video modes can also be set, although these are set to quality levels, HDR mode and a slow motion mode that will be ideal for those looking to upload videos to YouTube.

Oppo R5 review

If, like myself, you're big into taking selfies there are a range of different filters that can be applied. I've never seen the point in these though as I believe they distort the image too much and make me look worse than I already do.

With both cameras, the standard shooting mode is 4:3. This is a little frustrating as most of the ways I show off my photos, be it my laptop, phone or TV are all in 16:9. It is possible to switch modes, but both result in the image being chopped to fit and as such come with a loss of quality.

Oppo R5 review

Image has come out clear, although the poor winter light means that colours aren't as vivid as they could be

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Oppo R5 review

Colour reproduction is good although the image is a little noisy

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Oppo R5 review

A lot of detail has been captured in the moss growing on the tree

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Oppo R5 review

Moving in as close as possible and adding zoom still results in a clear photo

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Oppo R5 review

Image suffers greatly trying to differentiate between darker and lighter areas

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Oppo R5 review

The flash doesn't wipe out colour, with the reproduction being bright. Some detail is lost in brighter areas

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