Oppo Find X2 review

Portraits

Portraits on the Find X2 can be shot with either the main cam or the 2x telephoto, with the phone defaulting to the 2x mode. Subject separation is good but not infallible, and even if Covid-19-mandated self-haircuts do make it easier on the algorithms with this particular subject, you can still see minor glitches around the shoulder outlines - so not half bad, but not perfect either, as is generally the case.

Portrait samples, 2x

There's a difference in detail rendition between the 1x and 2x modes with 1x offering a sharper, grittier texture while the tele cam leaves the skin softer. Both portrait magnifications create nice images, but we'd stick with 1x in lower light thanks to its better light gathering capability even if that means a shorter working distance, and suboptimal perspective.

Portrait samples, 1x

Selfies

The Find X2 takes very detailed selfies in good lighting, albeit quite noisy if you were to look up close. Its skin tones are point as are colors in general. Dynamic range is on the narrow side, though the auto HDR's efforts do help out.

Selfie samples

HDR isn't really available in portrait mode, so backlit portraits can end up with severely blown out hightlight, though on a positive note your face will be exposed properly. Subject detection is typically very good, though you can expect the occasional oddity around ears.

Selfie samples, Portrait mode

Video recording

The Find X2 records video at up to 4K60 at zoom levels 1x to 5x, though the high frame rate modes when zoomed in actually come out of the main camera and not the telephoto. The ultra wide angle camera supports 4K30 and 1080p at both 30 and 60fps. Stabilization is available in all modes, though there's no explicit way of knowing it, nor is there an option to turn it off. You do get to choose between the h.264 and h.265 codecs.

Footage out of the main cam is pleasantly good looking in 4K30 (45Mbps) with high contrast and nice lively colors. If ou were to zoom in up close, you'd see that some of the finest detail is a bit soft, but you won't be seeing that at normal viewing distances. Noise is very low, which is nice. 4K60 comes with some extra sharpening applied and a more granular gritty texture, as well some more noise. Colors exhibit a gentle purple shift - not an issue in itself, but just different than the 4K30 mode.

The same 30fps vs 60fps differences in color can be seen in 1080p resolution videos, so it likely has something to do with the Quad Bayer sensor readout in the high frame rate mode, as we didn't see such a difference on the ultra wide cam. Other than that 1080p is good in both frame rates and it's of similar quality with only a small amount of extra sharpening going on in 60fps.

The ultra wide angle cam is better suited for video than stills with its native 16:9 aspect ratio. It captures decently detailed 4K30 footage for an ultra wide cam and has a lively color output. Dynamic range is on the narrow side, but it's not any worse than competing efforts. 1080p/30fps is also on par with the competition in terms of detail and has the same color and dynamic range properties as 4K. 1080p/60fps, on the other hand, turns out noticeably softer.

Telephoto videos are shot on the 2x cam for the 30fps modes and on the main cam for the 60fps frame rate. Predictably then, the high frame rate footage comes with a noticeable drop in detail (but ample sharpening), and that color tint we talked about on the main cam. 4K30 does have excellent detail as does 1080p/30fps, colors are lively and likeable and dynamic range is respectable too.

At 5x we didn't even bother with 60fps modes, but the 30fps ones show little to no difference in detail between 1080p and 4K. So, if you need some 1080p footage at 5x zoom and don't have too high expectations, the Find X2's clips will probably do.

Stabilization is consistently great on the Find X2 from all cameras and in both 4K and 1080p. Walking induced shake is still visible on the main, though not all that obtrusive, while it's entirely ironed out on the ultra wide cam's videos. The telephoto, when shooting at 2x, also provides very smooth and stable footage.

Here's a glimpse of how the Oppo Find X2 compares to rivals in our Video compare tool. Head over there for the complete picture.

Oppo Find X2 against the Galaxy S20+ and the Mi 10 Pro 5G in our Video compare tool