OnePlus 13 vs Vivo X200 camera comparison: which flagship device offers better cameras?

To ensure fairness, we limit our comparisons to photos taken with similar lens setups, as some phones may lack dedicated ultrawide or telephoto lenses. Our evaluation focuses on key factors like colour accuracy (how close the colours are to the actual scene), detail level, sharpness, skin tones, and texture. By analysing these factors, we aim to provide an objective conclusion on which device delivers the best camera performance for the given price range.

Verdict

Although the OnePlus 13 comes with a capable camera setup that can click some impressive pictures, the Vivo X200 was better in almost every scenario where we put the phones against each other. Noticeably, the Vivo handset managed to take better selfies and low-light shots than its OnePlus counterpart. The Vivo handset was particularly good in colour reproduction, edge detection, and zoomed-in shots.

Daylight

Due to Gurugram’s harsh weather conditions, we couldn’t capture images in ideal daylight, but these shots still offer a clear insight into the camera performance. The OnePlus 13’s daylight image appears noticeably brighter with a better dynamic range, though the white balance leans slightly warm. The Vivo X200 stands out in capturing fine details and accurately reproduces the sky and building colours in the background, whereas the OnePlus 13 shows slight inconsistencies in colour mapping. That said, both images have their own aesthetic appeal.

Winner: Tie

Ultrawide 

Both smartphones maintain consistent colour reproduction with their 50MP ultra-wide cameras compared to the primary shooters. However, the OnePlus 13 struggles to capture the shade of the sky and the red building in the background accurately, adding a noticeable warm tone to its image. In contrast, the Vivo X200 delivers relatively better colour accuracy.

That said, the OnePlus 13’s new ultra-wide camera offers an advantage by capturing more details in the foreground and background than the X200. Overall, the ultrawide images captured from both smartphones remain in close competition.

Winner: Tie

Portrait

We captured portrait shots on each device using the starting focal length of their telephoto cameras. The OnePlus 13 employs a 3x telephoto zoom, resulting in a more zoomed-in frame, while the Vivo defaults to its telephoto camera with 2x zoom.

Both the OnePlus 13 and Vivo X200 produce impressive portraits, though the Vivo X200 stands out with more detailed facial features. Notably, it maintains exposure better around the eyes without overly brightening the complexion, while the OnePlus 13 delivers a comparable performance.

The Vivo X-series is known for delivering sharp portrait shots. The X200 continues its legacy, offering more precise edge detection around the subject than the OnePlus 13.

Winner: Vivo X200

Selfie

While the OnePlus 13 captures impressive photos of human subjects using its telephoto camera, its selfies are decent but not the most refined. Compared to Vivo’s selfie, the colours appear less balanced, making the image look somewhat flat.

The Vivo X200, on the other hand, manages exposure more effectively, ensuring a better balance between the subject’s face and the background.

Winner: Vivo X200

Low light

OnePlus smartphones tend to boost exposure in low-light conditions by default, and the OnePlus 13 follows the same approach. While this setting can be disabled before capturing a photo, the option isn’t always available. As a result, the OnePlus 13 handles lens flare intensity more effectively.

In comparison, the Vivo struggles slightly to control flare, though the difference is minor. Much like daylight photography, Vivo delivers the best sharpness and colour accuracy. The OnePlus 13 also performs well, though not necessarily better. However, it doesn’t always balance exposure consistently in areas directly beneath or near light sources. Both smartphones effectively minimise noise in low-light shots.

Winner: Vivo X200

Low light (night mode)

When night mode is activated, the OnePlus 13 brightens the scene, but the difference isn’t dramatic. It still manages lens flare effectively, though the Vivo image shows a more noticeable improvement.

In general, the OnePlus 13’s shot remains fairly consistent, while the Vivo benefits from better light control and enhanced sharpness when night mode is turned on.

Winner: Vivo X200

Verdict

As you can see from the detailed comparison, the Vivo X200 has an edge over the OnePlus 13 when it comes to camera performance. The Vivo handset captures facial details better, offers better edge detection, and is quite accurate in terms of colour reproduction. While the OnePlus 13 is still impressive in terms of optics, it overall falls just behind the Vivo smartphone. Having said that, the OnePlus flagship comes with top-notch hardware, solid build quality, and decent software to offer a complete package for the price. However, if you intend to get a better camera phone for the price, Vivo X200 might be a better choice.