Honor Magic 7 Pro vs Vivo X200 Pro: Which Has the Best Telephoto Lens?

If you’re a mobile photography enthusiast, the telephoto lens performance on a smartphone can be a game-changer. Unlike the main camera, which is typically a wider angle, the telephoto allows for easier composition by narrowing the field of view. This is especially beneficial for novice photographers looking to get that beautiful background blur and fine detail in their shots without worrying too much about framing and distractions. When it comes to the latest in telephoto capabilities, both the Honor Magic 7 Pro and Vivo X200 Pro feature an impressive 1/1.4-inch large-bottom telephoto sensor—something that’s a rarity in the smartphone market. Let’s take a deeper look at how these two models perform, what makes each one special, and which might be better for you if telephoto quality is at the top of your list.

Why Telephoto Matters in Smartphone Photography

Contrary to popular belief, telephoto lenses aren’t just for zooming in on distant objects. Their narrower field of view and added compression makes it easier to isolate subjects, giving a distinct sense of depth. In many ways, using telephoto for daily photography actually simplifies composition, allowing you to focus on your subject and blur out the background naturally. Most main smartphone cameras sit at around 23mm focal length, which translates to a slightly ultra-wide angle that can distort or flatten images in closer scenes. On the other hand, telephoto’s more focused view offers a different aesthetic and makes portraits, architecture, and other subject-oriented photography a breeze.

The fact that both Honor and Vivo have introduced a 200-megapixel telephoto lens with a large 1/1.4-inch sensor is groundbreaking for mobile photographers. This puts them in a league of their own in terms of quality potential, but let’s break down what these two powerhouses have to offer.

The Hardware Differences

Honor Magic 7 Pro and Vivo X200 Pro may have the same sensor size, but their focal lengths differ, which affects how each lens captures images.

• Honor Magic 7 Pro: The Honor’s telephoto lens has a native focal length of 60mm. However, when you shoot at the default zoom level, it crops the focal length to about 72mm, which results in a slight loss of pixels and may impact clarity. This focal length is a solid choice for portraits, but the crop introduces potential softness and reduces the natural blur that you’d see with a longer lens.
• Vivo X200 Pro: Vivo’s telephoto, by contrast, is set at a native 85mm focal length. This brings a more significant compression effect and natural background blur, producing a softer, more aesthetically pleasing bokeh. An 85mm telephoto lens is a classic choice in traditional photography and naturally separates the subject from the background, making it ideal for portraits.

Image Quality Comparison: Honor Magic 7 Pro vs. Vivo X200 Pro

Here’s a closer look at how the two compare in various photography scenarios:

1. Telephoto Blur & Background Separation

• The Vivo X200 Pro takes the lead with its 85mm focal length, delivering a creamy, natural blur that helps make subjects pop. The extended focal length doesn’t just magnify the subject; it enhances the perception of depth by compressing the background, so the viewer’s focus remains on the main subject.
• The Honor Magic 7 Pro at 60mm (or the cropped 72mm in standard mode) achieves a softer blur but lacks the same level of natural bokeh that Vivo’s 85mm brings. The compression here is more subtle, which may appeal to users who prefer a slightly wider look.

2. Color Accuracy and Consistency

• Honor’s color science tends to add more vibrancy, making images “pop,” which can be appealing if you like bold, lively colors. However, this can lead to instability in certain lighting conditions, with occasional color casting issues. It can sometimes go too far in enhancing reds or blues, giving photos an unnatural tint.
• Vivo’s color profile is more balanced and natural. This color stability allows the X200 Pro to produce more consistent results across various lighting conditions. If you’re shooting in mixed lighting or backlit scenes, the Vivo’s approach makes it more reliable.

3. Clarity at Higher Zoom Levels

• When zooming in, the Vivo X200 Pro performs exceptionally well, maintaining clarity even when pushed to 10x zoom. Small text and fine details in the image remain sharp, making Vivo the better choice for those who like to push the telephoto to its limits.
• The Honor Magic 7 Pro struggles slightly in clarity when zoomed to higher levels. Details can get a bit muddy, and text might not be as sharp as on the X200 Pro, making Vivo the preferred option if clarity at extended zoom is essential.

4. Low Light Performance

• In low light, the Vivo X200 Pro again has the edge. It manages highlights well and produces less noise, handling complex lighting (like backlit scenes) with impressive accuracy. Whether you’re shooting indoors or in dim environments, Vivo seems to hold up better, allowing for crisper, less noisy shots.
• The Honor Magic 7 Pro doesn’t perform poorly in low light but does have some difficulty managing bright highlights and backlit scenes compared to Vivo. If you tend to take a lot of photos in low light or challenging lighting, the X200 Pro might be a better fit.

Final Verdict: Which Telephoto Lens Is Better?

Both the Honor Magic 7 Pro and Vivo X200 Pro have raised the bar for telephoto performance in mobile photography. But if we’re diving into specifics, here’s where they stand:

• For Portraits and Bokeh Lovers: Vivo X200 Pro’s 85mm telephoto is the clear winner. Its natural background blur and soft compression are unbeatable, creating depth and drawing focus to the subject. The color stability and clarity at high zoom levels make it more reliable across various scenarios, too.
• For Vibrant Color Enthusiasts: Honor Magic 7 Pro’s 60mm telephoto offers vivid, sometimes eye-catching colors that might appeal to users who prefer a more visually striking look. While it doesn’t excel at extreme zoom levels or low light, it’s still a solid option for general telephoto use.

Bottom Line: If telephoto quality is your priority, the Vivo X200 Pro edges out with its better depth, clarity, and low-light performance, making it ideal for portrait enthusiasts and photographers who enjoy rich detail at longer focal lengths.