Camera shootout: Vivo Xshot vs OnePlus One


vivo xshot vs oneplus one camera shootout

How does the self proclaimed “2014 Flagship Killer”, aka the OnePlus One compare when put up against the Vivo Xshot in a camera shoot out? Lets see.

The Vivo Xshot and the OnePlus One are two of the flagship phones that many of us want to get our hands on. The OnePlus One is desirable as it gets amazing hardware at a crazy low price, and the Vivo Xshot because it gets equally amazing hardware, a smaller design and class leading front and rear cameras!

If you were to look at the specs the Vivo Xshot and the OnePlus One are almost equal in terms of most of their hardware (Snapdragon 801, 3GB RAM, 1080 display etc), but in usage, especially the camera, they are worlds apart.

Vivo Xshot Vs. OnePlus One camera hardware

OnePlus One – camera specifications

Let’s start with the OnePlus One and for this test I used the global version of the OnePlus One which we bought with an invite through the official OnePlus store. So this is the phone international users will be getting if they get an invite, and these are the types of photos you can hope to take.

Camera specs on the OnePlus One are very impressive, and so they should be as the hardware is the same as the Oppo Find 7. Sony provide the rear sensor on the OnePlus One. It’s the 13 mega-pixel Sony Exmor IMX214 with an F2.0 aperture. Not only is the sensor top-notch but the design uses 6 lenses to avoid distortion.

Vivo Xshot – camera specifications

The Vivo Xshot was designed to be a camera centric device, but looking at the hardware alone we should expect similar performance between the Xshot and the OPO.

Sony again supply the Sony IMX214 sensor for the Vivo Xshot, but this time the phone has optical image stabilisation and also an aperture of f1.8. There is also a dual tone LED flash on the rear, but for this shoot out we are going do without.

Camera shootout: Vivo Xshot vs OnePlus One

Some of you might think that comparing the camera centric Vivo Xshot with the OnePlus One is a little unfair, but seeing as they use same sensor and that the OPO is the “2014 Flagship Killer”, with “Never Settle” specs we though readers would be interested to see the results.

How we tested the cameras

To keep things simple we tested both phones at the same time in the same locations. We also used the ‘Normal’ mode on Vivo Xshot and ‘Auto’ mode on the OnePlus One for most conditions, but there are also some HDR images in there too (clearly marked as HDR). We also let the phones find their own focus point and then shot away.

Vivo xshot camera sample gizchina
Vivo Xshot – Fountain Sunny Conditions
Oneplus one camera sample gizchina
OnePlus One – Fountain Sunny Conditions

All photos were taken with the flash off so you can get a good idea of how they perform in low light conditions.

So basically imagine you simply took either of these phones out of your pocket and took a picture without going through the settings. These are the images you would capture on the spot.

Below are photos taken directly from each phone. I have not edited them in anyway. See what you think.

Vivo Xshot vs OnePlus One photo samples – Sunny conditions

The Vivo Xshot and OnePlus One both performed very well in bright sunny conditions (as expected). Either phone can produce great quality images, but the Xshot takes the lead as the images it records have better colour reproduction and are sharper than those taken with the OnePlus One. Images on the OPO also tended to look dull even when the sun was turned to ’11’.

Vivo Xshot vs OnePlus One photo samples – During Sunset (some HDR)

HDR is hit or miss for me. I’ve found some companies do it well and others are terrible. For example ColorOS is awful (in my opinion) for HDR photos. The good news is that the Cyanogenmod team have done better than Oppo and HDR images are good on the OPO. I still prefer HDR from the Vivo’s Funtouch system though, it creates more natural looking photos and faster too. We can also see from these lower light images that the OPO is starting to get a little grainy.

Vivo Xshot vs OnePlus One photo samples – night (no flash)

When the light is almost gone noise creeps in to the images on both phones. The F1.8 aperture on the Vivo Xshot means it sucks up more light and performs better though. Interestingly the night images from the OnePlus One look much better when viewed on a computer than on the phones screen, where they are appear terrible in comparison to the Vivo. In reality the images taken with the OPO are noisier than the Vivo, but they aren’t as bad as I thought they would be once I got them on my computer.

Vivo Xshot vs OnePlus One photo samples – Panoramic

The Vivo Xshot is the clear winner here. The Panoramic photo has better colour and is much shaper. The Xshot also allows you to take full 360 photos and there is simply not time taken when saving.

Vivo Xshot panoramic photo
Vivo Xshot – Beach
OnePlus One panoramic photo sample
OnePlus One – Beach

Camera shootout: Vivo Xshot vs OnePlus One – Conclusion

The way we set up the test shows what the phones are capable of when taking photos in their basic settings. Basically these are the worst photos both phones are capable of, and in this case both perform well. But it’s the Vivo Xshot that is our overall champion.

When looking at the images above you will have noted that the images from the Vivo Xshot are nearly double the memory of the OnePlus One images. Despite the huge amount of data though, the Xshot can capture and save images considerably faster than the OnePlus One can manage (with the same amount of RAM and processor). Auto focus on the Xshot is also faster and more accurate, plus it is quicker to navigate to the setting you want in the Vivo’s camera app. The CM11S camera app UI means you have to flick through all the filters to get to the one you want.

Part of the fun of using a phone as a camera is the ease and speed of use, and the Vivo Xshot excels here. Obviously it is a camera centric phone so should be better, and it is by many miles.

Taking photos with the OnePlus One isn’t as enjoyable as I hoped it would. Photos are captured slower than the Xshot, the focus is slower and for some reason the images appear extremely noisy on the phone’s screen, to the point that you might simply delete it before viewing on a computer.

I’m happy to have tested the Vivo Xshot alongside the OnePlus One. I now know I made the right decision for my personal phone. Not only do I love the phone, and ROM but the camera is amazing too. If I had chosen the OnePlus One I would feel I had settled for second best.

What do you think of the photo samples from both phones? Let us know in the comments below.

If you are interested to buy any of these phones you can order the Vivo Xshot from TopResellerStore.it, the Global OnePlus One (with invitation) from the OnePlus store, or the Chinese OnePlus One from Lenteen.fr.

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74 Comments

  1. Melsyoo
    July 5, 2014

    Great comparison Andi! Do you have any idea how the front facing cameras perform and which one has the better front fracing camera?

    • July 5, 2014

      Vivo Xshot again wins this. The Xshot has a much better from camera, better camera app and even a front facting LED flash.

      • July 5, 2014

        Thank you for comparison, Andi! I am really waiting for the full review of Xshot. Also, it would be nice to see the video samples and your opinion about the quality! Now saving money for this phone, don’t want to settle with the second best. Thanks!

        • July 5, 2014

          I’lll get video sample uploaded this weeknd 😀

          • July 5, 2014

            Thanks! And the full review please! (there are literally no decent reviews about this phone anywhere).

          • amirexpressir
            July 7, 2014

            Please(as there is really nowhere in the net and its really a question for many enthusiastic out, to know which one is better: samsung s5 snap800 or vivo xshot 3GB)
            Please try to bring 3 photos(day & night/dark) for comparison between these two phones

            xie xie ni

          • July 15, 2014

            Hey, so is the full review coming soon? 😀 I’m getting a new phone and I really want Xshot. However, I cannot buy it without reading a decent review! Thank you!

      • Melsyoo
        July 5, 2014

        Thanks!

  2. RUSerious
    July 5, 2014

    Are you serious?
    the Vivo cost like 300$ more then the OnePlus so for me
    the OnePlus is sure a winner here..

    • July 5, 2014

      True. I look at the sunny photos on 24” display and don’t see much difference. That noise is avid when you crop or on the night shots.

      • koss_x_treeme
        July 5, 2014

        look to the building photos right to the car in the left side.. you will notice much noise on OPO and very little noise on ViVO XShot.. Also colours on vivo xshot are much better than OPO

    • July 5, 2014

      Regardless of price the whole point of the OnePlus One is that it would be a no compromise phone. Buying the OnePlus would mean not settling. This is not the case.

      I’m not saying the OP is bad, it acutally performed really well, it’s just not as good as the Xshot.

      The OPO is great phone for the money but it is not a flagship killer. The Vivo Xshot is a better flagship.

    • balcobomber25
      July 13, 2014

      The Shot costs more but at least you can actually purchase it. By the time OPO is available to the masses it will no longer be a flagship killer. With each passing day a new and better flagship is coming out.

  3. July 5, 2014

    I was wondering exactly the same thing. 🙂 Great review.
    Xshot and OPO have the SAME sensor just OIS being different (so videos no contest).
    I was also thinking – how can the OPO be better than the rather good xshot. It seems not.
    I would love to know – how to de-clutter the ROM or alternate xshot ROMS. +11 to topresellerstore.it. BTW, I use the phone on my hifi in place of external Sabre ESS 9023 DAC!

  4. koss_x_treeme
    July 5, 2014

    ViVo XShot is the clear winner. Nice camera shootout !!!

  5. Sere83
    July 5, 2014

    Cheers for this shoot out Andy. Man this Vivo looks like a seriously sweet phone. I’m extremely tempted. Just seems insanely expensive. How much you pay? Only shop i’ve found selling though was a pre order on Oppo Mart. What’s the rom like on this Andy, smooth? Does it come with 4.4.2 and is it easy to upgrade? Is play store there too? Sorry for all the questions, just curious….

    • July 5, 2014

      I think this should answer most of your questions 😉 https://www.gizchina.com/2014/06/27/vivo-xshot-review-unboxing/

      • Sere83
        July 5, 2014

        ahh yeah sweet, saw after I posted. Camera is truly bonkers, the speed of capture i possibly the quickest i’ve seen on an android phone. Do you think Fun OS is better than Color OS, would you say it was smoother? Does it have OTA updates or is it a manual flash job. Any sign of 4.4.2 yet?

  6. Melsyoo
    July 5, 2014

    Great comparison Andi! Do you have any idea how the front facing cameras perform and which one has the better front fracing camera?

    • Andi Sykes
      July 5, 2014

      Vivo Xshot again wins this. The Xshot has a much better from camera, better camera app and even a front facting LED flash.

    • Linus
      July 5, 2014

      Thank you for comparison, Andi! I am really waiting for the full review of Xshot. Also, it would be nice to see the video samples and your opinion about the quality! Now saving money for this phone, don’t want to settle with the second best. Thanks!

    • Andi Sykes
      July 5, 2014

      I’lll get video sample uploaded this weeknd 😀

    • Linus
      July 5, 2014

      Thanks! And the full review please! (there are literally no decent reviews about this phone anywhere).

    • Melsyoo
      July 5, 2014

      Thanks!

    • Peter Pain
      July 6, 2014
    • amirexpressir
      July 7, 2014

      Please(as there is really nowhere in the net and its really a question for many enthusiastic out, to know which one is better: samsung s5 snap800 or vivo xshot 3GB)
      Please try to bring 3 photos(day & night/dark) for comparison between these two phones

      xie xie ni

    • Linus
      July 15, 2014

      Hey, so is the full review coming soon? 😀 I’m getting a new phone and I really want Xshot. However, I cannot buy it without reading a decent review! Thank you!

  7. Guest
    July 5, 2014

    Are you serious?
    the Vivo cost like 300$ more then the OnePlus so for me
    the OnePlus is sure a winner here..

    • egoi7t
      July 5, 2014

      True. I look at the sunny photos on 24” display and don’t see much difference. That noise is avid when you crop or on the night shots.

    • Andi Sykes
      July 5, 2014

      Regardless of price the whole point of the OnePlus One is that it would be a no compromise phone. Buying the OnePlus would mean not settling. This is not the case.

      I’m not saying the OP is bad, it acutally performed really well, it’s just not as good as the Xshot.

      The OPO is great phone for the money but it is not a flagship killer. The Vivo Xshot is a better flagship.

    • koss_x_treeme
      July 5, 2014

      look to the building photos right to the car in the left side.. you will notice much noise on OPO and very little noise on ViVO XShot.. Also colours on vivo xshot are much better than OPO

    • balcobomber25
      July 13, 2014

      The Shot costs more but at least you can actually purchase it. By the time OPO is available to the masses it will no longer be a flagship killer. With each passing day a new and better flagship is coming out.

  8. Lolopo
    July 5, 2014

    Does leteen.fr have a physical store in France?

    My brother will travel there next month! And there is no way buying OPO online.
    I have a “family” which lives in france. But i dont want to bother them

    What is easiest way to buy an OPO in france for a tourist like my brother?

    If there is a french guy who can instruct me on this problem, i would be really appreciate

  9. TimGNO
    July 5, 2014

    I wonder why they chose to omit Optical Image Stabilisation from the design of the 1+1, when OIS is clearly available and well-implemented with the same sensor on other phones??

  10. Peter Pain
    July 5, 2014

    I was wondering exactly the same thing. 🙂 Great review.
    Xshot and OPO have the SAME sensor just OIS being different (so videos no contest).
    I was also thinking – how can the OPO be better than the rather good xshot. It seems not.
    I would love to know – how to de-clutter the ROM or alternate xshot ROMS. +11 to topresellerstore.it. BTW, I use the phone on my hifi in place of external Sabre ESS 9023 DAC!

  11. koss_x_treeme
    July 5, 2014

    ViVo XShot is the clear winner. Nice camera shootout !!!

  12. Sere83
    July 5, 2014

    Cheers for this shoot out Andy. Man this Vivo looks like a seriously sweet phone. I’m extremely tempted. Just seems insanely expensive. How much you pay? Only shop i’ve found selling though was a pre order on Oppo Mart. What’s the rom like on this Andy, smooth? Does it come with 4.4.2 and is it easy to upgrade? Is play store there too? Sorry for all the questions, just curious….

    • Andi Sykes
      July 5, 2014

      I think this should answer most of your questions 😉 http://www.gizchina.com/2014/06/27/vivo-xshot-review-unboxing/

    • Sere83
      July 5, 2014

      ahh yeah sweet, saw after I posted. Camera is truly bonkers, the speed of capture i possibly the quickest i’ve seen on an android phone. Do you think Fun OS is better than Color OS, would you say it was smoother? Does it have OTA updates or is it a manual flash job. Any sign of 4.4.2 yet?

  13. Guest
    July 5, 2014

    Does leteen.fr have a physical store in France?

    My brother will travel there next month! And there is no way buying OPO online.
    I have a “family” which lives in france. But i dont want to bother them

    What is easiest way to buy an OPO in france for a tourist like my brother?

    If there is a french guy who can instruct me on this problem, i would be really appreciate

  14. TimGNO
    July 5, 2014

    I wonder why they chose to omit Optical Image Stabilisation from the design of the 1+1, when OIS is clearly available and well-implemented with the same sensor on other phones??

  15. July 5, 2014

    I was thinking the exact same thing re: opo vs xshot cameras. I thought the cyanogen might help but Now I know the xshot wins, thanks.

  16. Peter Pain
    July 5, 2014

    I was thinking the exact same thing re: opo vs xshot cameras. I thought the cyanogen might help but Now I know the xshot wins, thanks.

  17. Happy shooter
    July 6, 2014

    Hey Andi, how about the battery life? That would have been something nice to mention here as a “camera centric device” also needs a very good performing battery. Maybe this is something you could go into detail in your review, especially since the battery is NOT removable (again!). Cheers!

    • July 6, 2014

      Full review soon. The battery life is good (not as good as the Xplay 3S) but better since they updated the OS.

      • Happy shooter
        July 6, 2014

        Thanks for that. Looking forward to your review. Great website by the way!

        I was wondering, have you had any experience with changing a battery on phones where you are not supposed to change the battery? A lot seems to be possible here in China…

        I previously looked at the Sony Z series, but turned away from them, since the battery was not removable on their rather expensive devices.

        • July 6, 2014

          Yep, I have taken phones to the local “Phone City” and they have been able to switch batteries. Price was good too, around 100 Yuan depending on the phone.

  18. Guest
    July 6, 2014

    Hey Andi, how about the battery life? That would have been something nice to mention here as a “camera centric device” also needs a very good performing battery. Maybe this is something you could go into detail in your review, especially since the battery is NOT removable (again!). Cheers!

    • Andi Sykes
      July 6, 2014

      Full review soon. The battery life is good (not as good as the Xplay 3S) but better since they updated the OS.

    • Guest
      July 6, 2014

      Thanks for that. Looking forward to your review. Great website by the way!

      I was wondering, have you had any experience with changing a battery on phones where you are not supposed to change the battery? A lot seems to be possible here in China…

      I previously looked at the Sony Z series, but turned away from them, since the battery was not removable on their rather expensive devices.

    • Andi Sykes
      July 6, 2014

      Yep, I have taken phones to the local “Phone City” and they have been able to switch batteries. Price was good too, around 100 Yuan depending on the phone.

  19. Toms
    July 6, 2014

    Hello very good comparison Andi. I still waiting for your full review of Vivo Xshot. A question Andi about Vivo, does Xplay 3s use the same camera module as Xshot?
    Thank’s

    • July 6, 2014

      Thanks very much 😀 Yes the sensor and aperture are the same, but the the Xshot is better optimised as a camera centric device and might even have better lenses. The Xplay takes some great photos, but noisy in low light, the Xshot is a better camera phone.

      • amirexpressir
        July 7, 2014

        I thought the 3s had imx175, just like iphone 5s and xshot is with imx214
        isn’t that the case??

  20. Guest
    July 6, 2014

    Hello very good comparison Andi. I still waiting for your full review of Vivo Xshot. A question Andi about Vivo, does Xplay 3s use the same camera module as Xshot?
    Thank’s

    • Andi Sykes
      July 6, 2014

      Thanks very much 😀 Yes the sensor and aperture are the same, but the the Xshot is better optimised as a camera centric device and might even have better lenses. The Xplay takes some great photos, but noisy in low light, the Xshot is a better camera phone.

    • amirexpressir
      July 7, 2014

      I thought the 3s had imx175, just like iphone 5s and xshot is with imx214
      isn’t that the case??

  21. STEVE
    July 6, 2014

    Andy, The comparison between 1+1 & Vivo is not realistic.
    You need to setup both phones on tripods next to each other & snap photos within 1 sec. of each other, Otherwise you will always get a bias result.

  22. STEVE
    July 7, 2014

    Andy, The comparison between 1+1 & Vivo is not realistic.
    You need to setup both phones on tripods next to each other & snap photos within 1 sec. of each other, Otherwise you will always get a bias result.

  23. Thor Jane
    July 7, 2014

    Could you maybe do a quick test about audio output quality if you have some nice iems like senheisser ,shure or anything from higher price range of headphones?

  24. Thor Jane
    July 7, 2014

    Could you maybe do a quick test about audio output quality if you have some nice iems like senheisser ,shure or anything from higher price range of headphones?

  25. bamdad
    July 12, 2014

    Andy as you know vivo xshot concentrate on camera. Just look at the lens.It’s so big and a little ugly. But one plus one is more beautiful and it didn’t sacrifice design for cam quality. Thank you for your comparison.

  26. bamdad
    July 12, 2014

    Andy as you know vivo xshot concentrate on camera. Just look at the lens.It’s so big and a little ugly. But one plus one is more beautiful and it didn’t sacrifice design for cam quality. Thank you for your comparison.

  27. Wat
    July 13, 2014

    I think many want to see Vivo Xshot and Nubia Z7 camera shoot out too… 🙂

  28. Guest
    July 13, 2014

    I think many want to see Vivo Xshot and Nubia Z7 camera shoot out too… 🙂

  29. jason
    July 14, 2014

    the Vivo phones are like the Mercedes benz of the Chinese phones.

  30. Guest
    July 14, 2014

    the Vivo phones are like the Mercedes benz of the Chinese phones.

  31. Frank Wu
    September 12, 2014

    How about another round of shoot out, this time with One+ clear image feature!

  32. Frank Wu
    September 12, 2014

    How about another round of shoot out, this time with One+ clear image feature!

  33. Clemens
    September 16, 2014

    Hello,

    I am actually in China and want to buy the vivo xshot online on the official vivo store. But I am not sure if i the 16 GB Version is a WCDMA Version. Does anyone has some experience with this ?

  34. Guest
    September 16, 2014

    Hello,

    I am actually in China and want to buy the vivo xshot online on the official vivo store. But I am not sure if i the 16 GB Version is a WCDMA Version. Does anyone has some experience with this ?

  35. April 13, 2015

    Just made a full detailed vivo Xshot review:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtYISfxCCfM

  36. Linus
    April 13, 2015

    Just made a full detailed vivo Xshot review: