Tecno Camon 30S: Who says budget phones must have awful cameras?

Most people assume that high-end cameras are found in expensive smartphones. And it's generally true. The amount that manufacturers can invest in a smartphone directly correlates with the budget they have to work with, a reality that becomes more evident when considering budget-conscious options.

So, generally speaking, the more you pay for a smartphone, the better the hardware, including the camera, you would tend to get, don't you think? Let's put this theory to the test with the Tecno Camon 30S, a smartphone that has a price tag of less than RM800.

The Tecno Camon 30S packs a powerful camera that surpasses expectations for a device in its class.

When I first laid hands on the Tecno Camon 30S, I thought its camera would hardly be any good, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was mediocre, all things considered, especially when we look at its pricing.

Actually, Tecno's advertising has brought it to my attention that the Camon 30S is fitted with a 50MP Sony IMX896 sensor that features optical image stabilisation, details which are not only stated on the phone's packaging but also displayed prominently on the rear camera module.

By the way, the Camon 30S was introduced in Malaysia in late October 2024 for RM749. However, with the upcoming 12.12 sale on the horizon, you can now purchase this smartphone at a discounted rate.

When I opened the camera app, the viewfinder screen didn't show anything spectacular, which is understandable given the Camon 30S' price tag. It's not a major issue, though, as its rivals with similar prices don't fare much better in this department.

But it was when we took a photo, opened the gallery, waited for its processing to complete in less than a second, and suddenly, I was blown away. The level of detail, contrast, and sharpness of this sub-RM800 smartphone is worth at least double its price tag.

I recently had the opportunity to try out the low light capability of the Camon 30S during an event in Chongqing, and I had no problem taking clear photos even in such conditions. In fact, the inclusion of Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) on the main camera helped a lot in capturing good results.

Tecno has definitely raised the sharpness and saturation of the Camon 30S' software image processing to make the photo look more "high-end", however even after zooming into the photos, they still appear natural and not soft or noisy.

This phone is at least six times more expensive than the Tecno.

On the hardware side of things, the Tecno Camon 30s has a main 50-megapixel camera with f/1.9 aperture and a 1.56-centimetre-square Sony IMX896 sensor, along with optical image stabilisation. There's also a 2-megapixel depth sensor and another auxiliary camera.

The Tecno Camon 30S has a luxurious design aspect to it

Besides taking stunning photos, the Tecno Camon 30S also stands out in other areas. To begin with, it has a solidly built body that has a design worth considering, priced at around RM1,500. Put simply, it does not appear or feel cheap in any way.

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Holding the Camon 30S by its sides made gripping it a bit tricky. Reaching for my hands while holding it horizontally often led to accidental touches on the screen.

I'd be worried about the consequences if I were to drop the Camon 30S, especially if it hits the ground on its side. Therefore, it's best to use a case with the Camon 30S, which is a protection that the phone kindly comes with.

A stunning yet very affordable AMOLED display that truly surpasses expectations

The screen behind the curved glass is truly a stunning sight to behold. With its 6.78-inch 120Hz high-definition plus (2436 x 1080 pixels) Amoled display, it not only presents vivid colours but also provides a clear and sharp display with high contrast.

In terms of battery, the Tecno Camon 30S has a 5,000mAh battery, which has provided me with a full day's use so far.

The impressive battery life of the Camon 30S can be attributed to the Mediatek Helio G100 chipset's energy-saving capabilities. Although not the most potent processor available, it is understandable for phone manufacturers to make compromises to keep costs in check. Nonetheless, you are still getting a fairly capable camera system with this device.

Berapa banyak harga Tecno Camon 30S di Malaysia?

Regarding the cost of the Tecno Camon 30S in Malaysia, the device comes in two variations - 8GB RAM with 128GB storage and 8GB RAM with 256GB storage - and is initially priced at RM749 when it was launched.

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On a whole, I'm pleased to see smartphones like the Tecno Camon 30S available in the tech market, offering customers a good product without demanding a costly expenditure.