With a DxOMark Mobile score of 80, the Huawei P9’s dual 12Mp RGB and monochrome sensors provide solid results. Our tests showed a nice improvement over its predecessor, the P8, which scored 74 overall, with the P9 offering improved autofocus and more consistent exposure and color results. The P9’s sub-scores of 84 points for photo and 72 for video demonstrate Huawei’s latest device is particularly strong for still photography.
Images are mostly well-exposed across all lighting conditions, with good and repeatable white balance results that show an improvement over the P8. The P9’s dual-LED flash unit also facilitates good target exposures, with very low noise in the center of the frame when using flash.
Both the Huawei P9 (left) and P8 (right) produce mostly well-exposed images in many situations and lighting conditions, with vivid and pleasant color rendering.
Outdoor pictures boast good detail and more neutral color
Shooting outdoors and in bright light conditions, the P9 delivers mostly well-exposed images, with vivid and pleasant color rendering. It does, however, have a tendency to slightly under-expose outdoor shots, which can lead to a loss of detail in darker areas.
For many users this won’t be a significant problem, as exposures remain pleasant, but photographers after a full range of tones should consider some post-production lighting of the shadow regions. The consistency of the P9’s HDR has been improved compared to the P8, too. Consecutive HDR exposures on the P9 still display some inconsistency, making it advisable to shoot multiple frames when shooting high-contrast scenes, so you can pick out the best exposure.
The P9’s white balance is mainly accurate and repeatable when shooting outdoors, and despite some minor failures, it offers more neutral results (i.e., a less obvious pink cast) compared to the P8. Detail preservation is also very good on the P9, making it a good choice for shooting intricate outdoor scenes. Only very minor luminance noise is visible, with much less chromatic noise compared to outdoor shots on the P8.
TIP: When shooting hig- contrast scenes, capture multiple exposures of the same view so you can pick out the shot with the best exposure and greatest dynamic range.
Under-exposure on the P9 can result in a loss of detail, although most users will find the exposures acceptable.
Consecutive HDR exposures with the P9 (top) can be a little inconsistent. But images with the P8 (bottom) show a greater difference in the dynamic range recorded.
White balance on the P9 (left) is more neutral however, with the P8 (right) display a pink colorcast in the centre, shifting towards green in the corners.
Outdoor exposures from the P9 (left) display the same level of detail, but with less chromatic noise compared to shots from the P8 (right).
Indoor photos are exploitable even in extreme low-light conditions
In low-light pictures (5 to 20 Lux), the P9’s improved color rendering persists with saturated color compared to the P8. Indoor shots remain mostly well-exposed, too, and even in extreme low-light of 5 Lux, images remain usable from both the P8 and P9.
Between 5 and 20 Lux, fine details are reduced as the P9 utilizes high ISO sensitivities up to ISO 3200, and a slow 1/17s shutter speed to maintain exposure. Cleaner and sharper indoor results are possible with stronger light sources. Using a 500 Lux light source, exposure settings of ISO 160 and 1/50s shutter speed capture more well-defined detail.
Tip: When capturing pictures in low-light environments, seek out areas with the best light sources to allow the P9 to use faster shutter speeds and lower ISO sensitivities for sharper and more detailed results. In extreme low light, supporting the device as much as possible will help reduce camera shake.
