Overview: A Zeiss-powered flagship in the Mediterranean
The Vivo X300 Pro, equipped with a Zeiss camera system, has been heading to audiences in Europe, with Cyprus and Malta serving as ideal test grounds for day-to-day photography and travel scenes. In Part 2 of this camera travel test, we delve into real-world performance, comparing the X300 Pro against its siblings—the X200 Ultra and X100 Pro—and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The aim is to help readers understand how the X300 Pro stacks up in terms of image quality, color accuracy, dynamic range, and versatility in coastal and urban environments.
Camera hardware and software philosophy
Vivo’s collaboration with Zeiss emphasizes color science, lens coatings, and computational photography. In Cyprus and Malta, landmarks, harbors, and sunlit street scenes provide a broad testing ground for exposure control, white balance, and texture reproduction. The X300 Pro inherits the Zeiss-tuned color profile with a tad more contrast and nuanced mids, while also offering a robust night mode and Pro settings that appeal to enthusiasts who want tactile control without sacrificing speed.
Key rival: Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Galaxy S23 Ultra remains a strong benchmark in mobile photography thanks to its versatile camera array and strong processing. In our tests, the Galaxy delivered balanced tones, reliable dynamic range, and consistent autofocus across subjects. The X300 Pro, however, stands out for its Zeiss color bias and sharper texture rendering in daylight, making landscapes and architectural shots pop with a distinctive yet natural look.
Daylight landscape and architecture: color, contrast, and detail
In bright Mediterranean sun, the X300 Pro’s Zeiss tuning yields vibrant colors that don’t oversaturate. The dynamic range holds up well when faced with bright skies and shaded building facades, though the Galaxy S23 Ultra can offer slightly more muted highlights in some scenes. The X200 Ultra and X100 Pro provide compelling options at different focal lengths, but the X300 Pro’s lens group produces crisper edge detail, particularly along building textures and coastal rocks.
X300 Pro vs X200 Ultra
Both cameras share Vivo’s thoughtful software, but the X300 Pro shows improved texture rendering and a more expansive dynamic range in sunlit scenes. The Zeiss processing helps with micro-contrast, which helps bricks, plaster textures, and stone facades come alive without looking manipulated. The X200 Ultra remains a solid choice for its balance of size and battery efficiency, especially for travelers who value all-day performance over the last word in image sharpness.
X300 Pro vs X100 Pro
The X100 Pro emphasizes portable form and quick capture; the X300 Pro adds a more versatile focal range and improved low-light capabilities. When shooting street scenes or markets in the Maltese alleys, the X300 Pro’s autofocus and color science give scenes a more polished feel, while the X100 Pro offers flexibility in a more compact body with a different rendering style.
Low light and night scenes: stabilization and noise control
Cyprus by night and Malta’s lantern-lit lanes test the X300 Pro’s ability to maintain sharpness with higher ISOs. The Zeiss-tuned night mode reduces noise while preserving color fidelity, though some scenes benefit from intentional long-exposure techniques facilitated by the phone’s stabilization and tripod-ready modes. The Galaxy S23 Ultra holds its own here, delivering clean night images, but the X300 Pro often produces a slightly warmer palette that many users will prefer for city nightlife.
Portraits and subject rendering
For portraiture, the X300 Pro’s skin tones are generally flattering when lighting is favorable. When backlit or mixed lighting is present, the camera’s metering shows a preference for preserving subject glow over crushing shadows, aligning with the Zeiss brand’s storytelling approach. The Galaxy S23 Ultra remains a strong rival with its professional bokeh options and natural skin tone rendering, but the X300 Pro offers a distinctive Zeiss character that some users may favor for its signature look.
Conclusion: choosing the best fit for Cyprus and Malta trips
On Mediterranean trips, camera choice often comes down to a balance between color persona, edge sharpness, and user experience. The Vivo X300 Pro Zeiss camera provides a compelling combination of vibrant color, texture-rich detail, and strong dynamic range, with the added advantage of Zeiss-tuned software polish. Compared to the X200 Ultra and X100 Pro, it shines in daylight scenarios and textured subjects, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra remains a versatile alternative with reliable processing power. If you value a distinctive Zeiss look and the flexibility of a high-end smartphone camera, the X300 Pro is a strong choice for Cyprus and Malta trips.
