ZenFone 3 Zoom gets "Portrait Mode" update!

If you remember, Portrait Mode was introduced back in CES 2017 during the ZenFone 3 Zoom's launch. It was also mentioned that the feature will be arriving via an update, and would not be available at launch. Few details were given about this mode, so now let us introduce to you the ZenFone 3 Zoom's newest upcoming feature.

What is Portrait Mode?
Portrait Mode works by using the ZenFone 3 Zoom's two cameras simultaneously, then calculates the portions of the photo that are to be blurred out. The blur effect can be changed in real time via a slider in the new Portrait Mode interface.

As you know, this type of camera mode is not new; we've seen other smartphones sport camera modes such as "Bokeh" or "Subject Focus" or something similar, but most of them either use the 2nd camera as a dedicated "depth sensor", or use software to blur out the background. Other ZenFone models also have the Depth of Field Mode that creates a similar effect, but this requires multiple shots to pull off, meaning you're limited to still objects.

The new interface
When opening the camera for the first time since the update, you'll notice some subtle changes in the UI. Gone is the dedicated switch to Manual Mode (though you can always just tap the Modes button and switch from there) and is now replaced with a Portrait Mode button, which you can tap to switch.

Once switched to Portrait Mode, you'll immediately notice an f-stop slider. Now, you might be thinking: ZenFone 3 Zoom has two prime lenses, with non-adjustable apertures, right? Instead, the ZenFone 3 Zoom takes two photos: the f/1.7 main camera takes a photo of the background, while the f/2.8 secondary camera takes a photo of the subject.

The ZenFone 3 Zoom makes use of its dual camera to simultaneously shoot two photos of the subject, with the 59mm lens, and background, with the 25mm lens. Using the depth information made available by the two photos, the depth of field can be made shallower or deeper depending on what f-stop you wish to simulate; the slider ranges from f/0.95 to f/22. And since it's not just standalone software blurring, the effect is also more realistic!

Okay, I want this. When?
Simply update your ZenFone 3 Zoom to the latest Android 7.1.1 Nougat and you can take advantage of the new Portrait Mode!

Wow! The zenfone 3 zoom is indeed a Beast when it comes to photography! Even on the smallest edges of the leaves are blurred, a thing which on some dual lensed phones is very difficult to process.

Indeed it's a great feature
Enjoying it a lot

Got this awesome portrait mode update! Here's a sample shot I got using ZenFone 3 Zoom's Portrait Mode