The OnePlus 5 is a phone that came out in 2017. Many people liked it because it was nice, fast, and not very expensive. It has two cameras on the back. Even though it is old now, it can still take very good pictures if you know how to use it. In this article, I will tell you all the secrets of the OnePlus 5 camera, including hidden tricks, AI features, and tips for using it in Bangladesh.
The Two Cameras Are Magic
The OnePlus 5 has two cameras. One is 16 MP wide, and the other is 20 MP telephoto. Together, they can do special things. First, there is 2× zoom. You press the “1×” button, and the picture zooms in without getting blurry. Other phones get fuzzy when you zoom, but this one stays clear.
Second, there is Portrait mode. This makes the background blurry and the person or object in front clear. The best distance is between 0.3 meters and 2 meters. When it works, a green icon shows up.
Tip: Turn on Save Normal Photo. Then the phone keeps both the normal and blurred photo. You can choose which one you like later.
Pro Mode is Like a Real Camera
Pro Mode is very cool. It lets you control things like ISO, shutter speed, white balance, focus, and exposure.
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There is a horizontal line to help keep the picture straight.
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The histogram shows if the picture is too bright or too dark.
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You can take RAW pictures. RAW pictures are like unedited photos you can fix later.
Pro Mode is good for night pictures and creative shots like light trails or water blur.
Use the Grid and Settings
You can turn on the 3×3 grid. This helps put people and objects in the right place. It makes pictures look nicer. You can also turn on or off location tagging. This shows where the photo was taken. It is fun for trips but you can turn it off if you want privacy.
Open the Camera Fast
Sometimes pictures happen quickly. You can open the camera by double-pressing the power button. If it does not work, check Settings → Security → Emergency SOS. Then you can take pictures fast and never miss a moment.
Take Pictures in Low Light
The OnePlus 5 is good in low light, but some pictures can look soft or grainy. Here are tips:
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Use HDR only when needed. HDR helps bright and dark areas look balanced.
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In Pro Mode, lower ISO and increase shutter speed. A tripod helps.
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Take RAW pictures and edit them later.
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At night, you can take pictures of stars or city lights by changing shutter speed and ISO.
AI Helps the Camera
Even though the OnePlus 5 is old, it has AI-like features that help take better pictures. With the rise of AI power, smartphones can now make smarter decisions automatically.
Scene Detection: The camera knows if you are inside, outside, or in the dark. It changes settings automatically.
Noise Reduction: Makes dark pictures less grainy.
Smart Capture: The phone decides which lens to use and if HDR is needed.
These features make pictures look better without much work.
Tips from Professionals
Some photographers said the OnePlus 5 is very good because:
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HDR makes pictures look balanced.
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Zoom 2× looks very clear.
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Pro Mode has histogram and level line, which is like a real camera.
These tips help take pictures that look like they were taken with a real camera.
Hidden Features You May Not Know
There are some tricks that many people do not know:
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Turn off Save Normal Photo if you want to save space.
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Burst Mode: Hold the shutter button to take many pictures fast.
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Panorama Mode: Take very wide pictures.
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Zoom exactly 2× for best quality. Zoom more than 2× can be blurry.
OnePlus 5 vs Other Phones
Even though the OnePlus 5 is an older phone, it still competes well with other mid-range smartphones from 2017 and some modern budget options. Here’s a quick comparison:
OnePlus 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S8
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Both phones have dual cameras for zoom and portrait.
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Galaxy S8 has slightly better low-light performance, but OnePlus 5 keeps images sharp at 2× zoom.
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OnePlus 5’s Pro Mode offers more manual controls than Galaxy S8’s default camera app.
OnePlus 5 vs. iPhone 7 Plus
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iPhone 7 Plus also has dual cameras and portrait mode.
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The OnePlus 5 allows RAW shooting and detailed ISO/shutter speed adjustments, which iPhone 7 Plus lacks.
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Color rendering differs: iPhone produces warmer tones, OnePlus 5 is more neutral.
Using the Camera in Bangladesh
The OnePlus 5 is popular in Bangladesh because it is good and not expensive. You can take nice pictures in many places:
Street Photography: In Dhaka and Chattogram, use Pro Mode to make pictures balanced in bright and dark places.
Festivals: During Pohela Boishakh or Durga Puja, use Portrait mode to take colorful pictures of clothes and decorations.
Nature: Take wide pictures of Sundarbans or zoomed pictures of Cox’s Bazar.
Low Light: At night or in rural areas, take RAW pictures and use apps to reduce noise.
Even today, people in Bangladesh can take professional-looking pictures with this phone.
Edit Like a Pro
After taking pictures, you can use the Gallery editor to change brightness, color, and crop. You can also use Snapseed or Adobe Lightroom for better editing. Editing makes pictures look amazing.
Final Thoughts
The OnePlus 5 camera is still very useful. You can take amazing pictures if you know the tricks. Use the dual cameras, Pro Mode, AI features, and editing tools. You can take pictures of streets, festivals, nature, and night scenes. Even though it is old, this phone can still make beautiful pictures if you use it the right way.
FAQs: OnePlus 5
1. What is the difference between 1× and 2× zoom?
1× is the normal wide camera. 2× is zoom with both cameras and looks clear. More than 2× is blurry.
2. How to take better Portrait pictures?
Keep the person or object 0.3–2 meters away. Look for the green icon to know it is working.
3. What does Pro Mode do?
It lets you change ISO, shutter speed, white balance, focus, exposure, take RAW photos, and see histogram and level line.
4. Can I turn off normal photo in Portrait mode?
Yes, turn off Save Normal Photo. Only blurred photo will save.
5. How to open camera fast?
Use double-press power button shortcut in Settings → Convenience tools.
6. Is low-light good?
It is good for an old phone. HDR and noise reduction help, but modern phones are better.
7. Does it have XPAN or Hasselblad modes?
No, these are in newer OnePlus phones.
8. Is it still good today?
Yes, especially for daylight, portraits, and creative pictures.
