RedMagic Astra 2 review
Camera
The Astra 2 features a single camera on its back and another one on the display side. The rear one uses a 13MP OmniVision sensor (itself more selfie camera material) with a 25mm lens with AF. The front camera uses a 9MP sensor that can output 8MP photos, and its focus is fixed.
- Rear camera: 13MP OmniVision OV13B (1/3.06", 1.12µm); 25mm, f/2.2, PDAF; 4K30 video recording.
- Front camera: 9MP OmniVision OV08X (8MP effective, 1/5.7", 0.7µm); 26mm, f/2.2, fixed focus; 1080p30.
Photo quality
Rear camera
As you would expect, the Astra 2 won't be winning any photo quality contests but, being a tablet, it doesn't need to. We'd say the images are adequate, with alright dynamic range and generally accurate white balance. Yes, shadows are murky, saturation could use a nudge, and detail doesn't have the most likable rendition, but none of those deficiencies is unique to this particular tablet.
Daylight samples, rear camera (1x)
At 2x, you get a fairly basic crop and upscale job, so you shouldn't expect miracles - softness and heavy sharpening are what we're looking at.
Daylight samples, rear camera (2x)
The RedMagic team thought it wise to include a 5x button in the viewfinder - we wouldn't agree with them.
Daylight samples, rear camera (5x)
Front camera
Selfie photos are pretty decent, all things considered, but certainly not without their flaws. While detail is good for the type of product, in dimmer conditions, there's plenty of noise mixed in with the detail. Still, dynamic range and colors are quite alright.
Daylight samples, front camera
Video quality
The Redmagic Astra 2 can record video up to 4K30 with its rear camera and 1080p30 with the front camera. The default codec is h.264, but you can select h.265 (HEVC) from settings. Stabilization is available on the rear camera, and it can be turned off too.
Rear camera footage is fairly decent in 4K - detail is pretty okay, dynamic range is good, colors are alright. The stabilization is quite proficient too, though the occasional focus hunting may spoil the impression.
The 1080p front camera videos are nothing special, but they'll do fine for a video call or two - people will be able to tell it's you, and your face won't look like you're sick.
Video screengrabs: Rear camera • Front camera
Camera quality verdict
Cameras - check. That pretty much sums up the RedMagic Astra 2's imaging prowess. The rear camera will get you alright stills at its native focal length, but be prepared for barely usable 2x and proper trash 5x images. Rear videos are alright too, with good stabilization and overall quality. The front camera's stills are usable, and its video quality is also acceptable, for occasional (and obviously non-critical) use.
