The OnePlus Nord 5 and the realme 15 Pro are priced similarly, but they take slightly different approaches when it comes to the cameras. Both come with a 50MP Sony sensor with OIS, but the rest of the camera stack is different. The realme has a 50MP ultrawide camera, while the OnePlus goes with an 8MP ultrawide sensor. There’s no telephoto on either, or both use digital zoom for anything beyond 1x.
This comparison focuses on camera performance across different conditions, including main sensor, zoom, ultrawide, and indoor use. All images were captured in auto mode. So, which one actually takes better photos? Let’s break down the results.
1. Main Camera, 1X
In this 1x main camera shot, both phones use similar-sized sensors, but the tuning is very different. The OnePlus Nord 5 goes for a cooler tone with a more natural finish. The realme, on the other hand, looks heavily over-sharpened, especially around the cat’s fur and eyes, and the warmer tones make it pop at first glance.
But up close, that digital sharpening takes away from the realism. The OnePlus photo looks more true to life, and overall, it handles details (not artificial sharpness) better. So in this round, OnePlus takes the win, but the realme is still visually pleasing for social media.
2. Zoom, 2X
Next up, the 2X zoom shot. The realme 15 Pro opts for a brighter image, but zoom in and the difference is clear. OnePlus delivers more natural detail without going overboard on sharpening. You’ll notice some artificial texture in the OnePlus shot, but the overall sharpness, detail retention, and exposure are better controlled here. Once again, OnePlus wins this one.
3. HDR, 1X
Now we tested HDR performance using the main camera. The OnePlus Nord 5 preserved more shadow detail and handled dynamic range a bit more evenly. The realme sharpens aggressively, but that doesn’t help recover highlights or shadows. Both phones could’ve done better, but OnePlus still edges out with better balance and detail.
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4. HDR, 2X
In another 2x scenario, the OnePlus shot leans neutral while realme turns warmer and softer. And once again, you can see a clear trend, realme’s 2x images drop in sharpness, while the OnePlus maintains a high level of detail. Exposure still isn’t perfect on either, especially around the trees, but OnePlus does a better job in terms of clarity and texture.
5. Zoom, 3X
Now jumping to 3X. The OnePlus retains more detail and clarity, even if there’s a hint of oversharpening. On the other hand, the realme shot is softer and looks slightly hazy. While neither is perfect, the OnePlus once again gives you more usable output. So again, OnePlus wins this round.
6. Ultrawide Camera
Here’s where the realme 15 Pro strikes back. Its 50MP ultrawide sensor easily beats the 8MP one on the OnePlus Nord 5. realme’s image has better dynamic range, far superior detail, and excellent distortion correction. Even exposure handling is more balanced. The OnePlus isn’t bad, but realme takes this one by a large margin.
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7. Another 1X Shot
In a different 1X shot, we again see the same story. realme looks bright and oversharpened. The OnePlus image has more restrained colors, better white balance, and a more natural look overall. However, the realme image might look more vibrant and social-media ready. But from a technical standpoint, OnePlus wins.
8. Low-Light Shot
In low light, the OnePlus Nord 5 performs better. It handles highlights more gracefully, reduces noise more effectively, and delivers better contrast. Text in the scene is clearer on the OnePlus too. The realme shot isn’t bad, but its noise handling could be better. Overall, OnePlus takes this one.
9. Low-Light Ultrawide
Even in low-light ultrawide shots, realme pulls ahead. It handles highlights better and offers sharper details, though noise control still needs improvement. The OnePlus does reduce noise well, but its lower resolution limits detail. So here, realme has the advantage.
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10. Indoor Lighting 1X
In indoor lighting, the OnePlus Nord 5 again takes the lead. It manages exposure better and produces a cleaner image with improved detail and noise reduction. realme isn’t far behind and does better in some highlight areas, but the overall image quality from OnePlus is more consistent.
Final Thoughts
If you’re someone who prioritizes ultrawide photography, then the realme 15 Pro is the obvious pick, as it’s got the better sensor and quality too. But if you shoot mostly at 1X, 2X, or 3X, then the OnePlus Nord 5 is the better overall camera. Its main sensor produces more natural, balanced results, especially in daylight and low light. And when it comes to zoom, OnePlus is simply more consistent.
So that’s how these two phones compare in real-world photos. This wasn’t a full-blown comparison, rather just a quick look at how the OnePlus Nord 5 and realme 15 Pro perform in some common photo scenarios. For now, you can check out our video on the same, vote in the comments, and try guessing which photo came from which phone.
I did a comparison poll on Twitter between the OnePlus Nord 5 and the realme 15 Pro across ten different sets, and the results were pretty telling. In the first few sets, realme consistently led with a noticeable margin. But from Set 5 onward, OnePlus started gaining traction and eventually dominated the final few sets. You can check out the results below.
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much needed comparison