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Chapter in this post:
- 1 The best cell phone camera is more than just megapixels
- 2 smartphones with good cameras
- 3 Explanations: Top 10 Best Cell Phone Cameras
- 4 Google Pixel 2 (XL)
- 5 Apple iPhone X
- 6 Huawei Mate 10 Pro
- 7 Apple iPhone 8 Plus
- 8 Samsung Galaxy Note 8
- 9 Google Pixel
- 10 HTC U11
- 11 Sony Xperia XZ Premium
- 12 Cell phone camera knowledge and skills
- 13 Conclusion: Many smartphones with good cameras
- 14 Maybe also interesting?
If you not only want to make phone calls, write messages and surf the net or use apps with a smartphone, but also want to take decent photos, then you need a cell phone with a correspondingly good camera. Right now in 2017, the year of the widely heralded and hyped smartphones from Apple, Samsung, Google, HTC, Huawei and Co., one wonders which device it should be. I picked out a few models for you and from test and experience reports not only selected a single smartphone with a good camera, but also some of the best smartphones that make something with their cameras.
The top 10 best smartphones with one camera or two cameras on the back can be found here! Photo phones in 2017 are equipped with a stabilizer, HDR, zoom and True Tone flash. But which is the best camera out of the tens of thousands of cell phones? Figure it out!
The best cell phone camera is more than just megapixels
The individual manufacturers of cameras - whether DSLR, digital camera, cell phone camera or webcam - have long tried not to outdo each other with megapixel data. Consumers know that there is more to it than that, that even pictures have to look good in low light and fast movements. There is also image stabilization, which can be found in the Apple iPhone models 7 (Plus), 8 (Plus) and X, for example. So if you are looking for a smartphone with a good camera, then do not be primarily lured by pixel numbers or other, not really meaningful data. If you want to take videos as well as photos, then you should of course still use Full HD or 4K resolution respect, think highly of ;)
Smartphones with good cameras
For the following top 10 list of the best cell phone cameras or smartphones with good cameras, I looked through various test and experience reports. Among other things, the page dxomark.com helped to search and find smartphones with good photo and video quality. From cheap Android devices to manufacturer flagships from Samsung, Google, Huawei and HTC to Apple iPhone 8 Plus and X, there is a lot! Under the list with the individual cell phones you will find further explanations, explanations and detailed information about the smartphone and camera.
Explanations: Top 10 Best Cell Phone Cameras
As the English-language source mentioned above dxomark.com seems to be the best of all the test and experience reports consulted and really examines an immense number of test shots, color comparisons and lighting conditions, I would like to add a few translated comments to the individual smartphones with good cameras from the top 10 list above Pushing information afterwards.
Google Pixel 2 (XL)
The Google Pixel 2 and the Google Pixel 2 XL are smartphones that are currently heavily advertised. Not only the integration of Google services and various technologies such as the assistant make it interesting, but also the double camera with these specs:
- 1 / 2.6-inch 12MP sensor
- f / 1.8 lens
- Dual autofocus
- Optical image stabilizer
- HDR + technology
- New portrait mode (software)
The camera of the smartphone or both smartphone models from Google scored points in backlighting as well as in the test with different colors and not too strong lighting. A convincing color spectrum was also achieved in all of the test's illumination scenarios. However, flare can occur in the sun and other strong light sources. The medium and wide zoom also leads to a loss of detail.
Apple iPhone X
The Apple iPhone X As the flagship smartphone from Cupertino, it also has a double camera. Both cameras (wide-angle and telephoto) with 12 megapixels each are also equipped with image stabilization, a quadruple LED true-tone flash and autofocus as well as touch focus. Here is the most important information as a list:
- 12MP main camera (f / 1.8 OIS lens)
- 12Mp telephoto camera (f / 2.4 OIS lens)
- Quad LED True-Tone Flash with Slow-Sync mode
- Portrait mode with portrait lighting
- 4K video with up to 60fps
- 7MP selfie camera (front) with f / 2.2 lens, face recognition, and portrait mode
Since the autofocus is occasionally a bit slow and red eyes can occur when using the flash, this smartphone camera is not in first place. However, the accurate white balance, the detail in HDR mode, the low noise and the natural bokeh effect are praised.
Huawei Mate 10 Pro
Photos with the Huawei Mate 10 Pro smartphone are also good if they are not taken in extreme light situations. The dual cam with various RGB and monochrome sensors come together on this mobile phone with a dual-tone flash and double zoom:
- Dual camera with 12MP RGB and 20MP monochrome sensor
- Double f / 1.6 lenses
- XNUMXx lossless zoom
- Laser autofocus
- Dual-tone LED flash
- Video: 4K with 30fps / Full HD with 30 / 60fps
Even in low light conditions, this cell phone was able to achieve a good result. In addition, after testing the above-mentioned source, the bokeh simulation, the fast autofocus (even with series pictures) and the HDR were highlighted. Among the smartphones for good photos and videos, the Huawei Mate 10 Pro landed in a well-deserved third place, as there were artifacts and blocks in sky photos and sometimes a color shift occurred.
Apple iPhone 8 Plus
There are already some explanations here in the blog about taking photos with the Apple iPhone 8 Plus. As a reading tip under this paragraph, I have linked a post with a test or comparison that shows pictures, functions, advantages and disadvantages of iPhone cameras of different generations. Therefore, here is the information on technical data and then no further information (not even on iPhone 8 and 7 iPhone Plus):
- 12MP main camera with BSI sensor (f / 1.8)
- 12MP telephoto camera (f / 2.8)
- Optical and digital zoom
- Portrait Mode
- Portrait Lighting (Beta)
- Optical image stabilizer
- Quad LED True-Tone Flash with Slow-Sync mode
- And many more functions
Recommended reading: Camera comparison: cameras in iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8 Plus
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is the current flagship among Samsung smartphones. The dual camera of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 comes with a double optical zoom, autofocus, dual LED lighting and 4K video recording. There is also a 6,3-inch AMOLED display with 521 ppi for viewing photos and videos. Here is more information about the cameras:
- 12MP main camera (f / 1.7)
- 12MP secondary camera (f / 2.4)
- Double optical zoom + digital zoom
- Auto focus function
- Dual LED (Dual Tone)
- 4K video at 30fps
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8's smartphone from the list of top photo smartphones is praised above all for the vivid colors, the good zoom behavior, the little noise in weak lighting, the fast and accurate automatic focus and the good details in bright light and indoor photos. The limited dynamic range, the sometimes invisible Bokehe effect and the white balance errors in strong light and indoor photos are criticized.
Google Pixel
Like the iPhone models, the Google Pixel (2016) also comes with a strong mix of hardware and software, according to the test of the above-mentioned source. The Google smartphone with a good camera has a CMOS sensor, focusing with laser support and video stabilization based on gyroscopes:
- 12MP rear camera (f / 2.0)
- Auto-focusing with laser support
- Dual-tone LED
- 4K video at 30 fps
- Gyroscope-based video stabilization
- 8MP front camera (f / 2.4) with full HD video
The highlights and details of this smartphone are emphasized, even in low light conditions. According to the test report, the autofocusing does its job well, even with series pictures. Flash images should also be very well balanced. In some cases, strong flare developments, artifacts in bokeh mode and other isolated image errors are viewed as negative with this smartphone camera.
HTC U11
In the overview of Android smartphones with a good camera, the HTC U11 is also in the top list. Among the best camera phones of this time, details, colors with good illumination and the fast autofocusing are particularly praised. But before the overall assessment, here is the technical information:
- 12MP camera (f / 1.7)
- Optically realized stabilization
- Dual LED flash mode
- 4K video with 3D audio recording
- Professional mode with manual settings
- Up to 32 seconds exposure and even RAW format
The very good image recordings generated in various scenarios with this smartphone from HTC are positive. All lighting conditions should produce good colors and even when using flash, there still seem to be good details in the photos. However, in addition to the advantages, there are also disadvantages: Photos from the sky are more cyan than blue, there is a blurring in strong light, outdoor photos often appear cool and the HDR is limited.
Sony does not do particularly well in the overview of Android smartphones with a good camera. Nevertheless, the Sony Xperia XZ Premium can be used for many recordings. But before we get to the advantages and disadvantages, here are the technical data and information about the camera of the Sony smartphone:
- 19MP main camera (f / 2) on the back
- Normal LED flash
- 4K video recording
- Super slow motion with 960fps ("Motion Eye")
- ISO up to 12.800 (photo) or 4.000 (video)
In March I already had the Sony Xperia XZ Premium for you in this post about the Motion Eye presented. It was mainly about the slow motion function in the video mode of the smartphone. With regard to the photos, there were probably some texture errors and color shifts in outdoor and indoor photos in the test. There were also exposure errors in the mix of interior lighting and flash function. The good exposure without flash, the little noise in darker conditions and the good autofocus were considered good. Bokeh was hardly usable.
Knowledge and skills about cell phone cameras
Of course, not only do you need a good mobile phone camera and modern software in the respective Android or iOS app for good-looking photos - you also need a little bit of knowledge about smartphone photography! The following book has very good reviews and you can take a look directly at the Amazon product page:
Conclusion: many smartphones with good cameras
When looking for a smartphone with a good camera, it is important to know what you want to record and how. Of course you can't foresee every situation, but through various assessments and tests you can find the models that you would rather use for taking photos with your mobile phone. In addition, there are certainly other criteria for the selection - Android or iOS; Samsung Galaxy or iPhone; Sony or HTC; 4K with super slow motion or the best photos - as well as opinions from users and testers. On the Amazon product pages linked above you will find plenty of other assessments as well as customer questions and answers. So you are sure to find the right model.
What is the best smartphone with the best camera for you? Feel free to leave a comment!
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After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.
The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de