While some prioritize performance, value for money or battery life when purchasing a new mobile, for many what will determine their purchase will be the camera settings. of the device.
The big problem is that in order to know whether a cell phone’s camera is good or not, it is not enough to just look at it or pay attention to what the manufacturer says. The best way to check it is to test it with your own hands and in different scenarios.
You also have to consider what you are going to use it for: do you want a camera that takes good photos, gets high quality videos, or lets you do yourself some good? selfies? Some mobiles will shine more in one of these departments.
For all this, we suggest you read our selection of the best cameras available today in a smartphone. We have extensively tested each of these models to determine the quality, versatility, and performance of your camera.
Which mobile has the best camera on the market?
1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra – The most versatile
The Galaxy S21 Ultra’s rear camera module is huge and imposing, but luckily, its bold design comes with high capabilities. It’s a breakthrough and contrasts with the disappointing sensors in the Galaxy S20 Ultra from last year.
The system used by Samsung is surely the best in the market, perhaps only surpassed by the Oppo Find X3 Pro, it includes an improved 108 MP main lens, 12 MP ultra wide angle and two x3 and x10 magnification telephoto lenses. respectively .
The laser autofocus system, similar to that first used by Samsung on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, offers very fast focusing. The quality of photos and video is spectacular at all zoom levels, making it very versatile.
As with the other models of the Galaxy S21 series, the ease of use and the pleasure of using its features make it the Equipment be even better. Fans of the selfies they will also appreciate the impressive 40 MP front sensor.
More information: Review Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
2. iPhone 12 Pro Max – Ideal for video
The biggest and most impressive iPhone in the latest line of smartphones Apple’s 12 Pro Max includes what appears to be a similar three-sensor setup to its predecessor, but with new technology.
The mechanical sensor sensitivity system is the most talked about of this camera (unique to the 12 Pro Max) and helps improve the already exceptional one: the night mode has even less noise and offers sharper results.
The three 12 MP sensors (a main lens, a 120 ° ultra wide-angle, and a telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom) take photos with consistent results and with a confidence we don’t see in the cameras of their rivals.
It also has an excellent 3D LiDAR system which ensures faster and more precise autofocus (even in low light). This mobile also records in 10-bit Dolby Vision, something we had never seen in a smartphone (beyond the iPhone 12 Pro, of course).
More Info: Review iPhone 12 Pro Max
3. Oppo Find X3 Pro – The most unique
For its 2021 flagship, Oppo went for a somewhat different method than its predecessor, or at least when it comes to the camera settings of the Oppo Find X3 Pro.
Most rear cameras include a powerful telephoto lens, but the Find X3 Pro only has a 2x optical zoom, which the company oddly decided to go with a “microlens” camera, with which you can take pictures. up to x60 increases.
This, on the other hand, is also accompanied by its own ring of light, which gives a truly unique perspective on the results.
Beyond that, the two 1 / 1.56 ”50MP sensors are the primary lens and the wide angle lens. All of this delivers excellent color consistency, fast autofocus (even in low light conditions), and picture quality that’s hard to beat.
More information: Give your opinion on Oppo Find X3 Pro
4. Oppo Find X2 Pro – Great for photos
A year after its launch, the Oppo Find X2 Pro is still one of the best smartphones market for photography. On the back we have a 48 MP main lens (f / 1.7, IMX689 sensor), capable of taking 12-bit photos.
This lens is accompanied by a secondary 120º 48 MP (f / 2.2, IMX586) ultra-wide angle secondary sensor and a 13 MP (f / 3.0) x5 periscope zoom. The latter offers 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom and 30x digital zoom.
The main sensor delivers exceptional detail, with photos in vivid, vibrant colors and incredible dynamic range. The X2 Pro also offers much more realistic photographs than many of its rivals.
The secondary sensors aren’t as good, but they still offer good consistency and deliver what you need. Although light sources are sometimes overexposed, good results are obtained in low light environments.
More information: Give your opinion on Oppo Find X2 Pro
5. Google Pixel 5 – The most compact
Google’s first 5G flagship is quite different from its predecessors, managing to deliver Android 11 in all its glory. Yet it also puts aside the more experimental features and opts for a Equipment more conservative.
Its incredibly compact design, long battery life, and crisp user experience go hand in hand with an exceptional (and feature-rich) camera setup.
The Pixel 5 can use a Equipment something old, but that doesn’t stop Google from continuing to improve its algorithms. A wide variety of video stabilization options makes the experience with these cameras even more amazing.
The 12.2 MP main sensor is accompanied by the new 16 MP (107 °) ultra wide-angle sensor. In terms of performance, the company made night mode work automatically on other sensors as well.
More information: test the Google Pixel 5
6. Xiaomi Mi 11 – Good main camera
Xiaomi’s current flagship (or at least until the arrival of the Mi 11 Pro in China and the Mi 11 Ultra in the rest of the world) is the perfect rival to the standard model Samsung Galaxy S21.
It might not have the most powerful camera system that can be found today on an Android mobile, but it cannot be denied that the 1 / 1.33 ”108 MP sensor of the Xiaomi Mi 11 allows to achieve powerful photographic results.
The 27 MP photos deliver crisp colors, full of detail, and you won’t be disappointed with results in low-light environments or even at night.
If all you need is a solid main sensor, the Mi 11 will save you money. Now, if versatility is your priority, the truth is, other sensors in this model fall short of other brands.
More information: Review Xiaomi Mi 11
7. Samsung Galaxy S21 + – Easy to use
The Galaxy S21 + has all the advantages of the standard camera, but with the added bonus of having a larger screen (or, in this case, a viewfinder) and a more powerful battery. It makes photo taking easier and you can do more.
Don’t be put off by Samsung’s unusual interpretation of the telephoto lens (a 64 MP sensor that relies effectively on artificial intelligence digital zoom). The results are quite impressive.
In the S21 + ‘s camera setup, there is also good consistency between the main lens and the 12 MP ultra wide angle, along with a great choice of shooting modes and easy to use controls.
More information: Review Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
8. Samsung Galaxy S21 – Camera with many features
Although it does not appear that Samsung has innovated much in the Equipment When creating the Galaxy S21, the triple rear camera setup and the 10 MP front lens built into the display presented some cool new features.
Like the Pixel 5, virtual portrait mode is included, while the new Director’s View gives more control over the S21’s various lenses when recording video.
Speaking of video, this is one of the few devices capable of recording 4K video at up to 24 fps. This is an improvement over last year’s S20 line, as it can also record 4K at 30fps with all sensors, resulting in a more consistent result.
There are also a variety of additional camera modes, such as Doodle AR, professional video mode, and portrait mode for video.
More information: Review Samsung Galaxy S21
9. Google Pixel 4a – The most affordable
The most affordable Google phone around, the Google Pixel 4a, also features one of the best main cameras on the market.
Like the Pixel 5, it relies on features of Software smart to get high quality photos. Two-pixel autofocus detection and optical image stabilization are also not overlooked.
Having Live HDR + means the results will be more realistic. It also has an astrophotography mode. All these curious and powerful features make it, at its low cost, an impressive price-performance ratio.
More information: test the Google Pixel 4a
ten. Huawei Mate 40 Pro – Good video results
Like any modern Huawei mobile, although the Equipment is not to blame, the Software makes the Huawei Mate 40 Pro hard to recommend to people used to the Play Store and Google services.
If this isn’t your concern, however, it’s hard not to marvel at the Mate 40 Pro’s video and still photography capabilities. Its beautifully designed circular module features a 50 MP main sensor, 5x telephoto, depth and ultra-kinematics. Big angle.
The photographic results are among the best and you can even take great photos in low light conditions (also without using night mode). In addition, the new XD Fusion HDR engine brings superior dynamic range to video, even 4K at 60 fps.
More information: Review Huawei Mate 40 Pro
How we analyze mobile cameras
Rather than analyzing cameras scientifically and in “controlled” situations, we prefer to test the quality of the sensors in the real world, as this is the most accurate way of knowing how they will perform in the hands of buyers.
In this sense, we tested the manual mode with each of the smartphones, as well as the different types of resolution to compare. We also try to use the features that make each camera special to check its results.
For more information, you can consult How we do reviews: this is how we test mobile phones.
To note: We may receive a small commission for each purchase made through the links on our page, but this has no additional cost to you. It also does not affect our editorial independence. More information.
.
Table of Contents
