12 best camera phones

The content of the article

• How to choose a smartphone with a good camera
• Matrix size
• Camera sensitivity
• Stabilization
• Rating of the best camera phones
• 12. Honor 10i 128GB
• 11. Oppo A9 (2020) 4 / 128GB
• 10. Vertex Impress Pluto
• 9. Huawei Mate 20X 128GB
• 8. Google Pixel 3 128GB
• 7. Motorola Moto G7 Plus
• 6. Nokia 6.2 3 / 32GB
• 5. Samsung Galaxy A20s 32GB
• 4. Xiaomi Redmi 8A 2 / 32GB
• 3. Apple iPhone 8 128GB
• 2. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
• 1. OnePlus 7 Pro 8 / 256GB
• Product comparison table

Modern smartphones are capable of taking pictures at the level of a SLR camera. They do not replace professional equipment, but can help out when it is inconvenient to take a larger and heavier device with you. Smartphones make good landscapes, clear portraits and vibrant night photos. A decent camera phone can be found even in the budget category.

How to choose a smartphone with a good camera

The main parameter that people look at when choosing a device for a photo is the number of megapixels. Modern gadgets are released with 24 and even 48 megapixels, but here more – does not mean better. Optics and software are responsible for the shooting level. A universal camera does not exist. Immediately determine for which photos you choose the device: during the day, at dusk, at night, shooting moving or distant objects.

The main parameters of the camera phone:

• Matrix size.
• Light sensitivity (aperture and ISO).
• Stabilization system.

Matrix size

This parameter determines the number of cells that are sensitive to light. The more of them, the better the photo will be. The size of the matrix is ​​designated as “1 / X.Y”. The smaller the XY digits, the better the shooting quality. Most camera phones have 1/2 or 1/3, and the lowest possible is 1 / 1.5. These data are rarely made into technical specifications, so you should look at the maximum resolution of images. So 3840 * 2160 pixels will be better than 1920 * 1080.

Camera sensitivity

This item contains 2 items:

• Aperture. This is the lens hole through which light enters the sensor. The lower the aperture value, the greater its opening and the higher the quality of the photo at dusk or at night. For camera phones, the best numbers are F / 1.70 or F / 1.80. At values ​​greater than F / 2.20 in the dark, frames will be bad. In devices where the lenses are 2 or 3, the aperture values ​​are different. This is good for portraits, to influence the depth of field, get background blur.
• ISO. The level of sensitivity of the matrix to light. The camera phone can set it on its own (auto-ISO) or prompt the user to select the desired number within the acceptable range. At the level of 50-200 units, they are shot during the day, with 1000 and above, clear frames are obtained at night. Important: at ISO more than 1600 there is a lot of noise (interference, distortion).

Stabilization

• Digital. Software that adjusts the image to remove the effect of jitter. It’s cheaper, but the picture quality is worse. The stronger the photo increases, the more noticeable is the lack of sharpness and the initial blur..
• Optical. This is a complex mechanism that moves the glass elements inside the lens during shooting. He makes the picture very clear. The function is useful when photographing in motion, in low light conditions. When shooting video without optical stabilization can not do.

Rating of the best camera phones

The list includes devices of both the budget segment (up to 10,000 rubles), as well as medium and premium (flagships). Most of them have 2 or 3 lenses, of which the main one is only 1. Additional ones take wide-angle photos, help make a portrait with a blurry background, or enhance the quality of the frame at night. Many models are equipped with a large amount of memory, they have a powerful processor for working with HD video+.

12. Honor 10i 128GB

This phone with an excellent camera is released in pink-purple, bright blue, black colors. The back panel attracts with a soft gradient. The screen size is 6.21 inches, resolution – 2340 * 1080 pixels. An NFC module for contactless payment, 2 compartments for SIM cards were built into the gadget. In addition to the charger, a protective case and a film on the screen are supplied with the phone. Without them, the gadget can slip in your hands due to the glossy case.

The model was released in March 2019 and quickly gained popularity. Users like the triple camera at 24, 8 and 2 megapixels with an aperture from F / 1.80 to 2.40, thanks to which the gadget adequately takes off even at night. Photos come out bright, but due to low resolution, blurring may appear. The front camera is no worse than the rear. She is 32 megapixel, takes clear selfies.

Price

15 990 rub.

Benefits:

• quick fingerprint reading;
• smooth work;
• comfortable one-handed operation;
• battery capacity (3400 mAh);
• wide angle shots.

disadvantages:

• “Blind” screen in the sun;
• lack of fast charging;
• back button hang.

11. Oppo A9 (2020) 4 / 128GB

The camera phone features a powerful 5000 mAh battery. It holds a charge of up to 3 days, depending on the degree of load. The gadget runs on Android 9.0, it has 2 slots for SIM cards, weighs only 195 g. The 6.5-inch screen is almost devoid of borders and has a resolution of 1600 * 720 pixels. An 8-core processor with 4 GB of RAM, but average performance. Heavy programs pulls poorly, starts to run jerky.

The device has more rear cameras than other models in this price category. There are 4 of them, permissions – 48, 8, 2 and 2 megapixels. The aperture of the cameras is F / 1.8, 2.25, 2.40, 2.40, frames in night lighting are clear. Among the main shooting functions, the manufacturer indicates autofocus, macro mode. Good photo quality is also achieved thanks to the Sony module. Video gadget takes only 30 frames / sec. and in resolution 3840 * 2160 pixels.

Price

19990 rub.

Benefits:

• high build quality;
• bright screen;
• large amount of internal memory;
• fast charge support.

disadvantages:

• image quality on the screen (visible pixels);
• problems with focusing;
• response speed.

10. Vertex Impress Pluto

One of the cheapest smartphones with a decent camera, small size. The screen at Vertex with a diagonal of 5.45 inches, it is easy to work with it with one hand. The gadget comes with Android 8.1, but it can be updated to the latest version of the operating system. The phone is equipped with slots for 2 SIM and a separate one for a memory card up to 256 GB. The processor is weak, 4-core, at 1.3 GHz, it will not pull heavy applications, as well as video in HD + format. 8 GB internal memory.

Many parents of children 10-14 years old choose this domestic camera phone. They are captivated by a combination of cost, ease of use, shooting quality. A dual rear camera of 8 and 0.3 megapixels with autofocus makes good shots during the day, but its aperture is not enough at night. The front 5 MP can blur the picture. The battery is removable, with a capacity of 2700 mAh it holds a charge for up to a day.

Price

5545 rub.

Benefits:

• NFC module
• average response speed;
• fingerprint scanner in front (more convenient than on the rear panel);
• good white balance in the pictures.

disadvantages:

• screen resolution 960 * 480 pixels;
• flimsy plastic.

9. Huawei Mate 20X 128GB

The Chinese gadget is one of the best camera phones due to its good matrix and a large number of photo settings. The frames are clear even at night, there is a macro function, LED flash. Triple camera with aperture F / 1.80, 2.20 and 2.40 and a resolution of 40, 20 and 8 megapixels. This is enough for detailing landscapes shot from a long distance, and for clear portraits with blurring the background. The front camera resolution is 24 megapixels.

OLED display occupies the entire front surface. The colors are juicy and bright, there are no irregularities in shades. The resolution of the image with a diagonal of 7.2 inches is not the best: only 2244 * 1080 pixels. The powerful HiSilicon Kirin 980 processor with 6 GB RAM pulls even heavy games. The device does not overheat due to enhanced cooling. Without games the battery lasts for 2 days: the capacity is 5000 mAh.

Price

42 500 rub.

Benefits:

• gesture management;
• high speed response;
• case included;
• easy system setup.

disadvantages:

• difficulties with buying offline (have to order);
• combination of a slot for memory cards with a compartment for SIM;
• jerking on 4K video.

8. Google Pixel 3 128GB

The gadget is equipped with a 12.2 megapixel rear camera, autofocus, optical stabilization and macro mode. There is an LED flash, the function of recording video with a resolution of up to 3840 * 2160 pixels. At the main camera, the aperture is at F / 1.80, night shooting is obtained with good detail. The 8MP front lens doesn’t make a very high-quality picture, but it takes good pictures when there is enough light.

The cameraphone from Google received an 8-core processor with 4 GB of RAM and a frequency of 2.8 GHz. He copes with heavy programs – photo and video editors, games. The 2915 mAh battery holds a charge of up to 10 hours. The kit contains not only a USB Type-C cable, but also an adapter from it to a mini-jack (3.5 mm). A wired headset also comes in a box with a phone. All customers Google is entitled to 3-year use of unlimited cloud storage.

Price

41 500 rub.

Benefits:

• night mode level;
• wireless charging function;
• smoothness, speed;
• bright shades of the screen;
• sensitive touch response.

disadvantages:

• lack of a slot for memory cards;
• few official sales points;
• communication problems.

7. Motorola Moto G7 Plus

A 16 megapixel and 5 megapixel camera with autofocus attracts a strong case and a powerful processor. Here stands the 8-core Qualcomm with a frequency of 1.8 GHz and 4 GB of RAM. It works well with moderate applications, HD-video, photo editors from Adobe. The gadget has an NFC module, Bluetooth 5.0, a slot for memory cards up to 512 GB. The 3000 mAh battery holds a charge of up to 2 days, if you use social networks and music.

G7 Plus is the best camera phone with optical stabilization from the “up to 20,000 rubles” category. In addition to this function, it has a macro mode, autofocus. The diaphragm of the back camera is F / 1.70. An interesting function of the brand is the management of phone gestures and looks. Users rate video quality lower than photos, especially when there is a lack of light. At the declared resolution of 3840 * 2160 pixels, the picture lacks juiciness, “artifacts” appear in the form of squares.

Price

19990 rub.

Benefits:

• quick charge function;
• instant response of the fingerprint scanner;
• convenient sizes;
• rich screen colors.

disadvantages:

• network signal problems;
• image color distortion in auto mode.

6. Nokia 6.2 3 / 32GB

An inexpensive phone with a cool camera of 16, 5 and 8 megapixels from one of the “oldest” mobile manufacturing companies. It is released in a black and silver case with a glossy back panel, so it can slip out of your hands. The 6.3-inch screen is covered with scratch-resistant glass. At its low price, the gadget has an NFC module for contactless payment, a Qualcomm octa-core processor, 2 SIM card slots and a face unlock feature.

The shooting for your price segment is of high quality. In the daytime, the triple rear camera takes clear photos. At night – less detailed, but digital stabilization works well. The functions have both a bokeh effect (blurring the area outside the focus object) and a portrait mode. Battery capacity is 3500 mAh. This is enough for a full day of active use of the gadget, and for some people it works 2 days without recharging.

Price

12 530 rub.

Benefits:

• wide angle lens;
• excellent deep sound in headphones;
• pure Android 9.0 without unnecessary applications;
• bright colors of the screen;
• strong case.

disadvantages:

• average processor power.

5. Samsung Galaxy A20s 32GB

The gadget is presented in red, blue and black colors. A screen with a diagonal of 6.5 inches and a resolution of 1560 * 720 pixels with very thin frames, there are no mechanical buttons. The rear camera is triple at 13, 8 and 5 megapixels, aperture F / 1.8, 2.20 and 2.20. There is autofocus, but there is no optical stabilization. Front 8 MP shoots well only in bright light.

The gadget records video with a resolution of 1920 * 1080 pixels and a frequency of 30 frames / sec. RAM in 3 GB is enough for not too heavy applications. The 1.8-GHz octa-core processor works smartly. The main memory can be expanded with cards up to 512 GB. On the rear panel is a fingerprint scanner that works with delays. There is an NFC function.

Price

12590 rub.

Benefits:

• module for improving photos after shooting;
• depth sensor;
• ease of use with one hand;
• fast charge;
• wide angle shooting.

disadvantages:

• glossy rear panel;
• display resolution.

4. Xiaomi Redmi 8A 2 / 32GB

This is a great budget smartphone with a good camera from a Chinese company. The model is equipped with slots for 2 SIM cards, a 6.22-inch display and a resolution of 1520 * 720 pixels. Qualcomm’s 8-core processor handles multitasking well, but there isn’t enough RAM for heavy applications – it is only 2 GB. The 5000 mAh battery holds a charge of up to 12 hours when using social networks, music.

The best low-cost camera phone records video at 30 frames / sec. and resolution up to 1920 * 1080 pixels, has autofocus and LED flash. The aperture of the main lens is F / 1.80. The rear camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels, the front – 8. In the dark, photos of medium quality, aperture optics are not enough. The gadget is suitable for those who shoot in the daytime in nature or under powerful artificial lighting. The camera phone has built-in face recognition instead of a fingerprint.

Price

7 490 rub.

Benefits:

• screen resistance to scratches;
• affordable cost;
• quality of body materials;
• display brightness (the picture is visible on a sunny day);
• portrait processing module.

disadvantages:

• lack of NFC;
• soiled rear panel.

3. Apple iPhone 8 128GB

Among the “old” models of the company, released before 2018, this one is recognized as the best camera phone. The G8 does not lose popularity because it lies comfortably in the hand and is not yet devoid of a mechanical button with Touch ID. This is a sensor that recognizes a fingerprint to unlock the phone or make payments through the NFC system. The screen is only 4.7 inches with a resolution of 1334 * 750. The case is made of steel and glass in 3 colors: gold, silver and dark gray.

The front camera is 7 megapixels, the rear – 12. The latter is equipped with optical stabilization, autofocus, aperture F / 1.80. A video iPhone shoots with a resolution of up to 3840 * 2160 pixels and a frequency of 60 frames / sec. The processor of Apple A11 has 6 cores. The response from the phone is fast even at high load. The battery holds a charge of 8–9 hours with active use. With rare calls and social networks, the time increases to 1.5 days. There is a function of fast and wireless charging.

Price

38 950 rub.

Benefits:

• compact sizes;
• rich stereo sound in the video;
• shooting quality in the dark;
• moisture protection;
• display clarity.

disadvantages:

• lack of a 3.5 headphone jack (Lightning only);
• slippery glass back.

2. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

The model impresses with 3 cameras: 2 wide-angle (normal and super) and telephoto lens. The latest innovation brought the iPhone closer to a professional DSLR. It can shoot distant objects with the same detail as close ones. The quality of the portrait mode remained the same as in the XS Max. Apple’s flagship is available in dark green, silver, asphalt gray and gold colors..

The diagonal of the display for the 11 Pro Max is 6.5 inches (for the 11 Pro it is 5.8). The maximum amount of internal memory is 512 GB. The resolution of all cameras is 12 megapixels. At the rear, the shooting quality is higher due to optical stabilization and aperture of 2.4, 1.8 and 2. The camera phone records video with a resolution of up to 3840 * 2160.

Price

112700 rub.

Benefits:

• battery power;
• quick charge adapter included;
• support for 2 sim cards;
• SuperRetina XDR display;
• wireless charging function.

disadvantages:

• inflated cost;
• lack of a slot for memory cards.

1. OnePlus 7 Pro 8 / 256GB

The best camera phone among Chinese devices is released in 3 shades: gold, dark blue and black. The model’s screen is frameless with a diagonal of 6.67 inches, there are no mechanical buttons. Display Resolution – 3120 * 1440 pixels. The rear camera is triple, the lenses are located vertically in the center of the rear panel. In addition to optical stabilization, they are equipped with macro mode. The resolution of the main cameras is 48, 8 and 16 megapixels, and the front – 16.

The number of megapixels in this phone is the largest (among the models of all companies), which positively affected the image quality. The photographs are very clear, with high detail, portraits almost like a DSLR. The device runs on Android 9.0, has its own OxygenOS shell. There are no unnecessary applications and functions in it, so the response of the phone is smart, the memory is not full.

Price

41330 rub.

Benefits:

• the most powerful camera for 2019;
• fast battery charge;
• juicy, realistic display colors;
• protection against water;
• fast fingerprint scanner.

disadvantages:

• zoom is not x3, but x2.2;
• errors with white balance in portrait mode.

Product comparison table