Choosing the greatest digital camera telephone is a more durable problem than it ever has been, iPhone, or Android? Apple, Google or Samsung? However, should you’re in search of the most effective, then this information is for you. As increasingly more main producers launch extra superior digital camera telephones, it’s getting tougher to decide on, don’t fear although, as we solely embody the most effective digital camera telephones on this listing.
You’re totally spoiled for selection, as the potential smartphone snapper – as there are alternatives at numerous worth factors from Apple, Samsung, Google, Honor, Xiaomi, and Vivo. There are higher options, greater resolutions and sharper lenses, extra cameras, in addition to choices at price range costs. Aren’t you fortunate?
At AP, we take reviewing smartphones as critically as we do testing the greatest mirrorless cameras – in spite of everything, much more photos at the moment are shot on smartphones than the rest. We have a look at picture high quality, video high quality, modifying options, dealing with, sturdiness, battery life, ease of use, and extra, every digital camera lens and have intimately. To know extra about our testing standards and what to search for in a smartphone digital camera, we’ve put collectively an explainer on how to decide on one on the backside of this web page.
For many customers in search of one thing for day-to-day images although, the most effective smartphone cameras will obtain all that they want, typically beating low-cost compact cameras. See our smartphone digital camera picture of the week for inspiration.
So, let’s get caught into the most effective digital camera telephones you should purchase and don’t neglect to obtain among the best modifying apps for smartphones.
The most effective digital camera telephones: our fast listing
On the lookout for the most effective deal on premium digital camera telephones? Not solely will you discover the most effective digital camera telephones, however you’ll additionally discover a few of the greatest digital camera telephone offers, as our ‘Purchase now’ buttons are setup to routinely take you to the most effective costs, from trusted retailers, plus you’ll additionally discover a listing of different retailers beneath every digital camera, so you will discover the suitable deal for you.
If you wish to minimize proper to it, right here’s a quick-reference listing of the highest rated digital camera telephones our group recommends, together with hyperlinks to get the most effective costs:
- Greatest Samsung digital camera telephone: Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely: Purchase now
- NEW: Greatest Apple digital camera telephone: iPhone 16 Professional / Max: Purchase now
- Greatest Apple digital camera telephone (2023): iPhone 15 Professional: Purchase now
- Greatest Google digital camera telephone: Google Pixel 9 Professional XL and 9 Professional: Purchase now
- Greatest worth flagship Google digital camera telephone: Google Pixel 8 Professional: Purchase now
- Greatest iPhone with lengthy zoom (2023): iPhone 15 Professional Max: Purchase now
- Greatest Honor digital camera telephone: Honor Magic 6 Professional: Purchase now
- Greatest Xiaomi digital camera telephone: Xiaomi 14 Extremely: Purchase now
- Greatest for close-ups and macro: Vivo 100 Professional
- Greatest iPhone 14: Apple iPhone 14 Professional: Purchase now
- Greatest small flagship Samsung: Samsung Galaxy S24: Purchase Now
- Greatest worth Google Telephone: Google Pixel 8: Purchase now
- Second greatest Samsung Telephone: Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely: Purchase Now
- Greatest second hand Samsung digital camera telephone: Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely 5G: Purchase now
- Greatest second hand iPhone for photographs: Apple iPhone 13 Professional: Purchase now
Learn on to be taught extra about every of those telephones, together with key specs and the outcomes of our assessment group’s testing…
Greatest Samsung digital camera telephone: Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
At a look:
- 200MP f/1.7 predominant digital camera, with OIS, 1/1.3inch, 23mm
- 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle digital camera (0.6x), 13mm
- 10MP f/2.4 3x telephoto digital camera, with OIS, 69mm
- 50MP f/3.4 5x telephoto digital camera, with OIS, 115mm
- 12MP f/2.2 PDAF selfie digital camera (identical on all S24 fashions)
- 8K 30fps video, 4K 120/60/30fps
- From $1299 / £1084 (256GB)
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely succeeds S23 Extremely as Samsung’s flagship mannequin. Its predominant digital camera has the identical headline-grabbing 200MP sensor that makes use of pixel-binning expertise as its predecessor. Nevertheless, the telephoto digital camera has been upgraded to a brand new 50MP 5x telephoto zoom from the earlier 10MP 10x telephoto seen on the S22/S23 extremely.
A brand new technology of AI expertise is launched with the S24 collection, utilised throughout picture seize and stated to enhance night time images, noise efficiency, zoom high quality and HDR imaging amongst others. AI can also be related within the new on-device and cloud-based modifying options like its new Reflection removing device. Talking of reflection removing, which is admittedly helpful, the S24 Extremely additionally has among the best screens on any telephone, due to the anti-reflective coating on the display.
The S24 Extremely information video as much as 8K 30fps, and with AI may also be used to create slow-motion movies by producing interim frames in a video, letting you create slow-motion movies after you document them.
Following our full assessment, we famous the incremental enhancements to the cameras and options in Samsung smartphones, however there have been some areas the place we’d prefer to see some further enhancements, specifically in macro. We did conclude, although, that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely is without doubt one of the greatest digital camera telephones presently out there within the mainstream, and we stick by that.
In the event you’d like one of many latest Samsung telephones, however don’t wish to spend high greenback, then the Samsung Galaxy S24 presents a compelling choice, however with three rear cameras, is significantly cheaper.
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely assessment to see what this smartphone is cable of.
Greatest Apple digital camera telephone: iPhone 16 Professional and Max
At a look:
- 48MP large digital camera, f/1.78 aperture, 24mm equal
- 48MP ultrawide digital camera, f/2.2 aperture, 13mm equal
- 12MP 5x telephoto digital camera, f/2.8 aperture, 120mm equal
- Professional Max: 6.9inch Tremendous Retina XDR OLED display
- Professional: 6.3inch Tremendous Retina XDR OLED display
- iOS 18
- Costs: from $1,199 / £1,199 (Professional Max), $999 / £999 (Professional)
Whether or not you go for the iPhone 16 Professional or the 16 Professional Max, you’re getting the identical digital camera system, the one variations being the telephone dimension (together with the display and battery). This years iPhone replace sees the ultra-wide-angle digital camera up to date, in addition to a brand new picture management button on the aspect that helps give faster entry to picture settings (reminiscent of zoom, and so on). Hardly as ground-breaking as Apple would make out, however a welcome addition.
We reviewed the telephone, and located the brand new controls helpful, however would have preferred to see Apple enhance the macro efficiency, which has been overtaken by Android telephones, and we’d additionally like Apple to enhance the selfie digital camera, which struggles in low-light.
These updates will not be sufficient to influence individuals to improve from the 15 Professional Max, however in order for you the latest, then the 16 Professional / Professional Max is the one to go for.
The iPhone 16 Professional / Max supply a few of the greatest iPhone cameras, and should you favor the Apple manner of doing issues then it is a nice selection. The principle selection now, will probably be whether or not you need the bigger telephone, or the extra compact telephone.
Learn our full iPhone 16 Professional assessment, in addition to our 16 Professional Max assessment. JW
Greatest Apple digital camera telephone: iPhone 15 Professional
At a look:
- 48MP large digital camera, f/1.78 aperture, 24mm equal
- 12MP ultrawide digital camera, f/2.2 aperture, 13mm equal
- 12MP 3x telephoto digital camera, f/2.8 aperture, 77mm equal
- 6.1” Tremendous Retina XDR OLED display
- iOS 17 (updates to 18)
- Value: from $1,149 / £1,266
Whereas not the largest iPhone on the block – that being the iPhone 16 Professional Max – the iPhone 15 Professional presents a balanced set of options that make it realistically the most suitable choice for many customers. It’s no nice leap from the earlier yr’s iPhone 14 Professional, however the iPhone 15 Professional makes a number of intelligent usability upgrades that enhance the expertise for the smartphone photographer and videographer. Now that the 16 Professional is out (see above), this telephone needs to be out there for much less, whereas shares final.
For example, portrait mode can now kick in routinely when the facial recognition system detects a human topic (or a pet, for that matter). What’s extra, a picture may also be became a portrait post-capture. Video shooters get new Log profiles, which permits for far more flexibility in the case of colour-grading footage. And Apple has lastly relented on the port and given us the extensively used USB-C connection, fairly than its proprietary Lightning port. Eventually!
In our full assessment, we concluded that the enhancements to the iPhone 15 Professional over the iPhone 14 Professional are comparatively marginal, and that it was one other glorious system. Neither this mannequin nor its larger Professional Max cousin has fairly performed sufficient to dethrone the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely, the present king of the hill in the case of smartphone imaging.
Nevertheless, it is a credible effort and a very good digital camera telephone nonetheless. In the event you favor the Apple manner of doing issues and desire a incredible smartphone for taking footage, right here it’s.
Learn our full iPhone 15 Professional assessment, in addition to our comparability piece on the iPhone 15 Professional vs iPhone 14 Professional to be taught extra about this glorious digital camera telephone. Curious how does iPhone fares towards Samsung’s flagship? Learn our comparability of the iPhone 15 Professional Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely.
Greatest Google digital camera telephone ever: Google Pixel 9 Professional XL
At a look:
- 50MP predominant digital camera, f/1.68, OIS
- 48MP ultra-wide, f/1.7, with macro AF
- 48MP telephoto, f/2.8, 5x telephoto, OIS
- 42MP f/2.2 selfie digital camera with AF
- 4K video recording, as much as 60fps
- 6.8inch display, 1-120hz, 2000/3000nits, Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- Superior AI options together with Add-me
The Google Pixel collection has lengthy been a selection for many who put the images options at the beginning else. The Google Pixel 9 Professional XL continues that custom with enhancements being made to the digital camera {hardware} in addition to capturing options.
There’s an excellent triple digital camera setup on the again with an ultra-wide digital camera with AF, a predominant digital camera with optical picture stabilisation (OIS), and a 5x telephoto digital camera, additionally with OIS. The telephone additionally supplies a 2x zoom, and a 10x zoom, that makes use of Tremendous Decision Zoom to offer ‘optical high quality’ zoom, and in my testing, I discovered this truly labored rather well!
Google now offer you a selection of dimension, with the bigger 9 Professional XL, and smaller Google Pixel 9 Professional, each that includes the identical spectacular digital camera system, so take a look at the complete Google Pixel 9 Professional assessment, in order for you a smaller telephone.
There’s additionally an up to date selfie-camera, with 42MP, which makes use of pixel-binning to present 10.5MP photos. There’s auto-focus, and the selfie digital camera is now wider than the earlier mannequin, which means you may get extra within the shot. The ultra-wide-angle digital camera has been up to date as effectively, with a brighter f/1.7 aperture, in comparison with the f/2.0 aperture on the Pixel 8 Professional.
As a Google telephone, the HDR capturing has been up to date, and is now much more spectacular than ever, with the telephone dealing with excessive dynamic vary conditions extremely effectively, whether or not that’s outside, or in low-light circumstances. There are enhancements made to the AI options on supply as effectively, with Add-me being a very helpful function for individuals who wish to be within the shot when taking group photographs. Different AI options have been enhanced as effectively, together with the addition of ‘Video Increase’ which is a cloud based mostly function that may upscale 4K video to 8K video, when you’ve backed up your video to the cloud.
Sadly the telephone doesn’t document 8K video on the telephone instantly, maxing out at 4K 60fps, so if high-resolution (8K) video is what you’re in search of, different telephones do that higher. There are additionally others that additionally supply 120fps 4K video. Different negatives, embody the macro efficiency of the telephone, which is lacklustre. Utilizing the ultra-wide-angle digital camera and cropping into the shot offers a picture missing intimately, and we’d a lot fairly use a telephoto digital camera for macro.
Learn our full Google Pixel 9 Professional XL assessment to get all the main points. JW.
Greatest worth flagship Google digital camera telephone: Google Pixel 8 Professional
At a look:
- Triple digital camera setup
- 14mm, 25mm, 113mm equal
- Android working system
- 30x Tremendous Res Zoom
- 10.5MP f/2.2 selfie digital camera with autofocus
- Value: $999-$1179 / £999-£1179 – commonly on supply
Whereas Google’s Pixel smartphones don’t get the identical stage of press because the flagship telephones from Apple and Samsung, the Pixel telephones have quietly been constructing a repute amongst these within the know as a few of the greatest digital camera telephones cash should purchase. The Pixel 8 Professional is the 2023 flagship – it was the most effective Google telephone on sale (till the 9 got here out) and made a case for itself as among the best digital camera telephones, full-stop. In the event you don’t need the most recent, this telephone is nice worth for cash.
This telephone retains an identical triple-lens setup to its predecessor, the Pixel 7 Professional. There’s the tried-and-tested trio of a large lens, an ultrawide, and a telephoto. Google has improved the utmost aperture on the telephoto lens this time round, increasing it to f/2.8, so low-light efficiency has been kicked up a notch. There’s additionally now a “Professional” mode for many who prefer to take handbook management of publicity settings.
Nevertheless, the headline is that Google has gone all-in on AI, with highly effective options like “Greatest Take” and “Magic Editor” that allow you to do futuristic, postmodern issues like swap out faces in group photographs.
Our unique assessment discovered the mixture of fantastic {hardware} and superior software program additional improves the Pixel 8 Professional over earlier fashions within the vary. We reckon it is without doubt one of the greatest smartphone cameras round.
Producing glorious photos in a variety of circumstances, there’s been a noticeable leap in picture high quality from its predecessor – one thing that’s typically tougher to identify from the likes of Apple and Samsung, the place advances are typically extra delicate.
Learn our Google Pixel 8 Professional assessment to seek out out why we gave this digital camera telephone the complete 5 stars. See the way it fares towards one among its greatest rivals in our Google Pixel 8 Professional vs iPhone 15 Professional Max digital camera comparability.
Greatest iPhone with lengthy zoom: iPhone 15 Professional Max
At a look:
- 48MP large digital camera, f/1.78 aperture, 24mm equal
- 12MP ultrawide digital camera, f/2.2 aperture, 13mm equal
- 12MP 5x telephoto digital camera, f/2.8 aperture, 120mm equal
- 6.7” Tremendous Retina XDR OLED display
- iOS 17
- Value: $1299/£1199
Whereas we really feel that the iPhone 15 Professional supplies the most effective stability for many customers, in case you have a bit extra cash to spend or favor a bigger telephone, the iPhone 15 Professional Max may very well be the higher selection. The show is an excellent 6.7” Tremendous Retina XDR OLED, with a decision of 2556 x 1179 pixels, at 460ppi and 120Hz – nonetheless that isn’t the one distinction between the Professional Max and the Professional. You see, the place the iPhone 15 Professional has to make to with a 3x optical zoom lens, the iPhone 15 Professional Max ups this to a 5x optical zoom lens, offering higher telephoto attain.
Elsewhere, the iPhone 15 Professional Max consists of lots of the identical enhancements because the 15 Professional – which is all to the nice. So as soon as once more we’ve obtained USB-C charging fairly than simply Lightning, in addition to an efficient decision of 24MP (double that of earlier generations). Picture high quality is superb throughout the board; it’s solely while you begin pushing the bounds of the digital zoom that high quality begins to endure.
Apple claimed upon its launch that the iPhone 15 Professional Max was the most effective iPhone but. So one would hope. Our unique response to testing its cameras broadly agrees with that view, though its upgrades are comparatively light. Some will probably be issues of private choice and style; and maybe what else you want from a telephone past its cameras.
In brief, the most effective iPhone digital camera is the iPhone 15 Professional Max, with its benefits over the iPhone 15 Professional as described. This in flip is a reasonable enchancment on the iPhone 14 Professional. You get the concept!
Learn our iPhone 15 Professional Max assessment, and take a look at our comparability piece on iPhone 15 Professional Max vs iPhone 14 Professional/Max: Do you have to improve to get 5x zoom?
Greatest Honor digital camera telephone: Honor Magic 6 Professional
At a look:
- Triple digital camera system – two 50MP, one 180MP
- 13mm, 23mm, 68mm equal
- Magic OS 8.0, based mostly on Android 15
- 4K 60p video
- Value: $1390 / £1099
Honor has been creating good-value smartphones for a while now, and the Magic 6 Professional is a refinement of a system that already impressed us in earlier iterations. Whereas it’s not what anybody would name low-cost, it delivers premium picture and video high quality that may stand shoulder to shoulder with some far more costly rivals. Whereas the earlier Magic 5 Professional had three 50MP sensors, this new model ups the ante by changing one to a 180MP sensor, sat behind a 2.5x periscope lens. When you’re unlikely to be capturing many 180MP photos, it offers you quite a lot of latitude for cropping and digital zooming.
In testing, we discovered that the Honor Magic 6 Professional would ship constantly glorious ends in a wide range of capturing conditions. The most effective outcomes, as is typical, come from the principle digital camera, however the ultra-wide and the telephoto zoom additionally put in a superb shift, and also you’re unlikely to be disenchanted by any of them. The zoom works effectively in its 5x and 10x settings – however the 100x zoom that’s proudly printed on the aspect is kind of merely a gimmick. There’s simply no cause to trouble with it, save curiosity.
In use, this handset constantly impresses. Its 6.8-inch show delivers terrific brightness, and the assorted digital camera modes like Macro and Portrait ship precisely the type of outcomes you hope for and count on. The 4K 60p video seems good and advantages from the flexibility to change between lenses. Certain, there’s no 8K, however it’s a tiny share of customers who’re realistically going to be bothered about this.
Learn our Honor Magic 6 Professional assessment.
Greatest Xiaomi digital camera telephone: Xiaomi 14 Extremely
At a look:
- 50MP predominant digital camera with 1inch sensor and f/1.6-4.0 aperture
- 50MP f/1.8 ultra-wide (12mm equiv)
- 50MP f/1.8 3x telephoto (75mm equiv)
- 50MP f/2.5 5x telephoto (120mm equiv)
- Leica branded lenses
- 8K 30fps / 4K 120fps video
- Value: £1299
There’s an terrible lot to love in regards to the Xiaomi 14 Extremely, beginning with the Leica branded digital camera system. It’s full of an excellent vary of options, together with a one-inch predominant sensor, placing it forward of most rivals. It even allows you to set the aperture on the principle digital camera, one thing you hardly ever discover outdoors of DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras. You’ll be able to shoot utilizing all 4 lenses in 50MP mode. Video performs fairly effectively and it has a slew of choices together with gradual movement, night time video, video professional mode and a monitoring mode.
Whereas the Xiaomi 14 Extremely is just not low-cost, it fares effectively when in comparison with competing flagship fashions. Additionally it is prone to drop in worth extra rapidly – on the second-hand market too – in contrast with the likes of the larger identify (at the least in sure markets) Samsung and Apple telephones. Maintain an eye fixed out for an rising hole in costs.
Our assessment discovered it to be an especially succesful smartphone which produces glorious ends in all kinds of various capturing situations, with some spectacular close-up macro efficiency as effectively. In our opinion, it even offers the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely a run for it’s cash, which is saying so much! The one factor missing is within the selfie-camera, which doesn’t function auto-focus.
Learn our full Xiaomi 14 Extremely assessment.
To learn the way does the Xiaomi 14 Extremely weighs up towards different flagships learn our comparability critiques of Samsung S24 Extremely vs Xiaomi 14 Extremely or iPhone 15 Professional Max vs Xiaomi 14 Extremely.
Greatest worth for close-up images: Vivo X100 Professional
At a look:
- 50MP f/1.75 predominant digital camera with 1inch sensor, OIS, 23mm, AF
- 50MP f/2.0 ultra-wide-angle digital camera, 15mm, AF
- 50MP f/2.5 4.3x telephoto digital camera, with shut focus, 100mm, OIS, AF
- 32MP f/2.0 selfie digital camera, fastened focus
- 8K 30fps, 4K 60/30fps, 1080p 240fps video
- 6.78inch AMOLED display with 3000nits
- Android 14
- Priced at €1199 (EURO) or INR 89999 (in India) however Restricted availability in UK £780-£900
This flagship smartphone by Vivo comes with a powerful triple set of cameras created in collaboration with Zeiss. All cameras are outfitted with a 50MP sensor with auto-focus and OIS (optical picture stabilisation), and the 4.3x periscope digital camera offers macro options. These specs make the Vivo X100 a formidable competitors for the well-known flagships.
The predominant 23mm f/1.75 digital camera includes a 50MP 1inch sensor, which is amongst the biggest you’ll discover on a telephone. It delivers constantly spectacular outcomes with loads of element, glorious color replica, and dependable publicity. Furthermore, the dynamic vary is nice with HDR routinely turning on when wanted.
The Zeiss APO floating telephoto digital camera 100mm f/2.5 is a periscope design, and it offers you wonderful trying close-up photographs, even in poor lighting, with loads of element. Additionally it is backed by a 50MP sensor, in a smaller however nonetheless competent half-inch dimension. Regardless that the final ultra-wide-angle 15mm, f/2 digital camera doesn’t include Zeiss branding it nonetheless supplies good outcomes, with good color and publicity, in addition to good ranges of element.
In use, the Vivo X100 Professional proved a extremely succesful digital camera telephone that greater than justified its flagship price ticket. The bigger sensor on the principle digital camera means the high-ISO efficiency is superb, making the telephone immensely succesful in low mild. We famous in our assessment that the selfie digital camera is slightly weak and lacks autofocus. It’s additionally value noting that this telephone is presently solely out there in some territories. If you may get maintain of 1 although, it’s a tremendous performer with extremely succesful cameras.
Greatest for: Macros and close-up in addition to low-light
Learn our full Vivo X100 Professional assessment.
Greatest Small Samsung flagship: Samsung Galaxy S24/S24+
Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung Galaxy S24+
In case your price range is a bit tighter however you continue to wish to get many of the S24 Extremely specs, the S24 or the S24+ is a perfect selection. The largest variations from the S24 Extremely are the dearth of headline grabbing 200MP super-high decision predominant sensor, no devoted macro mode, and solely three lenses as an alternative of 4. However in actuality each are very succesful and effectively performing digital camera telephones.
Each S24 and S24+ options an an identical digital camera set-up, with a 12MP Extremely-wide digital camera, a 50MP predominant Extensive digital camera, 10MP Telephoto, and 12MP Entrance Selfie digital camera, and Android 14 working system.
The one distinction between these two flagships are their dimension. Each have a smaller physique than the S24 Extremely, nonetheless the Samsung Galaxy S24+ measures 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7mm and includes a 6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED display which isn’t far off from the S24 Extremely’s 6.8″dimension. If you wish to go for a smaller model go for the Samsung Galaxy S24 with 6.2″ display, it sits extra comfortably within the hand, nonetheless its smaller dimension means smaller battery too.
Greatest iPhone 14: Apple iPhone 14 Professional
At a look:
- Triple-camera setup
- Extremely-wide with AF, predominant digital camera, and 3x telephoto
- 2x telephoto choice out there from predominant digital camera
- iOS working system
- Two sizes: Professional and Professional Max
- Value: from $999 / £1,099
The iPhone 14 Professional is a commendable – if considerably iterative – improve to Apple’s flagship smartphone. In order for you the most effective Apple smartphone for photographers, that is undoubtedly it.
With a brand new 48MP sensor as a part of its digital camera array, the iPhone 14 Professional reliably produces glorious photos, and specialist modes like Macro and Portrait assist out the person in numerous completely different capturing conditions. It’s already expensive, although in case you have the price range you’ll be able to go for the bigger iPhone 14 Professional Max. This mannequin has an an identical digital camera array, only a bigger show.
When it got here out, we preferred so much in regards to the iPhone 14 Professional, and it undeniably produces some glorious imagery. In fact, it was a small flip in evolution from the iPhone 13 Professional earlier than it. Solely these with a 12 Professional or older would discover a leap to the 14 Professional worthy of the outlay.
Learn our Apple iPhone 14 Professional assessment to seek out out extra. Or check out our comparability assessment of the iPhone 14 Professional vs Samsung S23 Extremely to see how it performs towards its up to date.
Greatest worth small Google Telephone: Google Pixel 8
At a look:
- Twin digital camera setup
- AI powered computational images options
- 4K 60fps video from rear and entrance cameras
- Makes use of Android working system
- Value: $699 / £699
The Google Pixel 8 is a compelling choice for many who wish to reap the benefits of Google’s newest AI bells and whistles, however don’t wish to pay a four-figure worth for a top-end flagship smartphone. Utilizing a twin predominant digital camera setup, with a large lens and an ultra-wide, the Pixel 8 constantly delivers spectacular photos. Just like the Pixel 8 Professional, and 9 collection, it presents the most recent AI magic like Magic Editor and Greatest Take, and it additionally positive factors a Macro Mode, which the Pixel 7 didn’t have.
In use, the Pixel 8 is intuitive and versatile. You’ll be able to shoot lengthy exposures, night time photos and astro images by flicking between modes, and the 4K 60p video seems nice. Whereas there’s no telephoto module, the Digital (Hybrid) Zoom does surprisingly effectively, and should you attempt to maintain it to 2x you’ll constantly get handsome outcomes. All modes constantly ship photos with nice, punchy colors that aren’t oversaturated. The selfie digital camera produces enticing outcomes, although it does lack autofocus.
The Google Pixel 8 is a superb digital camera telephone with some very spectacular images options. Even with out utilizing these options, the cameras produce some stunning photos with glorious publicity, good element, and pleasing color replica.
The superior photographic options and constantly good outcomes from this telephone make it an actual contender to Samsung and Apple. It’s additionally priced competitively, and offers different telephones a severe problem. The true query will probably be whether or not to purchase the Pixel 8 or the brand new Pixel 9.
Learn our Google Pixel 8 assessment to be taught extra about this spectacular digital camera telephone.
Second greatest Samsung Telephone: Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely
At a look:
- 200MP large digital camera, 1/1.3” sensor, f/1.7 aperture
- 12MP extremely large digital camera, 1/2.55” sensor, f/2.2 aperture
- 10MP telephoto digital camera, 1/3.52” sensor, f/2.4 aperture
- 10MP telephoto digital camera, 1/3.52” sensor, f/4.9 aperture
- 8K video 30fps, 4K video 60fps
- Value: $1,683 / £1,399
With a powerful 200MP predominant digital camera sensor, which is a primary for Samsung (though it’s made such massive decision sensors for different makers earlier than). As compared, the S22 Extremely had a 108MP system, so it’s an enormous leap ahead.
Earlier than getting too excited, keep in mind that photos are usually not output at 200MP by default, though it’s potential to shoot in tremendous excessive decision mode should you actually wish to. Reasonably, the brand new telephone makes use of pixel-binning expertise so the pictures are available at a extra sensible 12.5 megapixels, with enhanced lighting and element.
The principle digital camera includes a f/1.7 stabilised lens, backed up by a 12MP extremely large f/2.2 mixture. Then there are two telephoto lenses, each with 10 megapixel sensors. One has 3x zoom and an f/2.4 lens, whereas the opposite presents a a 10x zoom with an f/4.9 aperture. Digital zoom goes so far as 30x or 100x should you want it (although as with the telephone’s predecessor, digital zoom ought to solely be used as a final resort). So the S23 Extremely has jumped forward of the iPhone 14 Professional and the Google Pixel 7 Professional, which solely have three lenses.
The earlier mannequin, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely was so good, that we knew that the corporate must go some strategy to topping it. The excellent news is that it has performed so – however much less good is that you must actually look at the photographs to see the distinction. The S23 Extremely, just like the S23 and S22 collection, have now been up to date with the identical AI options because the S24 collection, without cost, which is a pleasant bonus.
In conclusion, you would be left slightly disenchanted by upgrading should you count on a lot distinction to your images. Photos instantly from the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely’s predominant (200MP) sensor present extra element than final yr’s S22 Extremely predominant (108MP) sensor. However, that’s actually solely apparent should you’re evaluating like-for-like photos shot on the identical time and also you zoom in intently.
In the event you’d like one of many latest Samsung telephones, however don’t wish to spend high greenback, then the Samsung Galaxy S23 presents a compelling choice, however with three rear cameras, is significantly cheaper.
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely assessment to see what this smartphone is cable of.
Greatest second hand Samsung digital camera telephone: Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely 5G
At a look:
- Quad-camera rear setup
- Two telephoto lenses (3x and 10x)
- Makes use of Android working system
- Professional mode out there with uncooked capturing
- Refurbished worth: $600 / £600 or much less
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely was Samsung’s 2022 flagship smartphone, the one you noticed on TV, YouTube, and billboard adverts worldwide, boasting an unimaginable 100x “Superzoom” that makes use of a mixture of it’s 10x optical zoom telephoto lens, and digital zoom to present you a 100x view of your topic.
Whereas we weren’t so impressed by the picture high quality of the 100x function, nonetheless the opposite cameras on supply are excellent. The ultra-wide angle lens (13mm equal), the ultra-wide (24mm equal), the 3x telephoto (72mm equal), or the 10x telephoto (240mm equal), all produce high quality trying photos. The selfie digital camera additionally places in a superb efficiency with auto-focus, which can assist make your photographs and movies look higher.
Photos instantly from the digital camera are excellent, with vibrant and vibrant outcomes produced by the usual “Photograph” mode and pictures with good scope for modifying produced by the “Professional” mode. Different capturing modes, reminiscent of Portrait and Evening mode additionally produce good outcomes. The telephone additionally advantages from the most recent AI updates, enhancing your picture capturing options with issues like reflection removing, that was first seen on the S24 Extremely.
Check out our full Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely assessment.
Greatest second hand iPhone for photographs: Apple iPhone 13 Professional
At a look:
- Triple 12MP digital camera setup
- 13mm, 26mm, 77mm equal
- iOS working system
- Two sizes: Professional and Professional Max
- Value: $938 / £717
The Apple iPhone 13 Professional presents an enchancment over the iPhone 12 Professional, with brighter lenses, a brand new 2cm macro mode, and extra telephoto attain. The principle digital camera and telephoto digital camera each function optical picture stabilisation, and there’s a brand new cinematic video mode. In the event you’ve needed to shoot macros with an iPhone, or excited about video recording then there’s lots of causes to decide on the iPhone 13 Professional.
In our assessment we wrote: “When capturing stills, the iPhone 13 Professional does an excellent job of figuring out the topic and specializing in it rapidly even in very low mild. It additionally manages create natural-looking shallow depth of subject results in lots of situations, even coping with fuzzy topics like fur and hair successfully in lots of instances.”
Learn our full iPhone 13 Professional assessment to see what the smartphone is cable of. Take a look at the way it compares to the iPhone 14 Professional.
How to decide on the most effective digital camera telephone
Sensors and picture high quality
Evaluating the headline specs of digital camera telephones generally is a helpful manner of getting a way of how they carry out, and which of them is likely to be higher than others. Digital images fans might gravitate in the direction of evaluating digital camera decision (megapixels or MP for brief), nonetheless this typically doesn’t inform the entire story.
Does megapixel rely matter on a digital camera telephone?
In brief, no, not likely. Most smartphones will use the next decision sensor, whether or not that’s a 50MP, 64MP, 108MP or 200MP sensor, and nonetheless offer you a 12 or 16MP picture. No person desires to get 108MP or 200MP photographs emailed or shared to them anyway, so no, megapixel rely doesn’t actually matter on a digital camera telephone, regardless of what the advertising may declare. There are some advantages to greater decision sensors, within the type of cropping and zoom, however past that, there are additionally some disadvantages.
Smartphone cameras typically use very small sensors, resulting from their bodily dimension and form, and this will imply lots of picture noise in high-resolution capturing, nonetheless, some use bigger 1inch sensors. If a digital camera telephone has a excessive megapixel rely, it additionally wants a succesful picture processing system to make sure it’s able to producing pleasing photos. Fashionable telephones make up for this by taking a number of photographs, permitting for decrease noise, and better dynamic vary, so a small sensor isn’t as a lot of a drawback because it as soon as was.
After we discuss a smartphone’s predominant cameras (i.e. the rear cameras), we’re actually speaking about multiple, as fashionable smartphones use a digital camera array made up of a number of lens modules. That is what permits smartphones to shoot at completely different views; typically there will probably be a normal large lens, an ultra-wide-angle lens, after which typically a telephoto lens or a macro-lens for close-ups.
The completely different lenses use their very own sensors, and as such will are inclined to have completely different megapixel counts. A few of the newest smartphones even use quad digital camera arrays with 4 modules, whereas different producers are experimenting with optical zoom lenses, although this tech is in its early days.
Battery life
You also needs to take into account battery life, as some telephones final the day whereas others don’t. Most flagship telephones have a battery with 5000mAh which ought to give a superb quantity of longevity, nonetheless, smaller telephones typically have smaller batteries, so it’s one thing to concentrate on.
Video
The highest video decision will probably be of curiosity, virtually all flagship telephones will supply 4K video, however do additionally they supply it from the selfie digital camera? The most effective telephones for video additionally supply 8K video, or 4K video at excessive body charges of 120fps. You’ll additionally need superior lens choices and good high quality audio recording. In the event you’re capturing video, battery dimension is especially vital, because it tends to eat away at a telephone’s battery quicker.
Take a look at the most effective smartphones for video if that’s your precedence, however in any other case, proceed studying.
Is iOS or Android higher for images?
One massive factor to consider is whether or not you wish to use a telephone that runs iOS vs Android as its working system. Each techniques have their very own benefits and drawbacks in the case of smartphone images, in addition to common use as a smartphone.
In the event you already use lots of Apple merchandise like MacBooks then an iPhone will combine higher into your system. Nevertheless, Android telephones supply much more selection and adaptability with third-party apps. Nowadays, Android telephones from market leaders like Google and Samsung have a few of the greatest cameras within the enterprise.
When selecting a telephone, whether or not Android or iOS, it’s value checking what number of years of updates you’ll get, as some telephones give for much longer than others, which means higher worth for cash for you.
You’ll be able to take a look at our information to iPhone vs Android: which is healthier for images for an in depth comparability.
Is there a DSLR-quality digital camera telephone?
With smartphone digital camera expertise regularly advancing, you could be justified in questioning whether or not they have equalled and even surpassed the standard of conventional interchangeable-lens cameras like DSLRs or mirrorless fashions. Nevertheless, in the meanwhile and the foreseeable future, the reply is not any, and that is largely to do with bodily {hardware} limitations.
A premium digital digital camera can pack in a bodily bigger imaging sensor, which permits it to provide photos with greater high quality, and decrease noise with out multi-shot processing. In vibrant sunny circumstances, the distinction will not be as noticeable, however in low-light circumstances, that is the place you’re extra prone to discover it. The vast majority of mirrorless and DSLR cameras additionally present extra decision, with 24MP, 40MP, 47MP and 61MP (and so on) sensors giving the full-resolution, with out pixel-binning.
Cameras even have the benefit of interchangeable lenses – with the ability to swap on an 85mm f/1.4 lens is all the time going to present you higher outcomes than a smartphone’s portrait mode. Granted, should you had been to have a look at the 2 photos aspect by aspect on a small telephone display the variations may not be so apparent. However the second you attempt to view the picture on a bigger show, and even print it, the distinction in high quality will probably be instantly obvious.
The acceleration of progress in smartphone cameras has actually raised the query of whether or not they can replicate the standard of digital cameras and DSLRs. In the end, with their interchangeable lenses, bigger sensors, and uncooked imaging functionality, the reply is: not but. Some genres and capturing conditions, reminiscent of portrait images and macro images are actually higher served by a digital camera than a smartphone, however telephones are catching up rapidly.
And, smartphones have their benefits, in fact, they’re handy, they’re all the time on-line, and so they’re the digital camera you all the time have on you. In the event you’re nonetheless unsure which is best for you, then take a look at our information to Smartphone vs Digital Digicam: Which is healthier?
Why isn’t Sony Xperia on the listing?
We reviewed the flagship Sony Xperia 1 VI telephone, and while we’ve got seen plenty of enhancements within the latest telephone from Sony, we discovered that the telephoto zoom digital camera on the telephone gave disappointing photos, and the portrait and low-light photos couldn’t match different flagship telephones. There are some distinctive options on the telephone, reminiscent of a handbook focus close-up macro mode, and lots of handbook controls, however for most individuals, this might find yourself being a irritating capturing expertise. Nevertheless, should you do want a telephone with a headphone jack and MicroSD slot, that is one among only a few flagship telephones with these options. Take a look at our full Sony Xperia 1 VI assessment to see if it’s best for you.
Now you understand the most effective digital camera telephones for images, take a look at our information to the most effective digital camera telephone equipment and greatest digital camera telephone tripods and mounts.
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