The best smartphones by camera. Smartphones with good cameras. Smartphone with a good camera and a powerful battery

We take pictures of ourselves and our friends a lot, try to capture all the memorable moments, catch interesting scenes in nature and photograph food... To create high-quality non-stop shots, you need appropriate equipment. In our case, a smartphone with a first-class photo component.

Of course, you can get by with budget solutions (especially since the cameras of available devices have now noticeably improved in terms of characteristics), but for the highest possible quality and fast operation, flagship smartphones are preferable. Our fresh selection of the most interesting devices with an eye to photo capabilities will help you determine which gadget is right for you.

Apple iPhone X

Apple smartphones have always been famous for their decent approach to photo and video shooting, because it’s not for nothing that the iPhone is still considered the most popular tool for mobile photography. Famous film directors Zack Snyder and Steven Soderbergh have already proven to us that the iPhone can easily replace a full-fledged camera on the set!

The most advanced iPhone at the moment is the anniversary flagship iPhone X (the model was released to mark the tenth anniversary of the line). The main photo module of the “tens” consists of two 12-megapixel sensors, but compared to the iPhone 8 Plus, the light sensitivity is increased, and there is also optical stabilization on both the main and additional “eye”. The camera has a lot of capabilities, and everyone will find something they like: the main features include excellent portrait mode, stage lighting function, video recording in 4K / 60 FPS and 1080p / 240 FPS, 2x physical zoom without loss of quality. The 7-megapixel front camera can also take photographs with background blur, and the advanced artificial intelligence system that appeared in the new six-core A11 Bionic chip helps it with this.

iPhone X is notable for its frameless 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display (1125x2436 pixels) with a notch at the top, Face ID technology for face unlocking, glass body, large amount of memory (256 GB in the top version) and wireless charging .

Very soon (July 31), a new super-flagship of the Japanese company Sony - Xperia XZ2 Premium, a real technological monster equipped with the latest technology, will go on sale in Russia.

Like the first Xperia XZ Premium, the new product has a display with ultra-high resolution for smartphones 4K (density 760 ppi), which supports HDR10 technology. Its ratio remained standard (16:9), but the diagonal increased to 5.8″. The device is based on the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip, complemented by 6 GB of RAM. It uses a 3540 mAh battery with fast wireless charging, S-Force Front Surround stereo speakers, a 64 GB drive, NFC, and a unique DVS (Dynamic Vibration System) system. The latter provides vibration and response and allows you to watch movies, play games and listen to music in a new way, since the DVS acts as a kind of subwoofer.

However, the main innovation is the two-module Motion Eye Dual main camera with color and black-and-white sensors of 19 and 12 megapixels, respectively. It has a light sensitivity of ISO 12800 for video and ISO 51200 for photos, which allows you to shoot in very low light at the level of a professional camera. Also, the Motion Eye Dual unit is capable of recording 4K HDR video and super slow-motion videos at a speed of 960 frames per second (HD and Full HD), and in the near future the camera’s functionality will be expanded with a shooting mode with background blur and a monochrome shooting mode.

Huawei P20 Pro

The most striking camera phone of this season is the P20 Pro from Huawei, which received the main three-module Leica Triple Camera. The solution, to put it mildly, is unusual, but very useful: the main 40-megapixel sensor with record physical dimensions of 1/1.7″ (7.76×5.82 mm) is distinguished by optical stabilization, F1.8 aperture and stacked memory for recording super slow motion video at 960 FPS, the second (at 20 megapixels) is monochrome, with a higher aperture of F1.6 - serves to give deep shades and increased light capture in the dark, and the third (at 8 megapixels) has an equivalent focal length of about 80 mm and required for 3x optical zoom (or 5x hybrid). The camera unit also contains a color temperature sensor, phase detection autofocus, a laser rangefinder and an LED flash.

The Huawei P20 Pro is based on the manufacturer's proprietary top-end chip HiSilicon Kirin 970, which means that the device supports neural networks: artificial intelligence helps when shooting photos and videos, automatically setting the necessary parameters depending on the conditions and the scene. In total, the smartphone recognizes over 500 scenarios in 19 categories. Artificial intelligence also helps when taking selfies with the 24-megapixel front camera, removing all imperfections from the user’s face if desired.

Let's move on to the remaining parameters. The device has 6 GB of RAM, and a 128 GB drive is provided for storing content (unfortunately, not expandable). The 6.1-inch screen is made using OLED technology and has a protrusion on top that can be hidden in the OS settings. The display ratio is 18.7:9 and the resolution is 1080x2240 pixels. Other advantages include a 4000 mAh battery (supported by SuperCharge), full support for RAW format and Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and IP67 certification (protection from water and dust).

In the recent past, the South Korean company Samsung crossed a phone with a digital camera, resulting in the Galaxy Camera - a “point-and-shoot” with the inside of a smartphone and all the ensuing nuances. Unfortunately (or fortunately), the experiment was not so successful, and now the manufacturer is releasing camera phones that are more familiar to the eye, like the Galaxy S9+.

You can call the Galaxy S9+ a camera phone without any doubt, because the previous models of the line were strong in terms of shooting photos/videos, and now the capabilities of the main camera have gone even further. So, compared to the standard Galaxy S9, the older version has an additional module (12+12 megapixels), necessary for double optical zoom. For the first time, the manufacturer has implemented in a smartphone a variable aperture for one of the sensors (from F1.5 to F2.4), which helps avoid overexposure and helps out in low-light conditions. Other important photographic features of the smartphone are the ability to record super slow-motion videos at 960 FPS and a powerful portrait mode.

You can’t go far with one camera: here you have an “unlimited” 6.2-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440×2960 pixels and HDR10 support, the flagship eight-core Exynos 9810 chipset with a clock frequency of 2.7 GHz, 6 GB of RAM and 64 256 GB of permanent memory with the ability to expand with a microSD card, NFC for the Samsung Pay payment service and synchronization with other gadgets, wireless charging, a fingerprint scanner (face and iris unlocking is present), audio preparation from AKG (stereo speakers, headset), as well as resistance to moisture and dust according to IP68 standard.

HTC's flagship smartphones are not as wildly popular as Samsung or Apple devices, which is a pity, because in the ranking of the well-known resource DxOMark, the top devices of the Taiwanese company traditionally show decent results. U12+, HTC's new flagship with one of the best cameras on the market, also took a high position in DxOMark (106 points and second place in the overall list of mobile devices).

The main camera of the HTC U12+ is excellent. This is a fourth-generation dual Ultra Pixel module with a pair of 12 and 16 megapixel sensors (aperture F1.75 and F2.6, respectively), characterized by an optical stabilization system, a fast Ultra Speed 2 autofocus system, and the possibility of 2x physical zoom. Of course, there is 4K video recording and Bokeh mode. The front camera is also dual-module (8+8 megapixels) and supports portrait photography. It is possible to unlock using the user's face. The second important detail of the U12+ is the Edge Sense touch sides. They were present in last year’s U11+, but in the new product they were updated and supplemented with new functionality (for example, Edge Sense replaced all the mechanical keys on the case).

The hardware of the smartphone includes an eight-core Snapdragon 845 chip, 6 GB of RAM, 64 or 256 GB storage, a 3500 mAh battery and a 6-inch Super LCD display with an aspect ratio of 18:9 (1440 × 2880 pixels) and HDR10 support. The audio part of the HTC U12+ is good, especially with regard to the external sound source - the BoomSound Hi-Fi Edition stereo speakers produce clear and surround sound. You can listen to music through the included USonic headphones with active noise reduction, which have a USB Type-C plug instead of a mini-jack (there is no 3.5 mm jack on the case).

Honor 10

Honor 10 is a youth flagship smartphone that combines an affordable price, high performance, stylish appearance (especially in the Shimmering Blue and Shimmering Green colors), as well as a high-quality dual-module camera.

The main camera in Honor 10 is represented by two sensors of 16 and 24 megapixels (aperture F1.8), the first of which is color, and the second is monochrome. We have seen a similar scheme more than once in the brand’s devices, so you probably know that both sensors can work either individually or in pairs to achieve increased detail. At the same time, hybrid 2x zoom, Portrait mode and wide aperture mode are supported. There is an AI Camera logo next to the camera. When this feature is enabled, the artificial intelligence algorithms of the Kirin 970 processor come into play, helping you to automatically adjust the picture.

Other nice characteristics of Honor 10 include a 5.84-inch Full HD+ display with a 19:9 ratio and a fashionable “eyebrow”, 64 or 128 GB of permanent memory, NFC sensor, USB Type-C port, 3400 mAh battery h with support for SuperCharge, as well as the AK4376A music chip from Asahi Kasei. The amount of RAM, however, is not a record - only 4 GB, but this should not cause any problems.

Many smartphones with dual cameras have either an optical zoom function or a system of color and monochrome sensors, but if you are a fan of wide-angle shooting, then one of the most notable devices with this capability is the LG G7 ThinQ.

The LG G7 has a paired rear camera unit with sensors with a resolution of 16 megapixels each. The main one has an aperture of F1.6, is equipped with phase detection autofocus, a laser rangefinder and optical stabilization, and the additional one, which is used when shooting with a wide angle, has a 107° lens (its aperture is F1.9). Other camera innovations are related to the emerging AI system: like the first smartphone in the ThinQ line (LG V30S), this device is able to recognize many objects and scenarios for self-correction of settings, offering one of 19 preset options (“Human”, “Animals”, “ Food”, “Sunrise”, “City”, “Sky” and others). Additionally, we highlight the improved Portrait Mode and the new Super Bright Camera option, which will be useful when shooting in the dark - with its help, the picture becomes 4 times brighter.

Other characteristics of the smartphone are represented by a frameless 6.1-inch IPS display with an aspect ratio of 19.5:9, a resolution of 1440 × 3120 pixels and a notch, a Snapdragon 845 chip, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage (can be expanded up to 2 TB with a microSD card ), a 3000 mAh battery with support for wireless charging, NFC, and a case protected to IP68 and MIL-STD 810G standards. In addition to the installed Hi-Fi Quad digital-to-analog converter, the device offers DTS:X 3D Surround Sound for 7.1-channel playback on headphones.

ASUS Zenfone 5Z

The entire line of fifth-generation Zenfone smartphones from ASUS is united by the slogan “We love photos,” and the company didn’t lie one bit about this: every Zenfone 5, including the original and Lite versions, received a photo component worthy of its category. And the strongest of the newcomers turned out to be Zenfone 5Z - in addition to an excellent camera, it is equipped with advanced hardware: the top-end Snapdragon 845 chip, a 256 GB drive, 8 GB of RAM in the maximum configuration.

Let's return to the main camera. Zenfone 5Z received a dual-module rear camera with a flagship Sony IMX363 sensor of 12 megapixels with an F1.8 aperture, 1.4 microns in size, an optical image stabilization system, high-speed phase detection autofocus (0.03 s), as well as an additional 8-megapixel sensor with ultra-wide-angle lens. The camera of the device can learn thanks to the support of artificial intelligence. The presence of the latter also means that you have automatic identification of the type of object in the frame (16 options available in total) and independent substitution of the appropriate image parameters to achieve the best result. Portrait shooting, 4K video recording and RAW support are also in place.

As for the rest of the specifications, they include a frameless 6.2-inch Super IPS+ display with a resolution of 1080 x 2246 pixels, a 3300 mAh battery with fast charging, two speakers with NXP smart amplifiers, a gigabit LTE modem, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, dual SIM card slots, a fast fingerprint scanner, a facial recognition system, a USB Type-C connector and support for DTS Headphone:X technology for virtual 7.1 surround sound when using headphones.

Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S

The original Mi MIX could hardly be recommended as a photographic tool: its 16-megapixel main camera without optical stabilization produced images of average quality and was only suitable for unpretentious amateur photography. Things are completely different with the new Mi MIX 2S, the camera in which is two heads higher than that of Xiaomi’s first fashion “full-screen”.

The rear camera unit of the Mi MIX 2S is based on a 12-megapixel Sony IMX363 sensor with a physical size of 1/2.55″, F1.8 aperture, four-axis OIS system and support for Dual Pixel AF technology. Next to it is a second additional sensor, Samsung S5K3M3 (F2.0), also 12 megapixels. This combination provides not only portrait photography, but also the possibility of double zoom. It could not do without the support of artificial intelligence: in 2018, AI functionality became one of the leading trends in smartphone manufacturing, so Xiaomi endowed the Mi MIX 2S with the ability to identify more than 200 scenes in various categories.

The design and technical part of the smartphone are at a very high level: the ceramic coating of the body with a gold camera rim looks expensive, and the internal space is filled with a decent level of filling (Snapdragon 845 chip, 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB storage). From the front, the device also looks impressive due to the large 5.99-inch Full HD+ IPS display, which has an aspect ratio of 18:9 and occupies the lion's share of the front side.

By the way, we recently released .

Oppo Find X

Oppo Find X is one of the most unusual and stylish devices of this summer. What's impressive here is the Panoramic Arc Screen, a side-curved 6.42-inch OLED screen with a 19.5:9 ratio and Full HD+ resolution, occupying 93.8% of the front side! The Find X has practically no frames, and only the bottom edge has a slight thickening, so there is no hint of the earpiece, sensors or front camera from the front...

The Oppo Find X body has a retractable module at the top, which hides all this, as well as a main dual-module camera unit (16+20 megapixels). It “wakes up” only when the photo application is activated. Also, the body expands when the user’s face is recognized, and this happens quite often, since there is no conventional fingerprint scanner here. Note that the manufacturer provides a five-year warranty on the mechanism. As for the camera, the main 16-megapixel sensor is equipped with phase detection autofocus and optical image stabilization, and the lens has an aperture of F2.0. The second 20-megapixel sensor has a lens with an F2.2 aperture and is necessary for shooting with a shallow depth of field. Oppo Find X is a purebred flagship and its filling is appropriate: a top-end Snapdragon 845 processor, 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB drive.

The camera in a modern smartphone is an integral part. Manufacturers, having achieved near perfection in design and developed processors that can handle any task, began to pay more attention to cameras. Today they are not just trying to provide them with as many megapixels as possible, but also to provide them with additional functions that allow mobile photography to reach a new level every year. A modern flagship smartphone is comparable in shooting capabilities to a good camera. At the same time, you will agree that it is more convenient to have one device that will offer a wide range of functions rather than a separate camera, phone, music player, and so on.

Given the interest of many users in good camera phones (the camera is often a priority, despite the cost of the smartphone), we decided to rank the best smartphones with a good camera in 2017. If everything is clear with the flagship segment (where almost every solution can offer a camera without serious drawbacks), then in the mid-range/budget niche we had to dig around. There are a lot of smartphones in these segments, but it’s difficult to single out clear favorites in terms of shooting quality. But we tried our best and today we will answer the burning questions - how and which one to choose a smartphone with a good camera in 2017.

In the process of compiling a rating of smartphones with the best cameras, it turned out that there are a lot of worthy models. Therefore, it was decided to divide the top into two parts. In the first, we will look at relatively affordable solutions, in the second, we will look at expensive and best ones for shooting. .

The best inexpensive smartphones with good cameras (10,000-20,000 rubles)

As we just noted, choosing an inexpensive smartphone with a good camera is quite problematic. You need to understand that the lower class, in principle, is not able to offer a device that will amaze you with photo quality. Here we can select smartphones that have a good camera relative to their competitors, but nothing more. No matter how much they want, manufacturers are not able to use the best sensors in a cheap solution. And by “inexpensive” we mean in this case smartphones that do not cost 5,000 rubles.

The key to good photos on a smartphone lies not only in the sensor model. The processor plays a huge role, and the software plays an even bigger role. Don’t forget about lenses, lenses and other camera components, the quality of which ultimately determines the level of shooting.

It is not enough to simply install more cameras on each side of the smartphone - much depends on the approach of the manufacturer itself.

A striking example of this is Google, which installs only one main 12-megapixel sensor in its Pixel smartphones, and they are ultimately among the best on the market.

But somehow we have moved away from the topic. So, the best budget (relatively) smartphones with good cameras.

Main camera: main module Sony IMX386 12 MP + additional 2 MP
Diaphragm: f/2.2
Front: 8 MP with f/2.0 aperture
Maximum video quality: FullHD, 30 frames per second
Additionally: phase detection autofocus, HDR
Review: Not yet
Price: around 11,000 rubles in popular online stores
Where can I buy: AliExpress Banggood GearBest

With a price tag of 11,000 rubles (if we consider the offers of Chinese online stores), you simply cannot find anything better in terms of shooting. The smartphone itself is quite ordinary. Made of metal, a good 5.5-inch display, an inexpensive proprietary chipset and a 3340 mAh battery. Everything is in the traditions of the Chinese company.

But the cameras are really impressive. On the back side we see a couple of sensors, but not just any, as is customary in that segment. The main module here is Sony IMX386, which you can find in a number of Chinese flagship solutions, such as or. Moreover, the engineers from Honor didn’t just squeeze it into a smartphone, but paired it with a 2-megapixel additional sensor.

During the day and in good lighting conditions, you can get pictures that are comparable in quality to more expensive smartphones. The photos come out detailed, the colors are saturated and with the right balance. Even the second sensor is not for beauty - it helps to take photos with a blurred background effect, and not bad ones at that. At night, which is natural, the quality drops noticeably, but not to a critical level. The front camera is completely ordinary - the manufacturer spent money on the main camera.

If, in addition to a good camera in a smartphone, you do not forget about your wallet, then Honor 6X is your choice. It’s unlikely to change the idea of mobile photography, but it certainly won’t leave you without good photos.

Main camera: 12 MP Sony IMX378 main sensor
Diaphragm: f/2.0
Front: 4 MP with f/2.0 aperture
Maximum video quality: 4K, 30 fps
Additionally: autofocus, HDR, macro mode
Review: Not yet
Price: around 18,000 rubles in popular online stores
Where can I buy: AliExpress GearBest

The older brother of last year's flagship Xiaomi Mi5. And the original Mi5, having a good module from Sony, is capable of taking great pictures, but this one is doing even better. The IMX378 sensor has truly flagship origins. The same 12-megapixel module is used in the Google Pixel, which has been repeatedly called one of the best camera phones by many resources.

True to its class, Xiaomi Mi5S takes good photos both during the day and in low light conditions. Good detail, realistic colors and fast focusing. However, many users complain about the camera software interface, which the manufacturer has not perfected. Videos can be recorded in maximum 4K at 30 frames per second. There is optical stabilization, which will also help when taking photos in the evening.

What about the other characteristics? Xiaomi Mi5S is housed in a metal case, has a compact 5.15-inch display and a powerful Snapdragon 821 processor. Features include support for fast charging and NFC.

A truly worthy smartphone that doesn’t even have any good competitors. On top of everything else, it’s also packed with flagship features. Due to some software shortcomings, it is, of course, not capable of ranking with the best flagships of 2017, but for the money it is worthy.

Rear camera: two 13 MP Sony IMX258 sensors
Diaphragm: f/2.2
Front: 16 MP with f/2.0 aperture
Maximum video quality: 4K, 30 fps
Additionally: autofocus, HDR, optical and digital stabilization, the ability to take photos in uncompressed RAW format, stereo sound recording
Review:
Price:
Where can I buy: AliExpress GearBest

A beautiful smartphone that sports a dual main camera. The cameras here, let’s say right away, are decent, but still no better than those of the same Mi5S, despite the fact that there are two of them. Two Sony IMX258 sensors are used at once, taking up space on the back side. The modules are quite common, and are often installed in smartphones that cost $150. But there are two of them at once!

During the day the photos turn out to be of a high standard. Of course, you can find fault if you start enlarging the picture, but you should also remember the price. At night, you can get a more or less decent shot by using shutter speed, but here you will need a tripod. What’s good is that it is possible to shoot in uncompressed format (RAW) DNG, which partially solves the problems. True, photographs acquire a weight of approximately 25 MB. Things are also going well with video recording, which can be recorded at a maximum resolution of 4K. Optical stabilization will be a serious help.

The front camera with a wide angle of 80 degrees was also not made with a finger. You shouldn’t expect any unprecedented quality, but your friends on VKontakte certainly won’t laugh at your selfies. Otherwise, it's a mid-range smartphone. Beautiful, thin, Snapdragon processor, impressive amounts of memory, good screen.

If the Honor 6X is too simple for you, and you are allergic to Xiaomi, then it makes sense to consider the Nubia Z17 mini. For the money, the smartphone has a pretty decent camera.

Rear camera: one 12 MP Sony IMX386 sensor
Diaphragm: f/2.0
Front: 5 MP with f/2.0 aperture
Maximum video quality: 4K, 30 fps
Additionally: laser autofocus, 4-axis optical stabilization, dual-tone flash
Review: No
Price: around 15,000-18,000 rubles in popular online stores
Where can I buy: AliExpress Svyaznoy

Another variation of last year’s flagship, but from Meizu. A stylish and thin smartphone with powerful hardware, a cool screen and, of course, good cameras. It replaces the larger Pro 6, while gaining flagship optics from Sony. By the way, IMX386 can be found in a number of Galaxy S7 batches.

Despite the fact that the resolution of the main camera has become smaller when compared with the 16-megapixel module of the Pro 6, the quality has increased. Optical stabilization, which Meizu used for the first time in this smartphone, played a significant role. Moreover, the stabilizer here is not just any kind, but a 4-axis one. Laser autofocus has appeared, and software shooting algorithms have been updated. In general, the Meizu Pro 6S camera is equipped as expected. And in reality, the photos turn out to be suitable if you compare them with photos taken on smartphones for 40,000+ rubles. During the day, naturally, you can get an almost perfect photo; at night everything could be bad, but various bells and whistles such as optical stabilization and additional shooting modes correct everything for the better.

Other features of the smartphone include an AMOLED display that supports 3D Press technology. This is an analogue of Apple's 3D Touch, which makes the screen sensitive to pressure. Meizu Pro 6S has good sound and a fairly capacious battery.

A fresh flagship from China or last year’s from an AAA brand

In the mid-range segment, finding a smartphone with a good camera is becoming easier. Not only mid-range models from well-known brands are presented here, but also many flagship solutions from Chinese companies; many top models of past years from popular manufacturers fall into this same segment.

Main camera: pair of Sony IMX378 12 MP sensors
Diaphragm: f/1.8 | f/2.6
Front: 8 MP
Maximum video quality: 4K, 30 fps
Additionally: OIS, PDAF, 2x optical zoom, HDR
Review: Not yet
Price: around 25,000 rubles in popular online stores
Where can I buy: AliExpress GearBest

This year, Xiaomi presented users with an even cooler flagship, one of the features of which was a dual main camera. The manufacturer borrowed the design of the iPhone 7 Plus, equipping the Mi6 with two identical sensors that have different focal lengths. This allows you to take photos with a blurred background effect on your smartphone, as well as use the 2x optical zoom feature.

The hardware of the camera is really sophisticated. The aperture of the main module is f/1.8, the pixel size is 1.25 microns. You can shoot 4K video with the main camera and it does it quite well. However, it’s not even worth comparing Xiaomi Mi6 in terms of camera capabilities with flagships from larger manufacturers - the Chinese are noticeably inferior. Despite the cool sensors, Xiaomi has not perfected the software, and therefore does not bring the Mi6 to the same level as the Samsung Galaxy S8.

But the “filling” of Xiaomi Mi6 is certainly not inferior to other top solutions. Here is the latest from Qualcomm, and 6 GB of RAM, and a high-quality screen, and other “tricks” of a modern flagship, including NFC and .

For the money, Xiaomi Mi6 can be considered an excellent smartphone for taking photos. Like other solutions of the company, not everything is right here with the software part. Therefore, it is difficult to compare it with more expensive flagships of large brands. In addition, for 25,000 rubles, for which large Chinese online stores are now offering it, you won’t even find a used flagship of this year.

OnePlus 5

Rear camera: two Sony IMX398 + IMX350 sensors (16 +20 MP)
Aperture: f/1.7 | f/2.6
Front: 16 MP, Sony IMX371, f/2.0
Maximum video quality: 4K, 30 fps
Additionally: autofocus, optical Zoom 2x, HDR, EIS
Review:
Price: around 30,000 rubles in popular online stores
Where can I buy: AliExpress GearBest

OnePlus 5 borrows almost all features from the iPhone 7 Plus. The smartphones are similar in appearance, and the camera operating algorithm is similar. OnePlus 5 also has two sensors on the back. This is a pair of rather expensive and popular modules, one of which acts as a telephoto lens. It performs two main tasks - optical zoom and creating a bokeh effect.

You can and should take high-quality photos with OnePlus 5. It’s not for nothing that the manufacturer installed two expensive sensors here. In terms of quality, the images on the OnePlus 5 are comparable to those produced by the key flagships of 2017, not counting the solutions that were presented in the fall (and will still be presented). The photos turn out rich, with an abundance of detail and the right balance. The only thing in which the OnePlus 5 may be noticeably worse than the iPhone 7 Plus is portrait mode. But the camera software is most likely to blame here.

In terms of hardware, the smartphone corresponds to the flagship segment of the outgoing year. There's the top-end chipset, 8 gigs of RAM, a good display and impressive battery life, despite the not-so-capacious battery. In the AnTuTu test, OnePlus 5 still occupies the leading position among Android smartphones.

OnePlus 5 is a clear example of how you can produce a good flagship smartphone for relatively little money. But not by productivity alone. There is simply no one to compete with it in its price segment, if you don’t consider last year’s (or the year before) top solutions from AAA brands. But here you will probably have to give up a modern processor or other features for the sake of the camera.

Samsung Galaxy S7

Main camera: one Bright Cell S5K2L1 or Sony IMX260 module (depending on the market and batch) 12 MP
Diaphragm: f/1.7
Front: 5 MP, f/1.7
Maximum video quality: 4K, 30 fps
Additionally: autofocus, optical stabilizer, HDR
Review: No
Price: around 33,000-35,000 rubles in Russian stores
Where can I buy: AliExpress (refurbished) Svyaznoy

Last year's Samsung flagship, which today has noticeably dropped in price, and considering the prices of the latest top-level solutions, the Galaxy S7 with its price tag is far from it. Despite this, the smartphone remains one of the best in terms of cameras, only slightly inferior to the Galaxy S8, which became its successor.

A 12-megapixel single sensor will not surprise anyone now. However, Samsung did a good job on it, giving it a bunch of additional features. The module received photosensitive optics with an f/1.7 aperture. This aperture is especially useful when shooting at night - it allows you to take photos with less noise. It also uses Dual Pixel technology, which was previously used only in SLR cameras.

During the day, let's not be afraid of this word, we get excellent photos with last year's Samsung Galaxy S7. It’s not a problem to get a rich and detailed picture in good lighting conditions on a smartphone. The Galaxy S7 also copes well with macro photography. The obvious advantages of a smartphone camera are noticeable at dusk. Of course, you won’t be able to get a perfect photo of distant objects - after all, this is a mobile device - but the camera copes quite well with shooting close-up objects, for example, a group around a fire.

The Galaxy S7 can also record good videos, which is greatly facilitated by optical stabilization. Even the front camera will please you. Although it has a resolution of only 5 megapixels, it has an aperture, like the main sensor, f/1.7. In good lighting, selfies turn out very, very cool.

And the rest of the smartphone’s specifications are still up to par. Last year's flagship processor is used (either proprietary or from Qualcomm, depending on the market). The Galaxy S7 boasts a rich screen with QHD resolution, as well as wireless charging and IP68 dust and water protection.

Apple iPhone 6S was introduced in 2015, but is still selling well. In terms of shooting, it is noticeably inferior to competitors in this price segment, and other characteristics do not look impressive. The main camera is represented by one sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. Thanks to good software optimization, the company was able to get the most out of this module.

The most powerful smartphones from China that you haven’t heard of or “flagship killers”

DxOMark studio conducts a detailed analysis of the quality of images taken on different smartphones. Some accuse her of bias, but in fact, the smartphones that the studio puts in the TOP later turn out to be truly the best in terms of shooting. Next are five cool models with revolutionary cameras.

1st place – Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

On April 16, 2019, the DxOmark studio updated its rating - the new flagship of Samsung, the Galaxy S10 5G, took first place. The phone is unique in that it has an Exynos 9820 processor with a 5G modem, which is not found in the regular S10+ or S10.

Unlike other S10 series smartphones, it has a 3D ToF camera on the front and back. However, the main camera remains the same - it is a 12th sensor with a variable aperture of f/1.8-2.4, plus wide-angle and telephoto cameras.

Characteristics of all four sensors:

Main – 12 MP, 1.4 µm, f/1.5-2.4, Dual Pixel autofocus, optical stabilization.
Wide-angle – 16 MP, 1 µm, f/2.2.
Telephoto – 12 MP, 1 µm, f/2.4 aperture, optical stabilization.
3D ToF sensor.
You can shoot 4K video at 60 FPS.

During testing, DxOMark experts gave high marks for video (100 points) and photography (117 points). For photography, the Huawei P30 Pro received the same rating, but for video, the Samsung S10 5G outperforms the Chinese flagship. In addition, Samsung now records video in 4K resolution by default, which even when shooting handheld looks cool - with details and minimal noise even in low light. Plus, the 3D ToF sensor implements the function of shooting video with background defocusing.

DxOmark notes accurate color reproduction and exposure when taking photos in natural daylight. Complex scenes are also easy for the smartphone - details are preserved in bright and light areas of the scene.

Complex scenes

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4K video recording example

As for the shortcomings, first of all, the weak zoom. When scaling, loss of detail is guaranteed. In this regard, the Huawei P30 Pro has no equal yet and, most likely, competitors will not appear in the near future.

Still, Samsung S10 5G becomes the best camera phone in 2019. Plus, along with this flagship comes the world's best Amoled screen with HDR10+ support, reverse charging and other flagship features.

2nd place – Nokia 9 Pure View

A dark horse among top-class phones, which has not yet been tested, so it is not included in the DxOMark rating. However, the photos taken with the Nokia 9 Pure View are simply stunning.

The fact is that the manufacturer HMD, which owns the Nokia brand, approached the implementation of mobile cameras in a completely different way. There is no wide-angle or telephoto camera, or even a depth sensor. Instead, 5 cameras are used:

3 monochrome sensors with a resolution of 12 megapixels, f/1.8, size 1/2.9”, 1.25 microns
2 RGB color sensors, 12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.9”, 1.25 µm
3D ToF camera

All cameras have the same and fixed focal length - 28 mm; there are no unusual lenses or shooting modes, which was a discovery for many users, as they expected to see objects of different lengths. Instead, we see two RGB cameras and three monochrome cameras taking photos at the same time. Images from the heels of the cameras are superimposed on each other (sometimes several times), which allows the output to get a single photo with the widest dynamic range that we usually see on SLR cameras with full-size matrices.

Particularly important here are monochrome sensors, which add 2.8 times more light due to the absence of Bayer filters, while providing true monochrome shooting rather than simply discoloring the color image. Nokia 9 is ideal for people who have at least a little experience in photography - the phone saves images in RAW format and allows you to customize them - pull out shadows, return bright areas and achieve the desired level of sharpness in finished photographs.

This gives the following result - examples of photos on the Nokia 9 Pure View - processed and not only:

To uncover

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Here are examples of photos with a defocused background on the iPhone XS and Nokia 9.

Obviously, pictures on the iPhone look flat, but Nokia 9, due to its 3D sensor, more accurately determines and conveys depth. For the first time we see full-fledged Bokeh.

As for the other characteristics, they are less important, since this device is positioned primarily as a camera phone. It was planned to be released in mid-to-late 2018, but it came out late. Therefore, the flagship processor of the previous generation is installed here - the 10nm Snapdragon 845, although new top-class phones are equipped with more advanced 7nm chips, including Snapdragon 855.

Display – O-OLED with Gorilla Glass 5 and HDR10 support. And yes, like all Nokias, the model is also a member of the Android One program, which is a big plus. Nokia 9, after testing by DxOmark studio, will score the most points - the likelihood of this is high. The only thing is that in terms of hardware it is inferior to all the flagships of 2019.

3rd place – Huawei P30 Pro

The new flagship of the Chinese manufacturer Huawei received 1st place in the DxOMark camera phone rating, and deservedly so. The studio notes that the phone has perfect autofocus, exposure, high color accuracy and white balance. There is very little noise even in low light, but the main thing is Zoom, which is worth talking about in more detail.

Camera Specifications:

Main – 40 MP, f/1.6, size 1/1.7”, optical stabilization
Wide-angle – 20 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.7”
Telephoto camera – with telescopic lens, 8 MP, f/3.4, optical stabilization
3D ToF camera

The main sensor from Sony here is called SuperSensing - it is equipped with a Quad-Bayer filter, with the help of which 4 pixels on the matrix are connected and form one large pixel. The result is a 10MP image when shooting, but with minimal noise and wide dynamic range.

There is nothing new with the wide-angle camera - it was also on the Huawei Mate 20 Pro, but the telephoto lens is very interesting - it provides an optical 5x zoom. Plus, 10x hybrid zoom and even 50x digital zoom are possible. The Huawei P30 Pro has no analogues yet in terms of the quality of close-up photos – it’s great for shooting from afar.

Here are examples of photos using zoom on different smartphones:

More photos of Huawei P30 Pro:

To uncover

Wide angle camera

Original permission in the source, at the end of the article

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Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to compare the photo quality of the Huawei P30 Pro and Nokia 9 Pure View, since there are no identical frames. And it’s somehow incorrect to compare pictures, since the approach to photo implementation is different - Nokia 9 is valuable because it offers extensive post-processing capabilities, which the Huawei P30 Pro does not. But it should also be given its due - the phone produces an amazing level of detail and a wide dynamic range.

Advantages of Huawei P30 Pro Nokia9 Pure View:

7nm HiSilicon Kirin 980 processor
Water protection according to IP68 standard (Nokia 9 has IP67)
Headphone output + 32-bit audio chip, Dolby Atmos support + Bluetooth with aptX HD support.
4200 mAh battery, very fast charging with compatible 40W adapter (70% in 30 minutes).
Reverse wireless charging function.

In terms of hardware and functionality, Huawei P30 Pro is better than Nokia 9 Pure View, but it can hardly beat Nokia in terms of photo quality.

4th place – Huawei Mate 20 Pro

This model was released in October 2018 and immediately gained popularity not only due to its cool camera, but also because of its functionality. Here, for the first time, the new 7-nm Kirin 980 processor and reverse wireless charging technology were used. Plus, the device itself turned out to be cool - with amazing cameras and an OLED screen, which subsequently began to turn green (massive defect).

Camera characteristics:

Wide-angle: 20 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.7”
Telephoto: 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4″, optical 5x zoom, optical stabilization

The main module here is the same as that found on the Huawei P20 Pro, which explains why the Mate 20 Pro scores the same DxOMark score as the P20 Pro. Experts highlight the wide dynamic range in frames, targeted exposure, fast autofocus, and excellent zoom.

Examples of photos:

To uncover

Original permission in the source, at the end of the article

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As for the shortcomings, first of all it is worth highlighting the loss of small details on people’s faces when shooting in “Portrait” mode, the lack of a 4K video shooting mode at 60 FPS. By the way, this function is not even present in the Huawei P30 Pro. Otherwise, the camera on the Mate 20 Pro is great.

Comparison of the shooting quality of Huawei Mate 20 Pro and P30 Pro using cropped photos taken under equal lighting conditions.

Strong light:

Weak light:

Please note: this model may be defective with LG screens. Most LG OLED panels on the Huawei Mate 20 Pro turn green within 2-3 months of use, which requires replacement. When choosing, be sure to look at the screen manufacturers - it must be BOE, otherwise do not buy the phone.

5th place – Huawei P20 Pro

The P20 Pro is a relatively old phone, introduced in April 2018. It even runs Android 8.1 out of the box, although it is upgradable to 9 Pie. Plus, the phone is equipped with an OLED matrix and an “untrend” 10nm HiSilicon Kirin 970 processor, although new advanced and expensive flagships like the iPhone XS and Samsung Galaxy S10+ still cannot beat it in terms of photography.

Huawei P20 Pro is a cheap camera phone, which, given such a cool camera, should sell for a lot of money.

Camera characteristics:

Main: 40 MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7”
Additional: with monochrome sensor without Bayer filter, 20 MP, f/1.6, 1/2.7”, optical stabilization
With telephoto lens: 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/2.7”, optical stabilization

The smartphone produces cool, detailed shots even at 3x zoom, there is also a good blur effect and minimal noise, accurate exposure, wide dynamic range and a cool flash. However, similar advantages apply to almost all TOP-class phones.

There are also disadvantages - experts note the occasional appearance of an orange or pink tint in the image when shooting in bright light or indoors. Artifacts and ghosting are also possible when the HDR mode is activated, and when zooming, unstable exposure and white balance occur. But all these minor flaws will only be noticed by a professional upon careful study of the image. Ordinary users like you and me will not see any difference in photo quality on the P30 Pro, Mate 20 Pro and P20 Pro cameras. So you don't have to spend big money on the latest flagship - go for the P20 Pro.

6th place – Samsung Galaxy S10+

South Korean manufacturer Samsung created the world's best OLED display, but it failed to beat its competitors in terms of cameras. The S10+ model received the same rating as the Huawei P20 Pro, but since it is much more expensive, it is appropriate to put it in 5th place in the rating.

The smartphone is equipped with an 8nm Exynos 9820 processor with powerful Mongoose M4 cores, made in a glass case with water protection according to IP68 standard, and the latest Gorilla Glass 6 is used here. But the main thing is the “leaky” Dynamic Amoled display - the first mobile screen with HDR10+ support. This standard is used on Samsung TVs, but the manufacturer managed to implement it on a mobile display. True, there is very little content in the world with an HDR10+ component, so most images and videos will not look better here than on a regular Amoled matrix with infinite contrast.

The camera is represented by three sensors:

Main: 12 MP, variable aperture f/1.5-2.4, size 1/2.55”, 1.4 µm, Dual Pixel, optical stabilization.
Telephoto, 16 MP, f/2.4, stabilization, 2x-zoom.
Wide-angle, f/2.2, 1 µm.

The phone received the same set of cameras as the Samsung Galaxy S9+ and Note 9, plus the new model added a wide-angle lens, which expands the shooting functionality. And although the sensors are the same, the S10+ takes slightly better photographs due to the improved processor and image processing algorithms. Unlike Huawei phones, the South Korean flagship can record 4K video at 60 FPS, which is a big plus in its favor. HD video recording at 960 FPS is also available.

Examples of photos on Samsung S10+:

To uncover

Original permission in the source, at the end of the article

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DXO professionals deliver stunning exposure and color reproduction in most scenarios, including low light. When shooting indoors or in the evening, there is little noise in the image, and the dynamic range remains wide; when the image is enlarged, there is good detail.

Disadvantages: the phone is inferior to all those mentioned above in the quality of shooting with optical zoom. There are also problems with the portrait mode working on the street - artifacts and ghosting are possible, which is not typical for flagships.

The list, which includes the best camera phones of 2018, consists of models from well-known manufacturers today - Apple, Samsung, LG, Sony, HTC, LG and Huawei.

The Pixel series from the Google brand, which recently appeared on the market and features high-quality cameras, also looks good in this series.

The characteristics of most of these phones are decent enough that they can attract the attention of not only photography and selfie lovers, but also ordinary users who choose with a “reserve” for several years in advance.

Technical specifications

Model	Screen	RAM/ROM, GB	Cameras, Mpix.	Battery, mAh	Price, thousand rubles
Apple iPhone X	5.8"/2436x1125	3/64	(12+12)/7	2716	80
Google Pixel 2	6.0"/2880x1440	4/64	12/8	3520	38
Samsung Galaxy Note 8	6.3"/2960x1440	6/64	(12+12)/8	3300	43
Samsung Galaxy S8+	6.2"/2960x1440	4/64	12/8	3500	50
iPhone 8 Plus	5.5"/1920x1080	3/64	(12+12)/7	2675	57
Huawei Mate 10 Pro	6.0"/2160x1080	6/128	(20+12)/8	4000	45
LG V30	6.0"/2880x1440	4/128	(13+16)/5	3300	40
Sony Xperia Z5	5.2"/1920x1080	3/32	23/5	2900	34
HTC U11	5.5"/2560x1440	4/64	12/16	3000	29
Huawei Honor 9	5.15"/1920x1080	4/64	(20+12)/8	3200	23

Apple iPhone X – good camera, powerful CPU, high price

Despite a slight disappointment on the part of fans of the Apple brand (caused by the manufacturer's shortcomings), the iPhone X turned out to be a relatively good, although perhaps too expensive, mobile gadget.

It is worth buying it for those who have been using devices for a long time, and for those who like to take high-quality selfies and panoramic shots.

It will also be suitable for connoisseurs of flagship models - it is unlikely that at least one other smartphone at the end of 2017 will be able to compare in performance with the iPhone X, which received an A11 processor.

HDR mode, almost as good as Google Pixel 2;
high quality shooting, especially in portrait mode;
good color rendition, practically independent of lighting;
powerful flash.

Maxim M.: I don’t consider myself an Apple fan, but I decided to buy an iPhone X - albeit expensive, but I wanted to become the owner of a truly high-quality product with good shooting parameters. The cameras really didn’t let us down – the photos turned out great. Although, of course, not everyone can afford such a phone.

Google Pixel 2 – Best Cameras and HDR+ Mode

Google is already releasing the second generation of Pixel series mobile devices, distinguished by good cameras and branded .

Important innovations of the smartphone include video recording, a minimal amount of noise in the photo, and good CPU, RAM and storage parameters.

As a bonus, each buyer of the model can use unlimited cloud storage on Google servers.

The best HDR+ mode currently available on the market, providing excellent color rendition and exposure;
good stabilization;
Fast-responding autofocus, well suited for shooting moving objects and videos.

no manual shooting.
Lovers of good photos are also not impressed by the portrait mode, the quality of which is slightly worse compared to new smartphones with dual cameras.

Nikolay S.: The speed of the smartphone is simply amazing, I think it will last for several more years for applications, the Internet, and games. The cameras make a good impression - although not in all shooting modes. I didn’t notice any particular disadvantages - except that the phone does not have a regular headphone jack.

Galaxy Note 8 is the first Samsung with a dual camera

the presence of a good video and photo shooting mode;
high quality of pictures taken by the main camera;
clear image when working in any mode - thanks to the wide-angle camera, the smartphone provides high quality ordinary photos and landscapes.

A significant drawback is the not entirely natural colors of the screen. when trying to shoot
In artificial or low light, the quality of images drops more noticeably than with most other camera phones.

Mikhail K.: I didn’t like the screen too much - although some users praise it. On the other hand, the smartphone actually has the best processor for Android, a cool front camera and a decent battery. Overall, I’m happy with the purchase – it wasn’t in vain.

Xperia Z5 – another good camera phone from Sony

– a smartphone with one of the best main cameras in terms of characteristics.

Thanks to the quality of shooting, it could be at a higher level, but the hardware of the model lags a little behind - 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage can hardly be called flagship indicators.

On the other hand, to increase the amount of internal storage, you can use it, thanks to which the phone will easily surpass most cameras in a number of functions, especially inexpensive point-and-shoot cameras with a resolution of 16–20 megapixels.

stylish design and high-quality assembly;
high hardware performance;
good photo quality;
protection of the housing from dust and water.

The battery drains quickly, especially when shooting video at maximum resolution - the phone's battery life in this case lasts less than an hour.
The operation of the smartphone in normal mode is also not impressive - at a normal brightness level, the battery runs out after 4-5 hours of active use.

Nikita N.: A camera phone could be called ideal, but you shouldn’t shoot video with it. Despite supporting 4K format, it heats up and shrinks quite quickly. But it has many more advantages than disadvantages - the Z5 can really replace any inexpensive camera.

Number of points in the overall rating (out of 100): 100
Main camera, measured resolution: 1,547 line pairs
Video resolution, 3.840 x 2.160 pixels
Overall rating: 95.1
Price/quality ratio: 55

The Galaxy S9 Plus model was presented at Mobile World Congress 2018 and it was its manufacturer that endowed it with the most innovative camera solutions. The developers were able to implement the principle of the structure of the human eye in the lens of its camera, using a variable aperture in the design. The camera can automatically switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4 apertures based on lighting conditions, allowing the camera to capture 28% more light and produce detailed images with minimal noise, even in dark rooms.

In the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus smartphone, unlike the younger Galaxy S9 model, a second camera has been added as an auxiliary one, which is equipped with a telephoto lens. There is no variable aperture here, but the 2x optical zoom function is implemented. The matrix of the additional camera has a resolution of 12 megapixels and an aperture of f/2.4. Among the capabilities of this camera is adding a background blur effect - “bokeh” - to the photo.

You can get acquainted with some of the camera capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus in the official video for the smartphone.

Fusion of technologies and phenomenal results: HTC U12+

Number of points in the overall rating (out of 100): 99
Main camera, resolution: 12.2 megapixels
Front camera, resolution: 8.0 megapixels
Main camera, measured resolution: 1,589 line pairs
Main camera, expert assessment of image quality: very good
Overall rating: 92.3
Price/quality ratio: 51

HTC U12 Plus looks very attractive. It comes with a glass body and an aluminum frame in three color options. The screen has a resolution of 2880 x 1440 pixels and thus gives a very clear picture with a pixel density of 537 ppi. However, the maximum screen brightness in this model is quite low, which spoils the overall very good impression. In our test, it scored just 290 candelas.

Now about the camera. On the back, there is a 12-megapixel camera with a decent aperture (f/1.7) paired with a 16-megapixel telephoto camera with dual focal length (aperture f/2.6). Thanks to the telelens, double optical zoom is possible, which does not miss any details. Only the 12-megapixel camera has optical image stabilization. In addition, there is a portrait mode with a bokeh or blur effect, which is also available on the 8-megapixel front camera, since HTC is also relying on a dual-lens system here.

For sharper photos with less noise, especially at dusk, there is the so-called HDR Boost, which the manufacturer has significantly improved (HDR Boost 2). The U12 Plus takes multiple shots at different exposures and stitches them together to form a photo.

Record videos at up to 60 fps in UHD resolution with four microphones for 360° 3D audio. Slow motion shooting is possible in Full HD mode at 240 frames per second.

Maximum resolution: OnePlus 6 128GB

Number of points in the overall rating (out of 100): 95.3
Main camera, resolution: 15.9 megapixels
Front camera: resolution: 15.9 megapixels
Main camera, measured resolution: 1.764 line pairs
Main camera, expert assessment of image quality: very good
Video resolution: 3.840 x 2.160 pixels

Overall rating: 94.4
Price/quality ratio: 65

The OnePlus 6 has an excellent OLED display, good battery life and strong performance. Unlike its predecessor, the body of this smartphone is not made of aluminum. Instead, the vendor clad its flagship in Gorilla Glas 5.

The display displays content with a resolution of 2280x1080 pixels, which means the picture is very clear. We also liked the rich colors (we measure a whopping 148% Standard-RGB coverage here) and excellent contrast. The maximum brightness, as measured during testing, was 497 cd/m2 - this is so bright that even in sunlight the display remains clearly readable.

During performance testing, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor clearly demonstrated that it provides the device with serious power. When loading large websites and applications, the system responds lightning fast and smoothly.

Regarding the camera, we note that in this model the manufacturer used an updated Sony IMX 519 sensor, which has a 19% larger area than the IMX 398 of the previous model. The main camera works in combination with the second one at 20 megapixels. The OnePlus 6 has an aperture of f/1.7, that is, quite large, which increases the light output when the shutter is released. In addition, an optical image stabilizer appears on board as a new feature.

The results of our laboratory measurements show high quality photographs. Even when shooting at dusk, negative effects such as noise and the effects of the blur algorithm remain within reason. The level of detail here is also good, although it does not reach the heights of cameras like those. The front camera uses a 16 megapixel matrix and f/2.0 aperture.

Portrait mode is available on both the front and rear cameras of OnePlus 6. Using AI, the front camera can create a stylish blur in the background of the image (in professional parlance this is called bokeh).

Video clips can be shot in UHD resolution at up to 60 frames per second, and slow-motion video in Full-HD at 240 fps - the latter corresponds to four times slow motion.

This smartphone is equipped with a camera with a number of innovative solutions that guarantee excellent pictures in twilight conditions. Of course, this device uses a dual camera with a 12 megapixel matrix. We tested the optics in scenes in very bright light - 1000 lux and in dim light - 50 lux, and in both cases the device produced top-level photo quality. Details such as individual hairs and threads are perfectly visible in dim lighting - not many smartphones that are not part of the top-end devices manage to do this.

However, the pictures taken by the Zenfone 3 Zoom in daylight were slightly disappointing compared to its competitors. In some places, the surfaces turn out to be overexposed, which reduces the level of detail. Other high-end smartphones offer a little more quality.

The developers used a symbiosis of electronic and optical image stabilizers in the camera of this smartphone. This allowed the built-in camera to obtain scenes in good quality in zoom mode (2.3x magnification).

Smartphones with the best cameras of 2017

HTC U11: smartphone with the best camera

The real star of the smartphone is its stunning 12-megapixel camera. We have never seen such good quality photos in any smartphone. Even, which until recently had the best rating in the corresponding test category, cannot compare with U11 in this parameter. To optimize the quality of images, HTC uses the so-called HDR-Boost mode, which allows the smartphone to distinguish valid image information from digital artifacts and promises good photo quality even in dim lighting.

The HTC U11 camera takes very good photos

And the test results deliver on those promises: details (like fine strands of hair) typically lost in our low-light camera tests due to heavy blur are not the case with the HTC U11. Compared to the results of the S8 camera, the pictures here are darker, but they look more natural and, above all, more detailed.

Samsung's smartphone uses much stronger blur, and therefore images lose some of the visual information. Of course, in photos taken by the HTC device, there is some discreet noise visible, but it is not disturbing at all. The camera achieves sharpness extremely quickly thanks to autofocus with Dual Pixel technology. Of course, HTC U11 creates all the conditions for some digital cameras to be “retired.”

HTC U11 has very good build quality and is waterproof

By the way, the HTC U11 has as many as four multi-directional microphones, which should provide not only accuracy in recognizing voice control commands, but when recording video they can be used as a directional microphone to amplify the sound from a specific object - a great idea.

LG G4: Great digital camera at a good price

If you want a great camera in a good smartphone, but don't want to empty your pocket, we recommend choosing the LG G4. You can get the smartphone with a 5.5-inch screen that we recommend by paying approximately 16,000 rubles.

To ensure extremely clear images, the manufacturer equipped the camera with a 1/2.6-inch sensor and F1.8 aperture. Even in low light conditions, the lens captures plenty of detail.

Good color rendition and very high image clarity (1223 linear pairs according to Deadleaves LOW10) are the key to high scores in tests.

Added to this is the camera's 16-megapixel resolution and short (0.69 seconds) shutter time. In addition, the camera is capable of recording video in 4K format (3840 x 2160 pixels).

You will find a current, constantly updated list of smartphones with the best cameras.

1.

Camera (10%)

: 100

: 8.0 megapixels

Camera: resolution

: 12.2 megapixels

: 1,566 line pairs

: Very good

Video resolution

: 3.840 x 2.160 pixels

Overall rating: 93.1

Price/quality ratio: 66

2.

Camera (10%)

: 92.5

Front camera: resolution

: 4.9 megapixels

Camera: resolution

: 16.3 megapixels

Camera: measured resolution

: 1,790 line pairs

Camera: expert assessment of image quality

: Fine

Video resolution

: 3.840 x 2.160 pixels

Overall rating: 94.2

Price/quality ratio: 78

3.

Camera (10%)

: 91.1

Front camera: resolution

: 13.1 megapixels

Camera: resolution

: 12.2 megapixels

Camera: measured resolution

: 1,511 line pairs

Camera: expert assessment of image quality

: Fine

Video resolution

: 3.840 x 2.160 pixels

Overall rating: 85.8

Price/quality ratio: 70

4.

Camera (10%)

: 90.8

Front camera: resolution

: 11.8 megapixels

Camera: resolution

: 19.7 megapixels

Camera: measured resolution

: 1,412 line pairs

Camera: expert assessment of image quality

: Very good

Video resolution

: 3.840 x 2.160 pixels

Overall rating: 92.9

Price/quality ratio: 68

5.

Camera (10%)

: 90

Front camera: resolution

: 8.0 megapixels

Camera: resolution

: 22.5 megapixels

Camera: measured resolution

: 2,088 line pairs

Camera: expert assessment of image quality

: Fine

Video resolution

: 3.840 x 2.160 pixels

Overall rating: 87.8

Price/quality ratio: 58

6.

Camera (10%)

: 89.3

Front camera: resolution

: 8.0 megapixels

Camera: resolution

: 12.2 megapixels

Camera: measured resolution

: 1,564 pairs of lines

Camera: expert assessment of image quality

: Fine

Video resolution

: 3.840 x 2.160 pixels

Overall rating: 86.7

Price/quality ratio: 62

7.

Camera (10%)

: 88.8

Front camera: resolution

: 15.9 megapixels

Camera: resolution

: 16.3 megapixels

Camera: measured resolution