Rating of smartphones with a good camera. The best budget smartphones with a good camera Mobile camera ratings

Every flagship smartphone manufacturer is trying to convince them that their device has the best camera among mobile devices. To achieve high image quality, developers install larger matrices, equip lenses with high-aperture optics, and use laser and phase autofocus. However, it doesn’t always turn out that the next top camera takes better pictures than the “old man” released several years ago.

Our material is dedicated to smartphones in 2016 that have the best camera in their class or on the market in general. The list includes only models that were released this year. For this reason, the selection does not include successful models, such as the iPhone 6s, presented at the end of 2015. The list of devices is compiled taking into account the technical characteristics of their matrices and the real quality of the images. The opinion of expert photographers from the DXOMark resource was also taken into account.

Released in February 2016, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were notable for being the first smartphones to feature Dual Pixel technology. There is nothing supernatural about it (it’s just a phase-detection autofocus mechanism that has been brought to perfection), but previously such a solution was used only in DSLRs.

The devices received 12 MP Sony IMX260 or Samsung S5K2L1 matrices, 1/2.5" in size, with 1.4 micron pixels. Lens aperture is f/1.7, optical image stabilization is present. Experts evaluated the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge cameras 88 points (out of 100), this is the maximum score for a smartphone at present. Front camera is 5 MP, with f/1.7 aperture.

Smartphones differ in the size and shape of their displays. In the S7, it has a diagonal of 5.1", as well as a flat shape. In the S7 Edge, the diagonal has grown to 5.5", and the edges have become curved. The resolution of both matrices is 2560x1440 pixels. The devices are powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 820 or eight-core Exynos Octa 8890 processor. 4 GB of RAM, 32 or 64 GB of built-in memory, a MicroSD slot is available. Smartphones run on Android 6 OS; an update is expected by the end of the year. The autonomy of the S7 is ensured by a 3000 mAh battery, and the S7 Edge – by a 3600 mAh battery. The device is good enough for any task. It’s not for nothing that many other manufacturers look up to Samsung’s flagships.

Examples of pictures taken with the Galaxy S7 smartphone camera

HTC 10 – familiar functionality, but at a new level

In April 2016, sales of the metal flagship HTC 10 started. It became a worthy successor to the idea of ​​“ultrapixels” used since the M7 model. The HTC 10 camera is based on a 1/2.3" Sony IMX377 matrix, which allows the pixel size to be increased to 1.55 microns. The total number of megapixels is 12. The optics have an aperture ratio of f/1.8.

HTC 10 has a laser autofocus mechanism, which is characterized by high speed. There is also optical frame stabilization. Due to the combination of these features, the device also scored a maximum of 88 points in the DXOMark assessment. The front camera is not far behind. It has a resolution of 5 MP, is equipped with a matrix with 1.34 micron pixels and a lens with an f/1.8 aperture.

HTC 10 is equipped with a SUPER LCD (a variation on the IPS theme) display with a diagonal of 5.2". Its resolution is 2560x1440 pixels, which makes the smartphone convenient for VR. The chipset is Snapdragon 820 with Adreno 530 graphics. The device has 4 GB of RAM, and the built-in one is 32 or 64 GB. I’m glad that there is a memory card slot.

Android 6 is installed as the operating system on board the HTC 10. The smartphone's battery has a capacity of 3000 mAh. We can safely say that HTC 10 has taken the functionality implemented in its predecessors to a new level. Especially in terms of the camera, which now not only stands out for its light sensitivity, but also provides decent detail (which the M7 or M8 did not have).

Examples of photos on HTC 10

Sony Xperia X Performance – giving you more pixels?!

Another smartphone that has a good camera among the flagships is the Sony Xperia X Performance, released in February 2016. Sony's company is a “photographic” company even more than a “musical” one, so the photo matrices of its smartphones pleasantly stand out for their shooting quality. Engineers do not risk “cutting from the shoulder” and using 30-40 MP (like Nokia). But they do not neglect the opportunity to increase the number of megapixels without sacrificing quality.

The Sony Xperia X Performance has a 25-megapixel IMX300 on a 1/2.3" matrix (23 million effective pixels in 3:4 size). It supports phase detection autofocus and is equipped with high-aperture optics with an f/2 aperture. According to experts, the device received 88 points, closing the top three. The front camera is 13 MP IMX 214, previously used as the main one on Xiaomi Mi4c and HTC One A9.

The Sony Xperia X Performance screen is based on an IPS matrix with a diagonal of 5". Its resolution is 1920x1080 pixels. The processor is Snapdragon 820, Adreno 530 is responsible for graphics processing. The RAM in the smartphone is 3 GB, about 25 out of 32 are allocated for user data GB. The smartphone also has a slot for MicroSD.

Sony Xperia X Performance runs Android 6, with an update to version 7 planned before the end of the year. The battery of the device is 2700 mAh. You shouldn't expect record autonomy from it, but the battery provides average operating time.

Sample photos from Sony Xperia X Performance

Moto Z Droid Force is a revolutionary camera phone

Announced in June 2016, Moto Z Droid Force is not expected until September 2016. But experts were already able to evaluate his camera and gave it a high score. The smartphone is equipped with a 21-megapixel Sony IMX230 matrix. It has a size of 1/2.4", the pixel size is 1.12 microns.

High photo quality is ensured by high-aperture optics with an f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization and hybrid (phase-laser) autofocus. They deserved a final quality rating of 87 points. The front camera of the Moto Z Droid Force looks simpler, but it is also of high quality. The 5 MP matrix has a pixel size of 1.4 microns and is equipped with a flash.

The Moto Z DroidForce display has a diagonal of 5.5", with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. An AMOLED matrix with a sensor made of impact-resistant glass is used. The processor on board is Snapdragon 820, which is now installed in 90% of flagships. The amount of RAM is 4 GB, internal memory is 32 or 64 GB. There is a slot for a memory card on board.

The OS of the new Moto Z Droid Force is Android 6, there is no information about updates yet. An impressive 3500 mAh battery is responsible for autonomy. A feature of the device should be modularity. It is planned to connect accessories that expand functionality to the magnetic connector on the rear panel.

Sample photos from Moto Z Droid Force

LG G5 – modular flagship with two cameras

In February 2016, the LG G5 was released, which was supposed to become a fundamentally new product. Despite the fact that the modular concept attracted fewer buyers than expected, this does not remove the advantages. The smartphone's camera (or rather, two) puts it on the list of the best. The LG G5 uses a 16 MP main sensor based on a Sony IMX234 sensor (1/2.6", 1.12 micron pixels). It is equipped with an f/1.8 lens, laser autofocus and an optical stabilization system.

To support the main camera, the smartphone has an 8 MP matrix with wide-angle (135 degrees) optics. It is used when shooting landscapes and panoramas to expand the viewing angle. This two-module system received a score of 86 points. The front camera is 8 MP, with f/2 aperture.

The screen of the modular flagship is 5.3", with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels, IPS. Like other flagships in the selection, the LG G5 runs on a Snapdragon 820 processor. The amount of RAM is 4 GB, internal memory is 32 GB. There is a slot for MicroSD cards .

The LG G5 operating system is Android 6, with the proprietary Vibe UX 5 shell. The smartphone’s battery is removable, with a capacity of 2800 mAh. The modules allow you to install an additional battery. Also, a special module makes the device more suitable for photography by adding hardware camera control keys.

Examples of pictures taken with the LG G5 camera

Moto G4 Plus – the owner of the best camera in the middle class

All of the listed smartphones with a good camera belong to the flagship class and cost more than $500. Not everyone is ready to shell out that kind of money for a mobile device, and for budget-conscious users, the Moto G4 Plus, released in May 2016 (about $250-300), will be a good alternative. The gadget, equipped with a 16-megapixel OmniVision OV16860 sensor, is rated (84 points) on the same level as the iPhone 6s Plus. As for a matrix from a Chinese manufacturer, the result is excellent.

The camera characteristics are as follows: matrix diagonal – 1/3", pixel size – 1.3 microns, lens aperture – f/2. There is hybrid laser-phase focusing. The matrix itself is created using PureCell technology, which reduces the amount of noise and artifacts from the interaction of neighboring pixels The front module of the Moto G4 Plus is an unremarkable 5 MP OV5693 matrix, the same as dozens of competitors.

The Moto G4 Plus display has a diagonal of 5.5 inches, a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, and is created using IPS technology. The smartphone is powered by a mid-range Snapdragon 617 processor. The device has 2, 3 or 4 GB of RAM, and 16, 32 or 64 GB of ROM, respectively. There is a dedicated slot for a MicroSD memory card.

The operating system of Moto G4 Plus is Android 6. The battery capacity is 3000 mAh. Overall, the smartphone looks like a very attractive competitor to Xiaomi and Meizu phablets. Although it costs more, it offers a good camera, which they do not have.

Sample photos from Moto G4 Plus

Google Pixel – the reference “Google phone”

In 2016, Google decided to stop collaborating with various manufacturers to produce the Nexus series of smartphones. It was replaced by the Pixel line, created in close collaboration with HTC. The first devices were Google Pixel and Pixel XL, differing in screen sizes. Google Pixel received a new Sony IMX378 matrix with a resolution of 12 MP. On the front of the smartphone there is an 8-megapixel matrix with dimensions of 1/3.2".

The physical size of the main camera is 1/2.3", this is one of the largest sizes for smartphones. The pixels are distinguished by increased dimensions to 1.55 microns, which led to a doubling of the effective photosensitive area (compared to 1.12 microns). The matrix is ​​equipped with its own a gyroscope used for electronic image stabilization. The aperture of the optics is F/2.

The smartphone is equipped with an AMOLED display, 5 inches diagonal, with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The chipset inside is the top-end at the time of the release of Qualcomm Snapdragon 821. The RAM capacity is 4 GB, the built-in memory is 32 or 128 GB. MicroSD slot, they offer to compensate it with unlimited GoogleDrive cloud.

The smartphone has Android 7.1 OS installed on board, it is understood that in the future it will be the first to receive updates to the next OS versions. Autonomous operation is provided by a 2770 mAh battery, which turned out to be quite durable.

Examples of photos on Google Pixel

Apple iPhone 7 Plus – flagship with optical zoom

The older version of the Apple iPhone 7 Plus smartphone differs from the younger one in the presence of a dual camera. The mechanism of their interaction has become an interesting novelty that has not been used in smartphones before. To ensure true optical approximation, the device was equipped with identical 12 MP matrices, but they were equipped with different lenses. The main one is wide-angle, with an equivalent focal length of 28 mm, the second is a telephoto lens of 56 mm. By switching between cameras, you can use optical zoom.

In addition to the unusual optics configuration, the main cameras have OIS. The main camera can record video in 4K at 30FPS. She also writes Slow-Mo at 240 FPS in HD resolution. Supports slow motion and a 7 MP front camera. It is equipped with optics with an aperture ratio of F/2.2.

The smartphone is equipped with a 5.5-inch FullHD display that is pressure sensitive. The chipset is the still unsurpassed Apple A10 Fusion with 4 cores. The amount of RAM was increased to 3 GB, storage – 32, 128 or 256 GB. Of course, there is no slot for a flash drive.

The iPhone 7 Plus runs iOS 10. The built-in battery has a capacity of 2900 mAh, and for a 5.5-inch phablet it provides very good battery life.

Examples of pictures taken with the iPhone 7 Plus camera

Red smartphones of 2016: selection for May 1 The best smartphones for the Internet: where is the best LTE, Wi-Fi and autonomy
Smartphones from 2016 to early 2017 with optical camera stabilization

These days, it’s rare to see a modern user without a smartphone. And where there is a mobile device, there is a camera. Considering the capabilities of ordinary devices is not as interesting as flagships, in which manufacturers strive to install the best sensors and software. With the arrival of the iPhone 7 from one of the strongest players in the market, this process became especially exciting. Online journalists decided to conduct a comparative analysis of the photographic abilities of some of the strongest players in the flagship segment: iPhone 7, iPhone 6s, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, LG G5 and Sony Xperia XZ. The results can be found below.

Smartphone camera characteristics:

Scene 1: architecture

The image of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge turned out to be brighter and more vibrant, its sharpness and saturation are also fine, which allowed the Korean flagship to become a favorite. We were also pleased with the pictures from the iPhone 7 and LG G5. Although they are not as bright as those of the Galaxy S7 Edge, the shades of green are conveyed more naturally. The iPhone 6s and Sony Xperia XZ show a noticeable dip in sharpness and exposure levels, especially in shadowed areas.

Scene 2: macro photography

In macro photography, the leaders were the iPhone 7 and iPhone 6s, which were able to convey the subject and colors more realistically. And the camera of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is apparently not suitable for this type of shooting. The photo shows a discrepancy in the white balance, which causes the image to take on an unnatural green color. The Xperia XZ suffers from the same drawback, although to a lesser extent. The LG G5 has already coped with the task much better, managing to set the white balance correctly - yellow and green colors look more natural.

Scene 3: landscape

In this case, the LG G5 camera coped with the task best of all - good sharpness and correct color rendition are evident. When examining a fragment in detail, higher detail with a minimum amount of digital noise stands out, as well as natural colors in the frame, without deviation towards cold or warm shades. The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge performed somewhat worse, but its sharpness and rich colors are impressive. The Sony Xperia XZ camera captured more light, but a lot of noise throughout the frame spoils the overall impression when examining the image from a close distance. Good light and correct color rendition can be credited to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 6s, but the photos turned out darker than the others, this is especially noticeable in the “six”. Images from the iPhone 7 and iPhone 6s look good, but are inferior to the G5 and Galaxy S7 Edge due to the fact that the images turned out dark, especially on the iPhone 6s.

One of the key aspects of buying a new smartphone for many is the camera, because a bad photo will not get many likes. Especially for such geeks, we have selected the best smartphones with a good camera of 2016.

— you will be interested!

Smartphones with good camera 2016

To make it easier for you to choose a camera phone, we have divided the list into 2 categories - an inexpensive smartphone with a good camera and a top-end smartphone with a good camera. In the first category, the emphasis on the hardware of the gadget will be insignificant. The second category will be distinguished by powerful hardware, excellent design and, as a rule, a good battery.

Inexpensive smartphone with a good camera

Moto G 3rd gen

The device from Motorola - Moto G of the third generation - has a camera with a resolution of 13 megapixels with a light-sensitive sensor. A 28 mm lens with f/2.0 aperture and four times zoom was also a solution in this device. In many respects the device is superior to most camera phones up to 10,000 rubles, see details of the camera's technical characteristics below.

Third generation Moto G camera specifications

• 13 megapixels;
• aperture f/2.0;
• dual LED flash with CCT function;
• autofocus;
• quick shooting function;
• four times digital zoom;
• slow-motion, continuous shooting, HDR, panoramic and iHDR modes;
• manual focusing and exposure adjustment;
• active viewfinder (recognizes QR codes and barcodes).

Samsung Galaxy S5

A smartphone that is no longer relevant may be interesting for those who “hunt” for good photographs. The device is able to shoot 4K video and Ultra HD. For lovers of underwater photography, the option of diving to 1 meter depth using a waterproof case will be useful. The 31mm lens with f/2.2 aperture and digital image stabilization make the smartphone truly competitive even with today's devices. Inexpensive smartphone under 15,000 rubles with a good camera. Let's not forget that 2 years ago it was the flagship!

Samsung Galaxy S5 camera specifications

• resolution 16 megapixels;
• Sony IMX240 sensor
• aperture f/2.2;
• digital image stabilization;
• autofocus;
• shooting 4K and UHD video;
• lens 31 mm.

Huawei P8

The previous generation of Huawei is still worth our attention due to its features. A 13-megapixel camera with an f/2.0 aperture takes pictures no worse than its analogues, but still the final quality without proper manual adjustments may be slightly shaky. The gadget can confidently be classified as smartphone with a good camera up to 15,000 rubles.

Huawei P8 Camera Specifications

• main camera: 13 megapixels;
• aperture f/2.0;
• LED flash;
• front camera 8 megapixels, f/2.0.

Chinese smartphone with a good camera

Xiaomi Mi5

Chinese camera phone with powerful hardware and excellent design. At a price with such characteristics, it has no equal. The smartphone has a Sony IMX298 camera module with f/2.0 aperture. The gadget takes good pictures, which do not reach the performance of top-end smartphones, but all this can be forgiven when you see the price. The new Xiaomi Mi5 can be bought for 16,000 rubles (the most minimal configuration).

Xiaomi Mi5 Camera Specifications

• main camera: 16 megapixels;
• aperture f/2.0;
• optical 4-axis stabilization;
• lens with 8 lenses;
• sapphire glass;
• maximum shutter speed 32 sec.;
• dual-tone LED flash;
• front camera 4 megapixels, f/2.0.

Moto X Play

The device is clearly superior to the Xperia Z5 Compact in external aspects, but is still slightly inferior to its rival in the camera department. Thus, the main lens is represented by 21 megapixels with an f/2.0 aperture, and owners of the device will take selfies with a camera with a resolution of only 5 megapixels.

It should be noted right away that at first users will find the method of photography proposed by Motorola very unusual. In order to take a photo, you need to “tap” on the screen with the Camera application open. The smartphone belongs to the price category up to 20,000 rubles.

Moto X Play Camera Specifications

• resolution: 21 megapixels;
• aperture: f/2.0;
• autofocus: PDAF;
• flash: dual LED;
• sensor: Sony IMX300;
• video stabilization: Instant ON;
• modes: HDR, slow-motion, continuous shooting, night shooting and panoramic shooting.

Samsung Galaxy S6

Samsung products have always had a high level of photo quality; In this regard, devices are almost always superior to Apple solutions. In the Galaxy S6 generation, the South Korean giant decided to use Intelligent Optical Image Stabilization technology. Samsung has also improved the aperture compared to the previous generation device; now this value reaches the f/1.9 level.

Also notable are several new camera features. This includes, for example, the new automatic high dynamic range option. It allows you to automatically adjust the light in different shooting conditions.

Samsung Galaxy S6 camera specifications

• resolution 16 megapixels;
• UHD 4K shooting;
• Sony IMX240 sensor;
• aperture f/1.9;
• intelligent optical image stabilization;
• automatic HDR mode;
• autofocus

Moto X Style (Pure Edition)

The rating of smartphones with a good camera continues with the flagship from the iconic Motorola. Although this phone was released last year, it still remains relevant, both in terms of design and hardware characteristics. The Moto X Style camera has a 21 megapixel matrix with a wide range of capabilities.

Today, a smartphone with a good camera from Motorola can be purchased at a fairly low price. A flagship with a cool IPS display and powerful hardware will cost you almost 30,000 rubles.

Moto X Style (Pure Edition) Camera Specifications

• main camera matrix 21 megapixel;
• aperture: f/2.0;
• phase detection autofocus;
• 4x digital zoom;
• continuous shooting;
• 4K video;
• slow motion mode;
• 5 megapixel f/2.0 front camera with built-in flash for cool selfies.

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

Perhaps the best camera on the market. The rear lens has an f/2.3 aperture and has a resolution of 23 megapixels and is capable of shooting 4K UHD video. The device's hybrid autofocus is very fast - only 0.03 seconds. The front camera, of course, is much worse - only 5 megapixels. The creators missed, perhaps, only one thing. Viewing such photos on a 4.6-inch screen is still inconvenient.

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact camera specifications

• lens diameter 24 mm;
• resolution: 23 megapixels;
• autofocus: 0.03 s;
• aperture: f/2.3;
• digital stabilization: SteadyShot;
• flash: single LED;
• sensor: Sony IMX300.

The new product from HTC 10 undoubtedly dominates its predecessors in terms of shooting quality. The main camera resolution is 12 megapixels, with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization. In fact, the lens parameters are similar to the Apple device without an additional telephoto lens. But it's probably a matter of time...

HTC 10 camera specifications

• 12 megapixel BSI matrix “HTC UltraPixel 2” with a pixel size of 1.55 microns;
• autofocus lens with optical stabilization (OIS) and laser focus illumination, f/1.8 aperture and 26 mm focal length;
• two-color LED flash;
• “Pro” modes with manual settings and recording photos in RAW (12-bit), “Auto HDR”, “Panorama”, “Zoe Camera” and burst modes;
• Hyperlapse;
• video with resolution 720p, 4K and slow-motion;
• the ability to save individual frames as photos while shooting video.

Huawei P9

Powerful smartphone with a good camera 2016.One of the outstanding features of the smartphone is its authentic camera solution: 2 lenses with f/2.2 apertures, RGB color and monochrome. The number of integrated features in the camera reaches unimaginable quantities, but they are not as obvious as in other devices. You will have to try hard to find them. The price for the brand is not too high, it’s worth taking.

Huawei P9 Specifications

• main camera: two 12 megapixel lenses, f/2.2;
• monochrome and RGB lenses;
• hybrid autofocus;
• LED flash;
• video recording 1080p, 60fps;
• front camera 8 megapixels, f/2.4;
• Video recording 1080p, 30fps.

iPhone 7

From year to year, one of the main innovations in each generation of iPhone is the camera upgrade, and the current version of the device is no exception. The resolution of the main camera is 12 megapixels, but bells and whistles in the spirit of 4K shooting, f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization make it one of the key players in the “camera phone” market. The Apple gadget can also be classified as smartphones with a good front camera.

iPhone 7 Camera Specifications

• resolution 12 megapixels;
• aperture f/1.8;
• 5x digital zoom;
• optical image stabilization;
• six-element lens;
• True Tone Quad-LED flash;
• panoramic photography;
• BSI sensor;
• hybrid IR cut filter;
• exposure control;
• noise suppression;
• serial shooting.

iPhone 7 Plus

This is exactly the case when two “native” smartphones need to be separated due to the huge difference between their main cameras. If in the case of the iPhone 7 everything is clear, then here buyers will find two cameras at once (one with a telephoto lens) to achieve better image quality.

iPhone 7 Plus Camera Specifications

• dual camera 12 megapixels: with wide-angle and telephoto lenses;
• wide-angle lens: f/1.8 aperture;
• telephoto lens: f/2.8 aperture;
• 2x optical zoom; 10x digital zoom;
• optical image stabilization;
• lens with six lenses;
• True Tone Quad-LED flash;
• panoramic photography;
• Lens protection with sapphire crystal;
• BSI sensor;
• hybrid IR cut filter;
• autofocus with Focus Pixels technology
• advanced tone mapping system
• exposure control;
• noise suppression;
• automatic activation of HDR when taking photographs;
• automatic image stabilization;
• serial shooting.

These chic smartphones can become an excellent assistant for you in photo hunting! All you have to do is choose the right one and go ahead - for cool photos and an overwhelming number of likes! The rating of the best smartphones with a camera of 2016 can be completed here. What to choose and buy is up to you.

When choosing the best camera phones for our rating, we focus, in particular, on the rating of the very authoritative (in the relevant circles) network resource DxOMark. But we also try to take into account the reviews of ordinary users as fully as possible, giving preference to reviews on specialized threads of various forums. We hope that the following general information that can influence the choice of a specific camera phone model will be useful for inexperienced readers.

Other things being equal, Photosensors with larger elementary cells provide better images. At a minimum, the physical dimensions of the pixel should be greater than one micron (ideally, closer to 1.4 microns). In addition, a small matrix (1/3" or smaller) desperately needs high-aperture optics (at f/1.9 and higher). Otherwise, you can only dream of good image quality in low light conditions.

Recently, manufacturers are increasingly using clever multi-pixel matrices, using Quad Bayer or TetraCell technology. On the one hand, they allow marketers to talk about the incredible clarity of the resulting image (without saying that this requires ideal shooting conditions). On the other hand, they actually provide an increase in photosensitivity by combining four pixels and proportionally reducing the resolution.

Another modern trend is increasing the number of cameras, since a single module does not allow you to cover the entire variety of shooting modes. Recommendations are determined by your interests. For some, optical zoom is extremely important, others like to shoot panoramas, and some mobile photographers prefer the portrait genre with all the effects that come with it, such as bokeh. The “sad thing” is that a truly high level of quality is still achievable only with the main camera, and this is in the best case.

Without going into technical details, the more pixels, the more information that needs to be processed. Moreover, the existing dependence is far from linear. By the way, this is another explanation why budget smartphones take rather mediocre pictures. Yes, because flagships have better optics, cooler cameras, and more computing resources. And the prices are higher, unfortunately. And the recommendation here is simple - choose models on the latest hardware platform of at least the middle class.

WITH autofocus not everything is so simple, and it is impossible to give preference to a specific type. It is not surprising that some manufacturers are trying to implement all options in “one bottle”. It is now considered good practice to install an autofocus system not only in the main module, but also in auxiliary modules.

One of the main parameters of the classical photo flashes is the leading number - a quantity characterizing the power of the generated light flux. Alas, in relation to smartphones it is practically irrelevant, regardless of the number of available LEDs and their brightness. At best, we can talk about some help at a distance of a couple of meters to the subject.

Availability of opportunity save pictures in uncompressed format- a useful thing in itself, but it is extremely difficult to imagine a professional photographer armed with only a smartphone. As well as an amateur who is constantly engaged in serious post-processing of his photos before posting them on Odnoklassniki. Yes - good, no - not fatal.

And finally - optical or hybrid stabilization preferable to purely electronic.

As you can see, there is a choice, and quite diverse. We do not undertake to recommend any of the models with a price even lower. In principle, now most smartphones can take relatively decent pictures of stationary objects in good lighting conditions. More complex tasks require more expensive equipment.

Happy shopping!

• 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: detail (like fine strands of hair) typically lost in our low-light camera tests due to heavy blur is 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 pairs of lines

: 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