Is the time approaching where it’s time to upgrade your smartphone contract? Whatever your budget, there’s a decent smartphone camera out there for you.
I’ve spent the past few weeks, trying to identify the best, to most affordable smartphone cameras for any budget. So, there’s something for anyone looking to get into smartphone photography. I’ve been looking at the specifications, customer and trade reviews and scrutinising the images produced by them.
Below, is my list of the most suitable smartphone cameras for a smartphone photographer.
Flagship models:
The smartphones in this category carry the most expensive contract options, due to their purchase cost price.
All lens sizes are dSLR equivalent sizes.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (£1149-£1329)
Screen size:
6.8″ (1440 x 3088 pixels)
Front camera:
40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide angle), Phase detection autofocus.
Rear Cameras:
Ultra Wide Angle – 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ view, dual pixel Phase detection autofocus.
Wide Angle – 108 MP, f/1.8, 23mm, Phase detection autofocus, Laser AF, Optical Image Stabilisation.
Telephoto – 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm, dual pixel Phase detection autofocus, Optical Image Stabilisation.
Periscope Telephoto – 10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm, dual pixel Phase detection autofocus, Optical Image Stabilisation.
Optical Zoom:
3x (telephoto) & 10x (periscope telephoto)
Sensor size:
1/2.82″, 0.7µm (front camera)
1/1.33″, 0.8µm (wide angle)
1/2.55″, 1.4µm (ultrawide)
1/3.52″, 1.12µm (telephoto/periscope telephoto)
Apple iPhone 13Pro (£949 – £1449)
Screen size:
6.1″ (1170 x 2532 pixels)
Front camera:
12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm.
Rear Cameras:
Ultra Wide Angle – 12 MP, f/1.8, 13mm, 120˚ view, Phase detection autofocus.
Wide Angle – 12 MP, f/1.5, 26mm, dual pixel Phase detection autofocus, sensor-shift Optical Image Stabilisation.
Telephoto – 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm, Phase detection autofocus, Optical Image Stabilisation.
Optical Zoom:
3x Zoom-out (telephoto) & 2x Zoom-in (ultra wide angle)
Sensor size:
1/3.6″, 1.9µm
Google Pixel 6 Pro (£799 – £899)
Screen size:
6.71″ (1440 x 3120 pixels)
Front camera:
11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultra wide angle).
Rear Cameras:
Ultra Wide Angle – 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚view.
Wide Angle – 50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm, Dual Pixel Phase detection autofocus, Laser AF, Optical Image Stabilisation.
Telephoto – 48 MP, f/3.5, 104mm, Phase detection autofocus, Optical Image Stabilisation.
Optical Zoom:
4x Zoom (telephoto)
Sensor size:
1/1.31″, 1.2µm (wide angle)
1/2″, 0.8µm (telephoto)
Mid-range models:
Xiaomi II T Pro (£599)
Screen size:
6.67″ (1080 x 2400 pixels)
Front camera:
16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Rear Cameras:
Ultra Wide Angle – 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ view.
Wide Angle – 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, Phase detection autofocus.
Telephoto Macro – 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm.
Optical Zoom:
None
Sensor size:
1/3.06″, 1.0µm (front camera)
1/4″, 1.12µm (ultra wide angle)
1/1.52″, 0.7µm (wide angle)
1/5.0″, 1.12µm (telephoto macro)
iPhone SE (2022) (£419 – £569)
Screen size:
4.7″ (750 x 1334 pixels)
Front camera:
7 MP, f/2.2.
Rear Cameras:
Wide Angle – 12 MP, f/1.8, Phase detection autofocus, Optical Image Stabilisation.
Optical Zoom:
None
Sensor size:
None given
OnePlus Nord 2 (£369)
Screen size:
6.43″ (1080 x 2400 pixels)
Front camera:
32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Rear Cameras:
Ultra Wide Angle – 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ view.
Wide Angle – 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm, Phase detection autofocus, Optical Image Stabilisation.
Monochrome – 2 MP, f/2.4.
Optical Zoom:
None
Sensor size:
1/2.8″, 0.8µm (front camera)
1/1.56″, 1.0µm (wide angle)
Budget models:
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 (£199)
Screen size:
6.43″ (1080 x 2400 pixels)
Front camera:
13 MP, f/2.5, (wide).
Rear Cameras:
Ultra Wide Angle – 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ view.
Wide Angle – 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, Phase detection autofocus.
Macro – 2 MP, f/2.4.
Optical Zoom:
None
Sensor size:
1/3.06″, 1.12µm (front camera)
1/4.0″, 1.12µm (ultra wide angle)
1/2.0″, 0.8µm (wide angle)
OnePlus Nord CE (£259)
Screen size:
6.43″ (1080 x 2400 pixels)
Front camera:
16 MP, f/2.5, (wide).
Rear Cameras:
Ultra Wide Angle – 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ view.
Wide Angle – 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, Phase detection autofocus.
Depth – 2 MP, f/2.4.
Optical Zoom:
None
Sensor size:
1/3.0″, 1.0µm (front camera)
1/3.0″, 0.7µm (wide angle)
Google Pixel 4a (£299)
Screen size:
6.2″ (1080 x 2340 pixels)
Front camera:
8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide).
Rear Cameras:
Ultra Wide Angle – 16 MP, f/2.2, 107˚ view.
Wide Angle – 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, dual pixel Phase detection autofocus, Optical Image Stabilisation.
Depth – 2 MP, f/2.4.
Optical Zoom:
None
Sensor size:
1/4.0″, 1.12µm (front camera)
1/2.55″, 1.0µm (ultra wide angle)
1/2.55″, 1.4µm (wide angle)
One final option:
This information is based on what I consider to be the best smartphone cameras in 2022. But, I don’t use any of them. The smartphone I use is the Huawei P30 Pro from 2019. And it’s very capable.
It produces images that I’m very happy with. And, it’s the smartphone that meant I could retire my dSLR cameras.
However, Huawei is no longer allowed to use Google technology and so it’s currently using Android 10. The current (October 19, 2021) version of Android is 12.
The P30 Pro is in line for an update to Huawei’s Harmony OS. Although, there is no information on how this will effect the camera software.
Huawei P30 Pro (£789)
Screen size:
6.47″ (1080 x 2340 pixels)
Front camera:
32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)
Rear Cameras:
Ultra Wide Angle – 20 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, Phase detection autofocus.
Wide Angle – 40 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), Phase detection autofocus, Optical Image Stabilisation.
Periscope Telephoto – 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm, Phase detection autofocus, Optical Image Stabilisation.
Optical Zoom:
5x (periscope telephoto)
Sensor size:
1/2.8″, 0.8µm (front camera)
1/2.7″ (ultrawide)
1/1.7″ (wide angle)
1/4.0″ (periscope telephoto)
Conclusion
This article was written to give you a starting point on your journey into choosing a smartphone camera. But, I have no way of knowing which smartphone is going to be best for you.
So, there are a few things to consider before making a decision on one of these smartphones, or something entirely different:
- Consider what else you’re going to use your smartphone for, when you’re not using it for photography. Surprisingly, the camera isn’t the only important thing 🙂
- Think about the type of images you’re looking to shoot. Some smartphones will have lenses that are more suitable for landscapes, or macro, etc. Or, maybe a smartphone with a few different lenses is more appropriate for you?
- The higher end smartphones will usually give you the most control over manual camera settings, etc. And have a specific lens for different types of image.
- Get the composition and the lighting right and even the cheapest smartphone camera can produce spectacular images with a little bit of editing.
Finally, I advise you to do your own research, based on your individual requirements. Two of the best websites I’ve found for Smartphone trade reviews is GSM Arena, or DXOMARK. This would be my starting point to check out any smartphone specifications.
And remember, any of these smartphones will allow to produce images to be proud of.
Do you have any recommendations? Let me know in the comments.
