We’re getting to a point now where some high-end smartphones have cameras that can compete with the best traditional cameras on the market. And with cameras becoming more prominent in our day-to-day life – whether it be casual snaps, Instagram-ing your breakfast, or using it for work – the demand for high-quality smartphone cameras is growing.
Seeing as it’s World Photo Day, a celebration of photography in all its forms, we thought this was a great time to assess the best smartphone cameras currently available. We’ll also explore some of the in-built features available for budding photographers, so if you fancy getting out there and taking a few shots, you’ll know which smartphone offers everything you need.
Huawei P30 Pro
In the past couple of years, Huawei has carved out a little niche for itself as a mid-tier smartphone with amazing camera qualities, easily rivaling the more established players in the industry – and the P30 Pro is no different!
The device itself has 4 rear cameras, including a 40-megapixel main lens, an 8-megapixel telephoto lens, a Time of Flight camera for portrait depth, and a 20-megapixel ultra-wide lens. Each of these different cameras allows for a unique range of shots, allowing you to get really creative with your photography skills. The phone also features an 8-megapixel front-facing camera for those all-important selfies.
What’s more, unlike its competitors, the Huawei P30 Pro uses a Red Yellow Yellow Blue (RYYB) sensor, which is designed to capture more light, resulting in better-looking photos with more detail and fewer shadows.
Google Pixel 3
On the surface, the Google Pixel 3’s camera seems to be falling behind its competitors; it only has a single, 12.2 mega-pixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing lens, but it packs a hell of a punch. Due to the power of the smartphone, and Google’s integrated systems, photos on the Pixel 3 are exceedingly sharp, making it one of the best smartphone cameras currently available.
The Google phone also allows users to quickly edit their photos with its friendly, intuitive interface. And the greater connectivity with the Google network, such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and more, means that amateur photographers can quickly share their best shots.
OnePlus 7 Pro
Another mid-tier contender, the OnePlus 7 Pro has plenty of camera features which make it perfect for taking great shots. Its wide-angled primary camera has a massive 48-megapixel sensor, allowing you to capture shots with large scope and plenty of detail, while the 3x zoom and additional 13 mm ultra-wide camera allows for plenty of versatility. Unlike its competitors, the OnePlus 7 Pro also has a pop-up front-facing selfie camera, allowing users to take amazing photos of themselves.
While it may not have the same capabilities at night as some competitors, the OnePlus 7 Pro offers a lot for its price range, making it an obvious choice for those that don’t want a bells-and-whistles smartphone but do want a high-quality camera.
iPhone XS
When we think of smartphone cameras, the iPhone is usually the first to spring to mind – maybe not because it’s the best camera on the market, but because the user experience of taking shots with an iPhone is so great.
In terms of specifications, the iPhone XS has dual 12 megapixel rear cameras, which allows for a range of shots, while the front-facing camera is 7 megapixels. While not as ground-breaking as some competitors, these are still fairly good specs for any photographer to get started. The real advantage of the iPhone XS, and why it’s got a place on this list, is its usability. The Apple app allows users to take photos with ease, on a clean, clutter-free interface with minimal inputs and controls – taking some of the stress out of photography for those that simply want great looking shots.
The only disadvantage of the iPhone XS is that all of these features come at a premium. So, if you’re planning on doing some adventurous photography on this smartphone, you may want to invest in some protection to ensure the camera is safe.
Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus
The new Samsung flagship improves in every department on its predecessor, and the camera is no different. Like the iPhone XS, it features dual 12-megapixel cameras on the back with f/1.5 aperture, making them perfect for low-light shots. On top of that, the phone also has two front-facing cameras – one has 10 megapixels and the other has 8 mega-pixels. This allows for more versatile range when taking photos from the front, with greater depth and detail across the board. Furthermore, like its closest competitor, the iPhone, the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus also has a very user-friendly interface, making it a good choice for those that aren’t fussed about the little details.
Honor 20 Pro
The recently realized Honor 20 Pro offers a range of features that phone photographers will love. With a 48 megapixel rear camera – complete with a wide-angle lens and f/1.4 aperture – and a 16 mega-pixel ultra-wide-angle lens, this mid-tier offering is easily as powerful as it’s more expensive rivals. Furthermore, it has an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, ensuring that there’s something for every type of photographer.
Like its cousin, the Huawei P30 Pro, the Honor 20 Pro can take amazing shots in low-light conditions, even in pitch-black environments. This makes it a strong option for anyone looking to shoot at night. The only downside of this device is that it does not have the same dynamic colour range as some of the more high-end models, which may have an impact on some shots. However, considering that the Honor 20 Pro is nearly half the price of the equivalent iPhone, it’s a great choice if you want amazing shots, but on a budget.
While there are plenty of options when it comes to choosing a smartphone camera, any of these picks will give you great shots in a variety of conditions. If you’re looking to up your photography game this World Photo Day, look no further.
