More than 1 trillion photos were taken with a smartphone in 2017. And this number continues to grow, boosted by social networks. For demanding users, the photophone offers an exceptional photo part (sensors, autofocus, zoom...). Read our guide to the best photo smartphones to find the right model for your budget.
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"Equipped with a powerful processor and RAM, OPPO Find X3 Pro offers great responsiveness and smooth navigation to publish your best shots. It has 2…"
"We can criticize the iPhone 11 Pro Max for its too wise design and its lack of innovations. But its photo evolutions allow it to…"
"The 12 MP camera of this photo smartphone and its various settings allow you to get exceptional photos. It embeds a quality processor and already…"
"It is a last generation photo smartphone from the Apple giant that uses the A15 bionic chip for an internal storage of 256 GB and…"
"The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the new flagship of the apple brand. As its name suggests, everything is maximized: screen size, speed, design, autonomy…"
Equipped with a powerful processor and RAM, OPPO Find X3 Pro offers great responsiveness and smooth navigation to publish your best shots. It has 2 Sony 50-megapixel sensors and a microscope lens.
759 £ on AmazonOPPO Find X3 Pro is a smartphone that impresses with its cameras. Indeed, its dual main camera films in ultra high definition and captures all the richness of colors. It has a microscope lens, which allows you to admire the microscopic world in a different way. Its screen is AMOLED QHD+ and has a resolution of 12 MP. You can even take underwater shots thanks to its IP68 waterproof standard (1 to 3 meters deep for 30 minutes).
This high-end photo smartphone is equipped with an ultra powerful Snapdragon 888 processor. This key component is backed up by its 12GB of RAM to give you an excellent user experience besides photos like browsing and gaming. Its large storage space of 250 GB allows you to store many multimedia files. It also has a 4500 mAh Lithium-ion battery that charges from 0 to 100% in just 35 min.
We can criticize the iPhone 11 Pro Max for its too wise design and its lack of innovations. But its photo evolutions allow it to become the new reference among the best photo smartphones.
1 057 £ on AmazonThe iPhone 11 Pro Max allows Apple to reclaim its throne, once left to Samsung. Despite the disappearance of 3D Touch, it's impossible to overlook the polished design, A13 Bionic SoC, 256GB of internal memory, 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display and 3,969mAh battery that can play over 16 hours of video.
But the major evolution of the iPhone 11 Pro Max is in photo and video. See for yourself: wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, telephoto and front camera lenses of 12 MP each; optical image stabilization on the wide-angle and telephoto; 1.4 µm photosites; 4K front and rear video; contrast and phase detection autofocus, night mode... In short, Apple hits very hard.
The 12 MP camera of this photo smartphone and its various settings allow you to get exceptional photos. It embeds a quality processor and already makes use of the innovations of Android 10.
263 £ on FnacPIXEL 4a is a mid-range photo smartphone that offers professional quality images thanks to its 12 MP camera. The latter has the night vision mode and can zoom in high resolution. It provides you with other settings to further improve the quality of your photos. Its OLED screen of 2340 x 1080 pixels is slightly smaller than that of other models, since it is 5.81 inches.
However, this does not affect its design and makes it even more beautiful in the eyes of many people. It is equipped with Snapdragon 730G, 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage capacity. As for the battery, it provides 24 hours of battery life. This smartphone has a fingerprint sensor. It runs Android 10 and ensures the security of your data thanks to its Titan M chip.
It is a last generation photo smartphone from the Apple giant that uses the A15 bionic chip for an internal storage of 256 GB and 6 G of RAM. It stands out from the others with its 3 x optical zoom and its 3 cameras with night mode.
1 103 £ on AmazonResembling its predecessor at first glance, with its 120 Hz screen, the iPhone 13 Pro's slabs do not have much difference compared to those of the 12 Pro. This new series is characterized by a maximum brightness of 1200 nits with support for HDR 10 and DolbyVision. But the iPhone 13 pro max is better in terms of the image quality it offers. The three sensors are well taken care of to ensure better photographic versatility.
However, compared to the 13 pro version, the iPhone 13 pro max displays the same photo specs. On the wide-angle sensor, it offers mechanical stability. The latter is very useful to have a nice brightness even under a darker nail. In addition, to save more batteries, this latest version of iPhone can lower the frame counters.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the new flagship of the apple brand. As its name suggests, everything is maximized: screen size, speed, design, autonomy and especially photo quality.
950 £ on AmazonThe Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is aimed at the most demanding videographers and photographers. Offering unheard of screen definition, this high-end smartphone has a 6.7″ OLED Super Retina XDR panel. Unlike previous iPhones, this one uses a material called Ceramic Shield that covers the screen. This makes it waterproof and almost unbreakable even without a tempered glass protective film.
But where Apple hits hard is in the photo part. The 3 sensors (ultra wide-angle, wide-angle and telephoto 12 MP) make this mobile the ultimate photophone. Huawei, Samsung, Google and others can go to hell! It also embeds an A14 Bionic SoC, currently the fastest processor (no latency on Call of Duty!). The LiDAR scanner, the Night mode or the possibility to record videos in 4K HDR will only increase the appeal of this phone.
The Huawei P30 Pro embodies the photophone par excellence: everything for the photo, the rest takes a back seat. If the lenses are not as good as those of Samsung or Apple, their versatility is valuable.
484 £ on CdiscountThe Huawei P30 Pro has bet everything on the photo. In the end, this choice paid off with 4 optical sensors and a ToF sensor. The main sensor of 40 MP is equivalent to 27 mm and opens at f/1.6. The ultra-wide angle displays 20 Mpx equivalent to 16 mm and opening f/2.4. As for the x5 zoom with optical stabilizer of 8 Mpx, it is equivalent to 125 mm and opens at f/3.4.
Huawei has made concessions for the design, despite a 6.47-inch screen with curved edges and IP68 sealing. It's a shame that the Chinese manufacturer is stubborn about offering its NM (Nano Memory) slot instead of a micro SD card. If you're looking for something new, try the Xiaomi Mi Note 10, or even the Huawei P40 Pro. Beware, the latter does not have Google services.
Any specific needs?
The best photo smartphone in 2021
Practical photo smartphone to capture in high definition
The best entry-level photo phone
The photo smartphone with 4 identical photo sensors
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| THE BEST | TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | TOP OF THE RANGE | ALTERNATIVE | ||
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
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| OUR SELECTION |
OPPO Find X3 Pro Photo Smartphone
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Photophone – Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
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Google Pixel 4a photo smartphone
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Smartphone photo iPhone 13 pro max
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Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
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Photophone – Huawei P30 Pro
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Equipped with a powerful processor and RAM, OPPO Find X3 Pro offers great responsiveness and smooth navigation to publish your best shots. It has 2 Sony 50-megapixel sensors and a microscope lens.
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We can criticize the iPhone 11 Pro Max for its too wise design and its lack of innovations. But its photo evolutions allow it to become the new reference among the best photo smartphones.
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The 12 MP camera of this photo smartphone and its various settings allow you to get exceptional photos. It embeds a quality processor and already makes use of the innovations of Android 10.
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It is a last generation photo smartphone from the Apple giant that uses the A15 bionic chip for an internal storage of 256 GB and 6 G of RAM. It stands out from the others with its 3 x optical zoom and its 3 cameras with night mode.
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The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the new flagship of the apple brand. As its name suggests, everything is maximized: screen size, speed, design, autonomy and especially photo quality.
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The Huawei P30 Pro embodies the photophone par excellence: everything for the photo, the rest takes a back seat. If the lenses are not as good as those of Samsung or Apple, their versatility is valuable.
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Photo
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Wide and Ultra wide angle 50MP, 50MP, 13MP, 3MP.
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Wide-angle 12MP 26mm f/1.8Extra wide-angle 12MP 13mm f/2.4Zoom 2x 12MP 52mm f/2.2Optical stabilization on wide angle and telezoomPhotosite size 1.4µm
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12.2 MP, Dual Pixel, 1.4 μm pixel width, Auto Focus, and Dual Pixel Phase Detection, Optical and Electronic Image Stabilization,
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Wide-angle, 12MP ultra-wide-angle, LiDAR scanner, 6x optical zoom, macro photo
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Ultra-fast download and video streaming
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Wide-angle 40MP 27mm f/1.6Extra wide-angle 20MP 16mm f/2.4Zoom 5x 8MP 125mm f/3.4TO sensorOptical image stabilization on the wide and telephoto lens
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Video
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4K@60 IPS
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Rear: 4K at 24, 30, or 60fpsFront: up to 60fps
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ProRes video, Smart HDR 4, Night mode, Apple ProRAW and 4K HDR video recording in Dolby Vision
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The best smartphone from the best brand
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4K
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Front sensor
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32MP
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12MP 23mm f/2.2
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8 MP, 1.12 μm pixel width, ƒ/2 aperture, Fixed Focus, 84° field of view
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Photos 12MP TrueDepth Camera with Portrait Mode
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Excellent battery life of up to 20 hours in video playback mode
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32MP with 2336 x 1080p resolution
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Screen
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AMOLED 10 bit 120Hz 6.7 inch
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OLED Super Retina XDR 6.5inch
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5.81-inch FHD OLED
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Super Retina XDR 6.7 inch
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6.7" (2532 x 1170 pixels)
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OLED 6.47-inch with curved edges
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Battery
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4500 mAh Li-Po
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Li-ion, 3,969 mAh
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3140 mAh
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4373 mAh
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A14 chip
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Li-Po, 4,200 mAh
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Good to know, the physical size of a sensor has nothing to do with the number of megapixels. To illustrate, it is quite possible to cram 20MP in the same space as 8MP. And as an example, the iPhone 11 Pro Max's 12MP sensor dominates the Xiaomi Mi Note 10's 108MP sensor in every aspect. Sensor size is expressed as a fraction. The larger the denominator, the smaller the sensor will be. For example, the Sony Xperia Z2 uses a 1/2.3-inch photo sensor, where the iPhone 11 packs a 1/2 sensor. You should also consider the number of sensors on board: 2, 3, 4 or 5, depending on the model.
Strangely, many buying guides neglect this criterion. Yet, the size of the photosites, i.e. the photoelectric cells that make up the sensor, determines the amount of light captured and the final result. The larger the photosites, the better. This criterion is expressed in micrometers. As an example, the sensor of the Samsung Galaxy S7 has photosites of 1.4 μm, while the Nexus 5X and 6P offers photosites of 1.55 μm. No one, however, has gone as far as the photosite size of the HTC UltraPixel.
This term refers to the ratio of the focal length to the diameter of the aperture, or even the entrance lens if there is no aperture. A small aperture captures a larger amount of light. This criterion offers an excellent indication of low light performance, but is not 100% reliable. To give you an idea of size, the f/1.7 aperture on the Samsung Galaxy S9 camera is larger than the f/1.8 aperture on the iPhone XS. You can adjust the aperture to change the amount of incoming light. This allows you to take photos with a sharp subject and a blurred background.
This term refers to the number of megapixels, a false criterion of choice even if manufacturers love to put it forward. Despite the 108 Mpx of the new sensor available at Xiaomi, Apple, Samsung, Sony or HTC photophones have returned to wiser proportions, between 12 and 20 Mpx.
This
criterion indicates the level of detail captured. For 4K video, the resolution reaches 3840 x 2160p. For Full HD, the resolution peaks at 1920 x 1080p. Given the file size, no camera records in 4K by default
. However, you can benefit from it after a few adjustments. Keep in mind that higher resolutions in TVs and other media devices will be the norm for years to come. In addition to resolution, pay attention to the number of frames per second or fps for video recording with a camera phone.
An optical image stabilizer is found on many smartphones designed for photography. This feature ensures camera stability and minimizes blurry images resulting from hand shaking. This is because optical stabilization compensates for the photographer's movements. The autofocus is also important. LG embeds a laser autofocus, a process adopted by other manufacturers. Sony has democratized the phase detection autofocus, technology directly borrowed from SLR cameras. Basically, prefer a fast autofocus, like the 0.03 s of the Sony Xperia Z5. In addition, take an interest in the HDR or High Dynamic Range mode of the photophone. This technique allows you to take 3 pictures of the same subject in different exposures: overexposed, underexposed and normal. The 3 shots are then combined via algorithm to correct the areas that are too dark or too light. And since it is above all a smartphone, look at the classic criteria such as the screen, operating system, performance, price and battery. The autonomy and capacity of the latter are essential given the primary function of a photophone, which is to take pictures.
Performing and less cumbersome, the photophone is the competition of digital compact cameras. It is a modern smartphone that allows you to call, take pictures or even videos. The photo smartphone is entirely dedicated to photography but it has the same basic functions as a classic smartphone.
Equipped with the most advanced technology available today, it is of course equipped with a camera/camcorder. It ensures professional quality shots for better pictures thanks to the many photo sensors it has. The performance of a photo sensor is measured in pixels. Therefore, the size and definition of the image depends totally on the number of megapixels.
In addition, photophones offer different modes such as selfie, panorama, HDR, etc. You can indulge yourself and use them to get better photos or even videos in different styles.
In the beginning, most smartphones are equipped with only one sensor with a wide-angle lens. But with the evolution of technology, the double, then triple and quadruple became very popular. In general, the wide-angle lens goes hand in hand with an ultra-wide angle and/or telephoto lens.
The wide-angle lens is very practical and allows you to take pictures without having to step back. However, it often deteriorates the quality of the image. As for the telephoto lens, located at the back of your cell phone, it is useful for capturing things further away, without needing a digital trick to zoom in. Indeed, the quality of the pictures taken depends on the size of the optical zoom.
The photophone is a smartphone designed for photography. Its main asset lies in the fact that it is above all a phone. It accompanies you at all times, allowing you to take pictures quickly and easily and then share them on social networks or with other mobile devices.
The best photophones have optical zooms up to 10x, or even more in digital zoom. The many sensors (monochrome, color RYB ...) and the binning or addition of a large number of megapixels increase the level of detail. And if that's not enough, there is image processing such as HDR mode, SOI, machine learning...
But, as good as they are, photophones are still inferior to the best digital cameras in low light. In addition, they have difficulty capturing moving subjects, unlike SLRs and hybrids. Finally, the level of detail and configuration options remain limited.
In addition to the level of detail, hybrid and SLR cameras crush any photophone with interchangeable lenses. Nothing to do with lenses that clip to the cell phone. The sensor is bigger because the body is bigger. This makes all the difference for the Bokeh effect, low light photos and resolution.
Also, high-end DPAs have a faster shutter speed than the camera phones. And let's not even talk about the 5-axis stabilizer, the (too?) many settings, the ease of handling via the grip, the burst mode, not to mention the aperture, shutter speed and focal length.
On the other hand, not all cameras are on the same level. High-end cameras outperform compact, bridge and instant cameras. And quality digital cameras are expensive, not to mention the lenses. Finally, you can't put an SLR or hybrid in your pocket, or take it out quickly!
If you are a big user of social networks, the photophone is probably the best option to succeed in your shots and post them immediately online. For memories to be immortalized in an album (vacations, birthdays, weddings...) and for artistic, animal or sports photos, the camera is the best choice.
If you don't want to spend a lot of money on what is still a phone, you can use a photo accessory like a clip-on lens. Finally, it is possible to combine a camera and a phone to get great results. Several applications have been designed for this purpose.
Convenience
We all have one. It's always within reach, misplaced and a slight anxiety sets in. You can't beat the convenience of a cell phone, always with you, and a great reading display unit in its own right.
Sharing photos
Most modern smartphones can easily connect to the Internet. Once connected, you can share photos from your phone in seconds, by texting, attaching them to an email or posting them on Facebook. The advantage of owning a good smartphone is the fact that you can take photos on the fly, selfies and memories and more.
Makes it easy to compose images
In recent years, the trend has been toward larger smartphones with five and six inch screens sometimes double the size of the two and three inches found on compact cameras. These screens are often in the case of high-end smartphones, a higher resolution too. This makes it easier to compose images and view fine details, and ensures a more pleasant reading experience with family and friends.
Good photo quality
Light can really transform an ordinary image into an extraordinary one. Epic light evokes emotion, fear, suspense and drama. Try to focus on shooting the sunrise or sunset, or simply photographing people by windows or open doors. And a photo smartphone will be ideal for this.
Beginning to learn photography
You can increase your learning rate by constantly taking images and looking. Your camera is always with you analyzing your images, deleting them and taking them back.
In our opinion, the best brands of photo smartphones in 2022 are :
Steve Jobs' company sets the bar higher and higher with each new generation of iPhone. The iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max are no exception to the rule, especially for the photographic rendering. And Apple has already announced amazing characteristics for the photo part of the future iPhone 12.
Who doesn't know the Galaxy smartphones of the Korean manufacturer? Comforted by the exceptional photo quality of the S20, S20 Plus and S20 Ultra, Samsung does not hesitate to propose some of the most expensive offers on the market. The best brand if you're looking for an Android photophone.
The Chinese giant spoiled us with the P30 and the P30 Pro. It's doing it again with the P40 Pro, a smartphone that boasts breathtaking photo performance. Those looking for an alternative to Samsung and Apple are likely to find their happiness among Huawei's photophones.
The internet giant is behind the Android system, which equips more than 8 out of 10 smartphones. Also, no one was surprised to see Google making smartphones for photography at a reasonable price. The huge success of the Pixel A3 proved him right. And the new Pixel A4 has already conquered its audience.
This Chinese manufacturer is known for its affordable smartphones... which have long suffered from disastrous photo performance. The arrival of a 108MP sensor on the Mi Note 10 should allow Xiaomi to catch up. For now, it rivals Google, but it's still below the other 3 brands.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Explore your smartphone's photo settings.
Do not be satisfied with the automatic mode. To progress, don't hesitate to dig into the photo settings, especially for exposure and focus. This is a prerequisite
for getting shots that stand out from the crowd.
Hold the smartphone with 2 hands.
Don
't take shots at the drop of a hat, or you'll end up with a random photo or an ugly blurred trail on the final rendering. Also think of taking the photophone with 2 hands to better stabilize it. It is also with 2 hands that you will be able to adjust the autofocus and the exposure more easily.
Avoid using the flash.
Don
't rely on flashes to improve your shots, even if they can save your ass on rare occasions. Indoors or outdoors, the flash has difficulty reproducing natural colors and capturing the scene. This often results in blurry, yellowish, red-eye shots.
Use a photo editing app.
Even
the greatest photographers in the world retouch contrast, brightness and exposure! There's no shame in doing it. Rely on the built-in app in your smartphone. Otherwise, there are quality alternatives (Camera+ on iOS or Camera Zoom FX on Android) for a few euros.
Digital zoom to be banned!
The
digital zoom offers a basic magnification of the image, resulting in visible pixels, even at maximum resolution. Prefer a cropping of the pictures. Or get as close as possible to the subject to capture.
The best camera phone depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to learn more.
In
the case of a smartphone dedicated to photography, all the appeal lies in the photographic output and video performance. However, other criteria such as battery life, screen, and grip may come into play.
In
general, the photo smartphone embeds 2, 3 or 4 sensors. Some offer up to 5 sensors, without necessarily offering better photographic rendering. Others like the Google Pixel 3A embark a single sensor combined with high quality software.
We're
mostly holding back Apple, Samsung, Google, Huawei and Xiaomi.
Because of the substantial photo block, the photophone is expensive. You will have a hard time finding one for less than 300 euros, unless the model starts to date. For the latest devices, go for the top of the range, even if it means saving before buying.
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