Are there inexpensive smartphones with a good camera? The best budget smartphones with a good camera The best camera phone with optical.

Camera phones are one of the main categories of mobile devices. Not everyone plays and not every user even listens to music on their phone. But sometimes everyone wants to take a photo of nature, a group of friends or a peacefully sleeping cat. In some cases, a camera is required to solve work processes, such as sending documents to a client or demonstrating a layout, painting or other project to a customer. If the user has his own blog and active profiles on social networks, then high-quality photographs are needed to fill them. And our rating of smartphones with the best cameras will help you choose a device to suit your individual needs.

The best inexpensive camera phones under 10,000-15,000 rubles

If you are counting on good, but not ideal, photo quality, and you don’t need powerful hardware and various functions that increase the cost of a smartphone, then you can buy a mobile phone that suits your needs for only 10-15 thousand rubles.

Yes, for this price, many brands offer excellent smartphones for taking photos. A potential hit in this segment is the recently introduced Redmi Note 7, which is selling out faster than hot cakes at a train station. However, it has not yet reached our editorial office, and we will not believe the manufacturer’s statements or other people’s opinions. However, there was still a place for a smartphone from Xiaomi in this category, and next to it were three smartphones from competitors.

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1. Meizu M6s 32GB

The first on our list is a budget smartphone with a good camera – M6s from Meizu. This device costs only 9 thousand rubles, and for this amount you will receive:

1. IPS screen with HD resolution and 2:1 aspect ratio;
2. good 16 MP main camera (f/2.0 aperture);
3. infrared port, allowing you to use the phone as a remote control;
4. Samsung Exynos 7872 CPU and Mali-G71 graphics accelerator;
5. 3 gigabytes of RAM and 32 GB of permanent memory.

Despite the low cost, the smartphone is housed in an aluminum case, available in 4 color options to choose from. But the Meizu M6s does not have the usual touch-mechanical button under the screen, which has a built-in fingerprint scanner, which is due to the elongated display. Now the fingerprint sensor is located in the power button.

Advantages:

• durable metal case;
• sound quality in speakers and headphones;
• excellent communication capabilities;
• stable operation of wireless modules;
• convenient placement of the fingerprint scanner;
• fast charging support;
• fast hardware platform;
• excellent price-quality ratio.

Flaws:

• quality of protective glass;
• takes photos well, but not videos;
• A 3000 mAh battery is not enough for the selected hardware.

2. Sony Xperia XA1 Plus Dual 32GB

Attractive design, high-quality 5.5-inch Full HD display, excellent build quality and a 23 MP main camera – the Xperia XA1 Plus smartphone offers all this for just 13,500 rubles. To this it is also worth adding a lightning-fast fingerprint sensor, which, traditionally for the manufacturer, is located on the right side.

The XA1 Plus is not only an excellent camera phone (according to customer reviews), which pleases with excellent reliability for its price, but also one of the most affordable smartphones that has an NFC module.

The body of the camera phone is made of plastic, but its appearance and tactile sensations are so good that it is quite comparable to its metal competitors. The smartphone’s hardware platform is also quite good for its price, but it can’t always cope with games: Helio P20 CPU from MediaTek, as well as Mali-T880 graphics and 4 GB of RAM.

Advantages:

• thanks to excellent optimization, the 3430 mAh battery lasts up to one and a half days;
• you can pay for purchases via NFC;
• excellent main (23 MP) camera;
• high build quality;
• good front camera with 8 MP resolution;
• recognizable Sony brand design;
• separate slots for two SIM cards and microSD.

Flaws:

• quite heavy weight of 190 grams;
• not suitable for demanding games.

3. Xiaomi Mi A2 4/64GB

Next up is a high-quality camera phone from Xiaomi for only 13,500 rubles. Mi A2 is the second generation of the manufacturer’s popular smartphone based on “pure” Android. The device pleases with a well-assembled aluminum body, available in several colors, and two main camera modules, which outperform even the cameras in more expensive competitors.

The hardware platform of the smartphone will also be enough for most users, because so far there is no game or application that would be beyond the capabilities of the Snapdragon 660 and Adreno 512 graphics. The RAM and ROM in the device are 4 and 64 GB, respectively, but the latter, unfortunately, cannot be expanded. But there is an infrared port that allows you to control home appliances.

Advantages:

• dual main camera (12 and 20 MP);
• presence of an infrared port;
• productive “filling”;
• work with 2 SIM cards;
• availability of fast charging Quick Charge 3.0;
• attractive price;
• pure Android 8 without add-ons.

Flaws:

• no 3.5 mm jack;
• camera protruding from the body.

If you are not interested in phones from China, and the solution from Sony is slightly more than necessary, then in the ranking of the best smartphones with a good camera under 15 thousand rubles, the Galaxy A6 from the Samsung brand will be an excellent choice. It runs on an Exynos processor and a Mali graphics accelerator, and has 3 gigabytes of RAM.

The smartphone screen is made using AMOLED technology, and its resolution and diagonal are 1480x720 pixels and 5.6 inches, respectively (pixel density 294 ppi). A nice bonus for its price is the NFC module, which allows you to pay for purchases at the checkout using your phone. The device is powered by a 3000 mAh battery, sufficiently capacious for the selected hardware.

Advantages:

• main camera 16 MP (f/1.7);
• excellent front camera for selfies;
• excellent functionality;
• colorful AMOLED display;
• balanced filling;
• attractive price;
• presence of an NFC module;
• good sound.

Flaws:

• low screen resolution;
• significant overpayment for the brand;
• no Always On, as on older models.

The best smartphones with a good camera 20,000-30,000 rubles

Don't want to spend a lot of money, but the capabilities of budget smartphones do not fully meet your needs? Then it is enough to double the costs so that the purchased smartphone can delight you with its functionality in any conditions. Each of the four phones described below can take beautiful photos, handle demanding applications with ease, and demonstrate excellent performance in modern games. Moreover, all this is offered at a reasonable price that suits most buyers.

Last year, Samsung released quite a lot of phones as part of its A-series. Most of them belong to the segment from 20 to 30 thousand, so it was difficult for us to choose a single model for the TOP. After much thought, we decided that the most balanced among all the new products is the Galaxy A7 smartphone with a very good camera and a powerful battery. With an average price of 22,000, the device offers:

1. Exinos 7885 processor (2 x 2.2 GHz and 6 x 1.6 GHz);
2. Mali-G71 graphics accelerator;
3. 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM;
4. 64 gigabytes of storage.

The main camera of the Galaxy A7 is triple, and it includes modules of 24, 8 and 5 MP. The front panel of the smartphone is occupied by a single 24-megapixel sensor, which is suitable not only for high-quality selfies, but also for quick face unlocking. The battery of this excellent camera phone has a capacity of 3300 mAh, and this, taking into account the installed hardware, is enough for about 15 hours of HD video playback at maximum brightness.

Advantages:

• Super AMOLED display 6 inches;
• current version of the operating system;
• first-class main camera;
• performance of the hardware platform;
• face unlock function;
• good autonomy.

Flaws:

• no fast charging;
• no protection against water and dust;
• The price tag is a bit high.

2. Xiaomi Mi8 6/64GB

Every year, Xiaomi phones surprise their fans more and more. In terms of price-quality ratio, the Chinese company's smartphones have virtually no equal, which makes them an ideal choice for users who want to wisely invest their own savings. As for the Mi 8 model we chose, it is one of the best solutions based on Snapdragon 845.

Xiaomi clearly borrowed the design of its current flagship from Apple. This decision can be criticized, but it can also be praised, because at minimal cost the manufacturer managed to make a very stylish smartphone. If copying doesn’t bother you, then it’s definitely worth taking a closer look at this new product.

However, in addition to the powerful “stuffing”, the smartphone also boasts an excellent AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2248x1080 pixels and a diagonal of 6.21 inches. Traditionally for modern flagships, the Xiaomi Mi 8 display contains a notch. However, the latter not only has cameras, a speaker, a notification LED and other sensors like most competitors, but also an infrared scanner needed for face unlock.

The main camera of the smartphone contains a pair of 12 MP models, one of which is supplied by Sony (IMX363, f/1.8, 4-axis stabilization), and the second is purchased from the Koreans from Samsung (S5K3M3, f/2.4). The rear sensors are equipped with AI, they can take excellent pictures in portrait mode and double the image using optics. The front camera for the Mi8 is also supplied by the South Korean Giant (Samsung S5K3T, f/2.0, pixel size 1.8 microns). It handles pictures perfectly, but in low light conditions noise may still appear in the photo.

Advantages:

• top-end hardware that copes with any task;
• reasonable cost;
• one of the best cameras;
• attractive design;
• infrared sensor;
• NFC for contactless payment;
• Always On Display function.

Flaws:

• the body is too easily soiled and slippery;
• no audio jack;
• no wireless charging.

3.Meizu 15 4/64GB

The Meizu 15 phone, released specially for the 15th anniversary of the company, incorporates the best developments of the manufacturer over the years of its existence. There is a stunning design, first-class “filling”, and components of the highest quality, and, of course, very decent sound, head and shoulders above most competitors.

The appearance of the smartphone is as symmetrical as possible: identical frames at the top and bottom, a front camera placed in the center, as well as a double rear camera lined up with a flash. There is also a button with a fingerprint scanner under the screen, but now it has become fully touch sensitive. Mechanical clicks are simulated using the mEngine motor, which is very similar to the analogue in Apple phones.

The manufacturer purchases modules for the main cameras from Sony. One of the sensors (IMX380) has a resolution of 12 MP, an aperture of f/1.8 and a focal length of 25 mm, the second (IMX350) has 20 MP, f/2.6, 39 mm. Next to them is a ring flash with 6 diodes, in the center of which there is a laser autofocus. The resolution and aperture of the front module are 20 MP and f/2.0, respectively, and ArcSoft algorithms help it take pictures.

Advantages:

• individuality and attractiveness of design;
• excellent rear camera and good front camera;
• sound quality in speakers and headphones;
• excellent AMOLED display from Samsung.

Flaws:

• NFC is missing.

The past year was truly successful for Huawei. The manufacturer produced first-class smartphones one after another, delighting fans and generating profit. The new policy of the Chinese brand was aimed at covering all price segments of the market, and if you want to decide which camera phone is best to buy in the 20-30 thousand rubles category, we strongly recommend that you take a closer look at the Nova 3 model.

The smartphone is equipped with dual modules for both the main and front cameras. Only in the first case, one of the modules is color (16 MP), and the second is black and white (24 MP). The front camera contains a pair of color sensors of 24 and 2 MP.

The camera phone is equipped with a balanced “filling”, a USB-C 2.0 port, as well as a 3750 mAh battery that supports fast charging. The design of the smartphone is similar to other products of the company: an elongated body, rounded corners, a screen with a cutout and a 19:9 ratio, a metal frame, and a gradient color. By the way, a good protective film was initially glued to the display. In addition to this, the buyer will find headphones in the kit, and they please with more or less good quality.

Advantages:

• high-quality display made using LTPS technology;
• takes great photos;
• dual front camera;
• good equipment;
• attractive design;
• excellent equipment;
• excellent system optimization.

Flaws:

• The cameras do not have stabilization.

The best smartphones with a good camera under 50,000 rubles

More recently, manufacturers offered flagship devices for 50 thousand rubles. Today, the cost of top-end devices is two or even three times higher. But the functionality and quality of mobile phones have also increased significantly. Moreover, this is true for both flagships and more affordable smartphones. For example, in the price range up to 50,000, today more advanced smartphones are offered than the flagships released 2-3 years ago. For the same price, some companies offer some of their best smartphones, whose relevance both in terms of hardware and cameras will remain for several years.

Starts the Galaxy A9 category from the South Korean brand Samsung. Looking at one of the best camera phones of this year, it immediately becomes clear that it is an analogue of the A7 model described above, but with an additional main camera, an excellent hardware platform and slightly changed ergonomics. And although these differences are enough to talk about different devices, in reality we get very similar models.

Without going into details, we note that the smartphone’s hardware is sufficient for current games and modern applications, and on its large 6.3-inch display it is convenient to play, watch videos, surf the Internet and communicate on social networks. With autonomy, everything is also in order, for which we should thank the 3800 mAh battery. I would like to dwell in more detail on the cameras and the need for four main modules at once:

1. Main (24 MP, f/1.7)
2. Telephoto lens (10 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom)
3. Wide-angle (8 MP, f/2.4, 120 degree view)
4. Portrait (5 MP, f/2.2, Live Focus option)

The latter is solely responsible for determining the depth of field, so it does not play the main role in the quartet. But the photos in the appropriate mode are really very good. The main 24-megapixel module copes well with shooting in low light, and the telephoto lens provides x2 image magnification without loss of quality.

As a result, the Galaxy A9 takes beautiful photos that will appeal to casual users and mobile photographers. True, the need for 4 modules at once is very doubtful, because 2-3 modules can do the same thing, and the Pixel can cope with only one. Most likely, the manufacturer made this decision so that they would talk about it as a brand that was the first to release a smartphone with four main cameras.

Advantages:

• attractive body colors;
• impressive autonomy of the device;
• optimal choice of hardware platform;
• The pictures taken with the main camera are very decent;
• nice price tag.

Flaws:

• four cameras are not at all necessary;
• The housing is not protected from moisture and dust.

2. Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra Dual 32GB

The Sony brand is one of the few that does not follow popular trends, but maintains an individual style. Released in January last year, the Xperia XA2 Ultra did not receive a notch or even an elongated display. Its 6-inch screen has a classic FHD resolution, and the device has only one main camera (23-megapixel module with f/2.0 aperture, 24 mm focal length and 84-degree viewing angle). The front panel of the device is equipped with a pair of 16 and 8 MP sensors.

The smartphone with the best camera from Sony in the category up to 50 thousand is built on the basis of the “stone” Snapdragon 630 and is supplemented with 4/32 GB of RAM/permanent memory.

If the storage available in the device is not enough for you, then the device additionally allows you to install a microSD card with a capacity of up to 256 GB. It’s nice that the slot for it is separated from the two SIM cards. There are no complaints about the assembly of the smartphone, enclosed in a durable aluminum case. As for autonomy, the buyer can count on a confident day of operation of the device in mixed mode, which can be provided by a 3580 mAh battery.

Advantages:

• attractive and original design;
• excellent hardware performance;
• quite capacious battery;
• quality, brightness and screen diagonal;
• dual front camera;
• shooting with the main sensor.

Flaws:

• the price is a bit high.

3. Samsung Galaxy S9+ 64GB

Next up is one of the current flagships from Samsung. The Galaxy S9+ model is equipped with a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display with Quad HD resolution, an aspect ratio of 18.5:9 and traditional rounded side edges for the line. The device also has a Bixby voice assistant button, which is quite useless in Russia and the CIS countries. Alas, it is not yet possible to reassign it without additional software.

The smartphone boasts a rich package, including headphones from AGK, an adapter from Type-C to Micro USB, as well as an OTG adapter necessary for connecting external drives, peripherals and other devices.

A smartphone with a really good camera from Samsung can boast of housing protection from moisture, water and dust according to the IP68 standard. And this despite the fact that the standard 3.5 mm jack was not removed from the smartphone. The hardware platform of the device may differ by region: either an Exynos CPU with a Mali GPU, or a combination of Snapdragon and Adreno. At the same time, the RAM and permanent memory in the device are always 6 and 64 GB.

Advantages:

• excellent main cameras (2 x 12 MP);
• productive hardware platform;
• attractive design in Samsung style;
• full protection of the case from water and dust;
• there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack;
• one of the best displays;
• excellent sound;
• decent autonomy (3500 mAh battery).

Flaws:

• Useless, non-reusable Bixby button.

4. OnePlus 6 8/128GB

OnePlus has changed a lot since the presentation of its first smartphone. Phones that were once called flagship killers now cost almost as much as some top-end devices from rival manufacturers. But along with the price tag, the capabilities, quality and design appeal of smartphones from the Chinese brand have also increased. The perfect confirmation of these words is the smartphone with the best camera according to user reviews – OnePlus 6.

The best model of the brand at the end of January 2019 is the 6T. However, the cameras and hardware in this device are similar, and among the important advantages of the updated smartphone are a slightly larger display with a smaller notch and an under-screen fingerprint scanner. At the same time, the new product was left without a 3.5 mm jack and went up in price by about $130, which, in the opinion of our editors, makes it less interesting compared to the OnePlus 6.

The phone is equipped with an excellent dual main camera with 16 and 20 MP modules. The manufacturer chose a 16-megapixel sensor as the front module. The rear modules of the device boast a portrait mode, x2 optical zoom, as well as optical stabilization when shooting video.

The hardware platform of the camera phone includes Snapdragon 845, Adreno 630, as well as 128 and 8 GB of permanent and RAM. The device is powered by a 3300 mAh battery that supports the proprietary Dash Charge fast charging function. We also note the high-quality 6.28-inch AMOLED display, which is one of the best on the market.

Advantages:

• operating system performance;
• There will be enough “stuffing” for years to come;
• mode switch lever;
• there is a jack for regular headphones;
• Excellent shooting with the rear camera.

Flaws:

• Always On mode does not work, although the AMOLED screen;
• imperfection of unlocking the device by face.

The best premium camera phones

You can get great pictures with inexpensive devices. But if you want to not only take good photos, but also play all the latest games without worrying that your chosen device won't be able to handle new projects in a few years, then you should choose a premium smartphone. Of course, excellent performance is not all that top devices have to offer. Their advantages also include excellent appearance, high-quality materials that are unavailable for the middle and lower price segments, perfect assembly and unique features that will only appear in more affordable devices in a few years.

1. Apple iPhone Xs 64GB

If you want to choose a smartphone for photography and video among products from Apple, then one of the most interesting solutions available on the market today is the iPhone Xs. This device is equipped with the most modern A12 Bionic processor, which outperforms even the recently released Snapdragon 855, devices based on which are just beginning to go on sale. The smartphone also has two 12 MP main cameras that take excellent photos and first-class videos with optical stabilization.

If the iPhone Xs suits you in all respects, but you would prefer a display with a larger diagonal, then take a closer look at the Max version of this device. There are not too many differences between these smartphones, because even the increase in display diagonal to 6.5 inches did not affect the pixel density of the first-class OLED matrix (458 ppi). The hardware and cameras of both devices are similar, but the Max version received a slightly larger battery (3400 versus 2800 mAh).

The IP67 housing protection introduced in the iPhone X has migrated to the new smartphone, making it perfect for vacation. There is also fast and wireless charging, but for each of them you will have to purchase the appropriate charger. As for the screen, it again beats all competitors. Its resolution is 2436x1125 pixels (463 ppi) with a diagonal of 5.8 inches and an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. The screen has a “notch”, the fashion for which was set by Apple itself, where the best infrared face sensor, which is presented in portable technology today, is installed.

Advantages:

• large and colorful screen;
• luxurious updated cameras;
• sound in speakers and headphones;
• good level of autonomy;
• machine learning capability;
• the most productive hardware;
• reliability of unlocking using Face ID;
• impeccable build quality and materials.

Flaws:

• impressive cost;
• no adapter for 3.5 mm;
• complete power supply without fast charging.

2.Huawei P20 Pro

The review ends with a smartphone with the best camera on the market – Huawei P20 Pro. This device is the leader in the DxOMark rating, and only the new Mate 20 Pro, which is also produced by Huawei, can compete with it. The main camera of the phone contains three sensors at once: 40, 20 and 8 MP. Optical zoom, monochrome shooting or background blur – this smartphone can do it all. In the video recording, the P20 Pro also shows itself at its best, while offering proprietary features.

The screen of the reviewed model is made using AMOLED technology. The display resolution and diagonal are 2240x1080 and 6.1 inches, respectively. As for performance, it is responsible for the top-end Kirin processor, which is produced by Uaway itself, as well as Mali-G72 graphics and 6 GB of fast RAM. All this is powered by a 4000 mAh battery. A pleasant bonus for buyers will be the protection of the P20 Pro smartphone from water, splashes and dust according to the IP67 standard.

Advantages:

• built-in main camera with AI;
• attractive design and colors;
• impressive performance;
• large battery capacity;
• 128 gigabytes of storage;
• amazing display.

Flaws:

• rejection of the 3.5 mm jack;
• slippery body (corrected with a cover).

Which camera phone is better to buy?

The above review of smartphones with the best cameras will allow any user to choose an excellent device, regardless of their budget. For only 9 thousand, consumers can buy Meiza. Analogues from Xiaomi and Samsung will cost a little more, and the latter is even equipped with NFC. The same brands are represented in the mid-price segment, but Nova 3, produced by Huawei, is a worthy competitor. Among the top smartphones, the iPhone Xs is best for taking photos and videos if you prefer iOS, and the Huawei P20 Pro is best for Android fans.

Once upon a time, ambitious smartphone makers said they would soon drive compact cameras out of the market. This happened before our eyes. Today everyone knows that the camera even in an inexpensive smartphone takes pictures no worse than a point-and-shoot camera. Next stage - catch up with DSLR quality. While this does not sound entirely realistic, new smartphones prove that this goal will also be achieved sooner or later. There are a lot of decent models on the market that allow you to create very, very high quality photos. We analyzed the existing offer and selected smartphones with the best camera of 2018 for our readers. Looking ahead, we note that all these camera phones they are very, very expensive, but the cameras in them are truly luxurious.

When it comes to evaluating a camera, the question involuntarily arises: how can you understand that it is cool in one smartphone, and worse in another? First of all, you need to look at the technical specifications:

• number of megapixels. Forget about the “more is better” rule. This has not been the case for a long time, but for some reason marketers and sellers continue to mislead users. When it comes to a tiny (compared to a DSLR) camera in a smartphone, a large number of megapixels can even cause harm. 12-13 megapixels is enough to create wonderful pictures. It’s good that many companies realized this and focused their attention on improving other parameters;
• diaphragm. To take a good photo, the camera needs light. It hits the matrix and forms an image. Light passes through the aperture, and the wider the aperture blades are open, the greater the chance of getting a clear, beautiful photo, even in conditions that are far from ideal. In the specifications, the aperture is designated as f/2.0 or F2.0. The lower the number, the better. For example, a camera with f/2.2 and f/1.9 will shoot equally well during the day, but in the evening with a module with f/1.9 the pictures will be better. Today, the standard even for inexpensive smartphones is f/2.0, and they put it in flagships modules forf/1.8 and evenf/1.6. By the way, a wide aperture, even in the absence of a second module, will allow you to create macro photographs with a bokeh effect;
  
• matrix diagonal. The bigger it is, the better. That's all the average user needs to know. There is no need to go into details. The diagonal of the matrix is ​​indicated by a fractional number, and the smaller the number under the fraction, the better. For example, a 1/3” camera is normal for the budget class, 1/2.9” and 1/2.8” are for the mid-range, and 1/2.5” are for flagships, but there are often exceptions. Recently, manufacturers prefer not to indicate this characteristic at all;
• pixel size. A lot of stupid pixels may not improve the quality of the photo, but, on the contrary, cause blurriness and noise. Therefore it’s better to have fewer larger pixels on the matrix than many small ones. Manufacturers usually indicate the pixel size. For budget and mid-range smartphones this figure should be 1.22 microns or more, in flagships - at least 1.25 microns, and better - 1.4 and even 1.5 microns;
• autofocus type. Autofocus can be contrast (the most primitive, used in very cheap smartphones), phase(works quickly during the day, problems are possible at night) and laser. The latter is the most modern and accurate, always works quickly;
  
• optical stabilization– the key to high-quality photographs of dynamic scenes. This feature is invaluable when shooting video and will be useful to all those whose hands often tremble;
• number of lenses. Many people believe that the more there are, the better. No. It is better when the lenses are of high quality, but this can only be judged by test images;
• camera sensor manufacturer. Modules from Sony, as well as from Samsung(the company makes better sensors for itself than those it sells externally). Slightly worse, but acceptable, sensors are removed from OmniVision. The most popular are Sony sensors, which in the camera characteristics are marked as IMX and a three-digit number, for example, IMX The first digit indicates the generation, the second indicates the class of the photosensor (the larger the better), the third indicates the version;
  
• additional main camera performed in several versions. Option #1 is a black-and-white sensor, which captures light better and allows you to take better photos in low-light conditions. Option #2 – a camera with a wide viewing angle to squeeze as much of the landscape into the frame as possible. Option No. 3 – the second camera is used for zooming.

It also happens that a camera with seemingly ideal parameters takes, to put it mildly, not very good pictures. This means that the manufacturer did not pay enough attention automation, optics and software algorithms. It is advisable to personally evaluate examples of photos in different shooting conditions before purchasing. It often happens that with a fairly mediocre set of characteristics, a smartphone takes excellent pictures - this means that the developer was not too lazy to finish the software shell. But when a manufacturer takes a good sensor, but kills it with lenses or software problems, it’s very disappointing.

We move from theory to practice. We found the best camera phones, selected the best among them and prepared a rating for you. The analysis used sample images, as well as the opinion of an authoritative resourceDxOMark, which tests cameras using its own algorithm and gives them scores. Go!

Smartphones with the best camera 2018

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Just a few weeks ago, the new flagship from Samsung was presented atM.W.C. 2018. The model received a very cool camera and has already been called a smartphone with the best camera in the world. Both the Galaxy S9 Plus and the slightly more compact Galaxy S9 received main module with variable aperture. No one had done this before. Yes, they tried, but Samsung was the first to bring the idea to life. What does it give us? aperture with variable value fromf/2.4 to a/1.5? This feature brings the smartphone camera closer to the DSLR and allows it to adapt to any shooting conditions. When it’s light, the aperture blades close to keep the frame clear and to convey depth, which is especially important when shooting landscapes. When it is dark, the petals open as much as possible to let in light. Tests show that The device takes pictures at night, indeed, much better than all other smartphones, even better than its main competitor, the iPhone X. The matrix resolution is 12 megapixels, there is optical stabilization and phase detection autofocus.

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, unlike the Galaxy S9, received additional main camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels and f/2.4 aperture. The second module is required for 2-card optical zoom. The pixel size of the main camera is 1.4 microns, in the additional one – 1 microns. The smartphone can shoot video in slow motion, has a portrait mode and copes superbly with all shooting scenarios. The 8 MP front camera can also blur the background and takes excellent pictures (f/1.7 aperture, 80-degree viewing angle).

We can talk about the Galaxy S9+ for a long time, because it one of the most advanced smartphones today. It received an 8-core Exynos 9810 processor with a frequency of 2.7 GHz: very powerful, but such resource-intensive applications where this “stone” would show itself 100% have not yet been invented. The screen has a diagonal of 6.2 inches, made using Super AMOLED technology, resolution 2960 * 1440. There is 6 GB of RAM, the main one is 64/128/256 GB, there is a slot for memory cards up to 400 GB. The model received IP68 protection from moisture and dust, is equipped with a face and retinal scanner, and can make AR Emoji - an analogue of Animoji in the iPhone. Add here stereo speakers, fast charging (battery capacity 3500 mAh) and a chic appearance, and we get, perhaps, the best smartphone today. The 6/64 version costs about $1200.

Apple iPhone X

Apple smartphones always have good cameras. The anniversary and revolutionary iPhone X model only confirmed this rule. Before the release of the Galaxy S9+ (and even after it), the camera in the iPhone X will serve as an example for comparison. Apple traditionally pays attention to software optimization, but everything is fine with the hardware. Rear camera – dual, both modules received 12 megapixels. One of them is a wide-angle lens with f/1.8 aperture, the second is a telephoto lens with f/2.4 aperture. Both modules have optical stabilization. There is a portrait mode and 2x optical zoom. The camera performs well in all shooting scenarios, but is inferior to the Galaxy S9+ at night. The front module has a resolution of 7 megapixels, an f/2.2 aperture, and can use the screen backlight as a flash.

The main feature of the new iPhone is the “bangs” on top. The attitude towards it is ambiguous, so we will not comment on this feature. Let us only note that, following Apple, many Chinese companies have churned out clones of the iPhone X at very different prices. The AMOLED screen has a diagonal of 5.8 inches and a resolution of 2436 * 1125, the highest contrast and brightness. A fast processor, IP67 water and dust protection, face recognition technology and other more or less useful features make the gadget dream smartphone. The dream (64 GB version) costs about $1350.

Google Pixel 2

The flagship from Google is distinguished not only by its compact size, but also by its conservatism, and this is not a minus at all. The company did not use fashion trends such as a dual camera and an elongated screen. However, the smartphone takes excellent photos, and many experts are confident that this is the best camera phone at the moment. The main module has a resolution of 12.3 megapixels (f/1.8 aperture, pixel size 1.4 microns, matrix diagonal 1/2.6”), phase and laser autofocus, optical and electronic stabilization. Everything is perfect on paper, and in reality it’s no worse. The camera can handle any scene, the pictures turn out really gorgeous - amateur photographers should appreciate it.

The front camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels, an aperture of f/ 2.4, a pixel size of 1.4 microns and a matrix diagonal of 1/3.2”. The characteristics, frankly, are not so hot, but the front camera takes pictures very well. In addition, background blur is also implemented here. In general, the pictures come out great in any conditions. Video can be shot in 4K at 30fps, FullHD at up to 120fps, and HD at 240fps.

As for the main parameters, the smartphone received a 5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920*1080, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5, fast Snapdragon 835 processor with a frequency of up to 2.45 GHz, IP67 water and dust protection. The battery capacity is small (obviously for the sake of compactness) - 2700 mAh, but the fast charging function should save it. The smartphone is equipped with 4 GB of RAM, main memory – 64 or 128 GB. The pluses also include the presence of stereo speakers, an active noise reduction system and a bunch of chips from the manufacturer. There is no 3.5mm jack. The device costs about $800: a lot, but better than its competitors.

Huawei Mate 10 Pro

Another confident contender for the title of smartphone with the best camera. The device has a glass body, a giant screen, a fast processor, enviable battery life and a dual camera, which becomes the object of our interest. The Leica main camera duo is positioned vertically. The color module has a resolution of 12 megapixels, the additional monochrome module has a resolution of 20 megapixels. Aperture for both camerasf/1,6 , contrast, phase and laser autofocus, optical stabilization, there is a 2x hybrid zoom. The smartphone is excellent at taking photos in low light conditions, not to mention simpler shooting scenarios such as landscapes, portraits and macro. The background is blurred perfectly, the pictures are clear and the colors are reproduced correctly. The front module has an 8 megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture and fixed focus. He copes with his tasks at a high level.

Huawei installed in its flagship an 8-core HiSilicon Kirin 970 processor with a frequency of up to 2.36 GHz and neural computing module. Thanks to this solution, the smartphone will cope much more quickly and efficiently with applications that use artificial intelligence technology. OLED screen with a diagonal of 6 inches and a resolution of 2160*1080, protective glass, 4000 mAh battery with fast charging function, IP67 waterproof – here everything is so perfect it's boring. The only downsides are the easily soiled body (glass, after all) and the price. There are versions with 4 and 6 GB RAM, main memory can be 64/128/256. The “simplest” phone with 4/64 GB costs $630, which compares favorably with its more expensive fellow camera phones.

HTC U11 and HTC U11 Plus

HTC U11 was released in the summer of 2017 and captivated fans of mobile photography with its excellent photography in the dark and excellent detail when photographing complex objects such as threads and hair. There were only questions about the design, so in the fall the company released the HTC U11 Plus. The camera module remains the same, but they worked on the appearance: whether it has become better is a big question, everything is subjective.

The main camera in both models received a resolution of 12 megapixels and aperturef/1.7 , pixel size – 1.4 microns, there is optical image stabilization. All this means that both day and night you will be able to get photos of excellent quality, with a spectacularly blurred background. Post-processing enthusiasts will love the fact that smartphone can shoot inRAW. Naturally, there is a manual mode - the user can configure all shooting parameters himself. The 16 megapixel front module with f/2.0 aperture and without autofocus allows you to create very decent selfies. In general, the device deserves to be included in the ranking of smartphones with the best camera.

HTC U11 received a body made of glass and metal, a 5.5-inch screen with a resolution of 2560*1440, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and a 3000 mAh battery. The 8-core Snapdragon 835 with a frequency of up to 2.45 GHz is responsible for performance; there are versions with 4 and 6 GB of RAM, and 64/128 GB of main memory. An under-screen fingerprint scanner, features include a body compression sensor and a physical activity tracking sensor. The price for the 4/64 version is about $660.

HTC U11 Plus received, as is now commonly called, a full-screen 6-inch display with an aspect ratio of 18:9. The changes also affected the battery: in the new version its capacity is 3930 mAh. The 4/64 version costs $790.

Apple iPhone 8 and Apple iPhone 8 Plus

Yes, the eighth iPhones are criticized for their outdated design, but they still buy them, because in terms of technical characteristics they are almost ideal. The new iPhones differ from the iPhone 7s by having a glass body, a faster processor, and an increased amount of memory. The rest has not changed, but the cameras began to shoot even better. In the Plus version, the main camera is dual, in the younger version it remains single.

iPhone 8 Plus received two main camera modules 12 MP each. One of them is wide-angle with an f/1.8 aperture, the second is a telephoto lens with an f/2.8 aperture. Eat dual optical zoom, portrait mode, stage lighting mode, and the wide-angle lens received optical stabilization. iPhone 8 equipped with only one 12 MP f/1.8 lens, there is no optical zoom. The cameras work quickly, produce images of decent quality, and they are not afraid of the dark. The 7 MP f/2.2 front camera produces decent results.

The eighth iPhones look solid. The younger version received a 4.7-inch screen (resolution 1334*750), the older version – 5.5 inches (1920*1080). Both versions are powered by a 6-core A11 Bionic processor, equipped with 3 GB of RAM, the main one can be 64 or 256 GB. Powerful and beautiful apples are traditionally not cheap - fashion gadgets, after all. iPhone 8 – from $790, iPhone 8 Plus – from $1060.

We also note that the year before last iPhone 7 andiPhone 7 Plus also filmed at the level, namely, the iPhone 7 Plus set the trend for dual main cameras.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Last year, the company’s line of phablets was replenished with the Galaxy Note 8 model. This year, obviously, an updated version will be released, but for now, the “eight” can confidently fight for the title of the best camera phone. However, the camera is not the only advantage of the gadget, but it is very, very significant. Both main cameras received 12 megapixel resolution and optical stabilization. This was the first smartphone in which both main modules are equipped with optical stabilization. One of the cameras is wide-angle with an f/1.7 aperture, the second is a tele-camera with an f/2.4 aperture. Their joint work allows you to create excellent photographs in any conditions and effectively blur the background. Thanks to the function dynamic focus You can change the focus object after shooting. The photos turn out spectacular. The good news is that video in 4K resolution turns out to be of really high quality. The front camera, with its 8 megapixels and f/1.7, performs quite well.

The giant 6.3-inch display amazes with high-quality images. The device comes to our market with a Samsung Exynos 8895 processor: in AnTuTu tests, the device scores more than 170 thousand points. This is power! RAM of 6 GB and built-in 64/128/256 GB is enough for the eyes. Separately worth noting sound quality and a multi-functional unsinkable stylus. By the way, the smartphone itself received protection from moisture and dust according to the IP68 standard. The battery capacity, however, is only 3300 mAh. Some may not like the dirty glass case, as well as the price, but it’s time to get used to the fact that flagships cost about a thousand “green” and are a fashion item. This model, for example, is perfect for business people who need to work a lot with documents and spreadsheets. For the 64 GB version they are now asking from $900 to $1050.

ASUS Zenfone 5Z and ASUS Zenfone 5

The recent MWC exhibition, held in Barcelona, ​​introduced us to a lot of interesting new products. ASUS has introduced a whole series of new smartphones. If Zenfone 5 Lite just received an elongated screen, then 5 and 5Z are very strongly reminiscentiPhone Xwith his bangs, but they are much cheaper. Zenfone 5Z and Zenfone 5 are slightly different in terms of hardware, but they have the same cameras. Rear module – double. The main camera received a Sony IMX363 sensor, 12 megapixel resolution, f/1.8 aperture, optical stabilization and phase detection autofocus. The 8-megapixel auxiliary module has a viewing angle of 120 degrees. In theory, the camera should cope well with different scenes and produce effective blur. The front module is more modest: 8 megapixels and the same viewing angle of 120 degrees.

Zenfone 5 received a 6.2-inch diagonal screen with an aspect ratio of 19:9 and a resolution of 2264 * 1080. On board is a fast Snapdragon 636 processor and 4 or 6 GB of RAM, 64 GB of main memory, it can be expanded. The developers say that the smartphone uses software with the makings of artificial intelligence, and its forces will be used to more economically consume energy and improve the quality of shooting.

Zenfone 5 Z outwardly it is exactly the same, but inside it hides a slightly more powerful Snapdragon 845. There are 4, or 6, or even 8 GB of RAM!! The latest version is absolutely impressive. Main memory capacity – 64/128/256 GB. The price will start at $590 (Zenfone 5 will obviously be cheaper), sales will begin in June.

LG V30+

Recently everyone praised the cameraLG V30 . We don’t argue that it’s really cool, but the new product, which was released just recently, promises even better shooting quality. As befits a flagship, it uses dual main camera. One of them has a resolution of 16 megapixels, aperturef/1.6 , the second is 13 megapixels, f/1.9 and a viewing angle of 120 degrees. As a result, excellent photo quality in any shooting conditions, the ability to create photos with maximum scene capture, and the presence of optical stabilization will allow you to achieve excellent results even when shooting in difficult conditions. Cameras received glass lenses CrystalClear, which minimize light scattering when transmitting it to the matrix. The front camera with its 5 MP and f/2.2 takes acceptable pictures.

The smartphone has top-end hardware. This is a powerful modern 8-core Snapdragon 835 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory (expandable up to 2 TB). The screen is made using OLED FullVision technology, has a diagonal of 6 inches and a resolution of 2880*1440 pixels. There is protection against water and dust IP 68 and a fast charging function, the battery capacity is minimally sufficient - 3300 mAh. The device looks futuristic and costs about $900.

Xiaomi Mi Note 3

The new flagship from the famous Chinese company received the same pair of cameras as in the more expensive Xiaomi Mi 6. Both main cameras have a resolution of 12 megapixels, one of them has an f/1.8 aperture, and the second one has an f/2.6 aperture. the first is wide-angle, the second camera has a telephoto lens, so you can zoom in on the image without losing quality and create bokeh. In most shooting scenarios, the camera performs excellently, almost on par with its more expensive counterparts. The front module with a resolution of 16 megapixels will delight those who like to take selfies.

The beautiful glass case houses the fast Snapdragon 660 processor. The manufacturer decided to save money on the screen. Well, how to save money. Not to say that the display is bad, but these days they are also installed in devices of the lower price segment. The screen is made using IPS technology, has a diagonal of 5.5 inches and a resolution of 1920*1080. The fingerprint scanner is conveniently located under the display. The 3500 mAh battery can charge quickly and provides acceptable battery life. The smartphone is sold in 6/64 and 6/128 GB versions. If you need a smartphone with a good camera under 20,000 rubles ($350), then take a closer look at version 6/64. A device with twice as much memory will cost 1.5 times more.

Vivo X20 Plus

The flagship from Vivo completes our top camera phones. Now everyone is actively discussing that the company's updated smartphone Vivo X20 Plus UD will be the first in the world in which The fingerprint scanner will be built into the screen and will be located at the bottom of the display. While everyone is just waiting for the new product to go on sale, it is known that the cameras in the new smartphone will be the same as those in the Vivo X20 Plus.

The model is equipped dual main camera: the first module has a resolution of 12 megapixels and an f/1.8 aperture, the second has a modest resolution of 5 megapixels. An additional module is needed to blur the background. The front module also has a resolution of 12 megapixels and f/2.0. The authoritative resource DxOMark rated the device’s camera at 90 points out of 100, which is a good result.

The device received a Super AMOLED display with a diagonal of 6.43 inches and a resolution of 2160 * 1080, an 8-core Snapdragon 660 processor, a fairly capacious 3905 mAh battery and an acceptable memory reserve of 4/64 GB. The device costs about $540. There are also cheaper alternative – Vivo X20. This smartphone is equipped with the same cameras, but has a slightly smaller screen (6.01 inches, the same resolution) and a less capacious battery (3245 mAh), but the processor is the same, and the price is about $460.

Friends, it only remains to add that we need to keep our finger on the pulse and closely monitor the release of new products, because cameras are being improved literally before our eyes.

Spring is the season of renewal. Which means it's time to update your phone numbers! If you are preparing for a summer vacation, you will need not only a good “dialer”, but also a “photographer”.

I dedicate today's review to lovers of mobile photography and video photography. It contains another “magnificent five”: smartphones with a good camera, rating 2016-2017. The selection of models was made based on the opinions of users who know a lot about the art of photography.

5th place: BlackBerry DTEK60 – a berry again

The front camera has a resolution of 8 MPixel (which is not unusual for a long time), but its viewing angle is as much as 84°, plus it has its own flash.

The application for managing shooting on this smartphone does not stand out with a variety of functions, but everything you need - modes, filters, geotagging, etc., which is required by the standard, is in it.

Technical characteristics of BlackBerry DTEK60

• Screen: 5.5” diagonal, resolution 2560×1440 (QHD), 534 ppi, 16.78 million colors, AMOLED matrix.
• Video adapter: Adreno 530.
• RAM: 4 Gb.
• ROM: 32 Gb.
• Communications: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A (2600, 2500, 2300, 2100, 1900, 1800, 2600, 900, 800, 700 MHz).
• SIM card support: 1 SIM.
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type-C, NFC, Wi-Fi Direct, 3.5 mm headphone jack, memory card slot with a capacity of up to 2048 Gb.
• Sensors: light, proximity, magnetic field, fingerprint scanner.
• Cameras: 21+8 MPixel, LED flash (front and rear), autofocus, F/2 aperture, Maximum video resolution – 3840×2160 (4K), maximum frame rate – 30/s.
• Additional features: voice control, flashlight, FM radio, programmable button for easy access to on-screen items, fast charging.
• Case materials – metal and glass.
• Dimensions: 153.9 x 75.4 x 7.0 mm.
• Weight: 165 g.

An excellent camera is by no means the only advantage of the BlackBerry DTEK60. Since the flagship is the “face” of the manufacturer, the device was equipped with one of the fastest SoCs to date - Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996, an AMOLED screen and four gigabytes of RAM. Another important property, which, presumably, significantly influenced its cost, is the increased security of stored information.

Among the disadvantages of the smartphone, users included not the best quality of shooting in automatic mode (manual pictures are much better quality), difficulties in obtaining root rights (precisely because of the security functions), rapid battery drain, and support for only 1 SIM card.

Today, for the pleasure of enjoying a “berry” you will have to pay about 28,500-30,000 rubles.

4th place: Huawei Mate 9 – a giant with a dual camera

The rear camera of the device consists of two sensors - a 20-megapixel black-and-white and a 12-megapixel color, thanks to which the final picture is clear, contrasty and with good detail. In addition to them, hybrid autofocus (laser and phase detection), a good LED flash and an optical stabilizer work for high shooting results. But the main feature of the Mate 9 is the 2x optical zoom, which not every device in its price group can boast of.

Another nice bonus that owners of the Huawei Mate 9 smartphone receive is a shooting control application built into the EMUI 5.0 shell. For those who shoot in manual mode, it gives limitless possibilities for realizing their ideas.

Technical characteristics of Huawei Mate 9

• Screen: 5.9” diagonal, resolution 1920×1080, 373 ppi, 16.78 million colors, IPS matrix.
• Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 960, 8 cores (4 cores operating at 2.4 GHz, 4 at 1.8 GHz).
• Video adapter: Mali-G71 MP8.
• RAM: 4 Gb.
• ROM: 64 Gb.
• Communications: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A cat. 12.
• Satellite connection: GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou.
• SIM card support: 2 SIM (operating mode – alternating).
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.1, USB Type-C, IRDA, NFC, 3.5 mm headphone jack, memory card slot with a capacity of up to 256 Gb (combinable with the second SIM card slot).
• Sensors: light, proximity, magnetic field, fingerprint scanner, compass, gyroscope, barometer.
• Cameras: dual 20+12 MPixel, 2x optical zoom, optical stabilization, LED flash, laser+ phase detection autofocus, F/2.2 aperture. The maximum video recording resolution is 3840×2160.
• Battery: 4000 mAH.
• Additional functions: voice control, flashlight, FM radio.
• Case materials – metal.
• Dimensions: 156.9 x 78.9 x 7.9 mm.
• Weight: 190 g.
• Operating system: Android 7.0 + proprietary EMUI 5.0 shell.

Other strengths of Huawei Mate are a powerful, energy-efficient SoC HiSilicon Kirin 960 with eight cores, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB ROM, a 4000 mAH battery, fast charging function (50% in 20 minutes) and a convenient, optimized, well-customized proprietary software shell EMUI 5.0. And the main disadvantage is the inflated price. Today this device can be bought in Russia for 32,000-35,000 rubles.

3rd place: ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe ZS570KL – “rocket” with 23 megapixels on board

In addition to the magnificent 23-megapixel camera, this smartphone can be proud of one of the most productive SoCs in the world, an impressive storage capacity, a huge, juicy 5.7-inch AMOLED display and a whopping 6 gigabytes of RAM! He is really very, very smart, and will definitely remain so for at least the next 3 years.

The main camera of ZenFone 3 Deluxe ZS570KL is based on the Sony IMX318 sensor and 6-element Largan lens. It has laser autofocus, a 4-position optical and 3-position digital stabilization system, supports 2 HDR (high dynamic range) modes, a macro mode and video recording with a resolution of 3840x2160. The photos and videos she takes are of very decent quality, especially in good daylight.

Specifications ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe ZS570KL

• Screen: 5.7” diagonal, resolution 1920×1080, 386 ppi, 16.78 million colors, AMOLED matrix, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 4.
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996, 4 cores, 2150 MHz.
• Video adapter: Adreno 530.
• RAM: 6 Gb.
• ROM: 64-128 Gb.
• Communications: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE (bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39 , 40, 41).
• Satellite connection: GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou.
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type-C, NFC, IRDA, 3.5 mm headphone jack, optionally a slot for a memory card with a capacity of up to 128 Gb (combinable with the second SIM card slot).
• Sensors: light, proximity, fingerprint scanner, gyroscope, magnetic field.
• Cameras: 23+8 MPixel, 4-position optical and 3-position digital stabilizer, LED flash, laser autofocus, F/2 aperture, macro mode, HDR. The maximum video recording resolution is 3840×2160.
• Battery: 3000 mAH, non-removable.
• Additional features: voice control, flashlight, A2DP profile, USB host, Hi-Res Audio 24-bit/192 kHz, fast charging.
• Case materials – metal.
• Dimensions: 156.4 x 77.4 x 7.5 mm.
• Weight: 170 g.
• Operating system: Android 6.0.

In addition to the above characteristics, owners of ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe ZS570KL are pleased with the ergonomics of the smartphone - despite its large size, it is comfortable to hold in your hand, as well as high-quality sound and a rich set of additional functions.

The cost of this ASUS brainchild with 64 GB ROM in Russian stores is 35,000-55,000 rubles.

4th place: ZTE Nubia Z11 Mini S – harmony & balance

The rear camera module of the Nubia Z11 Mini S is exactly the same as in the ZenFone 3 Deluxe: 23-megapixel with a 6-lens lens. It also has a phase detection autofocus system, but no optical stabilization (digital only) - and this is perhaps its biggest drawback. To take clear photos, a photographer will need a steady hand. In all other respects, the camera of this smartphone is very good. And the device itself is not bad.

Specifications ZTE Nubia Z11 Mini S

• Screen: 5.2” diagonal, resolution 1920×1080 (FullHD), 424 ppi, 16.78 million colors, IPS matrix. Covered with 2.5D glass.
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953, 8 cores (4 cores operating at 2.3 GHz, 4 at 1.6 GHz).
• Video adapter: Adreno 506.
• RAM: 4 Gb.
• ROM: 64 Gb.
• Communications: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE (bands 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41).
• SIM card support: 2 nano SIM (operating mode – alternating).
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1, USB Type-C, 3.5 mm headphone jack, 200 Gb memory card slot (compatible with the second SIM card slot).
• Sensors: light, proximity, fingerprint scanner, compass, gyroscope.
• Cameras: 23+13 MPixel, main camera module – Sony IMX318, LED flash, autofocus, F/2 aperture.
• Battery: 3000 mAH, non-removable.
• Additional features: voice control, flashlight, FM radio, geotagging, A2DP profile, USB host.
• Case materials – metal.
• Dimensions: 141.4 x 70.0 x 8.0 mm.
• Weight: 138 g.
• Operating system: Android 6.0 plus proprietary ZTE MiFavor shell.

According to users, the ZTE Nubia Z11 Mini S is a well-thought-out and skillfully balanced smartphone, both in terms of quality and price, as well as performance. Those who are not chasing records are quite happy with it. And some firmware bugs that owners complain about are resolved as updates are released.

The cost of ZTE Nubia Z11 Mini S with 64 GB ROM at the beginning of the second ten days of May 2017 is 18,900–22,200 rubles.

1st place: Sony Xperia XA1 – top-end hardware and low price

The creators of the device foresaw that among its users there would be both beginners and experienced amateur photographers. For the former, the application has a “super-automatic” shooting mode, where the optimal frame parameters are set based on information from the phone’s sensors. For the latter, a manual mode is provided, where each setting (and there are many of them in the program) can be changed at your discretion.

The shutter button (also known as the quick launch button for the shooting control program) is located on the body of the device, which gives a good time gain when you need to capture a rare shot.

Technical specifications Sony Xperia XA1

• Screen: 5.0” diagonal, resolution 1280×720 (HD), 294 ppi, 16.78 million colors, IPS matrix. Covered with oleophobic glass, scratch-resistant.
• Processor: MediaTek Helio P20, 8 cores (4 cores with a frequency of 2.3 GHz, 4 with a frequency of 1.6 GHz).
• Video adapter: Mali-T880 MP2.
• RAM (random access memory): 3 Gb.
• ROM (read-only memory): 32 Gb.
• Communications: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A cat. 4.
• Satellite communication: GPS/GLONASS.
• SIM card support: 2 nano SIM, operating mode – alternating.
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type-C, NFC, 3.5 mm headphone jack, memory card slot (supports memory cards up to 256 Gb).
• Cameras: 23+8 MPixel, LED flash, autofocus, F/2 aperture, support for HDR, macro photography, physical shutter button.
• Battery: 2300 mAH.
• Additional features: voice control, flashlight, A2DP profile, fast charging.
• Case materials – plastic + metal.
• Dimensions: 145.0×67.0×8.0 mm.
• Weight: 143 g.
• Operating system: Android 7.1.

Among other advantages of the Sony Xperia XA1, users note the excellent performance provided by the eight-core MediaTek Helio P20 and 3 GB of RAM, a good screen, a stylish external design, a fast charging function and a competent energy-saving system that allows you to save the power of a battery that is not the most capacious.

Today, this device with 32 GB of permanent memory on board can be purchased for 19,900–22,900 rubles.

Happy choosing!

Smartphone camera capabilities have come a long way in the last five years. Nowadays, even a relatively cheap budget camera can become a good tool in the hands of a skilled photographer. Today we have compiled a rating that includes the best phones with a good camera of 2018. Below you can choose both an inexpensive and a top-end phone for yourself.

Phones with a good camera up to 7,000 rubles

Meizu M5c

• Screen: IPS, 5” HD;
• Processor: MediaTek MT6737 (1.3 GHz);
• Memory: 2/16 GB;

Meizu M5c is a very rare representative of budget smartphones that can take a good shot in mediocre lighting conditions. The smartphone does not have outstanding optics or a photosensor, but sophisticated post-processing algorithms do an excellent job.

For the best quality shot, it is best to work in HDR mode; also do not forget about the flash at dusk. The main camera has some problems with autofocus (it does not always pick out the right objects), so when taking macro photography it is recommended to set the focus point manually. The front camera is also quite good, selfies come out clear and with correct color reproduction.

Conclusion: Meizu M5c is a budget smartphone with a good camera. Suitable if you are not chasing top-level shooting.

Xiaomi Redmi 4A

• Screen: IPS, 5” HD;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 (1.4 GHz);
• Memory: 2/16 GB;

Redmi 4A uses a budget OmniVision OV13850 photo sensor. Based on the camera test results, we can say with complete confidence that this smartphone is a direct competitor to the Meizu M5c. In some ways, the Xiaomi device is better, in others – worse. For example, Xiaomi is doing great with video shooting (for such a price), the gadget can shoot fairly clear footage in FullHD, while the first copy of the rating only works in HD.

However, in terms of the quality of night photography, the Redmi 4A is significantly inferior to its competitor; even the HDR mode and flash cannot save it. But autofocus works great; you don’t have to manually point to the desired focus point.

Conclusion: Redmi 4A –an alternative to the already mentioned Meizu M5c. In fact, your choice will depend only on the individual features (shell, performance, autonomy) of each smartphone.

Huawei Y5 2017

• Screen: IPS, 5” HD;
• Processor: MediaTek MT6737T (1.4 GHz);
• Memory: 2/16 GB;
• Camera: main – 8 MP, front – 5 MP.

The 2017 Y5 is very different from its predecessor, and a lot of the work Huawei has done is on this smartphone's camera. At the same time, a rather strange misunderstanding arose - it turns out that the front camera of a budget employee takes pictures even better than the main one!

In fact, this is not possible all the time; in normal lighting, it is certainly better to use the main photo module than the front camera. In any case, selfie lovers will definitely be delighted. The Y5 2017's shortcomings also include the removable back cover. Because of it, the smartphone body crunches unpleasantly even with the slightest pressure.

Conclusion:Huawei Y5 2017 is a smartphone with a good selfie camera. But in terms of the quality of the main photosensor, it is slightly inferior to its competitors.

Phones with a good camera under 10,000 rubles

Honor 6C Pro

• Screen: IPS, 5.2” HD;
• Processor: MediaTek MT6750 (1.5 GHz);
• Memory: 3/32 GB;

The aperture of the main lens on the rear panel is f/2.2, the focal length is 27 mm. Despite the relatively low price, Honor decided to “hint” that the 6c Pro is a camera phone. To do this, the standard camera application has been equipped with a professional mode, which has quite a wide range of options for adjusting ISO, shutter speed, exposure and focus.

We had no complaints about the operation of the photo module; autofocus works very quickly and clearly. At night, the pictures are not as detailed, but without noise. The phone can shoot video in FullHD resolution. True, moving objects in the frame are slightly blurred. But the 8-megapixel front camera performed well in all tests.

Conclusion: a good option for those who can’t afford a flagship yet. In its price category 6cPro is one of the best.

Asus Zenfone 3 Max

• Screen: IPS, 5.2” HD;
• Processor: MediaTek MT6737T (1.45 GHz);
• Memory: 2/16 GB;
• Camera: main – 13 MP, front – 5 MP.

The Zenfone 3 Max uses a Largan lens with a five-layer lens as the main camera optics. There is an instant shutter function and the proprietary PixelMaster technology is supported.

During the test, Zenfone 3 Max surprised us with an excellent ratio of almost all of its parameters. The only problem was that the dynamic range of the camera was too narrow. Therefore, you should not expect miracles from it in the dark. High-resolution shooting is supported. After a few seconds, the smartphone saves a 52-megapixel frame stitched together from four 13-megapixel photos.

Conclusion: Zenfone 3 Max is good not only for its camera, but also for its price-to-quality ratio. In this regard, it is one of the best smartphones under 10 thousand rubles.

Asus Zenfone 3 Max

Nokia 5

• Screen: IPS, 5.2” HD;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 (1.2 GHz);
• Memory: 2/16 GB;
• Camera: main – 13 MP, front – 8 MP.

HMD Global is placing its main bet on Nokia 5, because it is this model in the line that should bring the most profit to the manufacturer. The smartphone is perfectly balanced in almost all matters, although those who are particularly picky may be disappointed by the discreet design of the device. Also, do not forget about the low level of performance of Nokia 5.

When it comes to shooting, the device can easily be ranked first in terms of quality (naturally, in its price category). The weak point of the photo module is shooting in poor lighting, then a huge amount of noise is added to the blurriness of small details.

Conclusion: according to experts,Nokia 5 has every chance to win the top ranking of camera phones under 10,000 rubles in 2018-2019.

Phones with a good camera up to 15,000 rubles

Galaxy J7 2017

• Screen: AMOLED, 5.5” FullHD;
• Processor: Exynos 7870 (1.6 GHz);
• Memory: 3/16 GB;
• Camera: main – 13 MP, front – 13 MP.

The 2017 J7 is noticeably “prettier” compared to last year’s model of the line. The smartphone has a high-quality all-metal body and a rather nice design. Also worth mentioning is the large 5.5-inch AMOLED display with AlwaysOn Display function. It allows you to display basic data (time, date, notifications) even on a dark screen.

The main 13-megapixel camera of the gadget performed well in macro photography. This is largely due to the accurate and fast autofocus. Apart from this, the excellent post-processing deserves praise. Thanks to it, it is possible to achieve the highlighting of small details and competent color reproduction. To shoot with several light sources in the frame at once, it is recommended to use the HDR mode.

Conclusion: an excellent smartphone for the money. It has a good front camera with a built-in beautifier.

Huawei P10 Lite

• Screen: AMOLED, 5.2” FullHD;
• Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 658 (2.35 GHz);
• Memory: 3/32 GB;
• Camera: main – 12 MP, front – 8 MP.

The smartphone is equipped with a proprietary Kirin 658 chipset, its maximum clock frequency reaches 2.35 GHz. Paired with a fairly powerful graphics processor and 3 GB of RAM, this is quite enough for both everyday tasks and games. Things are even better with the camera.

The 12-megapixel main photosensor takes pictures more than well. In general, the quality of the P10 Lite can be compared with the original Huawei P10. The camera phone has good potential for night photography; a slight blurring of small details does not spoil the overall impression of the picture. There's even some semblance of a portrait mode in the camera app. True, it does not always work correctly and can sometimes blur the contours of the photographed object.

Conclusion: a good option for a purchase; I was especially pleased with the presence of a portrait mode. Although it cannot compare with that of smartphones with dual cameras, its very presence is a huge plus compared to its competitors.

Motorola Moto G5s

• Screen: IPS, 5.2” FullHD;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 (1.4 GHz);
• Memory: 3/32 GB;
• Camera: main – 16 MP, front – 5 MP.

The Moto G5s is the epitome of compactness. With a 5.2-inch display, the smartphone fits very comfortably in the hand, and the front glass panel gives it a modern look. True, there is some risk of losing this very panel if the smartphone falls.

The Moto G5s camera has great potential for high-quality photography. In order to use this tool 100%, we recommend working in manual mode. The slightly “crooked” software does not always accurately adjust white balance and shutter speed to the surrounding environment. The front 5-megapixel camera is paired with an LED flash, so you can take pretty decent selfies in any conditions.

Conclusion: feel free to choose this model if you already have extensive experience working with the camera in manual mode.

Motorola Moto G5s

Phones with a good camera up to 20,000 rubles

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017

• Screen: SuperAMOLED, 5.2” FullHD;
• Processor: Exynos 7880 (1.9 GHz);
• Memory: 3/32 GB;
• Camera: main – 16 MP, front – 16 MP.

The 2017 Galaxy A5 model received a key improvement for the line - IP68 water protection. Now a smartphone can be underwater for just over 30 minutes without serious consequences for the electronics. Competitors in the same price category have not yet presented such a good solution in their devices.

A 16-megapixel sensor with f/1.9 aperture is used as the main photo module. Focal length – 27 mm. The main camera of the Galaxy A5 2017 works quite well, although it lacks optical stabilization when shooting videos.

Conclusion: typical smartphoneSamsung is in the mid-price category. An ideal choice between flagships and cheaper devices.

Samsung Galaxy A5

Meizu M6 Note

• Screen: IPS, 5.5” FullHD;
• Memory: 3/32 GB;
• Camera: main – dual module 12+5 MP, front – 16 MP.

The camera characteristics of the Meizu phablet are quite good: Sony IMX362 module, ƒ/1.9 aperture for the main lens and ƒ/2.0 for the additional one. At the same time, the smartphone can record fairly high-quality 4K videos, but without optical stabilization.

The M6 ​​Note has a portrait mode. True, autofocus in it does not always cope with its task clearly, so you often have to select the focus point on the main object manually. The front 16-megapixel camera pleased me; all the details of the face are clearly visible indoors. If necessary, you can activate the built-in beautifier.

Conclusion: a smartphone with a good camera under 20,000 rubles. DefinitelyMeizu finally managed to break the “black streak” of failures with the cameras of its own devices.

Huawei Nova 2

• Screen: IPS, 5” FullHD;
• Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 659 (2.36 GHz);
• Memory: 4/64 GB;
• Camera: main – dual module 12+8 MP, front – 20 MP.

The resolution of the front camera seems to hint at what the brand's marketers were betting on. Yes, the Nova 2 takes excellent selfies, which are very hard to find fault with. However, smartphones with 8-megapixel front cameras can shoot almost the same way.

The main dual camera produced excellent shots even in the twilight. Subjectively, it can be compared with the Huawei P10 photo module. Portrait mode clearly highlights the outline of the subject against a blurred background.

Conclusion: Chinese smartphones with a good camera never cease to please with their price tag. Nova 2 may well even compete with some flagships.

Phones with a good camera up to 25,000 rubles

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom

• Screen: IPS, 5.5” FullHD;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (2.0 GHz);
• Memory: 4/64 GB;
• Camera: main – dual module 12+12 MP, front – 13 MP.

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom is not a phone for small hands; the device is quite large and not very convenient to operate with one hand. Externally, it very much resembles the iPhone 7, especially from the back. This is largely due to the dual camera module in the upper left corner.

Inside there is an IMX362 sensor on the main lens. Its optics are responsible for 2x zoom; after a closer approach, the camera switches to software zoom. It looks very cool, and the clarity of small details is not lost even at maximum magnification.

Conclusion: an excellent camera phone, only if you are not bothered by its dimensions.

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom

Meizu Pro 7

• Screen: IPS, 5.2” FullHD;
• Processor: Mediatek Helio P25 (2.6 GHz);
• Memory: 4/64 GB;
• Camera: main – dual module 12+12 MP, front – 16 MP.

The initial concepts of Pro 7 surprised everyone, because Meizu decided to make a smartphone in a new form factor. On its back panel there is an additional display that allows you to take excellent selfies with the main dual camera.

Inside, it uses a dual SONY IMX386 sensor that supports 4K shooting, software frame enhancement and dual lens blur mode. The clarity and color rendition of the footage is amazing; Meizu Pro 7 has great potential for professional shooting.

Conclusion: the best camera phones of 2018-2019 could not do without this unique model; Pro 7 is the ideal smartphone for selfies.

Xiaomi Mi5s

• Screen: IPS, 5.15” FullHD;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 (2.45 GHz);
• Memory: 4/32 GB;
• Camera: main – 12 MP, front – 4 MP.

Having a dual photo module does not mean amazing photo quality. Xiaomi Mi5s completely proves this. In daylight, a smartphone with a single photo module showed its best performance, paying attention to small details and white balance.

There are small problems with shooting video at night, but this is not critical. This kind of distortion occurs on almost all devices in this price category. For smoother operation, we recommend using manual mode.

When coming to the store to buy a new smartphone, one of the priority conditions that determine the choice of model is. Nowadays, even the most inexpensive device has the ability to take pictures, and if judged objectively, most of them do this quite acceptable.

Surely, many of us are not particularly interested in expensive and top-end smartphones, which a priori have advanced cameras. Whatever you take, there are exclusively positive reviews and high scores in popular benchmarks. Therefore, considering the top segment is not very interesting. It’s better to look at the average price level in the range of 11,000 - 21,000 rubles (about 200-300 dollars), where you can also find decent models.

In 2018, manufacturers released many good smartphones for this money, and even more than one. And they all offer very good photo and video capabilities. Let's look at the most popular devices on the Russian market that have received the most positive reviews specifically for cameras. The rating consists of devices from well-known Chinese manufacturers:, and.

Huawei smartphones

Huawei Honor 8x

• CPU: 8-core Kirin 710, clock frequency 2.2 GHz
• Screen: 6.5 inches, resolution 2340 x 1080
• 20 + 2 Mpix / 16 Mpix
• / 64 GB
• Battery capacity: 3750 mAh

Price: from 14,600 rub.

One of the most interesting smartphones on the Russian market for your money. The main camera has a BSI-CMOS matrix, which receives more light, which results in less “noisy” photos. It supports Full HD video recording at 60 fps with stereo sound, as well as high-speed shooting up to 480 fps, which is usually typical for models with a higher price tag.

The front sensor, like the main one, supports AI and Beauty Mode functions for high-quality images. Otherwise, the performance and quality of the screen are completely satisfactory.

Advantages:

Flaws:

• Not identified.

Huawei Honor Play

• CPU: 8-core Kirin 970, clock speed 2.4 GHz
• Screen: 6.3 inches, resolution 2340 x 1080
• Cameras (main / front): 16 + 2 Mpix / 16 Mpix
• Memory (RAM/built-in): 6 GB / 64 GB
• Battery capacity: 3750 mAh

Price: from 17,200 rub.

Objectively, this smartphone causes great delight, and all because of the powerful hardware
component based on the flagship chip of early 2018 with support for artificial intelligence and machine intelligence, including object recognition. And this whole more than interesting assembly received a completely affordable price tag.

Regarding cameras, the main sensor cannot boast a fast shooting speed like the previous model, only 120 fps. But it can offer 4K video recording at 30 fps, which is also good, especially for those who like to make high-quality videos. Both cameras support a full range of AI capabilities including other advanced selfie features.

Advantages:

• Reasonable price.
• Large IPS display.
• Flagship performance.
• Good autonomy and fast charging 18W.
• OS Android 8.1 (EMUI 8.2).

Flaws:

• Not identified.

Meizu smartphones

Meizu X8

• CPU:
• Screen: 6.15 inches, resolution 2200 x 1080
• Cameras (main / front): 12 + 5 megapixels / 20 megapixels
• Memory (RAM/built-in): 4 GB / 64 GB
• Battery capacity: 3210 mAh

Price: from 14,500 rub.

This is the case when you really want to buy a device, because everything is balanced in it and even more: pre-flagship performance, a high-quality screen with high detail, the current amount of memory and the best smartphone cameras in its price category. These sensors can often be found on expensive models.

The main camera uses IMX362, and the front camera uses Sony IMX376. Face Unlock, “Beautiful Face” and other AI features are supported. From the point of view of an advanced user, one cannot say that the quality of the photographs is amazing, but overall everything is very good considering the cost.

Advantages:

Flaws:

• The battery drains quickly.

Meizu 15 Plus

• CPU: 8-core Exynos 8895, clock speed 2.3 GHz
• Screen: 5.95 inches, resolution 2560 x 1440
• Cameras (main / front): 12 + 20 MP / 20 MP
• Memory (RAM/built-in): 6 GB / 64 GB
• Battery capacity: 3500 mAh

Price: from 20,700 rub.

An interesting smartphone with a somewhat old-fashioned 16:9 screen format, but with very high detail in the Super Matrix. The same applies to the processor, we remember this chip from the Samsung S8. Not the most up-to-date hardware in some ways, but it does have powerful cameras.

The main camera received Sony IMX380 + Sony IMX350 sensors, and the front camera received Sony IMX350. There is an optical zoom, video recording up to 240 fps, 4K recording, fast laser + phase detection autofocus, but without the AI ​​functions familiar in 2019. If you want to shoot confidently, then a smartphone will give you the opportunity to take high-quality photos and videos.

Advantages:

• Acceptable price.
• High quality Super Amoled screen.
• Excellent performance.
• Good autonomy and fast charging 24W.
• Full metal body.

Flaws:

• Outdated OS Android 7.1.2 (Flyme 7).
• No AI features.

Xiaomi smartphones

Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro

• CPU: 8-core Snapdragon 636, clock speed 1.8 GHz
• Screen: 6.26 inches, resolution 2246 x 1080
• Cameras (main / front): 12 + 5 megapixels / 20 + 2 megapixels
• Memory (RAM/built-in): 3 GB / 32 GB
• Battery capacity: 4000 mAh

Price: from 11,200 rub.

Only Xiaomi can offer decent build quality with optimal performance and good cameras for minimal money. The smartphone really deserves attention. A fully current model from the second half of 2018, which offers the entire set of necessary functions in 2019.

You need to understand that camera assessments are objective and based on price; you can always find shortcomings. But for the average user they are completely insignificant. The main camera received a dual sensor Samsung S5K2L7 + Samsung S5K5E8, and the front camera Samsung S5K3T1 + Omnivision OV02A10. Fairly standard features including AI, but with very decent results.

Advantages:

Flaws:

• No.

Xiaomi Mi8 SE

• CPU: 8-core Snapdragon 710, clock speed 2.2 GHz
• Screen: 5.88 inches, resolution 2244 x 1080
• Cameras (main / front): 12 + 5 megapixels / 20 + 5 megapixels
• Memory (RAM/built-in): 4 GB / 64 GB
• Battery capacity: 3120 mAh

Price: from 15,900 rub.

It’s also a very affordable smartphone with a high-quality Samsung Amoled screen, pre-flagship performance and premium design. Sony IMX363 + Samsung S5K5E8 was used as the main camera, which turned out to be a pretty successful combination. There is good autofocus, 4K video recording and AI capabilities. But the emphasis is on the selfie camera, which has a decent Samsung S5K3T1 sensor. The quality of photographs and videos, including selfies, is nothing short of delightful.

The model is a lightweight version of the famous one at a very interesting price. Also important is the ability to update to, out of the box the smartphone runs with Android 8.1.

Advantages:

• Low price.
• High-quality Amoled screen.
• High performance.
• Nice design made of glass and metal.
• Upgradeable to Android 9.0.

Flaws:

• Weak battery.

Removed from selection

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

• Camera module: double
• Permission: 12 MP
• Diaphragm: f/1.8 + f/2.8
• Optical stabilizer: There is

Price: from 69,990 rub. (128 GB)

For the first time in its history, Apple has equipped its smartphone with . The two lenses here have different focal lengths. This allows the user to apply 2x optical zoom. Along the way, an optical stabilizer is used here, making the shutter speed a little longer - this is very useful when shooting in low light conditions. Each lens consists of six optical elements, which is quite a bit. The matrix size of 1/2.6 inches can be called standard - it is difficult to fit a larger sensor into a thin smartphone. The device takes pictures very well, but it is still inferior to the flagship products of its South Korean competitor.

Advantages

• Optical image stabilization is used;
• Two lenses;
• Powerful LED flash;
• 2x optical zoom available;
• 4K video recording available;
• Stable operation of the operating system;
• Nice appearance;
• There is water protection.

Flaws

Apple iPhone 7

• Camera module: single
• Permission: 12 MP
• Diaphragm: f/1.8
• Optical stabilizer: There is

Price: from 60,239 rub. (128 GB)

The seventh remains one of the cutest smartphones. It is also slightly smaller than many of its competitors, making it easy to use with one hand. As for the main camera, it has a 12-megapixel resolution. This is a figure similar to the South Korean flagships. And it’s better not to compare the device with devices from Sony. However, with a fairly low resolution, the camera creates excellent shots. Everything is fine here with video recording - maximum 4K shooting at a frequency of 30 frames/s is available to the user.

Advantages

• Wide aperture;
• Minimum number of optical elements;
• There is optical image stabilization;
• 4K video recording available;
• Availability of water protection;
• Stable operating system;
• Live Photos support;
• Nice design.

Flaws

• No 3.5mm audio jack;
• Very high cost;
• Still not the highest camera resolution;
• iOS imposes certain restrictions;
• No memory card slot.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

• Camera module: single, Sony IMX260 or Samsung S5K2L1
• Permission: 12 MP (pixel size - 1.4 microns)
• Diaphragm: f/1.7
• Optical stabilizer: There is

Price: from 54,990 rub. (32 GB)

If you are looking for a smartphone with the best camera, then the main contender for this title will be the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. This handsome guy with the curved edges of the display takes pictures almost perfectly. Of course, it is still far from the indicators, but the matrix built into it is much smaller. It should be noted that in different countries you can find slightly different smartphones - some have their own sensor built in, while others are equipped with a product from Sony. However, in terms of characteristics, both matrices are almost identical. If you're afraid of curved screen edges, you can take a look at the regular Galaxy S7 - it costs less and has exactly the same camera.

Advantages

Flaws

• The camera resolution could be higher;
• Very high cost;
• Sometimes false positives may occur at the edges of the screen.

HTC 10

• Camera module: single, Sony IMX377
• Permission: 12 MP (pixel size - 1.55 microns)
• Diaphragm: f/1.8
• Optical stabilizer: There is

Price: from 31,000 rub. (32 GB)

For a long time, the company used a camera based on UltraPixel technology in its flagships. It consisted of using large pixels, which led to excellent light sensitivity. The disadvantage of this solution was the low final image resolution - usually it was only 4 megapixels. Fortunately, a second version of this technology has now been developed, where the matrix resolution has increased to 12 megapixels. At the same time, the dots on the sensor can still be called large, as a result of which the HTC 10 takes very good pictures in the dark. The size of the sensor installed here is 1/2.3 inches - a similar matrix is ​​found in GoPro Hero and various. It is also impossible not to note the presence of laser autofocus here, which copes with its task perfectly.

Advantages

• Large pixel size;
• Double flash (LEDs of different tones);
• Sufficiently high aperture ratio;
• There is an optical image stabilizer;
• Splash protection;
• Can shoot 4K video;
• The smartphone sounds great.

Flaws

• The resolution may still seem small;
• High price.

Sony Xperia X Performance

• Camera module: single, Sony IMX300
• Permission: 23 MP (pixel size - 1.12 microns)
• Diaphragm: f/2
• Optical stabilizer: No

Price: from 39,990 rub.

Nowadays, many smartphone manufacturers prefer to order camera modules from Sony. Oddly enough, the Japanese have learned better than others how to produce high-quality matrices that fit under the body of even very thin smartphones. Typically, the resolution of such sensors does not exceed 16 megapixels. But in the case of its own Xperia X Performance, the manufacturer decided to sacrifice pixel size and, accordingly, light sensitivity. Instead, the Japanese increased the resolution to 23 megapixels! If you think about it, even many professional SLR cameras cannot boast of this parameter! The size of the matrix installed here is 1/2.3 inches. One can only regret that a smartphone from Sony is unreasonably expensive.

Advantages

• Very high camera resolution;
• The case is waterproof;
• Latest version of the operating system;
• High resolution 5-inch display;
• Not very large smartphone size.

Flaws

• Not the best light sensitivity;
• No optical stabilizer;
• Very high cost;
• Short battery life.

LG G5 SE

• Camera module: dual, Sony IMX234
• Permission: 16 MP (pixel size - 1.12 microns) + 8 MP
• Diaphragm: f/1.8
• Optical stabilizer: There is

Price: from 29,990 rub.

The G5 SE smartphone turned out to be unique. Not only does it have a dual rear camera, but it also has a somewhat modular structure. The fact is that the South Koreans have additionally released a couple of replacement modules. One of them allows you to increase the battery capacity, and the other adds hardware camera control keys. Unfortunately, this idea was not crowned with success - the smartphone is not really in demand, not to mention all the replaceable modules. Returning to the camera, the Sony IMX234 matrix (size - 1/2.6 inches) is complemented by an auxiliary 8-megapixel sensor. It comes into play when you need to shoot at a wider angle. That is why this model is best at panoramas and landscapes.

Advantages

• Latest version of the operating system;
• Removable battery with the possibility of replacing it with a more capacious one;
• High resolution camera;
• Availability of a second lens with a wide viewing angle;
• Optimal price tag for a flagship;
• Very high resolution 5.3-inch screen;
• There is an optical stabilizer;
• There is laser autofocus;
• Always-on screen feature.

Flaws

• Not the longest battery life;
• Fairly high cost;
• Low photosensitivity.

OnePlus 3T

• Camera module: single, Sony IMX298
• Permission: 16 MP (pixel size - 1.12 microns)
• Diaphragm: f/2.0
• Optical stabilizer: There is

Price: from 31,590 rub. (64 GB)

The fourth smartphone under the brand turned out to be very good. It has a lot of memory at its disposal, and therefore you quickly forget about the lack of a card slot. There is also a large number of wireless modules. Well, as for the camera, it was created by Sony. This is not to say that she is ideal. For example, in the evening it is quite difficult to shoot with it, since there is an acute lack of aperture. But during the day this camera performs at its best! One can only regret that smartphones with a good camera are expensive - this product is no exception.

Advantages

Flaws

• No memory card slot;
• The price is by no means low;
• Slippery body.

Google Pixel

• Camera module: single, Sony IMX378
• Permission: 12.3 MP (pixel size - 1.55 microns)
• Diaphragm: f/2.0
• Optical stabilizer: No

Price: from 48,800 rub. (32 GB)

Google has discontinued the Nexus line, giving birth to a series of Pixel smartphones. Its main difference is that it will include full-fledged flagships, which will have a corresponding price tag. The first Google Pixel is very expensive. But if you buy it, you are unlikely to regret anything. There is an AMOLED display with a very high pixel density, and the seventh version of Android is used as the operating system. But the most important advantage of the device is the camera, the matrix of which is 1/2.3 inches in size - this is the largest mobile sensor! If we compare cameras, large pixels will win thanks to their excellent light sensitivity. The only complaint we can make is the lack of an optical stabilizer - this is the only reason why the camera cannot be called ideal.

With an excellent camera, it has everything you need. The matrix installed here has a fairly high resolution. The lens is covered with sapphire glass, so you need to handle the smartphone with care, otherwise you risk breaking the optics. An interesting innovation that brought the device into our rating is the IR filter. The Chinese also tried to work on the software part of their product. They have implemented a good noise reduction system, 3D Noise Reduction. It has a device and a function for tone correction of pictures. Autofocus time in most cases does not exceed 0.2 s.

Advantages

• There is an IR filter;
• The camera resolution cannot be called low;
• There is an optical stabilizer;
• Wide functionality of the Camera program;
• Two SIM card slots;
• High resolution IPS display;
• Large memory capacity;
• There is an AKM4376 audio processor;
• There is a fingerprint scanner.

Flaws

• High price;
• Only one speaker.

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)

• Camera module: single
• Permission: 16 MP
• Diaphragm: f/1.9
• Optical stabilizer: No

Price: from 27,990 rub.

The rating of smartphone cameras could not do without a representative of the mid-budget segment. The new one is not very different from the 2016 device. The camera resolution has, of course, increased. But the shooting quality remained approximately the same. However, it was already excellent, so this fact cannot be listed as a disadvantage. The device also made it to the top because of its ability to shoot under waterfalls and rain, since it has water protection. In a word, if you decide to buy such a smartphone, you definitely won’t regret it - in many respects it is in no way inferior to much more expensive flagships.

Advantages

• Waterproof housing;
• High resolution camera;
• AMOLED screen with high pixel density;
• Long battery life;
• Two SIM card slots;
• Large number of wireless modules;
• There is an “always on display” function;
• There is a fingerprint sensor;
• The camera has a fairly high aperture ratio;
• 16 megapixel front camera.

Flaws

• Slippery body;
• There is no optical stabilizer.

Conclusion

You need to understand that if you really want the best camera in a smartphone, then prepare at least 30,000 rubles (about $500). There will be the most powerful sensors of the latest generation and all the capabilities for taking, let’s not hesitate to say, professional photos and videos within the framework of mobile devices.

But we took a slightly different path and showed good models with fairly advanced cameras, but for less money. By and large, most users will be completely satisfied with the quality of pictures of all of the above smartphones.