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

— you will be interested!

Smartphones with good camera 2016

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

Inexpensive smartphone with a good camera

Moto G 3rd gen

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

Third generation Moto G camera specifications

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

Samsung Galaxy S5

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

Samsung Galaxy S5 camera specifications

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

Huawei P8

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

Huawei P8 Camera Specifications

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

Chinese smartphone with a good camera

Xiaomi Mi5

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

Xiaomi Mi5 Camera Specifications

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

Moto X Play

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

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

Moto X Play Camera Specifications

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

Samsung Galaxy S6

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

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

Samsung Galaxy S6 camera specifications

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

Moto X Style (Pure Edition)

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

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

Moto X Style (Pure Edition) Camera Specifications

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

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

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

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact camera specifications

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

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

HTC 10 camera specifications

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

Huawei P9

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

Huawei P9 Specifications

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

iPhone 7

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

iPhone 7 Camera Specifications

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

iPhone 7 Plus

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

iPhone 7 Plus Camera Specifications

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

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

Smartphones that are capable of taking high-quality photographs have long gained recognition among users. Gadgets are not inferior in their properties to digital cameras and, at the same time, are always at hand at the right time. To choose the perfect camera phone, you need to know the basic parameters that will allow you to take high-quality pictures. These include:

• number and size of pixels;
• lens optics;
• ISO range;
• the ability to use additional attributes;
• Availability of autofocus and additional software;
• quality of built-in flash;
• availability of manual adjustment of shooting quality.

All these parameters equally affect the quality of the images.

Pixels

Many users choose a gadget only based on this indicator. Pixels are the number of individual dots that make up the final image. Smartphone models in 2016 have long had more than 5 megapixels. This indicator is responsible for the uniformity of the image; the higher the resolution, the less “grain” and dots are visible in the final image.

HTC recently released a line of phones with a minimum number of megapixels, while increasing the size of each dot. These camera phones also produce good images.

The number of megapixels that a camera phone can reproduce can be found in the technical characteristics of the model or look at the inscription on the camera itself.

Lens optics

Typically, this characteristic is not indicated in the gadget’s documents; sales consultants are unlikely to be able to suggest it. You can check the quality of the lens yourself.

Advice. To check the stability of the lens, you need to take a few shots in motion. In a good camera, photos should be clear and not blurry.

The clarity of the images is ensured by an electronic stabilizer that corrects the resulting image.

An important property of an optical device is the dynamic range of the matrix, which is responsible for the contrast of the image, the preservation of colors and their shades.

Advice. To check the dynamic range of the matrix, you need to take a photo in bright light or, conversely, in the dark. If the photo is rich in color and there are no white or black spots, then the camera quality is high.

The quality of optical equipment plays an important role when choosing a smartphone.

ISO range

ISO is a value that shows the sensitivity of the matrix to light. The higher the upper value, the better the quality of the photograph. The upper value indicates whether the camera phone can take quality pictures in low light or at night.

On most smartphones, ISO is set automatically, adjusting to the ambient light. On some gadgets that run on the Android operating system, it is possible to independently adjust the light sensitivity of the matrix.

Ability to use additional attributes

High-quality camera phones have connectors for connecting an additional external flash. With its help, you can take pictures at dusk and adjust the light level. Pictures taken from such phones are indistinguishable from professional photography.

If a camera phone is chosen for a person who likes to shoot landscapes or long videos, a tripod will be required for the gadget. Many of them are produced for specific smartphone models.

Availability of autofocus and additional software

Autofocus allows the smartphone to independently determine the objects that are significant for the photo. It could be a face, a document, or flower petals. In modern phones, autofocus is performed in a matter of seconds. It is useful when using the macro function, taking portraits, or taking a photo of multiple people.

Additional software will allow you to edit existing photos in a few clicks, improve their quality or apply various effects (negative, sepia, retouching). It is important that the selected camera phone model supports the installation of additional programs (photo editors, croppers).

Also convenient for taking photos is the presence of a separate button on the smartphone body, which activates the camera. This attribute will allow you to quickly capture interesting moments in life.

Built-in flash quality

The flash allows you to take high-quality photos in dimly lit places or at night. This attribute is found on almost all smartphone models in 2016. Most devices have a built-in LED flash, which has low power. The xenon flash has the best characteristics, but it is found only in expensive exclusive models.

A two-color or three-color flash is considered a worthy replacement for a xenon flash. Such smartphones provide excellent image quality due to the combination of several colors of rays in the light flux.

Many people are accustomed to the fact that the camera phone independently sets all the picture settings. Auto-adjustment produces acceptable image quality, but better results can be achieved if you have the ability to independently adjust the parameters.

Rating of camera phones 2016

To better navigate a wide range of mobile devices, a rating of modern smartphones has been developed that will help you choose a quality device.

• The LG G4 H818 is an attractive phone that has a truly top-notch camera. The 16 megapixel camera accurately conveys all the colors of the surrounding world, preserving the shades and shadows of objects. However, the price of such a device is not affordable for everyone.
• Sony Xperia Z2 D6503 is a stylish smartphone that will not leave anyone indifferent. The resolution of the main camera is 20.7 megapixels, allowing you to take HDR quality pictures and shoot wide-format videos. A special feature of the camera phone is the auto-tuning of the camera, which independently takes into account environmental conditions.
• Lenovo P70 is an inexpensive budget smartphone option that still has excellent photography performance. The camera resolution of 13 megapixels is compensated by the presence of an LED flash, which will help you take perfect pictures even at night.
• Samsung Galaxy A5 SM-A500F can be called a flagship among camera phones. Equipped with a 13 megapixel camera, which is capable of taking photos even during continuous video recording. A convenient and intuitive interface will help you edit photos, crop or make collages from pictures.

Choosing a camera phone among the 2016 models is not so difficult. It is enough to pay attention to the characteristics indicated in the technical data sheet of the product and try to take a few pictures yourself. Today you can find good camera phones with a wide range of prices.

What you need to know about the camera in a smartphone: video

DxOMark studio conducts a detailed analysis of the quality of images taken on different smartphones. Some accuse her of bias, but in fact, the smartphones that the studio puts in the TOP later turn out to be truly the best in terms of shooting. Next are five cool models with revolutionary cameras.

1st place – Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

On April 16, 2019, the DxOmark studio updated its rating - the new flagship of Samsung, the Galaxy S10 5G, took first place. The phone is unique in that it has an Exynos 9820 processor with a 5G modem, which is not found in the regular S10+ or ​​S10.

Unlike other S10 series smartphones, it has a 3D ToF camera on the front and back. However, the main camera remains the same - it is a 12th sensor with a variable aperture of f/1.8-2.4, plus wide-angle and telephoto cameras.

Characteristics of all four sensors:

• Main – 12 MP, 1.4 µm, f/1.5-2.4, Dual Pixel autofocus, optical stabilization.
• Wide-angle – 16 MP, 1 µm, f/2.2.
• Telephoto – 12 MP, 1 µm, f/2.4 aperture, optical stabilization.
• 3D ToF sensor.
• You can shoot 4K video at 60 FPS.

During testing, DxOMark experts gave high marks for video (100 points) and photography (117 points). For photography, the Huawei P30 Pro received the same rating, but for video, the Samsung S10 5G outperforms the Chinese flagship. In addition, Samsung now records video in 4K resolution by default, which even when shooting handheld looks cool - with details and minimal noise even in low light. Plus, the 3D ToF sensor implements the function of shooting video with background defocusing.

DxOmark notes accurate color reproduction and exposure when taking photos in natural daylight. Complex scenes are also easy for the smartphone - details are preserved in bright and light areas of the scene.

Complex scenes

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4K video recording example

As for the shortcomings, first of all, the weak zoom. When scaling, loss of detail is guaranteed. In this regard, the Huawei P30 Pro has no equal yet and, most likely, competitors will not appear in the near future.

Still, Samsung S10 5G becomes the best camera phone in 2019. Plus, along with this flagship comes the world's best Amoled screen with HDR10+ support, reverse charging and other flagship features.

2nd place – Nokia 9 Pure View

A dark horse among top-class phones, which has not yet been tested, so it is not included in the DxOMark rating. However, the photos taken with the Nokia 9 Pure View are simply stunning.

The fact is that the manufacturer HMD, which owns the Nokia brand, approached the implementation of mobile cameras in a completely different way. There is no wide-angle or telephoto camera, or even a depth sensor. Instead, 5 cameras are used:

• 3 monochrome sensors with a resolution of 12 megapixels, f/1.8, size 1/2.9”, 1.25 microns
• 2 RGB color sensors, 12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.9”, 1.25 µm
• 3D ToF camera

All cameras have the same and fixed focal length - 28 mm; there are no unusual lenses or shooting modes, which was a discovery for many users, as they expected to see objects of different lengths. Instead, we see two RGB cameras and three monochrome cameras taking photos at the same time. Images from the heels of the cameras are superimposed on each other (sometimes several times), which allows the output to get a single photo with the widest dynamic range that we usually see on SLR cameras with full-size matrices.

Particularly important here are monochrome sensors, which add 2.8 times more light due to the absence of Bayer filters, while providing true monochrome shooting rather than simply discoloring the color image. Nokia 9 is ideal for people who have at least a little experience in photography - the phone saves images in RAW format and allows you to customize them - pull out shadows, return bright areas and achieve the desired level of sharpness in finished photographs.

This gives the following result - examples of photos on the Nokia 9 Pure View - processed and not only:

To uncover

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Here are examples of photos with a defocused background on the iPhone XS and Nokia 9.

Obviously, pictures on the iPhone look flat, but Nokia 9, due to its 3D sensor, more accurately determines and conveys depth. For the first time we see full-fledged Bokeh.

As for the other characteristics, they are less important, since this device is positioned primarily as a camera phone. It was planned to be released in mid-to-late 2018, but it came out late. Therefore, the flagship processor of the previous generation is installed here - the 10nm Snapdragon 845, although new top-class phones are equipped with more advanced 7nm chips, including Snapdragon 855.

Display – O-OLED with Gorilla Glass 5 and HDR10 support. And yes, like all Nokias, the model is also a member of the Android One program, which is a big plus. Nokia 9, after testing by DxOmark studio, will score the most points - the likelihood of this is high. The only thing is that in terms of hardware it is inferior to all the flagships of 2019.

3rd place – Huawei P30 Pro

The new flagship of the Chinese manufacturer Huawei received 1st place in the DxOMark camera phone rating, and deservedly so. The studio notes that the phone has perfect autofocus, exposure, high color accuracy, and white balance. There is very little noise even in low light, but the main thing is Zoom, which is worth talking about in more detail.

Camera Specifications:

• Main – 40 MP, f/1.6, size 1/1.7”, optical stabilization
• Wide-angle – 20 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.7”
• Telephoto camera – with telescopic lens, 8 MP, f/3.4, optical stabilization
• 3D ToF camera

The main sensor from Sony here is called SuperSensing - it is equipped with a Quad-Bayer filter, with the help of which 4 pixels on the matrix are connected and form one large pixel. The result is a 10MP image when shooting, but with minimal noise and wide dynamic range.

There is nothing new with the wide-angle camera - it was also on the Huawei Mate 20 Pro, but the telephoto lens is very interesting - it provides an optical 5x zoom. Plus, 10x hybrid zoom and even 50x digital zoom are possible. The Huawei P30 Pro has no analogues yet in terms of the quality of close-up photos – it’s great for shooting from afar.

Here are examples of photos using zoom on different smartphones:

More photos of Huawei P30 Pro:

To uncover

Wide angle camera

Wide angle camera

Wide angle camera

Original permission in the source, at the end of the article

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Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to compare the photo quality of the Huawei P30 Pro and Nokia 9 Pure View, since there are no identical frames. And it’s somehow incorrect to compare pictures, since the approach to photo implementation is different - Nokia 9 is valuable because it offers extensive post-processing capabilities, which the Huawei P30 Pro does not. But it should also be given its due - the phone produces an amazing level of detail and a wide dynamic range.

Advantages of Huawei P30 Pro Nokia9 Pure View:

• 7nm HiSilicon Kirin 980 processor
• Water protection according to IP68 standard (Nokia 9 has IP67)
• Headphone output + 32-bit audio chip, Dolby Atmos support + Bluetooth with aptX HD support.
• 4200 mAh battery, very fast charging with compatible 40W adapter (70% in 30 minutes).
• Reverse wireless charging function.

In terms of hardware and functionality, Huawei P30 Pro is better than Nokia 9 Pure View, but it can hardly beat Nokia in terms of photo quality.

4th place – Huawei Mate 20 Pro

This model was released in October 2018 and immediately gained popularity not only due to its cool camera, but also because of its functionality. Here, for the first time, the new 7-nm Kirin 980 processor and reverse wireless charging technology were used. Plus, the device itself turned out to be cool - with amazing cameras and an OLED screen, which subsequently began to turn green (massive defect).

Camera characteristics:

• Wide-angle: 20 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.7”
• Telephoto: 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4″, optical 5x zoom, optical stabilization

The main module here is the same as that found on the Huawei P20 Pro, which explains why the Mate 20 Pro scores the same DxOMark score as the P20 Pro. Experts highlight the wide dynamic range in frames, targeted exposure, fast autofocus, and excellent zoom.

Examples of photos:

To uncover

Original permission in the source, at the end of the article

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As for the shortcomings, first of all it is worth highlighting the loss of small details on people’s faces when shooting in “Portrait” mode, the lack of a 4K video shooting mode at 60 FPS. By the way, this function is not even present in the Huawei P30 Pro. Otherwise, the camera on the Mate 20 Pro is great.

Comparison of the shooting quality of Huawei Mate 20 Pro and P30 Pro using cropped photos taken under equal lighting conditions.

Strong light:

Weak light:

Please note: this model may be defective with LG screens. Most LG OLED panels on the Huawei Mate 20 Pro turn green within 2-3 months of use, which requires replacement. When choosing, be sure to look at the screen manufacturers - it must be BOE, otherwise do not buy the phone.

5th place – Huawei P20 Pro

The P20 Pro is a relatively old phone, introduced in April 2018. It even runs Android 8.1 out of the box, although it is upgradable to 9 Pie. Plus, the phone is equipped with an OLED matrix and an “untrend” 10nm HiSilicon Kirin 970 processor, although new advanced and expensive flagships like the iPhone XS and Samsung Galaxy S10+ still cannot beat it in terms of photography.

Huawei P20 Pro is a cheap camera phone, which, given such a cool camera, should be sold for a lot of money.

Camera characteristics:

• Main: 40 MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7”
• Additional: with monochrome sensor without Bayer filter, 20 MP, f/1.6, 1/2.7”, optical stabilization
• With telephoto lens: 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/2.7”, optical stabilization

The smartphone produces cool, detailed shots even at 3x zoom, there is also a good blur effect and minimal noise, accurate exposure, wide dynamic range and a cool flash. However, similar advantages apply to almost all TOP-class phones.

There are also disadvantages - experts note the occasional appearance of an orange or pink tint in the image when shooting in bright light or indoors. Artifacts and ghosting are also possible when the HDR mode is activated, and when zooming, unstable exposure and white balance occur. But all these minor flaws will only be noticed by a professional upon careful study of the image. Ordinary users like you and me will not see any difference in photo quality on the P30 Pro, Mate 20 Pro and P20 Pro cameras. So you don't have to spend big money on the latest flagship - go for the P20 Pro.

6th place – Samsung Galaxy S10+

South Korean manufacturer Samsung created the world's best OLED display, but it failed to beat its competitors in terms of cameras. The S10+ model received the same rating as the Huawei P20 Pro, but since it is much more expensive, it is appropriate to put it in 5th place in the rating.

The smartphone is equipped with an 8nm Exynos 9820 processor with powerful Mongoose M4 cores, made in a glass case with water protection according to IP68 standard, and the latest Gorilla Glass 6 is used here. But the main thing is the “leaky” Dynamic Amoled display - the first mobile screen with HDR10+ support. This standard is used on Samsung TVs, but the manufacturer managed to implement it on a mobile display. True, there is very little content in the world with an HDR10+ component, so most images and videos will not look better here than on a regular Amoled matrix with infinite contrast.

The camera is represented by three sensors:

• Main: 12 MP, variable aperture f/1.5-2.4, size 1/2.55”, 1.4 µm, Dual Pixel, optical stabilization.
• Telephoto, 16 MP, f/2.4, stabilization, 2x-zoom.
• Wide-angle, f/2.2, 1 µm.

The phone received the same set of cameras as the Samsung Galaxy S9+ and Note 9, plus the new model added a wide-angle lens, which expands the shooting functionality. And although the sensors are the same, the S10+ takes slightly better photographs due to the improved processor and image processing algorithms. Unlike Huawei phones, the South Korean flagship can record 4K video at 60 FPS, which is a big plus in its favor. HD video recording at 960 FPS is also available.

Examples of photos on Samsung S10+:

To uncover

Original permission in the source, at the end of the article

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DXO professionals deliver stunning exposure and color reproduction in most scenarios, including low light. When shooting indoors or in the evening, there is little noise in the image, and the dynamic range remains wide; when the image is enlarged, there is good detail.

Disadvantages: the phone is inferior to all those mentioned above in the quality of shooting with optical zoom. There are also problems with the portrait mode working on the street - artifacts and ghosting are possible, which is not typical for flagships.

Many users demand that a phone with a good camera can not only take high-quality pictures, but also be able to pleasantly please the user with its performance in games or something else. There are plenty of such offers on the market, but it’s quite easy to get confused in them. To protect you from this, we have created our own rating, which contains the most successful solutions with a good camera. Each of them has its own bonuses in the form of powerful hardware, a large display or excellent battery life.

No. 10 – Meizu M6T

Price: 7,990 rubles

Meizu M6T is equipped with a pair of sensors with a resolution of 13 and 2 MP, including a Sony IMX276 RGBW sensor, its main task is to improve the camera’s light sensitivity in order to take high-quality photos in low light. The Chinese smartphone is worth recommending to all lovers of macro photography; in this mode, the camera does an excellent job of identifying small details and also boasts realistic colors.

The gadget is also suitable for lovers of autonomy. The battery with a capacity of 3300 mAh can last a whole day under active load. The model is disappointing because it runs on Android 7.1 OS. In all other respects, this is an interesting solution in terms of price and quality.

#9 – Xiaomi Redmi S2

Price: 9,990 rubles

If you are looking for an excellent phone with a good camera, but at the same time have a modest budget, then the popular model from the budget segment Xiaomi Redmi S2 is what you need. Of the two cameras, the 16-megapixel front camera turned out to be the most successful. It shows a rich image with decent detail, plus it has stabilization that works during video shooting.

The presence of Snapdragon 625 in a smartphone at this price is simply amazing. The productive chipset is complemented by 3 or 4 GB of RAM. This set will easily run PUBG and World Of Tanks, even at maximum settings. The gadget does not have NFC and dual-band Wi-Fi, which are its main disadvantages.

#8 – Vivo Y85

Price: 15,000 rubles

Vivo Y85 will appeal to all aesthetic lovers with its design. The device is available in two colors – black and red, that is, for both boys and girls. The 6.22-inch display with minimal frames and a resolution of 1520 by 720 pixels also looks attractive. The screen does not suffer from pixelation and produces a cool image, replete with rich colors.

The main camera consists of a pair of 13 and 2 MP sensors. The results of their work are distinguished by a wide dynamic range and correct sharpness across the entire field of the frame. For advanced users, the camera interface has a variety of shooting modes, including a Pro mode that allows you to manually adjust exposure and ISO. The main disadvantage of the model is the plastic body, as well as the lack of NFC.

No. 7 – Honor 8X

Price: 16,990 rubles

We cannot call the Honor 8X the best in terms of photo capabilities, but from a design point of view it is one of the most attractive solutions for its price. Glass panels shimmer effectively in the light and make the gadget look more expensive than its price. The same can be said about the display with a resolution of 2340 by 1080 pixels and a diagonal of 6.5 inches. These screen characteristics make it easy to watch movies on it or use your smartphone as an e-reader.

The main camera received the most positive feedback and praise in reviews. A pair of modules with a resolution of 20 and 2 MP, combined with advanced AI, allows the user to achieve detailed results with the correct color balance at a minimum cost. The thing is that Honor 8X independently determines the optimal settings based on the scene. The model uses a MicroUSB connector, which can be attributed to its main disadvantages.

No. 6 – Xiaomi Mi8 Lite

Price: 16,000 rubles

If you are looking for a smartphone with a good camera, then you will definitely be interested in the Xiaomi Mi8 Lite. The combination of 12 and 5 MP modules takes excellent photos with a decent level of sharpness across the entire frame. The list of strengths of the gadget also includes the ability to edit the blur parameters of a photograph taken in portrait mode, as well as apply various effects to all pictures.

The smartphone's inclusion in our rating is due not only to its very good camera, but also to its powerful hardware platform. The Snapdragon 660 processor can easily handle any giant in the gaming industry, and together with the optimized Android 8.1, dressed in the proprietary MIUI interface, you will be pleasantly surprised by the smooth operation of the phone when solving everyday tasks. There was no place in the case for a Jack connector, which can be considered the main mistake of the engineers. Despite this, the model is one of the best Xiaomi phones.

No. 5 – AGM A9

Price: 27,000 rubles

AGM A9 is one of the most ergonomic rugged smartphones on the market. This is most clearly manifested in the thinness indicator - only 12.6 mm, which is simply amazing considering that the case is protected according to the IP68 standard. The autonomy for which the AGM A9 brothers are famous is also at a high level - a 5400 mAh battery is enough for two days of battery life for a smartphone.

The Sony IMX486 sensor with a resolution of 12 megapixels serves as the main camera. Despite the fact that it has only one, and a modest number of megapixels, it manages to take detailed and rich pictures, however, at night the situation deteriorates due to the presence of noise in the photographs. The main disadvantage of the model is the Snapdragon 450 processor, which does not allow us to recommend the gadget to users who like to run in PUBG.

No. 4 – Honor 10

Price: 24,000 rubles

Honor 10 is one of the best Huawei phones in terms of design. It's all about the glass case, which has already become a signature feature of the manufacturer's top solutions. The 5.84-inch display goes well with it. Its resolution of 2280 by 1080 pixels allows the picture not to suffer from pixelation, and also comfortably use the smartphone in any scenario, from surfing the Internet to top games. Fortunately, Kirin 970 allows this.

For selfie lovers, Honor 10 is equipped with a 24-megapixel front camera with F/2.0 aperture. These characteristics allow the sensor to capture a huge amount of detail. I would also like to mention the built-in manual background blur mode and beautifier. If the latter makes the photos a little unnatural, then the former only improves them. It is almost impossible to find fault with the model; the only thing that raises doubts is the practicality of the glass case.

#3 – OnePlus 6

Price: 30,000 rubles

OnePlus 6 is definitely one of the first ones that comes to mind when you hear the question “which phone has the best camera in 2019?” This is possible thanks to two sensors with a resolution of 16 and 20 MP. They are successfully complemented by optical stabilization, allowing the captured video to be smooth and clear. As for the photo capabilities, everything is fine here too - the dynamic range is wide, and color rendition is close to ideal.

The model is famous for its autonomy - the 3300 mAh battery lasts for two days in most usage scenarios. During this entire time, your smartphone will be protected using a fingerprint scanner that clearly recognizes your fingerprint. Like most flagships, the main disadvantage of the OnePlus 6 is the price.

#2 – iPhone XS Max

Price: 92,000 rubles

Even if the 4-inch iPhone 5S is valued for its photographic capabilities, the iPhone XS Max takes this to a professional level. The combination of two 12-megapixel sensors allows photos to be detailed and have the right color balance. The advantages definitely include the Apple A12 Bionic processor, which so far has no equal in performance on the market.

The 6.5-inch display with a resolution of 2688 by 1242 pixels is also worthy of special mention. The dimensions, as well as the manufacturing technology of the AMOLED matrix, allow the gadget to successfully replace a tablet, and in some scenarios, an e-reader. Fortunately, ideal color rendition, a powerful reserve of brightness, as well as maximum viewing angles contribute to this. As for the minuses, it is the price.

No. 1 – Huawei Mate 20 Pro

Price: 77,800 rubles

With its curved edges, the Huawei Mate 20 Pro is the top-end camera phone on the market. Many publications recognized it as such in 2018, and so far there are no models on the horizon that can remove it from the throne. Three modules with a resolution of 40, 20 and 8 MP are responsible for the quality of photographs. A detailed description of what function each of them is responsible for is worth looking for in the review. We note that the set allows Huawei Mate 20 Pro to have the widest range of focal lengths (from 16 to 88 mm) among smartphones. In terms of detail and color rendition of images, the solution of Chinese engineers surpasses even Apple flagships.

The 6.39-inch display with a resolution of 3120 by 1440 pixels is also worthy of praise. It is perfectly calibrated - the colors are rich and rich, the viewing angles are maximum, and the image contrast is exactly what it should be. All of the above will be an advantage when you run PUBG on maximum graphics settings thanks to the Kirin 980 and 6GB of RAM. There is no need to worry about the duration of sessions, since the 4200 mAh battery can provide up to two days of autonomy with active use of the smartphone. The main drawback, as you might guess, is the price, as well as the size. If you are looking for a small phone, then the Huawei Mate 20 Pro is definitely not for you.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro

We also have a similar one, which has now dropped significantly in price.

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2016 is already coming to an end, which means that most of the flagship presentations of various IT companies have already died down. Apple presented the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, Samsung presented the long-suffering Galaxy Note 7, LG showed the V20, Meizu presented the Pro 6.

And if new flagships capable of exciting the minds of the public and specialized publications no longer appear, then we can single out leaders in different categories among all the new products of 2016. For example, in cells. Over the past two years, shooting modules have made significant strides forward in color rendition, image quality and smoothness. Therefore, you can try to answer the question: “What is the best camera on a smartphone in 2016?”

TOP 10 best camera phones 2016

The following sections will examine ten smartphones of this and last year, which can rightfully be called flagship camera phones, highlighting their main features and advantages over competitors. The opinion may not coincide with the generally accepted one, because people evaluate the quality of photos and videos. And how many people, so many opinions. So, we present to your attention the top 10 smartphones with the best camera in 2016.

Tenth place

Sony Xperia Z5. Despite the fact that Sony's line of flagship Z smartphones has ceased to exist, last year's flagship Z5 still shows good results in photo and video shooting, producing picture quality that is not much inferior to what 2016 flagships can offer. This can be confirmed by the high ratings of the specialized publication DXOMark. The numbers speak for themselves: auto focusing time is 0.03 seconds, and this is on a 23-megapixel sensor! We can say that the Xperia Z5 is a smartphone with the best camera, albeit in 2015.

Ninth place

Meizu MX5. The MX line, once considered the flagship, has lost this title to the Pro series, and accordingly, the technical equipment has become somewhat worse. Nevertheless, Meizu MX6 with its camera module from Sony model IMX386 with excellent software optimization is still able to produce excellent quality photos and videos in any conditions.

Eighth place

LG G5. An excellent camera has always been a characteristic feature of LG flagships. This happened with the G5, with the only exception that the smartphone was presented quite a long time ago, and its technical equipment was already outdated. But this does not mean that the quality of the shooting has deteriorated. Not at all. In fact, the LG G5 now takes pictures and shoots videos comparable in quality to the work of budget DSLRs. At the same time, we emphasize that many amateur photographers note that the G5 has the best camera on a smartphone. Well, that's their opinion.

Seventh place

6S/6S Plus. Even though the Cupertino company has updated the line of its flagship smartphones, the previous generation devices, thanks to excellent optimization and properly selected software, perform at the level of some 2016 flagships. Both the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are clear evidence of this. Branded iSight cameras always remain relevant for quite a long time, even after the release of a new generation of devices.

Sixth place

Samsung Galaxy Note 5. The flagship of the South Korean company's line of phablets was released somewhat later than the super-successful Galaxy S6, which means it received more modern equipment. Thanks to the main camera of 16 megapixels, the device is capable of recording video in 4K format. It is also worth considering that the camera software allows the user to customize it to suit their needs and requirements. For many, to this day, the Galaxy Note 5 is the smartphone with the best camera.

Fifth place

Huawei Nexus 6P. The latest generation of Nexus smartphones from Google, which were replaced by devices from the Pixel line, greatly pleased users with their characteristics, design, and overall quality. Especially Huawei Nexus 6P. The Chinese have equipped the smartphone with a camera with high photosensitivity and a high-quality 12.3 megapixel matrix. But megapixels aren't everything. Optimization and software of the camera module are of decisive importance. And with all this, the Nexus 6P is flawless. Many Internet users even now ask the question: “Which smartphone has the best camera?” They answer unequivocally: “It’s a Nexus 6P.”

Fourth place

Samsung The latest generation of smartphones from the South Korean company shows shooting quality comparable to semi-professional cameras. Why only fourth place, because many say that this is the smartphone with the best camera? The answer to this question will be given a little later. Suffice it to say that buying just because of the excellent camera will be more than justified. This device combines the qualities of not only an excellent working device, but also a first-class “DSLR”.

Among other things, selfie lovers say that the S7/S7 edge is the smartphone with the best. It’s hard to disagree with this, especially considering that the front module of the Samsung flagship takes pictures and shoots videos of a quality that the main cameras of some do not reach. smartphones.

Third place

Samsung Galaxy Note 7. Despite all the failures that plague the seventh Note, the smartphone is one of the best representatives of the segment in terms of its characteristics. You can verify this by looking at just a couple of photos or videos taken using this device. Their quality, detail and stabilization (for video) will speak for themselves. Although in fact the camera module installed in the Note 7 is not much different from the one equipped in the S7 and S7 edge.

Second place

Apple iPhone 7. Predictable? Still would! Almost every specialized publication considers it its duty to highlight the revolutionary camera of the iPhone 7. And the most interesting thing is that this is quite fair. Tests have shown that the camera of the new iPhone 7 is indeed an order of magnitude higher than all its predecessors: the iPhone 6S, and especially the iPhone SE. But is the quality of pictures and videos on the new generation iPhone so significantly different from Samsung flagships?

"First place": Apple iPhone 7 Plus

For a whole year there have been rumors that the Cupertino company will introduce a new flagship with a camera that has never been seen in a smartphone before. The rumors turned out to be true. The best camera on a smartphone is probably installed in the new iPhone. The Plus version of the seventh model takes amazingly realistic shots, the quality level of which is not much lower than that of professional DSLRs.

The most interesting thing is that the last four positions cannot be called stable. For example, the Galaxy Note 7 could easily have taken first place. This smartphone deserves it just as much as the Galaxy S7. The eternal struggle between Samsung and Apple in the smartphone segment has made itself felt here too.

This does not mean that the seventh generation iPhones are bad. No. They are in no way inferior to the seventh generation of flagships from Samsung, just like the Galaxy line, in turn, no worse than the new iPhones. This means that there is no fundamental difference between the flagships of the Cupertino and South Koreans. They can all claim first place. And which one to choose is purely a matter of taste, because the technical characteristics of all four devices are at the highest level.

It turns out that there is no clear answer to the question: “Which smartphone has the best camera (2016)?” No.

OnePlus 3

But this is a much more suitable candidate for the fourth position: the third model of flagship killers - OnePlus 3. Good hardware and A-class camera modules from famous manufacturers allow the Chinese “monster” to create masterpieces that are not only embarrassing to show to friends or acquaintances, It’s perfectly acceptable to print it out, frame it and hang it on the wall.

Huawei P9

What can we say about the 2016 flagship from the largest Chinese smartphone manufacturer? Specialists from the Middle Kingdom, together with engineers from the famous German company Leica, were able to develop a dual camera that, with the proper skills and knowledge in the field of photography and video, can take shots at the level of the new iPhone and Galaxy Note 7. So the third position in the top smartphones with the best cameras can rightfully get Huawei P9. We can say that P9 is a Chinese smartphone with the best camera.

Mid-budget cameforon

The smartphones presented above, although they have excellent characteristics and excellent cameras, are nevertheless unaffordable for some users. And everyone wants to take good pictures and record high-quality videos. It is precisely for such people that there is a middle segment of smartphones.

As surprising as it may be, the most inexpensive smartphone with a good camera is also the brainchild of Samsung. The Galaxy A (2016) line of devices, while relatively cheap (compared to flagships), is equipped with excellent camera modules that shoot in a resolution sufficient for everyday use. A clear example proving this fact is the Galaxy A3 (2016) smartphone.

By the way, it’s not only Samsung that makes excellent camera phones in the mid-price segment. Meizu and Xiaomi also succeeded in this (these companies, in general, succeeded in the entire smartphone market). Meizu M3 Note and MX4 Pro, as well as Xiaomi Mi4c and Mi4i are able to compete with smartphones from the South Korean manufacturer.

Low budget camera phone

However, for some, paying 15-18 thousand rubles for a smartphone that will take good pictures is also an unaffordable waste of money. And for such people there is a budget segment of devices. Their maximum price is 11 thousand rubles.

And the cheapest smartphone with a good camera, according to many netizens, is the ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser ZE500KL. Now it is available for purchase for about ten thousand rubles. And for this money, the user gets devices with a 13-megapixel main camera with a 2.0 aperture and equipped with laser autofocus.

Although an excellent alternative to a smartphone from ASUS could be the Chinese competitor Meizu M3S. Thanks to an excellent 13-megapixel main camera with phase detection autofocus and 2.2 aperture, the device produces good quality pictures and videos for a low-budget smartphone, which is quite enough for posting on Instagram or other everyday purposes.

Chinese camera phone

It is worth noting that smartphones are divided not only by price, but also by country of origin. This is due to the fact that each country has its own characteristics of smartphone production. In America, the emphasis is on strict corporate design and high performance of devices due to software optimization, in China - on high technical equipment.

For example, the best camera on Chinese smartphones is installed in Meizu Pro 6, the company's current flagship. Immediately after the release of the device, many specialized publications around the globe unanimously claimed that this was a smartphone with the best camera. Meizu devices traditionally have excellent shooting modules installed. What can we say about the flagship line. In terms of image quality, the Pro 6 is ahead of its closest competitor, the Xiaomi Mi5.

Although Xiaomi Mi5 can also claim this title. And all thanks to a 16-megapixel camera with excellent optical stabilization, comparable to the iPhone 6S. It allows users to capture all the moments of life in highly detailed frames and widescreen videos with excellent picture quality.

Moreover, Xiaomi Mi5 can be bought at a relatively low price for a flagship - approximately 25,000 rubles, while Meizu Pro 6 costs from 20,000 rubles. Such prices are very rare for flagship smartphones. Especially considering that both companies make high-quality devices.

Huawei's sub-brand, Honor, by the way, also has flagship smartphones equipped with high-level camera modules. An example would be Honor 7. For about the same 20-25 thousand, the user gets an excellent device with a 20 MP main camera that produces amazing photo and video quality, comparable to 2015 devices such as the Sony Xperia Z5, for example, or last year’s flagship killer OnePlus 2.

In fact, a huge number of smartphone models of all price categories with excellent cameras are created and produced in China. True, with “formally” excellent ones. For example, it’s no secret that all UMi or Oppo flagships are equipped with the latest hardware available on the market. Very often, for example, you can see smartphones from Chinese B-class manufacturers with 6 gigabytes of memory and other “features”. In fact, they perform worse than the iPhone 6, which has only 1 gigabyte of RAM. The same problem exists with cameras. It’s paradoxical, but the modules are supplied by Sony, and the result is an average image quality. So Xiaomi and Meizu are one of the few companies, so to speak, “rays of light” that produce a quality product, not mediocrity. Both Lenovo and Huawei can be included in this category. But this is not surprising. This is business. A very profitable business through which huge financial flows pass. And in order to direct these flows into your “pocket”, you need to be somehow different from your competitors. And first of all - the quality of the products or services produced.

Bottom line

Thus, it turns out that in 2016, companies have released a huge number of smartphones with amazing cameras that are capable of creating real masterpieces with just one click on the screen thanks to modern photo and video processing technologies. Naturally, the leading market players - Samsung, Apple and Huawei - have succeeded in this. But smaller companies did not lag behind and proved that they can also create real camera phones in the truest sense of the word. Who knows, perhaps the day is not far off when a small device in your pocket can completely replace people's cameras and cameras. And not only them, but also a personal computer and many other devices, without which it is now impossible to imagine modern human life.