Mobile phone with the best camera. Are there cheap smartphones with a good camera

About dual camera technology in modern smartphones. Today it is one of the most relevant trends in smartphone manufacturing.

Now we decided to take away top camera phones, which can be considered as a potential purchase as of now (July 2017). If you want to decorate your Instagram or, as a mobile photographer, are looking for a decent smartphone with a great camera, this article will help you choose what you need.

All models presented in the material are distributed by price categories (data taken from Yandex.Market) and selected based on the best results in mobile shooting.

Single camera smartphones

Xiaomi Mi5S


  Last year’s flagship of the famous Chinese company still holds the bar of one of the best camera phones on the market. Basically, this status Xiaomi Mi5S deserves thanks to the photographic module, taken from the flagship Google Pixel, which is also considered one of the best in mobile shooting. Among other features of the smartphone: balanced technical specifications, an all-metal case, a quick fingerprint scanner and a very nice price for such a set of technologies.

Xiaomi Mi5S Camera Features: 12 megapixels, f / 2.0 aperture, phase detection autofocus, sensor size 1 / 2.3 ″, pixel size 1.55 µm. There is support for HDR and shooting video in high definition formats: 4K (2160p @ 30 fps) and Full HD (1080p @ 120 fps).

: 22 990 rubles.

Apple iPhone SE


  Good old iPhone 5S with iron from the more powerful iPhone 6S. This special edition of the popular Apple smartphone is suitable for anyone who needs a compact and powerful camera phone with long-term support. A camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels can still make a good competition, even to modern flagships from competitors. Only all this you can buy for less than 25 thousand rubles.

Apple iPhone SE Camera Features: 12 megapixels, f / 2.2 aperture, phase detection autofocus, 1/3 ″ sensor size, 1.22 µm pixel size. There is support for all modern shooting standards: HDR for photos and videos in 4K (2160p @ 30 fps), Full HD (1080p @ 30/60/120 fps) and HD (720p @ 240 fps).

The average price on Yandex.Market: 22 985 rubles.

BQ Aquaris X Pro


The current flagship smartphone in the line of the Spanish company BQ. Equipped with a Dual Pixel photographic module from the best camera phone of 2016 - Samsung Galaxy S7. But it is also good for some other features, including: a glass-metal case with a Spanish design, the current version of the Android 7.1.1 Nougat operating system without interface add-ons and, most importantly, a very good price tag.

BQ Aquaris X Pro Camera Features: 12 megapixels, f / 1.8 aperture, phase detection autofocus, sensor size 1 / 2.5 ″, pixel size 1.4 µm. HDR support is available. Supported video formats: 4K (2160 @ 30 fps) and HD (720p @ 120 fps).

The average price on Yandex.Market: 22 990 rubles.

OnePlus 3 / 3T


  OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T are the most successful flagship line of the Chinese startup, nicknamed its smartphones the “killers” of competitors' solutions. The triples combined all the wishes of geeks: a stylish design, powerful hardware and an optimized Android operating system in its purebred form. The previous generation of OnePlus flagships were not deprived of cameras: 3 and 3T received powerful 16-megapixel sensors, which made strong competition with the flagships of A-brands.

OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T Camera Features: 16 megapixels, f / 2.0 aperture, phase detection autofocus, sensor size 1 / 2.8 ″, pixel size 1.19 µm. Like the BQ Aquaris X Pro, the triples support HDR (in auto mode) and video in two formats: 4K (2160p @ 30 fps) and HD (720p @ 120 fps).

The average price on Yandex.Market: 26 800/26 200 rubles.

Samsung Galaxy S7 / S8


  Galaxy S7 and especially became the best-selling flagships in the Galaxy S line in its history. Such a stunning success was achieved in a very difficult way: the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S8 have incorporated the best mobile technologies of 2016-2017 and offer them in a stylish case made of high quality materials. Prices, of course, are appropriate, but at the moment, you can pay less than 30 thousand rubles for the Galaxy S7, and the Galaxy S8 has become much cheaper since the start of sales.

Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S8 camera specifications: 12 megapixels, aperture f / 1.7, phase detection autofocus, optical image stabilization, pixel size 1 / 2.5 ″, pixel size 1.4 µm. Support for HDR, as well as shooting video in 4K at 30 frames per second, of course, is present.

The average price on Yandex.Market: 28 000/53 490 rubles.

HTC 10 and U11


Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC, in financial distress, continues to risk everything and release new flagships. The model with an index of 10 caused a mixed reaction among consumers, as did the 2017 flagship called U11. Nevertheless, both smartphones combine premium design, powerful stuffing and the best cameras on the market. , for example, is currently awarded a score of 90 points according to DxOMark experts. This is the best indicator today.

HTC 10 and HTC U11 camera specifications: 12 megapixels, aperture f / 1.8 (HTC 10), f / 1.7 (HTC U11), laser autofocus (HTC 10), phase autofocus (HTC U11), optical image stabilization, sensor size 1 / 2.3 ″ (HTC 10) or 1 / 2.5 ″ (HTC U11), pixel size 1.55 µm (HTC 10) or 1.4 µm (HTC U11). HDR mode is supported. Video shooting is available in 4K (2160p @ 30 fps) and HD (720p @ 120 fps) resolutions on HTC 10 or Full HD (1080p @ 30/120 fps) on HTC U11.

The average price on Yandex.Market: 37 430/44 990 rubles.

Google pixel


  Google Pixel - the debut flagship of Google’s own production. From design to hardware and software, everything is at the hands of the search giant. If you're a Google fan, then the Pixel is your best bet as an Android flagship or a camera phone. The photographic module showed itself very high. Pixel makes competitors even at night - this is its main feature.

Google Pixel Camera Features: 12.3 megapixels, f / 2.0 aperture, electronic stabilization (gyroscope), phase and laser autofocus, sensor size 1 / 2.3 ″, pixel size 1.55 µm. As for HDR and video, Pixel has its own automatic HDR + mode, and videos can be written in a variety of formats: 4K (2160p @ 30 fps), Full HD (1080p @ 30/60/120 fps) and HD (720p @ 240 fps )

The average price on Yandex.Market: 43 499 rubles.

Apple iPhone 7


  The current flagship model of Apple. Having not received any significant innovations in design and hardware, the iPhone camera continues to be one of the best among smartphones. And the latest iPhone 7, of course, is no exception. Among the pleasant advantages: for the first time in "apple" devices - protection against water and dust according to the IP67 standard (can be removed in the rain or under water).

Apple iPhone 7 Camera Features: 12 megapixels, f / 1.8 aperture, phase detection autofocus, optical image stabilization, 1/3 ″ sensor size. HDR shooting is supported. Like iPhone SE, video can be written in most formats: 4K (2160p @ 30 fps), Full HD (1080p @ 30/60/120 fps) and HD (720p @ 240 fps).

The average price on Yandex.Market: 41,200 rubles.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium


  The latest and most technological in the lineup is the flagship of the Japanese manufacturer Sony. Taking the time to make a frameless design and set up a dual camera, the company applied the best technologies available on the market today. Among the main advantages of the smartphone: a Sony-style mirrored case, an incredible 4K screen and a stunning camera that can write super slow motion video at a speed of 960 frames per second. Nobody offers such a cool “cocktail”, except for Sony.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium Camera Features: 19 megapixels, f / 2.0 aperture, electronic stabilization (gyroscope), predictive phase and laser autofocus, sensor size 1 / 2.3 ″. There is support for HDR mode for photos and videos in 4K (2160p @ 30 fps) and HD (720p @ 960 fps) resolutions.

The average price on Yandex.Market: 54,990 rubles.

Dual camera smartphones

Honor 9


  Honor 9 is a more affordable camera phone in the style of P10, but without Leica optics. In addition to a good dual camera, this smartphone also offers high-performance hardware and a beautiful design. complements the image of those mobile photographers who pursue not only the quality of photography, but also want to be stylish.

Honor 9 Dual Camera Features: 20 megapixels (f / 2.2 aperture, phase detection autofocus, 2x hybrid zoom without loss of quality) + 12 megapixels (f / 2.2 aperture). There is HDR support, shooting video is only in 4K (2160p @ 30 fps).

The average price on Yandex.Market: 26,000 rubles.

Xiaomi Mi6


  Xiaomi Mi6 is the 7-year-old path to success and Xiaomi's current leading product. Like Sony, the Chinese did not experiment with frameless design (although they can, remember Mi Mix), but they could not refuse the dual-camera trend. In general, Xiaomi Mi6 attracts not only with two lenses, but also with flagship iron, as well as an unusual design - completely glossy and comprehensively symmetrical. Relatively low price compared to larger market players also only strengthens the desire to buy it.

Features dual camera Xiaomi Mi6: 12 megapixels (f / 1.8 aperture, four-axis stabilization, phase autofocus) + 12 megapixels (f / 2.6 aperture), sensor size 1 / 2.9 ″, pixel size 1.25 µm. As for the modes for photos and videos, everything is standard: there is HDR, videos can be written in 4K (2160p @ 30 fps), Full HD (1080p @ 30 fps) and HD (720p @ 120 fps).

The average price on Yandex.Market: 28,000 rubles.

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom


  The first camera phone company ASUS, and very good. From the pluses: balanced technical specifications, a capacious battery and a metal case. Of the minuses: the design is very amateur. All this, the Taiwanese offer for a rather high price tag at the level of 30 thousand rubles. The dual-camera ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom, of course, is strong, but certainly not worth the money. Nevertheless, the cameraphone from the "zoom" really turned out what is needed.

Features of the dual-camera ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom: 12 megapixels (f / 1.7 aperture, optical and four-axis stabilization, laser and phase autofocus) + 12 megapixels (f / 2.8 aperture, 2.3x optical zoom), sensor size 1 / 2.5 ″, pixel size 1.4 µm.

The average price on Yandex.Market: 29,990 rubles.

Huawei P10 / P10 Plus


  The slightly evolved, but still excellent flagships of one of the leading Chinese smartphone manufacturers. They stand out among analogues by the proprietary duo of powerful cameras, the main feature of which is optics and image processing technologies from the German photo brand Leica. Huawei P10 and P10 Plus (), like real Leica flagships, are ideal for a mobile photographer. If you need a smartphone with a clear focus on wide photographic capabilities, then this line from Huawei is undoubtedly the best solution.

Features dual camera Huawei P10 and P10 Plus: 20 megapixels (f / 2.2 aperture (f / 1.8 in P10 Plus), optical stabilization, Leica optics, laser and phase detection autofocus, 2x zoom without loss of quality) + 12 megapixels (f / 2.2 aperture). HDR is supported, video is in 4K (2160p @ 30 fps) and Full HD (1080p @ 60 fps).

The average price on Yandex.Market: 34,490/38,990 rubles.

Oneplus 5


  OnePlus 5 is the most high-performance solution among all flagships. But it is equally ambiguous. This smartphone has everything that an ideal flagship needs: a Snapdragon 835, 8 GB of RAM, the latest version of Android with excellent firmware optimization and a dual camera with a record total resolution. However, the frankly weak design to match the iPhone 7 Plus and critical trifles (USB Type-C 2.0, one speaker, jelly scrolling) scare away the purchase.

Previously, we already figured out what to buy: OnePlus 5 or the time-tested OnePlus 3T. If you have the same doubts - be sure to read.

Features of the OnePlus 5 dual camera: 16 megapixels (f / 1.7 aperture, electronic stabilization (gyroscope), phase detection autofocus) + 20 megapixels (f / 2.6 aperture, 1.6x optical zoom), sensor size 1 / 2.8 ″, pixel size 1.12 µm. There is HDR, video support in most formats: 4K (2160p @ 30 fps), Full HD (1080p @ 30/60 fps) and HD (720p @ 30/120 fps).

The average price on Yandex.Market: 35,450 rubles.

LG G6


  A firm attempt by the South Korean manufacturer to regain its successful position in the flagship market. Having got rid of modular surprises, he turned into a confident glass-metal representative of smartphones of the highest price category. A good design is complemented by a fullVision frameless screen and a dual camera with a wide-angle lens. True, all this costs a lot of money, but in the case of the LG G6, the price tag is quite justified.

Features of the dual camera LG G6: 13 megapixels (aperture f / 1.8, three-axis stabilization, phase and laser autofocus, viewing angle 71 degrees) + 13 megapixels (aperture f / 2.4, wide viewing angle 125 degrees), sensor size 1/3 ″, pixel size 1.12 µm.

The average price on Yandex.Market: 45,990 rubles.

Apple iPhone 7 Plus


  And finally - the top-end camera phone in the current line of Apple's flagship smartphones. It was the iPhone 7 Plus that secured its position as a leader in the field of mobile photography, despite the rapid offensive by Android competitors. Today, the iPhone 7 Plus is one of the best solutions for creating great photos from your smartphone. Do not recommend it for purchase, if you are not against iOS and can pay a tidy sum - you simply can’t.

Apple iPhone 7 Plus Dual Camera Features: 12 megapixels (aperture f / 1.8, optical stabilization, viewing angle 28 mm) + 12 megapixels (aperture f / 2.8, viewing angle 56 mm), phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, sensor sizes 1/3 ″ and 1 / 3.6 ″. There is HDR support, as well as video recording in various formats: 4K (2160p @ 30 fps), Full HD (1080p @ 30/60/120 fps) and HD (720p @ 240 fps).

The average price on Yandex.Market: 51 800 rubles.

How to take off?

Each camera phone from the Pixel Story collection takes great photos with the highest levels of clarity, detail and color reproduction. Individual models do better with certain tasks. For example, Google Pixel takes incredible pictures at night, iPhone 7 Plus is good at natural color reproduction, and Huawei P10 turns black and white photos into a real work of art.


  iPhone 7 Plus, Galaxy S8, HTC U11, LG G6, Huawei P10, Xperia XZ Premium
  iPhone 7 Plus, Xperia XZ Premium, Galaxy S7 Edge, Huawei P10 Plus, LG G6
  Galaxy S8 +, iPhone 7 Plus, LG G6, Xperia XZ Premium
  iPhone 7 Plus, Galaxy S7 Edge, Huawei P10 Plus, LG G6, Xperia XZ Premium

In this case, you decide which parameter of mobile photography is most important to you. You can compare the quality and details of photos from the main camera phones in the special gallery above.

In conclusion, we propose to take a survey and answer the main question - which do you think is the best camera phone of all?

The capabilities of smartphone cameras have stepped far forward over the past five years. Now even a relatively cheap state employee can be a good tool in the hands of a skilled photographer. Today we compiled a rating that included the best phones with a good camera in 2018. Below you can choose for yourself both an inexpensive and a top-end phone.

Phones with a good camera up to 7000 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 state employees who can make a good shot in conditions of mediocre lighting. The smartphone does not have an outstanding optics or photosensor, but thoughtful post-processing algorithms do their job perfectly.

For the best quality frame, 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 capture the necessary objects), therefore, when macro shooting, it is recommended to set the focus point manually. The front camera is also pretty good, selfies come out crisp and with the right color reproduction.

Conclusion: Meizu M5c is a budget smartphone with a good camera. Suitable if you do not chase the top level shooting.

Xiaomi Redmi 4A

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

Redmi 4A uses the budget OmniVision OV13850 photosensor. According to the results of camera tests, we can safely say that this smartphone is a direct competitor to Meizu M5c. On some sides, the Xiaomi device is better; on some, worse. For example, with Xiaomi video shooting everything is fine (as for such a price), the gadget can shoot fairly clear frames in FullHD, while the first copy of the rating works only in HD.

However, in terms of the quality of night photography, Redmi 4A loses significantly to the competitor, even the HDR mode and flash do not save it. But autofocus works fine, you don’t have to manually point to the desired focus point.

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

Huawei Y5 2017

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

The 2017 Y5 is very different from its predecessor, a significant part of the work of Huawei was done precisely on the camera of this smartphone. At the same time, a rather strange misunderstanding came out - it turns out that the front camera of the state employee shoots even better than the main one!

In fact, this is not possible all the time, under normal lighting, the main photomodule is certainly better to use than the front camera. In any case, selfie lovers will definitely be delighted. In the piggy bank of the Y5 2017 flaws, it is also worthwhile to include a removable back cover. Because of it, the smartphone case crunches unpleasantly even at the slightest pressure.

Output:Huawei Y5 2017 is a smartphone with a good selfie camera. But in terms of the quality of the main photosensor, he loses a little to his competitors.

Phones with a good camera up to 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 just a camera phone. To do this, the standard camera application was endowed with a professional mode, which has a fairly wide range of options for adjusting ISO, shutter speed, exposure and focus.

We have no complaints about the operation of the photomodule, autofocus is very fast and clear. At night, the pictures are not so detailed, but without noise. The phone can shoot video in FullHD resolution. True, moving objects in the frame are a bit blurry. But the 8-megapixel front camera showed itself well in all tests.

Conclusion: a good option for those who cannot afford the 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 megapixels, front - 5 megapixels.

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

During the test, Zenfone 3 Max surprised with an excellent ratio of almost all of its parameters. The only nuisance was the too narrow dynamic range of the camera. Therefore, you should not expect miracles from her in the dark. Supported shooting with high resolution. After a few seconds, the smartphone saves a 52-megapixel frame glued from four 13-megapixel shots.

Conclusion: Zenfone 3 Max is good not only for the camera, but also for the price to quality ratio. In this regard, he is one of the best smartphones up to 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 megapixels, front - 8 megapixels.

HMD Global makes the main bet on Nokia 5, because it is this model in the lineup that should bring the manufacturer the greatest profit. The smartphone is perfectly balanced in almost all matters, except that the particularly discerning device may disappoint. Also, do not forget about the low level of performance of Nokia 5.

In the matter of shooting, the device can be put in the first row in quality (of course, in its price category). The vulnerability of the photomodule is shooting in low light, then a huge amount of noise is added to the blurring of small details.

Conclusion: according to experts,Nokia 5 has every chance to win the top ranking of camera phones up to 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 megapixels, front - 13 megapixels.

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

The main 13-megapixel camera of the gadget showed itself well in macro photography. This is largely due to accurate and fast autofocus. In addition, excellent post-processing is worthy of praise. Thanks to it, it is possible to achieve the allocation of small details and competent color reproduction. It is recommended to use the HDR mode for shooting with multiple light sources in a frame at once.

Conclusion: a great smartphone for the money. It has a good front camera with built-in hardware.

Huawei P10 Lite

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

The smartphone is equipped with a proprietary chipset Kirin 658, 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 everyday tasks and for games. With a camera, things are even better.

The 12-megapixel main photosensor shoots 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 shooting, a slight blur of small details does not spoil the overall impression of the picture. There is even some semblance of 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 to buy, especially pleased with the presence of portrait mode. Although it can not be compared with that in smartphones with a dual camera, its very presence is a huge plus compared to competitors.

Motorola Moto G5s

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

Moto G5s - the true embodiment of compactness. With a 5.2-inch display, the smartphone is very comfortable in the hand, and the front glass panel gives it a modern look. True, there is some risk of losing this very panel when the smartphone falls.

The Moto G5s has a very high potential for quality photography. In order to use this tool 100%, we recommend working in manual mode. A little "curve" software does not always accurately adjust the white balance and exposure to the surrounding environment. The front 5-megapixel camera is paired with an LED flash, so you can make decent selfies in any conditions.

Conclusion: feel free to choose this model if you already have rich 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 megapixels, front - 16 megapixels.

The 2017 Galaxy A5 model received a key improvement for the line - IP68 moisture protection. Now the smartphone can be under water for a little more than 30 minutes without serious consequences for electronic filling. Competitors in the same price category have not yet presented an equally good solution in their devices.

As the main photomodule, a 16-megapixel sensor with an f / 1.9 aperture is used here. The focal length is 27 mm. The main camera of the Galaxy A5 2017 works quite well, although it lacks optical stabilization during video shooting.

Conclusion: a typical smartphoneSamsung in the middle price category. An ideal choice at the junction 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 megapixels, front - 16 megapixels.

The characteristics of the Meizu phablet camera are pretty good: the Sony IMX362 module, ƒ / 1.9 aperture for the primary lens and ƒ / 2.0 for the secondary. In this case, the smartphone can record high quality 4K video, but without optical stabilization.

The M6 \u200b\u200bNote has portrait mode. True, the autofocus in it does not always clearly do its job, so often the focus point on the main subject has to be selected manually. The front 16-megapixel camera pleased, all the details of the face are perfectly visible in the room. If necessary, you can activate the built-in hardware.

Conclusion: a smartphone with a good camera up to 20,000 rubles. DefinitelyMeizu finally managed to break the black line of failures with 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 megapixels, front - 20 megapixels.

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

The main dual camera was distinguished by excellent shots even at dusk. Subjectively, it can be compared with the Huawei P10 photo module. In portrait mode, the contours of the object are clearly distinguished against a blurred background.

Conclusion: Chinese smartphones with a good camera do not cease to please 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 megapixels, front - 13 megapixels.

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom - the phone is not for small palms, the device is quite large and not very convenient for controlling with one hand. Outwardly, it very much resembles the iPhone 7, especially at the back. This is largely due to the dual camera module in the upper left corner.

An IMX362 sensor is mounted on the main lens inside. Its optics are responsible for double zoom, after a closer approximation, the camera switches to program zoom. It looks very cool, while the clarity of small details is not lost even at maximum magnification.

Conclusion: an excellent camera phone, only if you are not confused 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 megapixels, front - 16 megapixels.

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

Inside, the SONY IMX386 dual sensor is used, supporting 4K shooting, software frame enhancement and dual lens blur mode. The clarity and color rendition of the footage is amazing, Meizu Pro 7 has a huge potential for professional shooting.

Conclusion: the best camera phones in 2018-2019 could not do without this unique model, Pro 7 is the perfect smartphone for selfie.

Xiaomi Mi5s

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

The presence of a dual photomodule does not mean the amazing quality of photos. Xiaomi Mi5s fully proves this. In daylight, a smartphone with one photo module showed its best side, coming up with attention to small details and white balance.

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

Many users require that a phone with a good camera can not only be able to shoot with high quality, but also can pleasantly please the user with performance in games or something else. There are plenty of such offers on the market, but getting confused in them is quite simple. To protect you from this, we 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 a powerful filling, a large display or excellent autonomy.

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 the Sony IMX276 RGBW sensor, its main task is to improve the camera's photosensitivity to take high-quality photos in low light. The Chinese smartphone should be recommended to all macro enthusiasts, in this mode the camera does an excellent job of identifying small details, and also boasts realistic colors.

The gadget is suitable for lovers of autonomy. A battery with a capacity of 3300 mAh is able to work all day with an active load. The model is frustrating in that it works on the basis of the Android 7.1 OS. In all other respects, this is an interesting solution in terms of price and quality.

No. 9 - Xiaomi Redmi S2

Price: 9 990 rubles

If you are looking for a great phone with a good camera, but still have a modest budget, then the popular model from the budget segment of Xiaomi Redmi S2 is what you need. Of the two cameras, the 16-megapixel front camera was the most successful. It shows a rich image with decent detail, plus it has stabilization that works during movie shooting.

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

No. 8 - Vivo Y85

Price: 15 000 rubles

Vivo Y85 will appeal to its design for all lovers of aesthetics. 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 full of 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 the correct sharpness over the entire field of the frame. For advanced users, the camera interface has a variety of shooting modes, including the Pro-mode, which allows you to manually adjust the exposure and ISO. The main disadvantage of the model is the plastic case, as well as the lack of NFC.

No. 7 - Honor 8X

Price: 16 990 rubles

We cannot name the best in terms of photo capabilities of Honor 8X, but from the point of view of design, this is one of the most attractive solutions for its price. Glass panels shimmer effectively in the light and allow the gadget to 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. Such characteristics of the screen allow you to easily watch a movie on it or use your smartphone as an e-book.

The main camera earned the most positive reviews and praise in the reviews. A pair of modules with a resolution of 20 and 2 MP in conjunction with an advanced AI allows the user to achieve a detailed result with the correct color balance with a minimum of 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 Xiaomi Mi8 Lite. The combination of 12 and 5 MP modules makes great photos with a decent level of sharpness over the entire field of the frame. The list of strengths of the gadget should include the ability to edit the blur parameters of photographs taken in portrait mode, as well as the imposition of various effects on all pictures.

The smartphone is included in our rating not only with a very good camera, but also with a powerful hardware platform. The Snapdragon 660 processor will easily pull any giant of the gaming industry, but in conjunction with the optimized Android 8.1, dressed in a proprietary MIUI interface, when solving everyday tasks, you will be pleasantly surprised by the smooth operation of the phone. In the case there was no place for the 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

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

Sony IMX486 sensor with a resolution of 12 megapixels acts as the main camera. Despite the fact that he is only one, as well as a modest number of megapixels, he manages to take detailed and saturated pictures, however, at night the situation deteriorates due to the presence of noise in the photos. The main drawback of the model is the Snapdragon 450 processor, which does not allow recommending 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. The thing is in the glass case, which has already become a branded chip of the manufacturer's top solutions. 5.84-inch display is quite successfully combined with it. Its resolution of 2280 by 1080 pixels allows the picture not to suffer from pixelation, as well as to comfortably use the smartphone in any scenario, from surfing the Internet to high-end games. Fortunately, Kirin 970 allows this.

For selfie lovers, the Honor 10 is equipped with a 24-megapixel front camera with F / 2.0 aperture. Such 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 the beautifulizer. If the latter makes the photos a little unnatural, then the first only improves them. It is practically impossible to find fault with the model, the only thing that raises doubts is the practicality of the glass case.

No. 3 - OnePlus 6

Price: 30 000 rubles

OnePlus 6 definitely comes to mind one of the first 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 supplemented by optical stabilization, which allows the captured video to be smooth and clear. As for the photo capabilities, everything is fine here - the dynamic range is wide, and the color rendition is close to ideal.

The model is famous for its autonomy - a battery with a capacity of 3300 mAh is enough for two days in most use cases. Throughout this time, your smartphone will be protected with a fingerprint scanner that clearly recognizes your fingerprint. Like most flagships, the main disadvantage of the OnePlus 6 is the price.

No. 2 - iPhone XS Max

Price: 92 000 rubles

If even the 4-inch iPhone 5S is appreciated for its photo capabilities, then in the iPhone XS Max it is brought to the professional level. The combination of two 12-megapixel sensors allows photos to be detailed and have the right color balance. The Apple A12 Bionic processor, which so far has no equal in the market in performance, clearly applies to the advantages.

A special mention is also worthy of the 6.5-inch display with a resolution of 2688 by 1242 pixels. The size, as well as the manufacturing technology of the AMOLED matrix, allows the gadget to successfully replace the tablet, and in some scenarios, the e-book. Fortunately, perfect color reproduction, a powerful margin of brightness, as well as maximum viewing angles contribute to this. As for the minuses - this is the price.

No. 1 - Huawei Mate 20 Pro

Price: 77 800 rubles

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

The 6.39-inch display with a resolution of 3120 by 1440 pixels is worthy of praise. It is perfectly calibrated - the colors are saturated and rich, the viewing angles are maximum, but the image contrast is exactly what it should be. All of the above will be an advantage when you run PUBG at maximum graphics settings thanks to Kirin 980 and 6 GB of RAM. You don’t need to worry about the duration of the sessions, since the 4200 mAh battery can provide up to two days of autonomy with the 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 Huawei Mate 20 Pro will definitely not suit you.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro

We also have a similar one, which is now significantly cheaper.

Today, manufacturers simply do not make a good phone. It must have a highlight in order to compete with the flagships of other manufacturers. Someone focuses on high power, someone - on the camera. In this rating, we will present the best smartphones for mid-2017, which have the coolest cameras.

1st place - Huawei P10

Suddenly, we give the first place to the smartphone Huawei. P10 is the new flagship in the lineup, which received the best camera among existing flagships. It uses a cool sensor with a resolution of 20 megapixels, but the main thing is the proprietary optics from Leica. Thanks to the wide-angle diaphragm Summarit-H lenses and the improved image processing algorithm from Leica, the camera module was amazing. In the ranking of phones from huawei model in third place. A detailed overview of “lies”.

By the way, 2 rear modules are used here: one is monochrome, the other is color. The first collects information about light, the other - about color. Then the information from the two modules is combined and the output produces a detailed and correct picture in terms of color reproduction. You can take pictures on both sensors separately. Particular attention is drawn to the monochrome module. This is the main purpose of the dual camera, but they also allow you to make a spectacular blurred background and, moreover, change focus after you take the picture. Here is an example of a blurred background (photo taken on a Huawei P9 camera).

In addition, Huawei P10 received optical stabilization, a 4-in-1 focusing system: that is, phase, laser, depth and contrast autofocus are simultaneously used. Despite the camera’s coolness, its settings are very simple and clear.

In everyday life, the camera is wonderful, especially in the light. In the evening or in poor lighting conditions, the quality decreases (and this is quite normal) due to the lack of photosensitivity of the matrix. But the rest of the camera is one of the best, but in our opinion is generally the best.

Examples of photos on the camera Huawei P10



Pay attention to the last frame. Even in complete darkness, a blue sky without clouds is clearly visible, which indicates the widest dynamic range.

Also put next to the smartphone Huawei P9. This is the previous version, but she also received proprietary optics from Leica and revised software. It also uses 2 rear sensors (monochrome and color), but compared to P10, where the camera is significantly improved, the P9 module lags behind.

2nd place - iPhone 7 Plus

iPhone 7 and 7 plus made a splash in the market. Not only are the best processors used today, but also cameras at the level. In this review, we include only the iPhone 7 Plus, because It was he who received the double rear module. The iPhone 7 camera is also not bad, but inferior to the Plus model.

Camera features: 2 lenses, 12 megapixel resolution, the ability to shoot in 4K resolution and speed 60 FPS. Unlike the aforementioned P10, wide-angle and telephoto lenses are used here. And the principle of operation of the two modules is different.

Thanks to the second module, more light enters the matrix, you can simulate a shallow depth of field and blur the background. Particular attention was paid to Apple not so much in the quality of photographs as in shooting video. iPhone 7 plus records video so cool that it is even suitable for shooting movies and clips.

Example video recording on iPhone 7 Plus at 60 FPS

Example of recording 4K video on iPhone 7 Plus

Sample photos on iPhone 7+



We specially selected photos in difficult shooting conditions. The last 2 photos are made in complete darkness. But the camera literally pulled out the remnants of the light and perfectly reproduced the colors and was able to capture even the clouds! Of course, when the image is enlarged, noise is visible, but there is no getting around it.

iPhone 7 also has a good camera, but it uses only one rear module.

3rd place - Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

If you remember that the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge overtook the best camera in the line. She was a kind of standard that other manufacturers tried to equal. Alas, Samsung has slightly lost ground in terms of developing a camera and software for it, and the new flagship Galaxy S8 and S8 + have not been able to outperform the competitors iPhone 7 plus and Hauwei P10.

But it is worth recognizing that the camera in the Galaxy S8 turned out to be quite good, but in comparison with the S7 Egde it did not receive any revolutionary changes. Only a few improvements have appeared.

As before, the highlight is the focusing technology over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe Dual Pixel sensor. Due to the new processor, the speed of autofocus triggering is incredibly high. It is always points, fast, the processing speed of the image is also at its best. Burst shooting of Durst Mode is done at a tremendous speed. Another feature of the camera is the ability to select the best image from three.

In S8, the bar has risen slightly on the part of the camera. Nevertheless, experts put the display in the first place. It is the screen in the Galaxy S8 that is the unique feature that the focus was on. He is the best here and he has no analogues. But the camera is just good. Moreover, there are not even 2 rear modules, but only one.

Sample photos on a Samsung Galaxy S8 camera





Demonstration of video shooting on the S8

4th place - LG G6

The new flagship from LG received, as it should be for the modern flagship, 2 rear cameras:

  1. One camera with a conventional lens and f / 2.4 aperture;
  2. The second camera with a wide-angle lens and f / 1.8 aperture.

Both sensors are Sony IMX258 with a pixel size of 1.12 um. Quality during the day is excellent, in the evening it drops noticeably. A feature is the ability to shoot from a very close distance, and thanks to the wide-angle lens, many elements fall into the frame that do not fall into a conventional lens.

Otherwise, everything is not bad either: natural colors, low noise, large dynamic range and proper white balance.

Sample photos on the LG G6

Photos on the LG G6 on a wide-angle lens

Photo on LG G6 on a regular lens

The LG G6's camera is comparable to the Galaxy S8. They are just a little different, but generally the same level. LG just has a wide-angle lens, and the S8 has a Dual Pixel and the choice of the best photo from the three proposed options.

5th place - Google Pixel Xl

There was a lot of controversy over this smartphone and its camera. Recall that the popular resource DXOmark put Google Pixel Xl in first place in terms of quality and efficiency of cameras. Having scored 89 points, this smartphone beat Samsung Galaxy S7, iPhone 7 and Sony Xperia X. But with the release of new flagships from Huawei, Samsung, LG, he moved a little and now his fifth position.

Before buying, you should consider the real capabilities of smartphones that you really need. First of all, decide what you need from the phone and make a list of characteristics, prioritizing them.

For example, camera quality and the availability of a selfie camera may come first. On the second - the ability to listen to music or play games, on the third - a powerful battery, etc. In order for the mobile to meet all your requirements, and even have a reasonable price, you need to consider not only the flagships of the industry, but also secondary brands, slightly inferior to them in capabilities.

Brand line of phones

Before you consider specific models, it is worthwhile to understand what is happening on the market. All manufacturers' offers can be divided into 4 categories, on which the quality and cost of the model directly depend.

  • A-brands. The most hyped smartphones with tons of extra features. Fierce competition leads to the fact that manufacturers hire a staff of developers to search for the most advanced technologies. If today models that are unlocked by fingerprint are heard, then tomorrow they will “learn” how to react to the retina. The minus of the flagships is that half of the functions may not be useful. In addition, you will have to significantly overpay for the brand. We are talking about Apple, Samsung, LG, HTC, etc.
  • B-brands. The second group includes “strong middle peasants”. Smartphones that have characteristics comparable to major brands, but significantly differ in price. From this category, it is quite possible to choose a budget camera phone. Worthy brands: Xiaomi, Huawei, Meizu, Lenovo;
  • C-brands. Less well-known brands of various world manufacturers at attractive prices. You can buy, but you need to carefully choose the right model. These include: Oppo, Doogee, Zopo, Cubot, etc.
  • The fourth category includes all other smartphones that do not have a trademark. They can be produced clandestinely, which means they often break. Selecting a gadget from this category is not recommended.

Super Camera Features

By the quality of shooting, cameras built into modern smartphones are superior to “soap dishes” and are trying to catch up with SLR cameras. Moreover, megapixels are far from the most important parameter. It is necessary to pay attention to the aperture value, on which the quality of shooting in low light conditions depends.

Attention! If the camera works fine during the day, then at dusk it may “make noise,” that is, produce dark photos. When choosing it is better to compare not daytime, but evening photos. So you can get a real idea of \u200b\u200bthe capabilities of the camera.

Another significant parameter is the shooting start speed. The faster the camera responds to a button press, the more likely it is to capture an interesting moment. The optimal indicator is 2-3 seconds.

A high-quality camera is also useful for video recording. A required parameter is support for recording in FHD format.

These criteria apply to both the main camera and the selfie camera.

Which operating system to choose

An ideal operating system (OS) should have a convenient interface, instant work without crashes and freezes, and the ability to use online applications.

Tip. When choosing a budget smartphone model with a good camera, you need to pay attention to the processor, built-in and RAM, and battery power.

There are 3 platforms:

  •   . Judging by the results of research, 70% of respondents use smartphones on Android. Support is positioned as simple and reliable, available due to a large number of inexpensive models;
  • IOS The brainchild of Apple is characterized by stable operation and high quality, but it belongs to the premium segment. For reliable functionality you will have to overpay;
  • Windows The platform from Microsoft is unpopular; the number of models running on this platform is limited. Therefore, despite the affordable prices of smartphones, experts do not recommend such a choice, because it will significantly limit the capabilities of the gadget.

The big screen and its advantages

It’s more convenient to study the details of the photo, watch videos and movies on the big screen, so there has recently been a tendency to increase the diagonal of the display. The optimal performance for the camera phone is considered to be a screen from 4.7 to 5 inches.

Rating of the best budget camera phones

A smartphone with a good camera at an affordable price is not a fairy tale. Choosing from the B-brands you can find very worthy models costing from $ 120 to $ 150.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 - the best budget camera phone of 2016

1. Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 - a budget gadget of Chinese design. Its main camera (13 megapixels) is in no way inferior to the flagship models. It copes with artificial lighting and twilight. Captures videos with maximum resolution and stereo sound. The front camera (5 megapixels) is characterized by high-quality, juicy photos.

The eight-core processor runs on Android, has 16 GB of main memory and 2 GB of RAM.

2. Meizu M2 is represented by two versions, note and mini. Oddly enough, the best cameras are on a smaller version. Camera resolutions - 13 megapixels. They cope with shooting indoors and outdoors, when photographing in the twilight, you must use manual adjustment and the pictures will be perfect. The front camera (5 megapixels) is characterized by clear detail pictures.

The smartphone is running Android, equipped with a processor with 4 cores, 16 Mg of main memory and 2 - operational.

3. Asus Zenfone 2 Laser - a masterpiece with an excellent camera. Manufacturers provided it with laser autofocus and an intelligent removal system. It automatically removes moving objects located between the focus point and the lens. Both cameras work flawlessly in any light.

A 4-core processor provides power to the device. Built-in 16 GB memory and 2 GB RAM allow you to download the required number of applications.

The only negative is the battery capacity, which is enough for just a day.

4. THL 5000 T. Economical camera phone with good cameras (13 megapixels and 5 megapixels) and a capacious battery. Equipped with a powerful 8-core processor, the main memory - 8 GB and RAM - 1 GB.

5. Huawei Honor 4C has 2 13 and 5 megapixel cameras. They are able to accurately reproduce colors and details at any time of the day. They shoot high-quality video and allow you to use not only automatic, but also manual settings. According to other data, the camera phone is quite competitive. It has a processor with 8 cores and 2 GB of RAM.

In addition to these models, included in the top five, you can pay attention to the following gadgets: Acer Liquid E3, Meizu MX 5, Doogee X5, Prestigio MultiPhone 3531 and ZTE Nubia 79.

The growth of technical characteristics and the quality of “smart technology” makes it possible to purchase a budget camera phone almost equal to the flagship models.

The best camera phones of 2016 - video

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