Top Camera Phones: Capture Perfection
By Dante Holloway | Published: 2024-05-15 | Category: Phones With Best Cameras
About Phones With Best Cameras
Smartphones equipped with advanced camera systems, offering superior image and video quality, multiple lenses, and sophisticated software processing for photography enthusiasts.
How We Tested
Products were evaluated based on sensor technology, lens versatility, image processing software, low-light performance, zoom capabilities, and overall photographic output in diverse shooting scenarios.
Scoring Criteria
- → Image Quality
- → Video Quality
- → Zoom Capabilities
- → Low-light Performance
- → Feature Set
- → Ease of Use
The Best Phones With Best Cameras
Sony Xperia 1 V
By Sony
Targets photography and videography purists with extensive manual controls, a unique true optical zoom telephoto lens, and pro-grade apps.
Key Features
- ✓Main Sensor: 48MP (effective) "Exmor T for mobile" stacked CMOS sensor (1/1.35")
- ✓Ultrawide Sensor: 12MP
- ✓Telephoto Sensor: 12MP with continuous optical zoom (85mm-125mm, f/2.3-f/2.8)
- ✓Video Recording: 4K HDR at 120fps, Cinematography Pro, Videography Pro
- ✓Special Features: Zeiss T* coating, Real-time Eye AF, Photography Pro app
Scorecard (Overall: 7.8 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Professional-grade camera apps
- + Unique continuous optical zoom
- + Excellent video features
- + Natural color reproduction
Cons
- - Steep learning curve for casual users
- - Expensive
- - Camera app can be complex
Verdict
"The Sony Xperia 1 V is a niche device for serious creators who value manual control and professional features over point-and-shoot simplicity."
Samsung Galaxy S24
By Samsung
The base model S24 provides a solid triple camera system with AI enhancements, offering a versatile shooting experience for its class.
Key Features
- ✓Main Sensor: 50MP
- ✓Ultrawide Sensor: 12MP
- ✓Telephoto Sensor: 10MP (3x optical zoom)
- ✓Video Recording: 8K at 30fps
- ✓Special Features: Galaxy AI editing tools, improved Nightography
Scorecard (Overall: 8.0 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Good all-around camera performance
- + Useful 3x telephoto
- + Bright and vibrant photos
- + AI features from the Ultra line
Cons
- - Image processing can be strong
- - Not as advanced as the Ultra model
- - Ultrawide could be better
Verdict
"The Samsung Galaxy S24 is a reliable and capable camera phone for everyday users, offering a good balance of features and performance."
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Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
By Huawei
Pushes camera hardware boundaries with a retractable main lens with variable aperture and a 1-inch sensor, known for exceptional detail and dynamic range.
Key Features
- ✓Main Sensor: 50MP (1-inch type) retractable lens with variable aperture (f/1.6-f/4.0), sensor-shift OIS
- ✓Ultrawide Sensor: 40MP
- ✓Telephoto Sensor: 50MP (3.5x optical zoom), telephoto macro
- ✓Video Recording: 4K at 60fps
- ✓Special Features: XMAGE imaging engine, Ultra Speed Snapshot, Super Macro
Scorecard (Overall: 8.2 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Innovative retractable lens technology
- + Superb image quality from the main sensor
- + Excellent macro capabilities
Cons
- - No Google Mobile Services (major drawback for many users outside China)
- - Premium price
- - Software experience differs
Verdict
"The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra showcases cutting-edge camera hardware, but its appeal is limited by software and service restrictions."
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OnePlus 12
By OnePlus
Offers a well-rounded camera system co-developed with Hasselblad, featuring improved sensors and processing for a flagship experience at a competitive price.
Key Features
- ✓Main Sensor: 50MP Sony LYT-808 (1/1.4")
- ✓Ultrawide Sensor: 48MP Sony IMX581
- ✓Telephoto Sensor: 64MP OmniVision OV64B (3x optical zoom, 6x in-sensor zoom)
- ✓Video Recording: 8K at 24fps, 4K at 60fps, Dolby Vision HDR
- ✓Special Features: Hasselblad Camera for Mobile, XPan Mode, improved HDR
Scorecard (Overall: 8.4 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Great value for a flagship camera
- + Improved Hasselblad color tuning
- + Versatile telephoto lens
- + Fast performance
Cons
- - Ultrawide not as strong as main/telephoto
- - Video can be slightly behind top competitors
Verdict
"The OnePlus 12 provides a compelling camera package with Hasselblad flair, making it an excellent value proposition in the flagship space."
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Google Pixel 8
By Google
Delivers much of the Pixel 8 Pro's computational photography magic in a more compact and affordable package, excelling in point-and-shoot scenarios.
Key Features
- ✓Main Sensor: 50MP Octa PD wide
- ✓Ultrawide Sensor: 12MP with autofocus
- ✓Video Recording: 4K at 60fps
- ✓Special Features: Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Best Take, Super Res Zoom
Scorecard (Overall: 8.5 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Fantastic AI-powered features
- + Excellent image quality for the price
- + User-friendly camera interface
- + Compact size
Cons
- - Lacks a dedicated telephoto lens
- - Pro controls are limited compared to Pixel 8 Pro
Verdict
"The Google Pixel 8 is arguably the best point-and-shoot camera phone for its price, making computational photography accessible to more users."
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iPhone 15 Pro
By Apple
A slightly smaller and more affordable version of the Pro Max, retaining the excellent main and ultrawide cameras, and strong video capabilities, but with a 3x telephoto.
Key Features
- ✓Main Sensor: 48MP with sensor-shift OIS
- ✓Ultrawide Sensor: 12MP
- ✓Telephoto Sensor: 12MP with 3x optical zoom
- ✓Video Recording: 4K at 60fps, ProRes, Log video, Cinematic mode, Action mode
- ✓Special Features: Photonic Engine, Smart HDR 5, Photographic Styles, Spatial Video capture
Scorecard (Overall: 8.6 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Top-tier video recording
- + Consistent photo quality
- + Compact Pro option
- + Powerful A17 Pro chip
Cons
- - Shorter telephoto zoom than Pro Max and some competitors
- - Expensive
Verdict
"The iPhone 15 Pro offers a premium Apple camera experience in a more manageable size, ideal for those who don't need the longest zoom."
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Vivo X100 Pro
By Vivo
Features a strong partnership with Zeiss, a large 1-inch main sensor, and a powerful periscope telephoto lens with impressive close-up capabilities.
Key Features
- ✓Main Sensor: 50MP Sony IMX989 (1-inch type) with Zeiss T* coating
- ✓Ultrawide Sensor: 50MP
- ✓Telephoto Sensor: 50MP Zeiss APO Vario-Sonnar (4.3x optical zoom), telephoto macro
- ✓Video Recording: 4K at 60fps, Zeiss Cinematic Video Bokeh
- ✓Special Features: Zeiss Natural Color, V3 imaging chip, Astro mode, Supermoon mode
Scorecard (Overall: 8.7 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Excellent Zeiss optics and color science
- + Powerful telephoto lens with great macro
- + Impressive low-light performance
Cons
- - Software can be a bit heavy for some users
- - Global availability varies
Verdict
"The Vivo X100 Pro is a strong contender, especially for its Zeiss-tuned imaging and versatile telephoto capabilities."
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
By Samsung
Boasts a high-resolution 200MP main sensor and impressive zoom capabilities, including a new 50MP 5x optical telephoto, backed by AI enhancements.
Key Features
- ✓Main Sensor: 200MP ISOCELL HP2SX
- ✓Ultrawide Sensor: 12MP
- ✓Telephoto Sensors: 10MP (3x optical), 50MP (5x optical), Space Zoom up to 100x
- ✓Video Recording: 8K at 30fps, 4K at 120fps (slow-mo)
- ✓Special Features: Galaxy AI editing tools, Expert RAW, Director's View, improved Nightography
Scorecard (Overall: 8.8 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Extremely versatile zoom system
- + High-resolution main sensor captures incredible detail
- + Comprehensive suite of camera modes and AI features
Cons
- - Image processing can sometimes be overly aggressive
- - 200MP mode can be slow
- - AI features can be hit-or-miss
Verdict
"The Galaxy S24 Ultra is a zoom champion and a feature-packed powerhouse for those who love to tinker with settings and capture distant subjects."
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iPhone 15 Pro Max
By Apple
Offers a versatile and powerful camera system with improved sensors, excellent video capabilities (ProRes, Log), and a new 5x tetraprism telephoto lens.
Key Features
- ✓Main Sensor: 48MP with sensor-shift OIS
- ✓Ultrawide Sensor: 12MP
- ✓Telephoto Sensor: 12MP with 5x optical zoom (tetraprism)
- ✓Video Recording: 4K at 60fps, ProRes, Log video, Cinematic mode, Action mode
- ✓Special Features: Photonic Engine, Smart HDR 5, Photographic Styles, Spatial Video capture
Scorecard (Overall: 8.9 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Industry-leading video quality
- + Consistent and reliable photo output
- + Excellent ecosystem integration
- + Powerful A17 Pro chip for processing
Cons
- - Expensive
- - File sizes for ProRes video can be very large
- - Some Android competitors offer more optical zoom range
Verdict
"The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a top choice for videographers and users seeking a polished, high-performance camera experience within the Apple ecosystem."
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Google Pixel 8 Pro
By Google
Renowned for its computational photography, AI-powered features, and consistently excellent image quality across various conditions.
Key Features
- ✓Main Sensor: 50MP Octa PD wide
- ✓Ultrawide Sensor: 48MP Quad PD with autofocus
- ✓Telephoto Sensor: 48MP Quad PD with 5x optical zoom, Super Res Zoom up to 30x
- ✓Video Recording: 4K at 60fps, Pro controls, Video Boost
- ✓Special Features: Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Best Take, Astrophotography, Video Boost
Scorecard (Overall: 9.0 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Exceptional AI photo editing
- + Superb point-and-shoot experience
- + Excellent video stabilization
- + Unique software features
Cons
- - Telephoto zoom lags slightly behind some competitors
- - Pro controls could be more extensive for video
Verdict
"The Pixel 8 Pro continues Google's reign in computational photography, delivering stunning, shareable photos with minimal effort."
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Oppo Find X7 Ultra
By Oppo
The first phone with dual periscope telephoto lenses, co-developed with Hasselblad, pushing the boundaries of mobile portrait and zoom photography.
Key Features
- ✓Main Sensor: 50MP Sony LYT-900 (1-inch type)
- ✓Ultrawide Sensor: 50MP Sony LYT-600
- ✓Telephoto Sensors: 50MP Sony IMX890 (3x optical periscope), 50MP Sony IMX858 (6x optical periscope)
- ✓Video Recording: 4K Dolby Vision HDR at 60fps
- ✓Special Features: Hasselblad Portrait Mode, Hasselblad Master Mode, HyperTone Image Engine
Scorecard (Overall: 9.1 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Unmatched telephoto versatility with dual periscopes
- + Superb portrait mode with Hasselblad color
- + Excellent main sensor performance
Cons
- - Limited global availability (primarily China)
- - Software might not appeal to all
- - Premium pricing outside of China
Verdict
"The Oppo Find X7 Ultra sets a new standard for zoom and portrait photography on a smartphone, if you can get your hands on it."
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Xiaomi 14 Ultra
By Xiaomi
Features a 1-inch main sensor co-engineered with Leica, variable aperture, and a quad-camera setup designed for professional-grade photography.
Key Features
- ✓Main Sensor: 50MP Sony LYT-900 (1-inch type) with variable aperture (f/1.63-f/4.0)
- ✓Ultrawide Sensor: 50MP Sony IMX858
- ✓Telephoto Sensors: 50MP Sony IMX858 (3.2x optical), 50MP Sony IMX858 (5x optical periscope)
- ✓Video Recording: 8K at 30fps, 4K at 120fps, Dolby Vision HDR
- ✓Special Features: Leica Authentic & Vibrant photographic styles, Master Lens System, optional photography kit
Scorecard (Overall: 9.2 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Outstanding main sensor performance
- + Excellent Leica color science
- + Versatile zoom options
- + Comprehensive manual controls
Cons
- - Can be expensive
- - Software may need refinement in some areas
- - Global availability can be a factor
Verdict
"The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a photographer's dream, offering exceptional hardware and Leica optics for stunning image quality."
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Final Thoughts
The camera phone market is incredibly competitive, with manufacturers pushing hardware and software boundaries. Top contenders boast large sensors, advanced zoom systems, and sophisticated AI processing, delivering results that rival dedicated cameras in many scenarios. The choice often comes down to specific photographic needs, ecosystem preference, and budget.
Notable Mentions:
- Oppo Find X7 Ultra: Groundbreaking dual periscope zoom system for unparalleled telephoto versatility (if regionally available).
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: Best-in-class video recording and a seamless experience for Apple users.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Exceptional zoom capabilities and a feature-rich camera suite for ultimate flexibility.
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