Does anyone remember when Nokia boasted the best smartphone camera in the world? That was a mere six years ago, when the Nokia 1020 left anyone from Apple to Samsung in the dust with a 41megapixel lens and the biggest light sensor ever seen on a phone. But now both Nokia and Sharp, which pioneered the phone camera with the J-Phone at the beginning of the century, are forgotten as leaders in the field.
(For a brief history of the phone camera, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_phone)
Even so, the legacy of the 1020 was hard to shake off, until other smartphone makers showed in the last couple of years that hardware advances and software genius readily compensated for megapixels.
This is both good news and bad news; on the one hand, you don’t need megapixels for mega pictures; on the other, there is no specific number that tells you which phone has the better camera. However, a combination of numbers does help. Megapixels do matter, although not by themselves. Aperture, measured in f, matters even more, as it tells you how much light the lens allows in – the smaller the number, the more light. Sensor size counts, as it dictates how much light is captured. The bigger the size, the more light it captures.
Finally, and this would have been an absurd suggestion just six years ago, the number of lenses counts. When dual-lens cameras were first introduced in 2011 both the HTC Evo and LG Optimus, they were designed to take 3D photos – which no one really wanted. Consumers were demanding something seemingly simpler: better photos. Today that is exactly what multi-lens cameras do, with each lens contributing a different aspect to the quality of the combined image. HTC was the first with a dual-lens camera in the One M8 four years ago, but its two average lenses didn’t necessarily add up to one great photo. LG was next with two-lens phones in the G5 and G6, with the second allowing users to switch to wide-angle format.
It was only when Huawei partnered with Leica for dual lenses on the P9 and P9 Plus that the ability to combine images from two cameras came into its own, and now all smartphone makers are on the same path.
None of this guarantees perfect or even great photos, as the marketing hype promises. But more about that later. It is notable that only two of the 10 phones listed here have a single lens on the back, suggesting that it is dual-lens arrays – or more – that have finally laid to rest the ghost of the 1020.
Click on the link below to discover the top 10 camera phones:
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Here is a subjective choice of the best phone cameras available in South Africa right now, based on general use. Specifications all courtesy GSMArena.com:
1. Huawei P20 Pro
If this phone was allowed in the USA, we’d hear constant references to hitting the ball out of the park. Their loss is also Huawei’s loss, but the rest of the world is making up for it as the absurd specs shake up the smartphone market. In South Africa, the P20 range has far outsold its cheaper predecessor, the P10, in the first six weeks of availability. Except it to lead a trend to triple-lens devices, in the same way that the P9 Plus led the dual-lens revolution. The P20 Pro’s front or selfie camera is the best on the market. An artificial intelligence detects the type of scene being captured, and optimises the settings for the scene. Leica optics on all three lenses and 3x optical zoom make this the camera to beat.
Back (main camera):
Triple 40 MP (f/1.8, 27mm, 1/1.7″) + 20 MP B/W (f/1.6, 27mm) + 8 MP (f/2.4, 80mm), OIS, Leica optics, 3x optical zoom, phase detection and laser autofocus, LED flash
Front (selfie camera):
24 MP (f/2.0, 26mm), 1080p
Software features:
Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama
Video capability:
2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@960fps
2. Samsung Galaxy S9+
There is a magic to the photos taken by the Galaxy S series all the way back to the S6 edge. Purists dislike its artificial sharpening and saturated colours, but for the average user that translates into images that often astonish. The latest flagship’s f1.5-2.4 variable aperture makes this the best phone on the market for low-light photography. It is also the market leader in selfie features and functionality, offering dual-video recording for incorporating selfie video into the main video.
Back:
Dual 12 MP (f/1.5-2.4, 26mm, 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, Dual Pixel PDAF) + 12MP (f/2.4, 52mm, 1/3.6″, 1µm, AF), OIS, phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, LED flash
Front:
8 MP (f/1.7, 25mm, 1/3.6″, 1.22µm), autofocus, 1440p@30fps, dual video call, Auto HDR
Software:
Geo-tagging, simultaneous 4K video and 9MP image recording, touch focus, face/smile detection, Auto HDR, panorama
Video:
2160p@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR, dual-video rec.
3. Samsung Note 8
The Note 8 just beat Apple to market with optical zoom, but it’s still the only game in town for stylus interfaces. The selfie camera matches the S9+for widest aperture in a front camera.
Back:
Dual 12 MP (f/1.7, 26mm, 1/2.5″, 1.4µm, Dual Pixel PDAF) + 12MP (f/2.4, 52mm, 1/3.6″, 1µm, AF), OIS, phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, LED flash
Front:
8 MP (f/1.7, 25mm, 1/3.6″, 1.22µm), autofocus, 1440p@30fps, dual video call, Auto HDR
Software:
Geo-tagging, simultaneous 4K video and 9MP image recording, touch focus, face/smile detection, Auto HDR, panorama
Video:
2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, dual-video rec
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4. Apple iPhone X
That absurd notch has been touted as pioneering, and other manufacturers have been caught up in the hype, slavishly following this gimmick for maximizing display space. The sooner it vanishes the better, as we can then focus on what makes the X a superb phone. It has possibly the most versatile video functionality on a phone camera, and closest to true natural colour of all phone cameras.
Back:
Dual: 12 MP (f/1.8, 28mm) + 12 MP (f/2.4, 52mm), OIS, phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, quad-LED dual-tone flash
Front:
7 MP (f/2.2, 32mm), 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, face detection, HDR
Software:
Geo-tagging, simultaneous 4K video and 8MP image recording, touch focus, face/smile detection, HDR (photo/panorama)
Video:
2160p@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
5. Sony Xperia XZ2
The Xperia XZ Premium was first to market with 960 frame per second video, allowing super slow-motion, but Samsung and Huawei have both caught up. However, it matches up to any of its competitors for video quality and advanced imaging software.
Back:
19 MP (f/2.0, 25mm, 1/2.3″, 1.22µm), gyro EIS, predictive phase detection and laser autofocus, LED flash
Front:
5 MP (f/2.2, 1/5″), gyro EIS, 1080p
Software:
Geo-tagging, touch focus, face/smile detection, panorama, HDR
Video:
2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@960fps
6. LG V30S Thinq
The Thinq label speaks to the artificial intelligence built into the phone, similar to that in the current Huawei flagship phones. However, the spec to check is the f1.6 aperture, which puts it up there with the Samsung flagships. It also boasts superb audio software, enhancing the video experience.
Back:
Dual: 16 MP (f/1.6, 1µm, 3-axis OIS, PDAF) + 13 MP (f/1.9, no AF), phase detection & laser autofocus, LED flash
Front:
5 MP (f/2.2, 1/5″, 1.12µm)
Software:
Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama
Video:
2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., HDR video
7. Apple iPhone 8 Plus
If the iPhone X is too large for comfort, its sibling, the 8 Plus is an excellent alternative for Apple die-hards. The lenses are equivalent, even if it doesn’t come with the same boasting power.
Back:
Dual: 12 MP (f/1.8, 28mm, OIS) + 12 MP (f/2.8, 57mm), phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, quad-LED dual-tone flash
Front:
7 MP (f/2.2, 32mm), 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, face detection, HDR
Software:
Geo-tagging, simultaneous 4K video and 8MP image recording, touch focus, face/smile detection, HDR (photo/panorama)
Video:
2160p@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
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8 Huawei Mate 10 Pro
Had the P20 pro not hit the market, the Mate 10 Pro would have been a strong enough phone to claw out additional market share for Huawei. With dial Leica lenses and artificial intelligence, it holds its own.
Back:
Dual: 12 MP (f/1.6, 27mm, 1/2.9″, 1.25µm) + 20 MP B/W (f/1.6, 27mm), OIS, 2x lossless zoom, Leica optics, phase detection & laser autofocus, dual-LED dual-tone flash
Front:
8 MP (f/2.0, 26mm, 1/3.2″, 1.4µm), autofocus, 1080p
Software:
Geo-tagging, touch focus, face/smile detection, panorama, HDR
Video:
2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
9. Sony Xperia XZ Premium
Replaced by the XZ2, with similar features, but a premium selfie camera, look out for bargain prices on this one.
Back:
19 MP (f/2.0, 25mm, 1/2.3″), gyro EIS, predictive phase detection and laser autofocus, LED flash
Front:
13 MP (f/2.0, 22mm, 1/3″, 1.12µm), 1080p
Software:
Geo-tagging, touch focus, face/smile detection, panorama, HDR
Video:
2160p@30fps, 720p@960fps, HDR
10. Nokia 8 Sirocco
Finally, Nokia is making something of a comeback, and the Sirocco’s dual-lenses shows that it is keeping up with the market leaders.
Back:
Dual: 12 MP (f/1.8, 1.4µm) + 13 MP (f/2.6, 1.0µm), dual pixel phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, Zeiss optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash
Front:
5 MP (f/2.0, 1.4µm), 1080p
Software:
Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama
Video:
2160p@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Phones to look out for, hot off the production lines:
Sony XZ2 Premium, with dual rear-cameras;
Xiaomi Redmi 8, expected to offer the best value-for-money in a high-end phone camera.
Two phones with highly-regarded cameras that should be mentioned, the Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL, are not officially available in South Africa, but can be bought from online stores like Talealot.com.
Amid all the shutter and marketing noise of these cameras, there are a few warnings. All revolve around the truth that a great camera does not make a great photographer. When smartphone makers promise users “perfect photos every time”, they are lying. When they claim the phone camera will allow any user to take “professional photos”, they are stretching the definition of “professional” into the realms of fantasy.
Good photos are produced by an understanding of framing, angling and positioning (for great yet simple advice on the topic, see https://improvephotography.com/2989/10-tips-for-capturing-what-you-see). Apps, artificial intelligence and software magic help, but the most important feature of great photographs lies in the hands and eyes of the photographer.
Dual: 12 MP (f/1.6, 27mm, 1/2.9″, 1.25µm) + 20 MP B/W (f/1.6, 27mm), OIS, 2x lossless zoom, Leica optics, phase detection & laser autofocus, dual-LED dual-tone flash
8 MP (f/2.0, 26mm, 1/3.2″, 1.4µm), autofocus, 1080p
Geo-tagging, touch focus, face/smile detection, panorama, HDR
2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
19 MP (f/2.0, 25mm, 1/2.3″), gyro EIS, predictive phase detection and laser autofocus, LED flash
13 MP (f/2.0, 22mm, 1/3″, 1.12µm), 1080p
Geo-tagging, touch focus, face/smile detection, panorama, HDR
2160p@30fps, 720p@960fps, HDR
Dual: 12 MP (f/1.8, 1.4µm) + 13 MP (f/2.6, 1.0µm), dual pixel phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, Zeiss optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash
5 MP (f/2.0, 1.4µm), 1080p
Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama
2160p@30fps, 1080p@30fps