The jury may still be out on whether mobile phone cameras are better than DSLR cameras; however, there is no denying that their continuous evolution has brought them on par with being the best electronic instruments for taking pictures. Additionally, many high-end smartphones now come with editing capabilities that make phones a one-stop option for professional photographers, including media influencers, etc. With so many smartphones boasting cameras with superb capabilities on the market, it is hard to narrow down your choices. In this blog, we will declutter this and list the best camera phones of 2024.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Some would argue that this phone’s camera has so many lenses and features that there simply isn’t a photo it can’t shoot.
- Rear camera: 200MP (wide) + 10MP (telephoto, 3x optical) + 10MP (telephoto, 10x optical) + 12MP (ultrawide, 120-degree)
- Front camera: 12MP
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a fantastic camera that excels in various situations, such as close-ups, night photos, and zoomed-in shots. It introduces a massive 200MP primary camera, a departure from previous models with a 108MP sensor. This change doesn’t compromise image quality; the S23 Ultra’s camera delivers consistently impressive results.
For those who want more control, there’s an Expert RAW mode supporting up to 50MP output. You can also capture 200MP stills in JPEG format for maximum detail.
Samsung collaborates with social media platforms like Snap, TikTok, and Instagram to enhance image and video quality and integrate better with creative features in these apps. This sets it apart from other Android phone makers.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple has introduced periscope technology in the iPhone 15 Pro Max for improved zoom capabilities, although it’s not as powerful as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Still, it takes excellent zoom shots and offers better stabilization, especially for digitally zoomed videos, compared to the previous model.
- Rear camera: 48MP (wide) +12MP (ultra-wide) + 12MP (telephoto with 5x optical zoom)
- Front camera: 12MP
While its main, ultra-wide, and front-facing cameras remain the same as the previous version in terms of megapixels, Apple’s strength lies in AI processing, dynamic range, and video recording capabilities. It excels in low-light photography and offers fun features like focus pulling for cinematic shots.
In summary, unless you need extensive zoom capabilities, the iPhone 15 Pro Max stands as one of the best camera phones, not just among iPhones.
Google Pixel 7 Pro
The Google Pixel 7 Pro is outstanding at taking photos, both during the day and at night, and it even improves the quality of older phone photos. It offers unique features that set it apart from competitors.
- Rear camera: 50MP + 48MP +12MP
- Front camera: 10.8MP
The Pixel 7 Pro excels in speech recognition, making Google Assistant more useful. It enhances photos with Real Tone technology, improving skin tones, and it’s set to improve phone call quality soon.
However, its battery life could be better, and the Macro Focus mode isn’t as impressive as other Google Photos features. Overall, the phone fulfills many promises, though not all of them.
Google Pixel 7
The Pixel 7 doesn’t have the 48MP telephoto sensor found in the Pixel 7 Pro. However, it does share the same impressive 50MP main camera and a similar 12MP ultra-wide camera, though the latter lacks autofocus, so there’s no Macro Focus mode on the standard 7.
- Rear camera: 50MP (wide) + 12MP (ultrawide)
- Front camera: 10.8MP
Both the standard and Pro models feature a 10.8MP front-facing camera for selfies, support 4K video recording at 60fps, and offer 10-bit HDR video capture for enhanced colors, brightness, and contrast.
But what really makes the Pixel camera stand out is its processing and software, powered by the Tensor G2 chip.
Google Pixel 6a
The Pixel 6a may not match the vibrancy and detail of the standard Pixel 6’s photos, but it outperforms most other phones in its price range.
- Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP
- Front camera: 8MP
The Pixel 6a features a 12.2MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera with a 114-degree field of view. It doesn’t have optical zoom and offers digital zoom only up to 7x, limiting long-distance shots. However, Google’s AI scene optimization enhances photos based on the environment, making them more attractive.
The phone offers several AI-based features, including Magic Eraser, which removes unwanted elements from photos and fills in the background using AI, often producing impressive results.
For selfies, the Pixel 6a has an 8MP front camera, slightly lower in resolution compared to rivals but still performs well.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra offers an impressive array of lenses, including two 10MP telephoto lenses with different apertures, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a high-resolution 108MP main wide camera.
- Rear camera: 108MP (wide) + 10MP (periscope, 10x optical) + 10MP (telephoto, 3x optical) + 12MP (ultrawide, 120-degree)
- Front camera: 40MP (wide)
What makes the S22 Ultra stand out is not just its hardware but also its software enhancements. Samsung has improved optical image stabilization, digital image stabilization, and image processing, resulting in better image quality when zooming in.
The phone features 3X and 10X optical zoom lenses, providing clear distant shots. Additionally, Samsung’s digital zoom, called Space Zoom, is surprisingly effective, allowing you to capture detailed photos with less pixelation, suitable for sharing.
OnePlus 11 5G
OnePlus aims for a specific look and feel with its phones, and this means you shouldn’t expect exceptional telephoto or macro photography. The longest lens on the OnePlus offers only 2x zoom, whereas Samsung’s Galaxy S23 has a 3x lens, the iPhone 14 lacks telephoto, and the Pixel 7 Pro has a 5x zoom lens but at a higher cost compared to the OnePlus 11.
- Rear camera: 50MP + 32MP + 48MP
- Front camera: 16MP
However, where the OnePlus 11 shines is in portrait and landscape photography. Its photos have a rich, natural quality that the iPhone and Pixel can’t replicate. While Apple and Google prioritize accuracy and realism, the OnePlus 11 delivers an artistic feel akin to using a prime photography lens.
Oppo Find X5 Pro
The Oppo Find X5 Pro’s camera system performs well in many aspects. The main 50MP f/1.7 camera and the 50MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera are both excellent. They capture bright, detailed, and colorful photos. However, the 13MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom lags behind its competitors in this regard.
- Rear camera: 50MP (wide) + 13MP (telephoto, 2x optical) + 50MP (ultrawide, 110-degree)
- Front camera: 32MP (wide)
Despite this, the phone is an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts, thanks to its MariSilicon X neural processing chip and collaboration with Hasselblad. This partnership brings enhancements to Pro photography mode and introduces a dedicated XPan mode for a unique photography experience. It also offers impressive video stabilization at 1080p and 4K recording options, along with a capable 32MP front-facing camera.
While the Oppo Find X5 Pro may not have the most comprehensive or versatile camera setup compared to some rivals, it excels in various photography scenarios. However, to compete with top players like Samsung and Apple, it may need to improve its zoom capabilities in the future.
You may have noticed that we haven’t included the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro in this list. They might be added once they have been tested by experts. So, stay tuned to this space. In the meantime, please check out OLX Pakistan’s mobile phone listings, as most of these phones are available there.
You may also like to read:
iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Sneak Peek at Apple’s Latest Marvel
Get Ready for Next-level Performance & Photography With the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Google Pixel 7 Pro Price in Pakistan, Specs, Features and Other Details
Image credits:
samsung.com
store.google.com
apple.com
oneplus.com
oppo.com
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