The best smartphone cameras in 2021
What is the best smartphone for photography? Does it come with or without a telephoto lens? What is the best camera smartphone that costs less than $400, $300, or $200? In this selection of the best camera smartphones in 2021, NextPit helps you choose the camera smartphone of your dreams, which has been tested and approved by the editorial staff.
The best camera smartphones to choose from in 2021 compared
| Best choice for Android | Best choice for Apple | Best premium value-for-money | Best sub-$400 smartphone | Best sub-$300 smartphone | Best sub-$200 smartphone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | ||||||
| Image |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Pros |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Offer |
|
The purpose of this selection is obviously to recommend the best camera smartphones available on the market today. The selection has been discussed and debated internally and, with very few exceptions, each model has been reviewed by a NextPit journalist. But the final goal is not to focus on the camera itself and forget about everything else.
As with every product, the purchase of a smartphone, camera-centric or not, is the result of taking multiple criteria into consideration. Hence, this selection focuses on the quality of the camera of each smartphone while taking into account the rest of the hardware specifications and the overall value-for-money of the smartphone.
Jump to
- The best camera smartphones in 2021
- Best value at the top end of the market: Google Pixel 6
- Best value mid-range smartphone
- How to choose the best camera smartphone?
The best camera smartphones in 2021
In this section, we list the best camera smartphones available in 2021 according to NextPit. These are the best models across all categories. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 13 Pro share the podium and is followed by the Pixel 6.
Apple's best camerasmartphone: iPhone 13 Pro
Rating |
 |
| Pros
|
Cons
|
NextPit's full review of the iPhone 13 Pro
The iPhone 13 Pro is the best camera smartphone in 2021, having tied down the top spot with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. I didn't include the iPhone 13 Pro Max since it offers exactly the same camera specifications, so you might as well go for the cheaper model. Last year's iPhone 12 Pro Max is still very competitive obviously, but the iPhone 13 Pro brings improvements that really make a difference.
We're still at 12 MP on all sensors, but they've been enlarged to capture more light. The main wide-angle lens now measures 1.9 µm (compared to 1.7 µm for the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini and the iPhone 12 Pro Max and 1.4 µm for the iPhone 12 Pro), and it has a better aperture (f/1.5, compared to f/1.6 on the iPhone 12 Pro). The same goes for the ultra-wide angle, whose aperture increases to f/1.8, against f/2.4 on the iPhone 12 Pro.
- Also read: Which Apple iPhone do I choose in 2021?
At night, the difference between the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro is therefore rather obvious, especially since all sensors are now compatible with the Night Mode. Finally, the telephoto lens features a 77mm equivalent with an aperture at f/2.8 and 3x zoom, versus a 2x zoom on the iPhone 12 Pro and 2.5x zoom on the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The best Android camera smartphone: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Rating |
|
| Pros
|
Cons
|
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra full review
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the first Android flagship released in 2021 and it's also still the best in my opinion, for photos and in general.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra overhauls the copy of its camera module compared to last year's Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. Instead of a 48 MP periscope telephoto lens, there are two dedicated telephoto lenses at 10 MP each, and the main 108 MP sensor is no longer the Isocell Bright HM1 which had a lot of focus issues but is replaced by the new Isocell Bright HM3 instead. And Samsung has fixed many issues since the previous generation of Ultra flagships.
- Also read: Which Samsung smartphone do I choose?
It's the most versatile camera smartphone on the market and the most efficient when it comes to zooming capability, and Samsung provides you with a whole host of software aids and assistants to capture the best shots possible even without any photography skills. It's clearly the most capable camera, although it doesn't look as natural as the iPhone 13 Pro.
The best value-for-money flagship: Google Pixel 6
Rating |
|
| Pros
|
Cons
|
NextPit's full review of the Google Pixel 6
I was privileged to review the Pixel 6 and it's definitely my slam dunk of the year. In terms of value-for-money, the Pixel 6 is the most recommended flagship in my opinion. And the camera configuration, although it is imperfect, it is still excellent and remains at the very top of the bracket.
The main 50MP lens is based on a Samsung GN1 sensor with a size of 1/1.31 inches (with 1.2µm pixels) with f/1.85 aperture and optical stabilization (OIS). The ultra wide-angle uses a 12 MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture (pixel size 1.25µm) with a field of view of 114 degrees.
The photos from the main sensor are simply excellent in terms of sharpness, level of detail, and exposure. The colorimetry is not the most natural but I find that it handles those well. The Night Sight is also too aggressive and won't please those used to Apple's Night Mode, for instance. Portrait photos are also very good but the zoom, which is purely digital, remains rather limited.
I don't think the dedicated telephoto lens on the Pro model justifies the $250 price difference, but my colleague Camila, who reviewed the Pixel 6 Pro, doesn't share my opinion. And maybe the 128GB storage will also make you lean towards the Pro model. The choice is yours.
The best value-for-money mid-range smartphone
Logically, the best camera smartphones on the market are flagships or top-of-the-line handsets. But there are also good camera smartphones in the more affordable price ranges, especially under the $400, $300, or even $200 mark.
The best camera smartphone under $400 : OnePlus Nord 2
Rating |
|
| Pros
|
Cons
|
NextPit's full review of the OnePlus Nord 2
OnePlus may have lost its identity and everything else that made the brand, but the manufacturer has still succeeded with its Nord range. I've been using the OnePlus Nord 2 on a daily basis since its launch and it's the best smartphone for under $400 euros in my opinion.
As far as photography is concerned, the OnePlus Nord 2 packs a triple camera module that is spearheaded by a Sony IMX766 ultra wide-angle main sensor, which is the same one found in the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro. I was not taken in by the photo rendering but I found the level of detail to be correct and the dynamic range rather wide. The purely digital zoom is usable and the night mode is quite effective.
Add to that the excellent overall value-for-money proposition as well as an extensive update policy (2 major Android versions and 3 years of security updates) of the smartphone, and I'm hard-pressed to find a better choice in this price range.
The best camera smartphone under $300: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
Rating |
|
| Pros
|
Cons
|
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro full review by NextPit
The Redmi Note 10 Pro is still the best smartphone under $300 according to NextPit. There is a quad-camera module that is powered by a 108 MP main lens. The Redmi Note 10 Pro also packs an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens (118° FOV, f/2.2 aperture), a 5MP macro sensor (f/2.4 aperture), and a 2MP depth sensor.
Unlike OnePlus, Xiaomi hasn't resisted integrating the anecdotal macro+depth lenses. As for the rest, image rendering is still quite satisfactory for a mid-range smartphone. I find it to be less versatile than a Google Pixel 4a which is sold for a little less. But in terms of overall value for money, Google's affordable camera phone is too technically outdated.
The best camera smartphone under $200: Samsung Galaxy A12
Not reviewed |
The Samsung Galaxy A12 is the only smartphone in this selection that NextPit could not review. For a smartphone that costs less than $200, I would tend to recommend mid-range smartphones from last year that sold for approximately $300 and have since dropped in price. But, due to the software upgrade policy and durability, I prefer to focus on models that were released this year.
The Samsung Galaxy A12's specs don't exactly make you dream. But, according to several comparisons and reviews that I've seen, the entry-level smartphone stands out with its camera module. Its 48MP prime lens does particularly well in daylight, and the smartphone ranks in the top 2 of DxOMark's photo rankings for entry-level models with a score of 90.
I don't think you can get a real camera smartphone for under $200. But in this price range, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is a decent, stop-gap solution, at least on paper.
What are the criteria for choosing the best photo smartphone?
What is aperture?
The term aperture describes the focal length of the system in relation to the diameter of the entrance pupil of the lens. This ratio is usually expressed as a fraction normalized to the numerator one in the notation "f/1.8" or "1:1.8". It is quite counter-intuitive but the larger the aperture is going to be, the smaller the number behind the f will be. Hence, f/16 is a very small aperture, while f/1.4 will be a large aperture.
Aperture is particularly useful in conjunction with sensor size to play with background blur and low-light performance. The larger the aperture - and therefore the amount of light captured - the blurrier the background behind the subject being photographed. This is a parameter that can be interesting to highlight in portraits but is also a good indicator of low light performance.
What is the focal length?
The focal length of a lens indicates the distance between the lens and its focal point, where all the light rays converge. An optical system with a very long focal length therefore focuses the light very far behind the lens. A long focal length therefore means a small angle of view - or in more colloquial terms, a "powerful zoom".
What is optical zoom?
A focal length in 35mm equivalent defines exactly the size of a given object imaged on the sensor at a given distance from the camera. Now, an optical zoom means that the camera is able to achieve different image angles or image sizes by varying the focal length.
In short, take a 3x optical zoom for example - it means the largest focal length of the camera module divided by the smallest focal length that results in exactly three. The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, for example, optically reproduces equivalent focal lengths of 13 to 103 millimeters - and therefore has an optical zoom of around 8x.
What do you think of this selection? Which models do you think we have forgotten and should be included? Do you find the advice and methodology sections useful? Give us your feedback in the comments!
Really good article, thanks!
An acquaintance of mine takes pictures on a pixel (he is a professional photographer) and the pictures turn out unreal)
Wonderful post
I think Xiaomi is the best one to capture very nice photos without spend a lot of money.
How narrow minded can you be, every true photographer online says this new Sony Xperia 1 ll has the best camera by a mile, they all say it every single one. But, tech reviewers stick to what they are spoon fed, very narrow minded. People read these reviews before they spend $1k+ on a new smartphone, waste of time, by the way I have a Blackberry.
this article is great with all the relevant information required for mobile photography.thanks
I have a Sony alpha 6000 and love using it for taking pictures. Bottom line is I always have my phone with me which I probably take >90% of my pictures with. So I have both sides covered. The other key feature I love with my phone is I can shoot video and take pictures at the same time. Just my two pfennig...
-
Admin
May 22, 2020 Link to commentIf your interest is photography then you need a real camera
no, unless you can shoot with a "real" camera by taking it out of your pocket, point towards something and take great night pictures without a tripod... but since smartphone cameras have become more versatile and far superior in processing, that statement is not true anymore
I take night photos without a tripod. If your d-slr/lens has great stability, it can be done. I've taken some fantastic moon photos without a tripod. Now, if you are talking more than 1/2 second exposure, yeah, you'll need a tripod.
If you want the best pictures buy a DSLR camera. No smart phone with a tiny lens can ever compete with a real quality camera. They can replace the old point and shoot camera but that is about it
didn't know a DSLR can make phone calls or browse the internet..or did i miss something in an article talking about "camera PHONES"?
You've managed to pick no phone of interest to me. A camera isn't everything.
Samsung phone models take truly superb photos and videos. The quality is excellent!
S9+'s Variable apeture is fire tho
i think Huawei is the best one to capture
Another vote for the Mate9, VERY good camera. Using Camera FV-5 or Open camera, it does very well.
ZTE Axon 7
20 Megapixel Back
#nuffsaid
What about the LG G5 camera?
The Mate 9 is doing very well, and also the nubia Z11, both have excellent cameras, but I can not say how good they are in comparison with the Pixel or Galaxy S7. But anyway they are better then my old S6 edge plus and the honor 5x :)
Really no LG phones. This is a very biased incomplete article.