RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘Phones’

The 10 Best Camera Phones You Can Buy in 2021

07 Jun

The post The 10 Best Camera Phones You Can Buy in 2021 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Ana Mireles.

the best camera phones you can buy in 2021

If you’re eager to dive into smartphone photography and you’re looking for the best camera phone on the market, you’ve come to the right place.

It can be difficult to decide which phone to buy when there are so many good options. In my opinion, it’s a matter of deciding which features you want to prioritize and ensuring a good balance with the rest of the specs.

For example, if you do a lot of selfies, then you’d want a phone with an excellent front camera. If you like night photography, then you should search for a phone that performs best in low-light conditions. Obviously, you’ll also need to take your budget into account.

On this list, I’ve included the best camera phones for different needs – from the best point-and-shoot camera phones to the best phones for post-processing, from the phone with the best performance overall to the best budget smartphone.

Let’s get started.

1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

When you buy a camera, you’ll want to be able to change lenses – and that’s the idea behind adding more cameras to a phone: it gives you a wider variety of focal lengths.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has an impressive four-camera setup on the back: A wide 26mm camera with 108 MP and an f/1.8 aperture; an ultra-wide 12 MP camera with a 13mm lens and an f/2.2 aperture; a 10 MP telephoto camera with an f/2.4 aperture and 3x optical zoom; and a 10 MP telephoto camera with an f/4.9 aperture and 10x optical zoom. (The front camera is 40 MP, with a 26mm field of view and an f/2.2 aperture.)

All in all, the S21 has a fantastic camera system. As for the display, it has a high-resolution 6.8-inch (17.3 cm) screen. It supports the use of any S Pen, including future releases and options from third-party manufacturers.

While the S21 doesn’t have a microSD slot, it does come with several different storage capacity options: 128 GB and 256 GB.

2. Huawei P40 Pro

Huawei P40 Pro

Some people are hesitant to buy Huawei phones because they don’t have Google Play services, but photographically speaking, the Huawei P40 Pro is one of the best camera phones on the market.

With the P40 Pro, the slogan “Visionary Photography” is more than a catchphrase; the phone is equipped with a Leica quad-camera, including an ultra-vision sensor that offers beautiful results in daylight and at night.

The P40 Pro features a 12 MP telephoto camera with 50x digital zoom and 5x optical zoom; a 40 MP, ultra-wide Cine Camera; a 12 MP telephoto camera with an f/3.4 aperture; and a 3D depth-sensing camera.

On the front, you’ll find a 32 MP camera with an aperture of f/2.2, plus a depth camera. As for the software perks, the P40 Pro incorporates an AI function that removes unwanted passersby from your picture.

The P40 Pro display is rounded and supports AI gesture control. You can share the screen with your laptop and download content just by touching both devices. And even with the beautiful display, it has excellent battery life.

So if you’re interested in leveling up your smartphone photography, the Huawei P40 Pro is a great pick.

3. iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 12 Pro Max

Apple has made a point of staying on top of smartphone photography, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max, with its amazing camera system and quality display, is further proof. It features a 6.7-inch (17 cm) edge-to-edge Super Retina XDR display protected by a ceramic shield.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max has three rear cameras, each offering 12 MP: an ultra-wide 13mm camera, a wide 26mm camera, and a 52mm telephoto camera. The front camera is 12 MP and packs TrueDepth technology (which captures 3D information and is useful for face ID).

The 12 Pro Max supports Apple ProRAW format, and it’s powered by a super-fast A14 Bionic chip. It also offers impressive battery life (so you don’t have to worry about your phone dying in the middle of a photoshoot!), and it’s water resistant up to 6 m (19.7 ft) for 30 minutes.

The iPhone 12 Pro is another excellent camera phone if you’re looking for something a little less pricey – and smaller – than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The biggest downgrade is the camera sensor size (though the resolution remains the same).

4. Oppo Find X3 Pro

Oppo Find X3 Pro

The Oppo Find X3 Pro has a 50 MP ultra-wide camera with an aperture of f/2.2. And thanks to a large sensor, you get brighter pictures with better color depth, ideal for photographs in low light. A second camera packs 50 MP and an aperture of f/1.8.

The X3 Pro also has a microlens with a 60x magnification and an aperture of f/3, as well as a 13 MP telephoto camera with 5x hybrid optical zoom and 20x digital zoom. The smartphone features one of the best night modes in photography and video.

The Oppo Find X3 Pro includes a 6.7 in (17 cm) display that covers the full color gamut and offers 10-bit color depth. Its AI Scene Enhancement reads the scene and automatically shifts tones to fit.

5. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The potent Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is not only great for photography, but also for photo editing. With a 6.9 in (17.5 cm) edge display and an S Pen, you can do precise photo and video editing on the go. And for detail work, you can connect your desktop or TV as a second monitor.

The Note 20 Ultra packs a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, a 108 MP wide-angle camera, and a 12 MP telephoto camera. The latter features a 5x optical zoom and a 50x digital zoom. Plus, it has a laser AF sensor to improve focusing precision and speed.

You get multiple shooting modes such as Food, Night, Hyperlapse, and some extra features like Motion Photos and AR Doodle. In the Single Take mode, you can capture a scene from different angles, formats, and styles with one touch of the shutter.

You can record 8K video and extract any frame as a 33 MP image. The front 10 MP camera has a 26mm lens and an f/2.2 aperture.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, there’s also the Galaxy Note 20. It’s slightly smaller (6.7 in/17 cm display) and the camera array is different, but the smartphone is still top-notch.

6. Sony Xperia 1 II

Sony Xperia 1 II smartphone

The Sony Xperia 1 II is an excellent smartphone for both photography and videography. For one, it uses the same technology as the Sony Alpha cameras to capture up to 20 frames per second; it also supports Real-Time Eye AF for people and animals.

Battery life is highly improved from its predecessor, so you can enjoy the 4K display without concerns. The screen has a 21:9 ratio, a feature that appeals to those who frequently stream video.

The Xperia 1 II includes three rear 12 MP cameras with different Zeiss lenses: a 24mm wide-angle lens, an ultra-wide 16mm lens, and a 70mm telephoto lens. (The front camera packs 8 MP.)

The smartphone comes with 256 MB of storage and a microSD slot for storage expansion. If you’re a creator who toggles between photography and video, the Sony Xperia 1 II is the best camera phone available.

7. Google Pixel 5

the best budget phone camera Google Pixel 5

In a world where phones keep getting bigger and heavier, the Google Pixel 5 is a refreshing change of pace.

Its design might seem basic compared to its competitors, but it’s lighter and more comfortable to use while still delivering high-quality pictures. Sure, the 6 in (15.2 cm) display might be on the small side, but it comes with great battery life, plus a 90 Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ with three color profiles to choose from.

You get two cameras: a 12.2 MP wide-angle camera with an f/1.7 aperture and a 16 MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.2 aperture. Unfortunately, the native camera app doesn’t offer Manual mode, but you can adjust the highlights and shadows using sliders. And the Pixel 5 supports HDR but is a little slow when processing it.

The front camera offers 8 MP and an f/2 aperture. In Portrait mode, you can capture subjects with beautifully blurred backgrounds (and you can also add this effect at a later time!).

8. OnePlus 8 Pro

OnePlus 8 Pro

Looking for a smartphone camera that’s both powerful and versatile? The OnePlus 8 Pro is a stellar option.

Battery life is extremely good – it can last for over a day with heavy use (and over two days with light use). Impressively, this doesn’t come at the expense of the display; it’s bright enough to be used in direct sunlight and features accurate colors. Also, the recharging time is quite fast.

The main camera has a 48 MP sensor with great dynamic range and an f/1.8 aperture. You also get an 8 MP telephoto camera, plus a 48 MP ultra-wide camera with excellent macro capabilities.

The front camera is 16 MP, and while the later-released OnePlus 8T may have more cameras, the overall performance of the OnePlus 8 Pro is better.

9. Google Pixel 4A

Google Pixel 4A

If you’re not ready to invest in the pricier options from this list, don’t worry – there are some good choices that are also budget-friendly, such as the Google Pixel 4A.

What makes this smartphone special? For one, while you only get a single rear camera, it’s surprisingly great. It packs 12.2 MP, and images are far better than you would expect from reading its specs. The front camera is 8 MP and uses an f/2 aperture.

The Pixel 4A has many of the features on higher-end Google phones, including Live HDR+ (which lets you preview the HDR effect before you take the picture). The display is 5.81 in (14.8 cm) and full HD for a bright picture with realistic colors.

Storage is only 128 GB and the battery life isn’t great – but at such a low price, the 4A remains appealing.

10. iPhone SE

iPhone SE best budget iPhone for photography

For Apple fans after a budget smartphone, the iPhone SE is equipped with a 12 MP, 28mm rear camera and a 7 MP front camera, perfect for spur-of-the-moment shots, portraits, and more.

The SE combines the camera from the iPhone 8 with the software of the iPhone 11. As a result, you get great photographs, plus videos with image stabilization.

The iPhone SE also packs a 4.7 in (11.9 in) HD Retina screen; paired with the A13 Bionic chip, you can expect great battery life. And you still get Portrait mode, including a slider to manually control the blurred background (you also get Portrait Lighting!).

This is the most affordable iOS smartphone yet, and the quality is what you’d expect from a standard iPhone. Yes, the SE has fewer cameras and features, but it offers great value for money.

Best camera phone: conclusion

As you can see, there are many wonderful camera phone options – all of which allow you to capture professional-quality smartphone photography.

So it’s not so much about finding the best camera phone as finding the one that best fits your needs and means.

Now over to you:

Do you have any questions? Which camera phone do you like the best? Which one will you buy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post The 10 Best Camera Phones You Can Buy in 2021 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Ana Mireles.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on The 10 Best Camera Phones You Can Buy in 2021

Posted in Photography

 

Weekly Photo Challenge – Phones Only

24 Apr

The post Weekly Photo Challenge – Phones Only appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

Controversial, Simon! But you have to admit that, at some point, you’ve made a photograph with a phone – or you haven’t and that’s OK, too.

Weekly Photo Challenge - Phones Only

Use the hashtag #dPSPhonesOnly when you post on social media to help us see your photos! You can post here in the comments, (instructions down the bottom) or you can join and post over in our Facebook group if you like!

For this challenge, we’d like to see the BEST photo you’ve ever taken on your phone! It can be one you’ve taken at any time in the last year, or it can be a new one you make specifically for this challenge!

Remember, photography doesn’t need to be only ever with the highest resolution camera or the most expensive lens, learning comes in all shapes and sizes!

Weekly Photo Challenge - Phones Only
Point Lonsdale – Australia

Sometimes we use them for documentation, sometimes just because we don’t have a camera-camera with us, whatever the reason, as opposed to what a few muttered when phones started seeing better resolution cameras, I think they’re here to stay!

Weekly Photo Challenge - Phones Only
Swan Bay – Queenscliff

Right then! Some admin, first things first! If you’ve missed any of our previous challenges, you’re welcome to go back and do them all, brush up on your skills or just find some inspiration in the comments that others have posted with their photographs – find them here

And here is a mini-tutorial on how to post your images in the comments below.

How do I upload my photo to the comments?

Simply upload your shot into the comments field (look for the little camera icon in the Disqus comments section) and they’ll get embedded for us all to see. Or, if you’d prefer, upload them to your favorite photo-sharing site and leave the link to them.

Weekly Photography Challenge – Looking Up

The post Weekly Photo Challenge – Phones Only appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on Weekly Photo Challenge – Phones Only

Posted in Photography

 

FeiyuTech announces four new gimbals for mirrorless cameras, phones and action cams

12 Dec
Left to right, the Vimble 2A, the G6 Max and the AK2000S

Chinese gimbal manufacturer FeiyuTech has released details of four new devices aimed at a range of photographers using smartphones, mirrorless cameras, DSLRs and those wanting to shoot timelapse sequences. The four are the Feiyu AK2000S, the Feiyu QING, the Feiyu G6 Max and the Feiyu Vimble 2.

The Vimble V2 is a lightweight gimbal that comes in two versions, the 2A for action cams and the 2S for smartphones. The 2S is an update of an existing gimbal, but the Vimble 2A is completely new. It has an extendable handle that contains a telescopic section to increase the length of the handle by 18cm. The device weighs 277g, which the company says makes it the lightest action cam gimbal on the market. Controlled via the handle or a smartphone app, the Vimble 2A is designed to work with the GoPro5, 6 and 7 models and offers users a quick release clamp for these cameras.

Those with mid-sized mirrorless cameras are the target of the Feiyu G6 Max, with its 1.2kg capacity. A system of flexible heads allow the G6 Max to also be used with action cams, compacts and smartphones, and a new design means the gimbal is both smaller and lighter than the previous G6 Plus. Each arm on the new model has a motor lock, the device’s LCD screen is enlarged and the 9 shooting modes can be controlled directly from the handle as well as via the app.

The Feiyu AK2000S is designed for camera kits weighing up to 2.2kg/4.85lb and can control and power certain guest cameras. It uses 16.8v high torsion brushless motors to deal with the weight and now offers quicker and smoother response to instructions. The company claims motor performance is improved by 400%, and that a single charge will deliver 14 hours of operation.

The biggest of the new gimbals is the QING, which is really designed to sit on a tripod or slider to function as a complex timelapse and panoramic controller. Feiyu calls it a Motion Control Device and it can handle up to 3.5kg of kit and weighs 1.3kg itself. A detectable handle can be used as a remote controller but can also attach to the base of the QING so that it can be used as a regular gimbal. The QING comes with a 2200mAh battery to allow it to operate over long periods during timelapse sequences.

The QING costs $ 900, the AK2000S is $ 450, the G6 Max is $ 360 and the Vimble 2A and 2S are $ 127. For more information see the FeiyuTech website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on FeiyuTech announces four new gimbals for mirrorless cameras, phones and action cams

Posted in Uncategorized

 

What are the Best Phones for Photographers?

02 Jul

Many photographers own two cameras – a DSLR plus lenses for ‘serious’ photography and a compact camera of sorts to carry around for unexpected photo opportunities. Or else they may opt for a so-called ‘bridge’ camera with a built-in zoom lens. Some of these are almost the size of a DSLR which may then lead to the need for a Continue Reading

The post What are the Best Phones for Photographers? appeared first on Photodoto.


Photodoto

 
Comments Off on What are the Best Phones for Photographers?

Posted in Photography

 

What are the Best Phones for Photographers?

18 May

Many photographers own two cameras – a DSLR plus lenses for ‘serious’ photography and a compact camera of sorts to carry around for unexpected photo opportunities. Or else they may opt for a so-called ‘bridge’ camera with a built-in zoom lens. Some of these are almost the size of a DSLR which may then lead to the need for a Continue Reading

The post What are the Best Phones for Photographers? appeared first on Photodoto.


Photodoto

 
Comments Off on What are the Best Phones for Photographers?

Posted in Photography

 

DPReview Buying Guide: Best compacts, drones and phones

26 Nov

These days, getting great images doesn’t have to mean buying a large, heavy interchangeable lens camera. In these buying guides, we’re offering our recommendations for the best compact cameras, camera drones and smartphones.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on DPReview Buying Guide: Best compacts, drones and phones

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Light reportedly has phones with ‘between 5 and 9 lenses’ due out later this year

03 Jul

In 2015, Light burst onto the photography scene with the introduction of the L16, a portable camera that promised ‘DSLR quality’ photos in a pint-sized package thanks to a unique design that featured 16 different lenses and sensors.

It wasn’t until 2017 that we were able to get a peek at the first full-res image samples. Since then, there hasn’t been a lot of positive feedback surrounding the functionality and image quality of the camera, but it seems they’re far from done working on its multi-camera setups.

According to a report from Geoffrey A. Fowler of The Washington Post, Light has shown off concepts and working prototypes of phones that include between five and nine lenses. ‘[Light] says its phone design is capable of capturing 64 megapixel shots, better low-light performance and sophisticated depth effects,’ says Fowler in the article.

We’re not exactly sure what Fowler means when he says ‘its phone design,’ as Light has never stated intentions of creating its own phone. What Light has said in the past is that it’s working with manufacturers to put its cameras and software into future devices.

In speaking to Wired in December 2017, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Product Design at Light, Bradley Lautenback, said ‘one manufacturer is already at work on a Light-enabled phone, and more are in the works.’

According to The Washington Post report, Light says ‘a smartphone featuring its multi-lens array will be announced later this year.’ There’s no word on what manufacturer it’ll be from, but considering Foxconn is an investor in Light, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see it from a company with ties to the Taiwanese manufacturer.

The list of smartphone manufacturers who are customers of Foxconn include: Apple, Blackberry, Huawei, Microsoft, Motorola, Xiaomi and others.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Light reportedly has phones with ‘between 5 and 9 lenses’ due out later this year

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Sony Xperia XA2 and XA 2 Ultra put high-end camera tech in mid-range phones

10 Jan

Most mobile manufacturers tend to unveil new flagship smartphones at or around MWC in February or IFA in September, but occasionally interesting mid-rangers pop up at CES as well. That’s the case with the Sony Xperia XA2 and XA2 Ultra devices, which were just launched this morning at the Las Vegas show.

Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 630 chipset and sporting 1080p Full-HD displays, the new devices fit squarely in the mid-range bracket of the market, and yet they boast a lot of camera technology from the Japanese manufacturer’s high-end Xperia XZ flagship models, making them an appealing option for mobile photographers who can do without the most powerful processor or highest screen resolution.

Both models feature 1/2.3-inch 23MP Exmor RS sensors in the rear camera. The imager chip is coupled with an F2.0 aperture and the camera offers a 24mm equivalent focal length, phase detection autofocus, LED flash and 4K video recording. There’s also a 120 fps slow-motion mode; however, XA2 users will have to make do without the XZ models’ unique 1000 fps ultra-slow-motion feature. In typical Sony fashion, optical image stabilization has been omitted as well.

While the main cameras are identical on the standard XA2 and the Ultra model, there is a difference at the front. The XA2 features an 8MP camera with a 120° field of view, while the Ultra model features an additional stabilized 16MP camera with a 80° field of view, allowing users to easily switch between solo and group selfies. Other differences between the two models are pretty much limited to screen size (5.3-inch on the XA2 vs 6-inch on the Ultra) and battery (3200 mAh on the XA2 vs 3500 mAh on the Ultra).

The XA2 models will be available from February, and will retail at 350 Euros (~$ 420 USD) for the standard XA2 and 450 Euros (~$ 535 USD) for the Ultra—no word yet on official US pricing. To find out more about these phones or check out some image samples shot with the XA2 and XA2 Ultra, visit the Sony website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Sony Xperia XA2 and XA 2 Ultra put high-end camera tech in mid-range phones

Posted in Uncategorized

 

AI-powered ‘Google Lens’ is being integrated into Assistant on Pixel phones

25 Nov

With the Pixel 2 smartphone, Google introduced an exciting new software feature called Google Lens. Google Lens uses Artificial Intelligence to power its visual recognition algorithms and provides information about whatever your smartphone’s camera is pointed at—for example, what type of flower you are looking at or reviews and other information about a restaurant. You can also identify landmarks, look up movies, books or works of art and scan barcodes/QR codes and business cards.

Unfortunately, in its first implementation the feature wasn’t terribly easy or straightforward to use. You had to take a picture, then go to Google Photos and tap the Lens icon which would trigger the Google Lens scan. That’s too many steps to make the feature as useful as it could potentially be.

Thankfully, Lens will be integrated into Google Assistant soon. When you open the latter, there’ll now be a Lens icon near the bottom right of the display. Tapping this opens up a Google Lens camera. You can tap on any object of interest in the preview window and the app will provide any available information.

As usual, the new feature will be rolled out gradually. English-language Pixel phones that are using Assistant in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, India, and Singapore will be served first over the coming weeks, but we’d expect the new feature to make it other regions soon after.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on AI-powered ‘Google Lens’ is being integrated into Assistant on Pixel phones

Posted in Uncategorized

 

2017 Buying Guides: Best compacts, drones and phones

22 Nov

Looking for a lightweight compact camera that’s easy to bring with you anywhere? Or maybe you’re smartphone-shopping and want the one that takes the best picture. And what if you want to shoot from above? In these buyers guides we have recommendations for the best compact cameras, smartphones and drones.

If you want a compact camera that produces great quality photos without the hassle of changing lenses, there are plenty of choices available for every budget. All of the cameras in this buying guide have zoom lenses, with focal length ranges mostly spanning around 24-70mm (equivalent).

Best pocketable enthusiast cameras


The long zoom cameras in this buying guide fit into the enthusiast category, meaning that they offer solid build quality, electronic viewfinders and (usually) 4K video capture. All of these long zooms have 1″-type sensors, which slot in between the micro-sensors in phones and cheap compacts, and Micro Four Thirds and APS-C sensors in interchangeable lens cameras.

Best enthusiast long zoom cameras


The fixed lens camera market may be a bit niche, but it’s here that you’ll find some of the best cameras you can buy. Sensors ranging from APS-C format to full-frame are designed to match their lenses, so image quality is top-notch.

Best fixed prime lens cameras


All of the products in this guide fall into the ‘buy and fly’ category, meaning they require no extra components or customizations. Options range from personal ‘selfie’ drones to advanced models capable of producing professional-grade photos and video. Best consumer drones


In 2017 phone manufacturers turned to software and computational imaging methods to achieve better detail, wider dynamic range and lower noise levels, as well as high-quality zooming and DSLR-like bokeh effects. We’ve put the latest flagship smartphones through their paces and can point you in the right direction.

Best smartphone cameras

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on 2017 Buying Guides: Best compacts, drones and phones

Posted in Uncategorized