What is the mobile with the best camera? The question that many ask themselves, and for which it seems so difficult to find an answer. Although it has always been a determining factor, it was not until recent years that manufacturers have given the importance it deserves to photography, even competing with each other to offer the best possible photographic experience on their mobiles.
This has ultimately benefited consumers, who now have a wide variety of mobile phones with fantastic camera systems to deliver excellent results. And, to further facilitate the task of choosing a new mobile based on its photographic capabilities, in this guide, we select the smartphones with the best camera on the market that can be purchased in the middle of 2021.
Phones with a better camera- What should you assess when choosing a mobile for its camera?
- What mobile has a better camera?
- What is the best selfie camera?
- Phones with the best cheap cameras
- Phones with better video cameras
- Phones with better camera and battery
- Best mid-range mobile camera
- Phones with better cameras for 300 euros
- Phones with better selfie / front cameras
- Chinese phones with the best camera
Phones with a better camera
After analyzing the market in search of the most advanced phones in terms of photography, we can specify that these are the phones with the best camera that you can buy right now.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Google Pixel 5
- Huawei Mate40 Pro
- OnePlus 9 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Today, we can say that Samsung has in its catalog the mobile with the best camera on the market. It is the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, a model that has finally left behind the problems that previous models suffered.
The S21 Ultra has a 108-megapixel main camera with an improved focus system, which provides an experience far superior to that of any other camera seen on a mobile. In addition, it includes a double telephoto for greater versatility and an excellent ultra-wide-angle sensor.
Samsung has gone for an extreme formula when building the S21 Ultra’s camera system. And the truth is that the results, compared to those of the previous S20 Ultra, are infinitely better.
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iPhone 12 Pro Max
The iPhone with the best camera to date is hands down the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Its triple 12-megapixel resolution rear sensor offers a consistency difficult to see on other devices while providing great versatility thanks to the different focal lengths offered by each sensor.
In addition, it has systems such as ProRAW or Deep Fusion, which give the camera greater flexibility when capturing images.
Portrait mode has also been improved, now achieving skin tones with more natural colors and more pleasant blur effects.
As if all that was not enough, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is once again the best mobile on the market to record video.
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Google Pixel 5
Google may have decided to change the formula with its Google Pixel 5 by giving it mid-range specifications. That, however, does not mean that the company has forgotten that aspect that makes its phones so special: photography.
The Pixel 5 has one of the best cameras on the market. While it is not the most versatile, it is reliable and consistent, thanks to a processing system that no other manufacturer comes close to today.
It is the first Pixel with an ultra-wide-angle camera on the rear. It perfectly complements the main 12-megapixel sensor, capable of capturing zoomed images without losing too much detail thanks to the Super Res Zoom system.
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Huawei Mate 40 Pro
That the fact of not having Google applications or services does not make you forget the Huawei Mate 40 Pro, one of the phones with the best camera of all 2021.
The Mate 40 Pro takes everything that was already good in the previous P40 Pro and improves it through more refined software capable of taking full advantage of its 50-megapixel main camera with RYYB pixel matrix; it’s Ultra wide-angle – one of the best we’ve ever tested – and its 5x optical zoom telephoto.
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OnePlus 9 Pro
After several years of trying, in the end, it has succeeded: OnePlus finally has mobile at the top of smartphones with the best camera on the market. It is, of course, the OnePlus 9 Pro.
To achieve this, OnePlus has enlisted the help of an expert in the field such as Hasselblad, who has worked together with the Chinese brand to fine-tune the colorimetry of the sensors to offer more natural and realistic results. Thus, the processing is finally at the height of hardware that stands out for a 48-megapixel main sensor created by Sony in a custom way for OnePlus, and for having a sensor with a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens.
All of this works in line to offer one of the best photographic experiences on the market, which, of course, lags a bit behind in terms of video recording and zoom captures.
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What should you assess when choosing a mobile for its camera?
When we think about buying a new mobile, most public studies certain technical data before deciding on another terminal. However, when talking about photographic quality, certain myths need to be debunked.
Megapixels are not that important.
We will not tire of saying it: the number of megapixels is not a decisive factor when determining whether one camera is better than another. What you need to find out is the size of the sensor and the pixels themselves. The larger they are, the more light will enter the sensor and the better photos we obtain in low light conditions. That, however, does not mean that high-resolution sensors do not have their advantages.
The opening, key to photos at night
The larger the aperture of a sensor, the more light can enter. This will mean that the sensor or sensors of your camera do not have to force the ISO – light sensitivity – so much in these situations, thus greatly reducing the noise characteristic of this type of night image.
Optical, digital, or both stabilization
When shooting videos or taking photos in low light, good stabilization can be the key to avoiding shaky or blurry photos. At the slightest vibration, a terminal without this function will perform very poorly at night or on moving videos. Even better if the device combines optical stabilization systems with electronic systems and if it also has an optical stabilizer for each of its sensors.
What mobile has a better camera?
From our point of view, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the mobile with the best camera that you can buy today. After testing it for a while, we were able to see for ourselves how Samsung had managed to leave behind all the problems of previous generations and build one of the most versatile, complete, and advanced systems that we have seen in mobile to date.
There are four cameras that Galaxy S21 Ultra equips on the rear: a 108 MP main sensor with OIS, 12 MP ultra-wide-angle, 10 MP “tele” sensor with three optical zooms, and secondary 10-megapixel “tele” sensor. With 10x optical zoom.
If you are looking for a mobile capable of taking the best photos in any situation, the Galaxy S21 Ultra will not disappoint you.
What is the best selfie camera?
We have to stay with the Huawei Mate40 Pro when selecting the mobile with the best selfie camera of the moment. In addition to the main 13 MP sensor, this high-end Huawei has a Time of Flight depth sensor capable of capturing distance information to generate background blur effects.
The photographic results obtained by the two front cameras of the Mate40 Pro are of outstanding quality, thanks in part to the inclusion of autofocus. This function is not usually present in these cameras.
Phones with the best cheap cameras
After analyzing the vast majority of mid-range mobiles that have landed on the market in recent months, we have decided to select those that have a more advanced, versatile, and better quality photographic section to end up choosing the best cheap mobiles with a good camera.
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro
- Google Pixel 4a
- realme 6 Pro
- Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite
- Samsung Galaxy A51
- Huawei P40 Lite
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro
One of the aspects that were not surprising when analyzing the Redmi Note 9 Pro was its photographic system since it has one of the best cameras seen in a phone of its price. And this Note 9 Pro is a good demonstration that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to take quality pictures with your phone.
There are four sensors that this Redmi Note 9 Pro has on the back: 64 MP main sensor, 8 MP wide-angle, 5 MP macro, and 2 MP depth sensor for portraits. In the hole in the middle of its screen is its only 16 MP front camera.
In general, the photographic results of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro are good in most situations, with good color rendering and good white balance. The portrait mode stands out especially, with high-quality images thanks to a very well-achieved crop of the close-up subject.
Google Pixel 4a
With its 12-megapixel camera with f / 1.7 aperture and the magic of Google in terms of image processing, the Pixel 4a is postulated as one of the best cheap phones to take photos that exist in 2021.
It also has optical and electronic stabilization, something that not many models of its price can boast. In addition, Google has significantly improved the audio capture system in this model, so that video recording is one of its strengths, unlike what happened in the Pixel 4.
realme 6 Pro
We return to the realm mobile catalog to recommend its realme 6 Pro, undoubtedly one of the cheap phones that impressed us the most with its camera. As we told you in its analysis, the images obtained by this terminal are really good, with an outstanding level of detail.
Behind these great results are a Samsung GW1 64 megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel wide-angle, a 2-megapixel macro sensor, and a 12 MP telephoto sensor that adds a touch of versatility that suits this realm very well. 6 Pro. If we look at the front, we see two cameras: a 16 MP main and an 8 MP wide-angle lens.
Xiaomi Mi 10T-Lite
Among all the cheap mobiles that Xiaomi offers in its catalog, the Mi 10T-Lite, with its quadruple rear camera formed by a 64-megapixel sensor, 13-megapixel wide-angle, 2-megapixel macro, and 2-megapixel depth sensor, is undoubtedly the terminal that best represents that it is not necessary to spend a lot of money to have a mobile with a good camera.
In addition to that, it is one of the most powerful mobiles of this selection, having a Snapdragon 750G processor. In any case, if what you care about is photography, you should know that the Mi 10 Lite will not disappoint you.
Samsung Galaxy A51
Not only is it the best-selling Android mobile in the world in 2020, but the Samsung Galaxy A51 is also one of the cheap phones with the best camera thanks to its 48-megapixel main sensor, added to a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera – probably, one of the best we’ve tried in its price range.
In its analysis, we highlight a good level of detail along with good color reproduction and a night mode that fulfills its function perfectly. It is a versatile and capable camera in most circumstances.
Huawei P40 Lite
That the fact of not having Google services or apps does not let you appreciate the great camera system of the Huawei P40 Lite. It has a 48-megapixel main sensor with f / 1.8 aperture, an 8 MP wide-angle, and two additional 2-megapixel macro and depth sensors. In addition, the front camera happens to be 16 megapixels.
As with Google Pixel 4a, the Huawei model stands for good processing performed by the software on the photographs, and that look own distinct. For that alone, it’s worth giving it a try.
Phones with better video cameras
Video recording is also important when choosing a mobile phone for its camera system. A high number of megapixels does not mean that the camera captures moving images well. If you want a good video recording, these mobiles are a sure hit.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- iPhone 12
- Huawei P40 Pro +
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
There is no doubt, the best video camera we have tested to date is in the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, both in terms of the number of available options and image quality.
So you can see the results obtained by this Galaxy S21 Ultra and how it compares with another of the best terminals in its category, we leave you the following video.
iPhone 12
Apple has dramatically improved video recording on its iPhone 12, which can now natively capture Dolby Vision video in 4K resolution at up to 30 frames per second. In addition, in this terminal, you can edit the video directly while maintaining Dolby Vision with its high dynamic range and its most accurate recordings.
Huawei P40 Pro +
Without reaching the level of the Galaxy above Note 20 Ultra, this Huawei P40 Pro + obtains very good results when capturing video, including the possibility of doing it at a 4k resolution with a rate of 60 frames per second.
The most outstanding feature of the video recording of this terminal is the stabilization system, which works very well when it comes to eliminating vibrations and movements from the videos. You can check it in the following example:
Phones with better camera and battery
It is recommended that a good photographic system is accompanied by a competent autonomy section to be able to dedicate time to taking photos and videos without fear of running out of battery in the middle of the session.
These are the phones with the best camera and battery that you can choose in 2021:
- Huawei Mate 40 Pro
- Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
Huawei Mate 40 Pro
The Huawei Mate 40 Pro has one of the best and most versatile photographic sections of all the mobiles launched in 2020. After its analysis, we can confirm that the results obtained by the Mate 40 Pro camera are outstanding in general terms.
At the same level is its autonomy, thanks to a 4,400 mAh battery with 66W fast charge, 50W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. As we verified when testing it, the battery of the terminal exceeds the day of use. However, the most surprising thing is the power of its fast charge, since this Mate 40 Pro can be fully charged in just 35 or 40 minutes.
Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
We have previously praised the benefits of the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro camera, with an impressive 108 MP main sensor. If you are looking for a terminal in which the battery also stands out, this Mi 10 Pro is a good choice, as it has the most advanced technologies on the market in terms of autonomy.
Specifically, Xiaomi’s mobile has a 4,500 mAh battery with 50W fast charging, 30W wireless charging, and 10W reverse. Not only will it be able to get through the day of use without problems, but you can also bring it back to life in less than an hour with that powerful, fast charge that it has.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
The photographic section of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is the main asset used by the South Korean company to promote it. It’s understandable, as it has up to six different cameras, with a 108 MP main sensor at the rear.
However, and as we verified in the analysis of the Galaxy S20 Ultra, the level of its battery is also high, with a capacity of 5,000 mAh, fast charging of 45W, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. Using the terminal with the screen refresh rate at 120Hz, it can reach 6 hours of screen time.
Best mid-range mobile camera
If we had to choose the mid-range mobile with the best camera, we would undoubtedly choose the Google Pixel 4a.
Considering that it integrates the same sensor as the Pixel 4 and Pixel 5 and that the results are traced to those that these two terminals can generate, we are talking about the mid-range mobile with the best camera on the market.
With an excellent portrait mode, first-rate image processing, and Google’s great night photography and astrophotography modes, the Pixel 4a is the terminal that offers the best photography experience in its category.
A good alternative would be the Mi 10T-Lite, which, although it does not reach the level of the Pixel in terms of image quality, does offer good versatility as it has an ultra-wide sensor combined with a large main sensor that generates full captures. Of detail.
Phones with better cameras for 300 euros
We have commented on it in previous lines, and we repeat it, you do not have to spend 1,000 euros to have a mobile that takes good photographs. The proof of this is the following models, with the best cameras for 300 euros.
- realme X3 Superzoom
- Samsung Galaxy M31
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro
realme X3 Superzoom
A terminal with a great camera at around 300 euros is the realm X3 Superzoom, with a very good quality main sensor next to which also stands out an excellent zoom between 5 and 10 increases.
Focusing on the technical part, we must mention that this realm x3 Superzoom has a 64 MP main sensor, an 8 MP “ultra-wide,” an 8 MP macro sensor, and, as a novelty. This fourth “telephoto” sensor allows you to capture images with 5x optical zoom. When this sensor is combined with the rest of the lenses, the realm X3 Superzoom can take photos with a digital zoom of up to 60x.
The configuration of its front cameras is also interesting, with a 16 MP primary sensor and an 8 MP Ultra wide-angle sensor that can take images with a field of view of up to 102º. In short, the real x3 Superzoom has one of the complete photographic sections that you can find for its price.
Samsung Galaxy M31
The battery is the most striking feature of the Samsung Galaxy M31, so it is surprising to test its photographic section and discover that it also has a lot to offer. For less than 300 euros, with this Galaxy M31, you can get a versatile and good photographic system, which gives more than correct results in most situations.
In total, there are four rear cameras on this Samsung mobile: 64-megapixel main lens, 8-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and a macro lens and a depth lens, both 5 megapixels. The front lens, located in the notch of the screen, is 32 MP.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro
Again it is necessary to speak of the Redmi Note 9 Pro as one of the cheap phones with the best camera, in this case below 300 euros. In general, the results obtained by its photographic system are good, with a night mode that does its job well when night falls.
Phones with better selfie / front cameras
The importance acquired by selfies and video calls made with the mobile has influenced the quality of the front cameras. These are the models with the best selfie cameras of 2021.
- Huawei P40 Pro +
- OPPO Reno 4 Pro 5G
- OPPO Find X2 Lite
Huawei P40 Pro +
Previously we have selected it as the mobile with the best selfie camera of the moment, so its presence in this section was to be expected. With a 32 megapixel dual camera and ToF sensor with autofocus, the P40 Pro + can take very good quality selfies.
OPPO Reno 4 Pro 5G
Thirty-two megapixels are also the front camera of the OPPO Reno 4 Pro 5G, located in the hole in the screen in the upper left corner. One of the aspects that surprised us the most when testing the Reno 4 Pro 5G was the great work of this front camera, with remarkable results in most situations.
OPPO Find X2 Lite
Another OPPO mobile that equips a good front camera is the OPPO Find X2 Lite, which has a 32 MP sensor in the screen’s notch. As we saw in its review, the Find X2 Lite camera offers good images with dynamic range, quality, and correct saturation.
Chinese phones with the best camera
Xiaomi, Huawei, OPPO, or realm are some of the most relevant China-based mobile phone manufacturers in the current market. We go into their catalog to select the Chinese mobiles with the best camera.
- Huawei P40 Pro +
- OnePlus 8 Pro
- Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
Huawei P40 Pro +
The Chinese phone with the best camera right now is the Huawei P40 Pro +, of which we have already told you all its highlights throughout this guide. We can add that the camera app has a simple interface with multiple modes, functions, and tools available. In addition, you can access the application by double-pressing the volume down button.
OnePlus 8 Pro
The OnePlus 8 Pro has its place in this section well deserved, with three sensors on the back and one on the front that offers a very good photographic experience, with high-quality images, with a great level of detail even in those textures more complex.
Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
Although its cameras are not at the high level of Huawei, Xiaomi also has some models that stand out in this regard. The best of them is the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro, which bets on versatility by mounting a 108 MP main sensor, a 12 MP bokeh sensor, a 20 MP wide-angle, and a 10x telephoto.
Sharlene Meriel is an avid gamer with a knack for technology. He has been writing about the latest technologies for the past 5 years. His contribution in technology journalism has been noteworthy. He is also a day trader with interest in the Forex market.
