The smartphone cameras keep getting better and better every year. Manufacturers try to put the best sensor in their smartphones, dual camera setup has become a norm these days and some OEMs have even gone for the triple camera setup in their smartphones just like in Huawei P20 Pro. Usually, iPhones are known for the best smartphone cameras but you can get equally better cameras in android phones as well that are available at affordable prices.
It is really hard for us to say that a particular smartphone has the best camera in the market as all of the top of the line smartphones have really great cameras and are all best in their own way. One would be providing a great amount of details while the other one would be having a better dynamic range, so it all comes down to user preference. We have listed down and compared 5 of best smartphone cameras with iphone camera to give you an insight into this competitive market and provide you with the best sets available at affordable prices. So without further ado, let’s get started.
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Pixel 2 And Pixel 2 XL:
We are going to start our list with the Google Pixel 2 XL as it is my personal favorite. It has a single 12 megapixel shooter with an aperture of f/1.8. This is the only smartphone on our list that features a single camera setup at the back but doesn’t think that it is any less. Thanks to Google’s AI and software processing this smartphone does not even need a second sensor, mostly the second sensor is used for telephoto zoom and portrait mode but PIxel 2 just with its single sensor captures great portrait mode shot and in fact it is better than the most on our list.
The edge detection while blurring the background is really good and the bokeh looks natural and real. The only thing that you would be compromising hear is the optical zoom as it does not has a second telephoto lens.
The dynamic range is also really great and I’d say in terms of dynamic range it comes just after the iPhone XS which has the best dynamic range. Also, Pixel 2 XL is almost a year old and Pixel 3 XL will be launching soon but it has still held up really well and has made up its way in our top 5 list. Now let’s talk about the details, the pictures look really sharp until you decide to zoom all the way and that’s when you can see that it seriously lacks the details. In terms of details, I would say that it comes the last in the list but this does not mean that the images are really soft as you must keep in mind that we are comparing the top smartphones’ cameras here.
It also features OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) which really helps in capturing sharp looking shots. The color science is really great, you will get more natural looking colors. It does a pretty good job in exposure level, white balance saturation and contrast. Overall the Pixel 2 XL provides a really great rear facing camera that will help you capture some really high quality pictures.
Now let’s talk about the front camera of the device, it sports a single 8 megapixel f/2.4 shooter which is pretty impressive and without a doubt is the best front facing camera on the list. It captures stunning details which makes it look like that the shot has been taken from a rear facing camera. Also, it is a really wide angle with a focal length of 27mm so you can easily capture group selfies with it.
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Samsung Galaxy S9+:
Moving on, the next on our list is the Samsung Galaxy S9+ which also features a dual camera setup. The most unique thing about this smartphone is that it offers a variable aperture camera means that it can switch between f/1.5 to f/2.4. This really helps in the low light situation as it can switch to a wider aperture to let more light in. The primary camera is a 12 megapixel shooter with a variable aperture and is 26mm wide. The secondary camera is also a 12 megapixel shooter with an aperture of f/2.4 and has a focal length of 52mm for optical zoom and portrait mode. Both the cameras feature optical image stabilization (OIS)
The portrait mode is really impressive although you can not control the amount of blur after the shot has been taken. One thing that the S9 is best at in portrait mode is the edge detection which really makes the images look like they have been shot on a real camera.
Another thing in which the Samsung Galaxy S9+ shines is the details, it captures some really detailed looking shots and according to me, it is the best in terms of details. The place where this device lacks is the dynamic range, it comes last when it comes to dynamic range but only in comparison with our top 5 picks. The colors seem a bit saturated than natural which some people really like. Other than that the contrast levels, exposure and white balance are on point.
Taking a look at the front camera of the device, it is an 8 megapixel f/1.7 shooter with a focal length of 25mm which really wide and will help you capture groupies or group selfies, whatever you wanna call it. The front camera is also decent, you get software based portrait mode here which looks great for the most part. Overall the Samsung Galaxy S9+ comes with a really impressive camera setup that will definitely please you.
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Huawei P20 Pro:
The next smartphone that made up in our list is the Huawei P20 Pro. This smartphone offer not two but three rear facing cameras which are all optically stabilized. There is a primary 40 megapixel f/2.8 sensor with a focal length of 27mm. The secondary camera is a telephoto 80mm lens which is an 8 megapixel sensor with an aperture of f2.4. You also get a separate camera for you B&W artistic photos which is a 20 megapixel f/1.6 sensor with a focal length of 27mm.
The portrait mode of this device is quite impressive and is the best that you can find on a Huawei smartphone for now. Also thanks to the 40 megapixel sensor you can capture some really high res shots which would look really sharp even on a bigger screen.
Huawei has also packed some AI features for the camera which detects the type of scene and then make changes to the camera setting to capture the best looking shot. Like if it detects a sky in the scene it will boost the blue saturation all the way to make the image really pop. The dynamic range is also really great, you won’t be having any problem in capturing really contrasty scenarios. Huawei tends to process the image a little too much which I personally don’t like but it is all based on personal preference.
Moving to the front camera of the device, we get a single 24 megapixel f/2.0 shooter with a focal length of 26mm. The selfies also look really high resolution but the portrait mode on the front camera does not seem to be doing a really good job compared to other smartphone cameras on the list. All in all Huawei P20 Pro is one of the best smartphone cameras that you can get your hands on, it offers some really interesting AI features along with those high resolution sensors.
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OnePlus 6:
OnePlus 6 is known as a flagship killer device as it offers premium specs at a budget friendly price. This device also offers a dual camera setup which includes a main 16 megapixels f/1.7 shooter with a focal length of 25mm (wide). The secondary camera is a 20 megapixel f/1.7 sensor which is not a telephoto lens and is only for depth sensitivity for the portrait mode.
The portrait shots look fine for the most part although it does struggle in edge detection especially in complicated areas like the hair of a person. The image quality is also really great for its price, you can capture really detailed shots. It does a great job in contrast level, saturation and dynamic range.
The main camera is optically stabilized which will allow you to capture sharp images and smooth videos. Overall the picture quality is really great for its price. The front camera is also decent, you get a 16 megapixels f/2.0 shooter with a focal length of 25mm. The portrait mode feature is also present in front camera but it is software based so it does not look as good as other smartphones on the list. OnePlus 6 is a really great smartphone for its price that offers an impressive camera setup that will not let you down.
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Nokia 8:
Looking for a really budget friendly smartphone featuring really impressive camera? If so then you must check out Nokia 8. This phone is the cheapest on our list but don’t let its price tag fool as it offers flagship level specs along with a decent dual camera setup.
Nokia 8 features a dual camera setup at the back, both the cameras are of 13 megapixels with an aperture of f2.0, the secondary camera, however, is a black and white sensor and is used for portrait mode.
The details, saturation, contrast level are decent considering its price. However, the dynamic range seems to be lacking but overall it gets the job done for the most part.
The front camera is nothing special, it is a standard wide angle 13 megapixel shooter with the same aperture as the back cameras. You do get PDAF technology here so you won’t be missing the portrait mode on your front camera as well. So if you have a tight budget and still want some premium features and a good camera then this phone is definitely worth checking out.
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Xiaomi Mi 6:
Finally, the last smartphone on our list is the Xiaomi Mi 6 which is also very affordable. It is not a new phone but is the perfect choice for those who have a really tight budget. You get dual 12 megapixel sensors at the back. The primary sensor has an aperture of f/1.8 and is 27mm wide, the secondary sensor is a telephoto one with an aperture of f/2.6 and has a 52mm focal length.
You get all the special camera features here like portrait mode, HDR and optical zoom. Also, the main camera is optically stabilized. The image quality is really good you get a decent amount of dynamic range. The front camera is of 8 megapixels and is pretty basic you won’t be getting PDAF technology here so the portrait mode is all software based so don’t expect anything crazy with it.
So this was our list of the best smartphone camera of 2018 which are equally good as iphones’ camera, I hope you enjoyed our roundup. Tell us your opinion about these phones in the comments section below.