Great cameras, that just happen to be smartphones
Your next smartphone is probably more camera than phone. In this day and age we use the camera more than almost any other feature, plus it's a clear differentiator between one smartphone and another.
So we've got a solid list of great cameras, that just happen to be smartphones, for you.
What to look for when buying a smartphone for photography
Quite frankly the raw specifications of smartphone cameras can be deceptive. While a high megapixel count can create great images, if it's not paired with a good lens or software the bigger the number won't always mean better photos.
For example, in low light most smartphone cameras really do start to struggle. The higher priced phones have been addressing this in recent years and that does set them apart from older model phones.
Another key aspect of many phones is the number of lenses, with many offering an ultra wide angle, as well as levels of zoom. But also remember that you should check if the zoom is optical or digital – optical zoom is the zoom created by a different lens, the glass that amplifies the image. However, digital zoom is really just a crop into a normal photo.
Hybrid zoom is most similar to digital zoom, but uses the smarts and power of the phone to process the image to give you a better result than just digital zoom.
Finally, and most importantly, think about what you're taking photos of and when. If late nights or low light photos are common you really do need to get that as a feature, while if the majority of your photos are in bright daylight, you might be surprised how good a low-cost but modern camera is.
Cameras that just happen to be smartphones
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Google Pixel 6 - 128GB
Price: $854.79
Camera: 50MP
Lenses: Wide, ultra wide
Zoom: Ultra wide - 1x optical
Jump a long long way down the price scale and the now superseded Google Pixel 6 is a cracking option.
Its 50MP sensor operates in partnership with the power of the phone to do some great stuff, and while there's no optical zoom, the 7x 'Super Res Zoom' uses a smart sense of crop and enhance to give you a great result.
Google did amazing things with a single lens camera, but their Pixel 6 has the ultra-wide too, which just enhances their offering to sit alongside the others.
I struggle to get past the Google Pixel 6 in terms of every day, family and moments photography because it just shows that at this price, you can get something sensational.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra - 128GB
Price: $1,697.98
Camera: 108MP
Lenses: Wide, ultra wide, telephoto, 'Space Zoom'
Zoom: Ultra wide - 10x optical
Rounding out the top three smartphone cameras on the market is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. This sits neck and neck with the Apple and Oppo and for some people it might stick its head above the rest with some features.
Firstly, Samsung is proud of their 108MP main camera, but remember that's only the main lens not on all four, and for a lot of the time you're using a portion of it.
Zoom is where the Samsung takes the awards, with both a 3x and 10x optical zoom you will be blown away at what this phone is capable of.
Add in the 100x hybrid zoom which Samsung calls 'Space Zoom' and you won't believe it's a smartphone. So well done, and you can legitimately take photos of the moon!
On the video size you've got 8K filming an ultra slow (960fps) slow motion too.
As an all-round value proposition, given the price, it's hard to argue with.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Price: $597
Camera: 64MP
Lenses: Wide, ultra wide
Zoom: Ultra wide - wide
If we're going to look at the lower priced phones, I think the best quality starts to hit around the price point of the Samsung mid-range A-Series smartphone.
Galaxy A53 doesn't have the bells and whistles of it's big brother the S22, but it's 64MP sensor paired with several lenses, including depth and macro, mean you can take some amazing shots.
Bright light is its best place, and don't forget its ability to capture those up-close macros too.
Sadly there's no optical zoom here, which would have been a real winner. That said, for most people the ultra wide is still a new thing, so that, plus, great-quality standard wide means you're going to get some great shots without breaking the bank.
OPPO Find X5 Pro - 256GB
Price: $1,395
Camera: 50MP
Lenses: Wide, ultra wide, telephoto
Zoom: Ultra wide - 2x optical
The Oppo is one many might not know, but for the price you'd expect greatness. And you get it.
Well-stabilised 50MP main camera with a low 1.7 f stop allowing for some great captures. The ultra wide is also 50MP, while the 2x telephoto is 13MP.
At all three levels you get great shots in both bright light and low light, though the lack of any zoom over 2x given the size of the camera bump on the back of the camera is a touch disappointing.
A partnership with iconic camera brand Hasselblad ensures a stunning colour reproduction in pro mode, so much so you'll opt for pro mode more often than not.
Oppo's Find X5 Pro is a worthy contender for your consideration – one you might not have had on your list.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro - 128GB
Price: $1,647
Camera: 48MP
Lenses: Wide, ultra wide, telephoto
Zoom: Ultra wide - 3x optical
Not wanting to start a fight with lovers of other brands, but the Apple iPhone has the best camera on a smartphone.
Yes, it lacks some pretty nifty features of others, but as a wholistic view, this camera performs better than most would need in all circumstances.
Stunning quality in bright light, with the option to use the full 48MP in ProRAW mode you can capture some ridiculous detail if you've got the eye for it.
Because of that 48MP sensor, in normal shooting mode you can now capture an additional step of optical zoom, now available at 0.5, 1x, 2x and 3x, however anything above 3x is digital with a limit of 15x.
Stabilisation means you get a lot less blur, and the autofocus and portrait mode continue to excel.
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