These days, it seems like there are hundreds of smartphones to choose from, with new technology each season, new models and new brands it’s hard to know which has the best camera for your needs.
With features like 48-megapixel sensors, multi-camera arrays, and magnifying zoom capabilities, camera phones may be on their way to phasing out traditional cameras.
Brands like Huawei and Google have already pushed the boundaries with dynamic range and low light shooting. Oppo and Huawei have unlocked 5x optical zoom features, giving camera phones further versatility.
But the development doesn't end there, more innovative technologies are being added to camera phones that are soon to come. We believe the best camera phone right now belongs to Huawei, but there is a reason to look out for a new release from Oppo sometime in the future.
The Best Camera Phones This Year
The truth is, it can get overwhelming to pick just one phone from all the great choices presented this year. But to help you along, here is our selection of the best camera phones this year.
Huawei P30 Pro
The best camera phone right now
Specs: Released in March 2019, the Huawei P30 Pro is equipped with a 40MP/ 20MP/ 8MP/ ToF rear camera and a 32MP front camera. It has a weight of 192g and a relatively small body with the dimensions of 158 x 73.4 x 8.4mm and is finished off with a generous 4,200mAh battery.
Huawei gave us a game changer in the form of the P30 Pro, with design and features intriguing us along with powerhouse specs.
As the "first of its kind," not only does the P30 Pro give us four cameras at the back, but it also delivers the most impressive 5x zoom capability. It effectively utilizes its "periscope" lens, which is equipped with folded optics to maximize the use of a 125mm lens that's been packed into its thin, 8.4mm body. This innovation allows the P30 Pro to produce sharp, crisp photos every time.
This level of stabilization has not been matched by any other smartphone and is currently without competition. But the P30 Pro also takes pictures to a new level with more zoom features. The Huawei P30 Pro can produce decent photos from its "hybrid" 10x zoom, but may not be able to duplicate such results with its 50x zoom.
The back camera also offers a 40MP Wide Angle Lens, 20MP Ultra Wide Angle Lens, and 8MP Telephoto Lens and a better depth perception using a time-of-flight camera. Huawei's P30 Pro also performs well in low-light settings. It can outperform other competitors by stacking several images in a longer exposure or by using the standard "photo" mode in the ISO.
The P30 Pro is also a great all-rounder for your usual daylight shooting. It handles mixed lighting well, and despite clipping highlights at times (depending on the brightness), the depth sensor gives out the best bokeh effects. It doesn't matter if you're shooting a face in portrait mode or trying to capture a flower in super-macro mode, the P30 Pro will consistently blur details to produce incredible photos.
Another addition to the P30 is its brighter primary lens and improved automatic exposure. It is also able to shoot at a lower ISO, resulting in a more realistic shot in challenging light situations. It's 10x zoom capabilities is also a considerable improvement from its predecessor, and is currently the best zoom you can get right now.
While this may not seem like a huge difference at first, look carefully so you can see how much more detail can be seen in flowers or even text. The quality may not be completely crisp, but it is certainly usable for social media.
Google Pixel 3
A great Android camera phone and an expert in low light
Specs: Google delivers the Pixel 3 with a 12.2Mp, 1/2.55″ dual-pixel sensor with f/1.8 lens, Dual-LED flash, 28mm equivalent focal length, optical image stabilization, 2160p video at 30fps, which can be switched between 30fps and 60fps when using 1080p, and H.265 encoding for Video.
Google’s Pixel 3 smartphone has an excellent all-around camera performance under various conditions. It gives out excellent results in many photo-oriented functions, including detail preservation, autofocus, and flash. It also fairs well when it comes to target exposure which has excellent dynamic range and is generally accurate, but may leave images underexposed at times.
In low light, some color shading and luminance noise may occur, but in good light, only slight color fringing and occasional ghosting can be seen. Pixel 3's most significant improvement is it's Zoom and Bokeh photo performance, which was achieved through better image processing software and hardware.
Google has also improved the Pixel 3's video performance from its predecessor. Depending on the light level, it can adjust its frame rate, allowing users to capture motion effectively. For example, shooting at 1080p at 60fps in bright light then moving over to a darker place will cause the Pixel 3 to reduce noise by adjusting the frame rate to 30fps.
Footage shot by the Pixel 3 shows good detail in all shooting conditions and even in low light, minimal levels of noise. The AF is fast and accurate, has a tremendous dynamic range, and its stabilization works well. The only thing that lets down the cameras on Google Pixel 3 is the frame-shift effects when walking and recording at the same time, and the fact that colors on the video can appear dull at times.
However, it's overall performance and results put it above most of the single-camera phones. Pixel 3's powerful specs and unique features are sure to welcome anyone fond of taking pictures.
OnePlus 7 Pro
The camera phone for portraits
Specs: The OnePlus 7 Pro was released in May 2019 and was fitted with Superb Leica lenses, 48MP/ 16MP/ 8MP rear cameras, 16MP front camera, with a weight of 162.6g, dimensions of 162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm, and big storage capacity at your choice of 128GB or 256GB variants.
The OnePlus 7 Pro's primary camera was developed to be the best to ever feature on a OnePlus phone. It has an enhanced front camera for all your selfie needs and can be conveniently hidden away when not needed, using popup mechanisms to tuck it away inside the body of the 7 Pro to maximize its screen display.
It also has a wide-angle camera with a massive 48MP sensor, which takes an impressive amount of detail. OnePlus 7 is also fitted with a 13mm ultra wide camera and a 3x zoom telephoto camera, which gives it the versatility and stability needed against competitors.
While it performs well in daylight conditions, it lacks in comparison to the Huawei P30 Pro and Pixel 3 in terms of night mode capabilities. Another factor that sells this camera phone short is that it has no official water resistance rating or wireless charging, which makes unlikely to reach the top of the list due to such concerns.
It does, however, come with a more affordable price tag and offers a smoother look and feel in terms of design. Overall, OnePlus 7 manages to deliver exceptional value throughout most aspects and is an excellent choice for those who love selfies and portraits.
Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus
A great camera phone that gives decent image quality
Specs: Released at the same time as the Huawei P30 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus comes with 12MP Wide Angle Lens, 16MP Ultra Wide Angle Lens, and 12MP Telephoto rear cameras. On the front is a 10MP camera, and weighs 175 g. It's dimensions are 157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8mm with a storage of 128GB, 512GB, or 1024GB.
The Galaxy S-series has always given us excellent camera quality along with their feature-packed flagships, and the S10 Plus has again set the bar high. It has triple rear cameras that offer a wide, ultra wide, and telephoto combo that is versatile and performs well against its current competition.
And while the primary camera sensor is stated as being 12MP, it can certainly match rival phones that brag about having 40MP and 48MP sensors. With such crisp and fine details on every image it captures, the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus is undoubtedly a camera phone heavyweight in its own right.
Apart from taking pictures, the S10 Plus also excels in its commitment to deliver high-quality 4K videos. It has added a new Digital Video Stabilization feature, along with HDR10+ support for high contrast videos that look great on a compatible TV.
iPhone XS
Apple's best phone for photography
Specs: Released earlier than its competitors since October 2018, it has dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto rear cameras and a 7MP front camera. Its dimensions are 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm and weighs 174g. It provides the least amount of storage with 64GB or 256GB.
The iPhone XS offers the best Apple iPhone ever made, with a full 5.8-inch screen, greatly enhance camera software, and a futuristic feel. It also packs powerful hardware that delivers a substantial photograph experience, making it great for both portraits and selfies. And while it's been released earlier than its competitors, it still stands out enough to make it to the top five best camera phones of 2019.
Its camera is equipped with a powerful dual 12MP sensor sporting f/1.8 in one and f/2.4 in the other, but both can deliver some impressive shots through optical image stabilization. Apple's iPhone XS also gives natural looking colors, and the telephoto sensor helps to shoot crisper details at further distances compared to other phones in the market.
Another great addition is the new sensor with 1.4µm pixels along with the latest chipset that gives it double the processing speed of its predecessor. The iPhone XS also comes with two new camera features: Depth Control and Smart HDR, so taking pictures will be more fun, especially if you love to experiment with photography.
Conclusion
The reigning champion proves to be the Huawei P30 Pro, with its complete and incomparable specs and features. We believe it will hold the first place, at least for now, until the next set of flagship phones are unveiled.
While Google is making huge strides with its masterpiece, the Pixel 3, it just misses the top spot with minor setbacks but is still a great contender if you prefer shooting your pictures in the dark.
But, with the ever-changing demands within the phone industry, the game is wide open for newcomers. After all, we were all blown away when Huawei came into the scene with its P series.
OnePlus also came out of the dark when it introduced its flagship line with the OnePlus One back in 2014. Sony has continuously innovated its underwater video and photo capture game with the Xperia 1, and Asus gave us the gift of selfie perfection through the Zenfone 6.
One thing we can be sure of is we will see lots of new phones and improved camera features in 2020.