The phone with the coolest camera. Rating of smartphones with a good camera

It should be noted that Sony is a blunder in optimizing smartphones for MediaTek chipsets, so the Xperia M5 has been annoying customers with various “glitches” for a long time; by today’s standards, the Helio X10 processor is slow, and it does not work at its maximum capabilities in the M5. The case heats up with or without reason, autonomy leaves much to be desired. But the proprietary shell is comfortable, the cameras are high-quality, the display is bright and clear, and the prestige of such a smartphone in “glamorous” circles is much higher than that of any Huawei or Xiaomi. Official distributors have gone crazy and are asking a completely ridiculous 25 thousand rubles for the old Sony, but “gray” sellers price the Xperia M5 Dual at 15-16 thousand - a completely fair price for such a model.

ZTE Nubia Z11 mini S

ZTE has a luxury division, Nubia, and it, in turn, has the flagship Z11 series, which has a simplified version of the Z11 mini, which recently underwent an update in the house that Jack built. We should pay tribute to the Chinese - the Z11 mini S differs from the Z11 mini radically and only for the better.

A very agile smartphone with a brutal body and red accents. You can’t really find fault with the characteristics: fast Snapdragon 625, 4 GB of RAM, 64 or 128 GB of internal storage. It’s also nice that ZTE (whose “hands are sharpened” more to adjust the audio path than camera algorithms) made a broad gesture and equipped the Z11 mini S with a 22-megapixel rear camera based on the Sony IMX318 sensor. The much more expensive ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe and Xiaomi Mi Note 2 are equipped with the same sensor, if you are not aware.

Greetings to all readers of our blog. After reading this article you will find out which phone has the best camera today. We will present you the top 10 smartphones of different brands and models for 2015, 2016 and 2017. Go!

Top 10 smartphones with great cameras

It is worth noting that in 2015, Xiaomi mi4C, Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Google Nexus 6, Samsung Galaxy S5, Sony Xperia Z2 and Nokia Lumia 1020 stood out among the excellent camera phones.

Today, their cost has noticeably decreased, but by purchasing the listed models, you will become the happy owner of an inexpensive mobile phone costing up to 20,000 rubles (which does not apply to iPhones) with a good camera and good technical characteristics.

However, if you want to buy something fresher and more powerful, then our TOP 10 is just what you need.

And we will start with this model. It is the camera sensors of this brand that many manufacturers use in their phones.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is equipped with a 5.5-inch diagonal screen with a resolution of 3840×2160 and a pixel density of 806 ppi! Which means only one thing: this phone has a 4K display.

In addition to this, among the technical characteristics you will also find a 5 MP front camera and as much as 23 MP main camera with autofocus that is amazing in its speed. All this is supported by a non-removable 3430 mAh battery.

One of the most desirable smartphones of our time, not only because of the bitten apple, but primarily because of its power, hardware and stable operating system.

The phone display of this model reaches 5.5 inches, and its resolution is Full HD. As for the camera, the company has again brought something new to its brainchild.

The main camera is a dual camera, each module of which has 12 megapixels, and the front one is increased to 7 megapixels, which is perfect for both selfies and photographing an entire company.

Improved light transmission, excellent detail of images and not inferior in photo quality in poor lighting.

This model was released at the beginning of 2017 and is not much different from its predecessor S6 Edge. However, it featured a number of technical improvements, which made the smartphone the best-selling in Europe.

A beautiful 5.5-inch screen with a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels, and most importantly, an impeccable camera that brings the smartphone to the same level as the iPhone 7 Plus.

Samsung has endowed the main sensor with 12 megapixels, and the front one with 5 megapixels. At the same time, light transmission was improved due to the higher aperture F1.7 lens and detail was improved due to enlarged pixels.

It is rightfully considered one of the best camera phones and powerful mobile devices in general. A new smartphone from Google was released in 2016. In the kit you are provided with a full set of necessary cables, adapters and even headphones, which budget (and not so budget) models from other manufacturers cannot boast of.

Even if we omit this detail, as well as the installed pure Android 7.1, the main advantage is the 12 megapixel camera with an F2.0 aperture with the ability to improve images through the HDR+ mode, which is considered the best among all phones released in 2016.

The front camera is also not far behind: 8 megapixels with F2.4 aperture.

LG G5

The flagship of the famous South Korean manufacturer, released in 2016. This elegant phone has a 5.3-inch display with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels and excellent color reproduction. It is also worth noting that this is the first smartphone in the world with a modular operating principle.

You can quickly turn your mobile phone into a stunning camera or a cool audio player. As for the cameras, the front sensor is 8 megapixels, the main one is 16 MB and plus a wide-angle camera with a viewing angle of 135 degrees is 8 megapixels.

What models we haven’t mentioned yet are the models of Chinese smartphones. This flagship is not inferior to previous models in terms of technical characteristics, but the cameras are good in their own way.

The main sensor is 12 megapixels, the front one is 5 megapixels. However, HTC uses optical image stabilization on two cameras at once, as well as new UltraPixel technology.

Moreover, both cameras are equipped with F1.8 aperture! This allows you to take great photos from both sensors even in low light conditions. And lastly: there is 4K filming.

The current smartphone is the flagship of 2016, although its price is much lower than the other 9. And if you buy Mi5S Plus on AliExpress, then you will save several thousand rubles more.

This model has two main cameras, each of which is 13 megapixels. Due to this, as well as F2.0 and fast autofocus, color rendition is as close to reality as possible. 4 MP front lens with an 80-degree angle and enlarged pixels.

Huawei has set itself the goal of surpassing all existing devices on the market and began cooperation with large photo and video camera companies GoPro and Leica.

That's why P10 uses two lenses with F2.2 apertures. The first camera is 20 MP monochrome, and the second is 12 MP color. 8 MP front sensor.

One of the most durable devices is equipped with a 16 MP main camera with F2.0 aperture, larger pixels, excellent autofocus and optical stabilization. And most importantly, the internal camera is also 16 MP! We recommend purchasing This smartphone is on the Aliexpress website at a reduced price.

Nubia Z11 Mini is a favorite of many users due to the commensurability of quality with price. An impeccable 23 megapixel main camera with realistic color reproduction and rich colors, and a 13 megapixel front camera will not leave photography enthusiasts indifferent.

This concludes the list. We recommend that you buy Chinese smartphones from AliExpress, since there the price is indicated without markup. Subscribe to the blog and YouTube channel, and also join groups on VK, Facebook and Twitter.

Articles and Lifehacks

For those who would like to purchase an advanced camera phone, but do not yet know where to stop, we have compiled a rating of the very best smartphones of recent years with a wonderful camera available on the Russian market.

It should be noted right away: a good camera is not a cheap pleasure, and models for connoisseurs of high-quality photographs belong to the top, or at best, upper-middle price segment.

So, let's go! This is how the TOP turned out

Last – phablet Blackberry DTEK60 , announced in October 2016. Built on a 14 nm 4-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4 GB of RAM and a luxurious AMOLED display with 2K resolution. The 21-megapixel camera with f/2.2 aperture is equipped with phase detection autofocus, allows you to shoot in HDR mode, and also record video in 4K resolution. Price – from 29 thousand rubles.

Pros of the model:

• Quad-core Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 processor operating at 2.15 GHz.
• 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440x2560.
• Support for LTE networks.
• Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging function.
• 21-megapixel main camera with autofocus.
• Wide angle
• Fingerprint scanner.
• Branded data protection tools.

Cons of Blackberry DTEK60:

• The maximum screen brightness is not too high.

In 5th place – model Sony Xperia XA1 , announced in February 2017. The basis for the device was the 8-core Mediatek Helio P20 platform. The 5-inch display with HD resolution is somewhat surprising on a gadget of this class. 23-megapixel Exmor RS IMX-300 camera with a sensor size of 1/2.3", f/2 aperture, equipped with a pulse LED flash and autofocus. Video recording - FullHD only. Price - from 21 thousand rubles.

Pros of the model:

• 8-core Mediatek Helio P20 MT6757 processor operating at 2.3 GHz.
• 5-inch S-IPS display.
• Lots of built-in memory – 32 GB.
• The maximum capacity of Micro SD cards is up to 256 GB.
• Support for LTE networks.
• Pump Express+ 2.0 fast charging function.
• 23-megapixel main camera Exmor RS IMX-300 with autofocus.
• Front camera Exmor RS IMX-219 with a resolution of 8 megapixels.
• Fingerprint scanner.

Cons of Sony Xperia XA1:

• Insufficient display resolution - 720x1280.
• Insufficient battery capacity – 2300 mAh.

At 4 positions – flagship Huawei P9 Plus , announced in April 2016. 16 nm 8-core Hisilicon Kirin 955 chipset, 5.5-inch AMOLED display with FullHD resolution. The camera was created jointly with Leica and consists of two modules: color and monochrome. This significantly improves the quality of pictures, especially in low light conditions. f/2.2 aperture, laser autofocus, very high-quality macro photography, RAW format support, a very convenient and multifunctional application for working with the camera and processing the resulting photos. The obvious disadvantages are the lack of optical stabilization and the inability to shoot video in resolutions higher than FullHD. Price – from 30 thousand rubles.

Pros of the model:

• 8-core Hisilicon Kirin 955 processor operating at 2.5 GHz.
• Current version of Android OS 6.0 Marshmallow.
• 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080x1920.
• 2.5D glass.
• Lots of RAM – 4 GB.
• The maximum capacity of Micro SD cards is up to 128 GB.
• Support for LTE networks.
• Good battery capacity – 3400 mAh.
• Dual-module 12-megapixel main camera with autofocus.
• Front camera with a resolution of 8 megapixels.
• Fingerprint scanner.
• Thin metal body of the device.

Cons of Huawei P9 Plus:

• Inability to record video in 4K resolution.

In 3rd place – phablet LG G6 , announced in February 2017. Built on a 4-core 14 nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 platform. Note the atypical aspect ratio of the 5.7-inch display - 18:9. The camera is 13-megapixel, two-module: one module with a high aperture (f/1.8), the second with a lower aperture (f/2.4), but with a very wide viewing angle - 125°. The arsenal includes hybrid autofocus, digital and optical stabilization, and 8x digital Zoom. Price – from 39 thousand rubles.

Pros of the model:

• Quad-core processor, Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821, clocked at 2.35 GHz.
• The latest version of Android 7.0 Nougat OS.
• 5.7-inch S-IPS display with a resolution of 1440x2880.
• 2.5D Gorilla Glass 5.
• Lots of RAM – 4 GB.
• Lots of built-in memory – 32 GB.
• The maximum capacity of Micro SD cards is up to 2 TB.
• Support for LTE networks.
• Good battery capacity – 3300 mAh.
• Dual-module 13-megapixel main camera with autofocus.
• Wide-angle front camera with a resolution of 5 megapixels.
• Fingerprint scanner.
• Metal body of the device.
• Protection against moisture and dust according to IP68 standard.

Cons of LG G6:

• Combination slot for memory cards.

2nd place takes the model Samsung Galaxy S8 , announced in March 2017. A magnificent Super AMOLED display and a chipset at the forefront of progress - 10 nm Samsung Exynos 8895. The dual-module 12-megapixel camera Samsung S5K2L2 also does not disappoint: 6 lenses, support for Dual Pixel technology, optical stabilization, f/1.7 aperture, 4K video shooting capability.

Pros of the model:

• 8-core processor, Samsung Exynos 8895, clocked at 2.3 GHz.
• The latest version of Android 7.0 Nougat OS.
• 5.8-inch S-IPS display with a resolution of 1440x2960.
• Protective glass Gorilla Glass 5.
• Lots of RAM – 4 GB.
• Lots of built-in memory - 64 GB.
• The maximum capacity of Micro SD cards is up to 2 TB.
• Support for LTE networks.
• Acceptable battery capacity is 3000 mAh.
• Front camera with a resolution of 8 megapixels.
• Fingerprint scanner.
• Iris scanner.
• Thin metal body of the device.

Cons of Samsung Galaxy S8:

• Combination slot for memory cards.

Tops the rating Apple iPhone 7 Plus , announced in September 2016. 5.5-inch display with HD resolution, fresh Apple A10 chipset. Dual-module camera, Sony Exmor RS: telephoto with f/2.8 aperture and wide-angle module f/1.8. 5x optical Zoom, 10x digital, optical stabilization, 4K video recording, RAW format support. The sensors are protected by sapphire glass. The price for the 256 GB version is from 50 thousand rubles.

Pros of the model:

• Quad-core processor, Apple A10 Fusion APL1W24, operating at 2.37 GHz.
• 5.5-inch S-IPS display with a resolution of 1080x1920.
• Lots of RAM – 3 GB.
• A lot of built-in memory – up to 256 GB.
• Support for LTE networks.
• Acceptable battery capacity is 2900 mAh.
• Dual-module 12-megapixel main camera with autofocus and optical stabilization.
• Front camera with a resolution of 8 megapixels.
• Fingerprint scanner.
• Thin metal body of the device.
• Protection against moisture and dust according to IP67 standard.

Cons of Apple iPhone 7 Plus:

• There is no memory card slot.

2016 is already coming to an end, which means that most of the flagship presentations of various IT companies have already died down. Apple presented the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, Samsung presented the long-suffering Galaxy Note 7, LG showed the V20, Meizu presented the Pro 6.

And if new flagships capable of exciting the minds of the public and specialized publications no longer appear, then we can single out leaders in different categories among all the new products of 2016. For example, in cells. Over the past two years, shooting modules have made significant strides forward in color rendition, image quality and smoothness. Therefore, you can try to answer the question: “What is the best camera on a smartphone in 2016?”

TOP 10 best camera phones 2016

The following sections will examine ten smartphones of this and last year, which can rightfully be called flagship camera phones, highlighting their main features and advantages over competitors. The opinion may not coincide with the generally accepted one, because people evaluate the quality of photos and videos. And how many people, so many opinions. So, we present to your attention the top 10 smartphones with the best camera in 2016.

Tenth place

Sony Xperia Z5. Despite the fact that Sony's line of flagship Z smartphones has ceased to exist, last year's flagship Z5 still shows good results in photo and video shooting, producing picture quality that is not much inferior to what 2016 flagships can offer. This can be confirmed by the high ratings of the specialized publication DXOMark. The numbers speak for themselves: auto focusing time is 0.03 seconds, and this is on a 23-megapixel sensor! We can say that the Xperia Z5 is a smartphone with the best camera, albeit in 2015.

Ninth place

Meizu MX5. The MX line, once considered the flagship, has lost this title to the Pro series, and accordingly, the technical equipment has become somewhat worse. Nevertheless, Meizu MX6 with its camera module from Sony model IMX386 with excellent software optimization is still able to produce excellent quality photos and videos in any conditions.

Eighth place

LG G5. An excellent camera has always been a characteristic feature of LG flagships. This happened with the G5, with the only exception that the smartphone was presented quite a long time ago, and its technical equipment was already outdated. But this does not mean that the quality of the shooting has deteriorated. Not at all. In fact, the LG G5 now takes pictures and shoots videos comparable in quality to the work of budget DSLRs. At the same time, we emphasize that many amateur photographers note that the G5 has the best camera on a smartphone. Well, that's their opinion.

Seventh place

6S/6S Plus. Even though the Cupertino company has updated the line of its flagship smartphones, the previous generation devices, thanks to excellent optimization and properly selected software, perform at the level of some 2016 flagships. Both the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are clear evidence of this. Branded iSight cameras always remain relevant for quite a long time, even after the release of a new generation of devices.

Sixth place

Samsung Galaxy Note 5. The flagship of the South Korean company's line of phablets was released somewhat later than the super-successful Galaxy S6, which means it received more modern equipment. Thanks to the main camera of 16 megapixels, the device is capable of recording video in 4K format. It is also worth considering that the camera software allows the user to customize it to suit their needs and requirements. For many, to this day, the Galaxy Note 5 is the smartphone with the best camera.

Fifth place

Huawei Nexus 6P. The latest generation of Nexus smartphones from Google, which were replaced by devices from the Pixel line, greatly pleased users with their characteristics, design, and overall quality. Especially Huawei Nexus 6P. The Chinese have equipped the smartphone with a camera with high photosensitivity and a high-quality 12.3 megapixel matrix. But megapixels aren't everything. Optimization and software of the camera module are of decisive importance. And with all this, the Nexus 6P is flawless. Many Internet users even now ask the question: “Which smartphone has the best camera?” They answer unequivocally: “It’s a Nexus 6P.”

Fourth place

Samsung The newest generation of smartphones from the South Korean company shows shooting quality comparable to semi-professional cameras. Why only fourth place, because many say that this is the smartphone with the best camera? The answer to this question will be given a little later. Suffice it to say that buying just because of the excellent camera will be more than justified. This device combines the qualities of not only an excellent working device, but also a first-class “DSLR”.

Among other things, selfie lovers say that the S7/S7 edge is the smartphone with the best. It’s hard to disagree with this, especially considering that the front module of the Samsung flagship takes pictures and shoots videos of a quality that the main cameras of some do not reach. smartphones.

Third place

Samsung Galaxy Note 7. Despite all the failures that plague the seventh Note, the smartphone is one of the best representatives of the segment in terms of its characteristics. You can verify this by looking at just a couple of photos or videos taken using this device. Their quality, detail and stabilization (for video) will speak for themselves. Although in fact the camera module installed in the Note 7 is not much different from the one equipped in the S7 and S7 edge.

Second place

Apple iPhone 7. Predictable? Still would! Almost every specialized publication considers it its duty to highlight the revolutionary camera of the iPhone 7. And the most interesting thing is that this is quite fair. Tests have shown that the camera of the new iPhone 7 is indeed an order of magnitude higher than all its predecessors: the iPhone 6S, and especially the iPhone SE. But is the quality of pictures and videos on the new generation iPhone so significantly different from Samsung flagships?

"First place": Apple iPhone 7 Plus

For a whole year there have been rumors that the Cupertino company will introduce a new flagship with a camera that has never been seen in a smartphone before. The rumors turned out to be true. The best camera on a smartphone is probably installed in the new iPhone. The Plus version of the seventh model takes amazingly realistic shots, the quality level of which is not much lower than that of professional DSLRs.

The most interesting thing is that the last four positions cannot be called stable. For example, the Galaxy Note 7 could easily have taken first place. This smartphone deserves it just as much as the Galaxy S7. The eternal struggle between Samsung and Apple in the smartphone segment has made itself felt here too.

This does not mean that the seventh generation iPhones are bad. No. They are in no way inferior to the seventh generation of flagships from Samsung, just like the Galaxy line, in turn, no worse than the new iPhones. This means that there is no fundamental difference between the flagships of the Cupertino and South Koreans. They can all claim first place. And which one to choose is purely a matter of taste, because the technical characteristics of all four devices are at the highest level.

It turns out that there is no clear answer to the question: “Which smartphone has the best camera (2016)?” No.

OnePlus 3

But this is a much more suitable candidate for the fourth position: the third model of flagship killers - OnePlus 3. Good hardware and A-class camera modules from famous manufacturers allow the Chinese “monster” to create masterpieces that are not only embarrassing to show to friends or acquaintances, It’s perfectly acceptable to print it out, frame it and hang it on the wall.

Huawei P9

What can we say about the 2016 flagship from the largest Chinese smartphone manufacturer? Specialists from the Middle Kingdom, together with engineers from the famous German company Leica, were able to develop a dual camera that - with the proper skills and knowledge in the field of photography and video - can take shots at the level of the new iPhone and Galaxy Note 7. So the third position in the top smartphones with the best cameras can rightfully get Huawei P9. We can say that P9 is a Chinese smartphone with the best camera.

Mid-budget cameforon

The smartphones presented above, although they have excellent characteristics and excellent cameras, are nevertheless not affordable for some users. And everyone wants to take good pictures and record high-quality videos. It is precisely for such people that there is a middle segment of smartphones.

As surprising as it may be, the most inexpensive smartphone with a good camera is also the brainchild of Samsung. The Galaxy A (2016) line of devices, while relatively cheap (compared to flagships), is equipped with excellent camera modules that shoot in a resolution sufficient for everyday use. A clear example proving this fact is the Galaxy A3 (2016) smartphone.

By the way, it’s not only Samsung that makes excellent camera phones in the mid-price segment. Meizu and Xiaomi also succeeded in this (these companies, in general, succeeded in the entire smartphone market). Meizu M3 Note and MX4 Pro, as well as Xiaomi Mi4c and Mi4i are able to compete with smartphones from the South Korean manufacturer.

Low budget camera phone

However, for some, paying 15-18 thousand rubles for a smartphone that will take good pictures is also an unaffordable waste of money. And for such people there is a budget segment of devices. Their maximum price is 11 thousand rubles.

And the cheapest smartphone with a good camera, according to many netizens, is the ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser ZE500KL. Now it is available for purchase for about ten thousand rubles. And for this money, the user gets devices with a 13-megapixel main camera with a 2.0 aperture and equipped with laser autofocus.

Although an excellent alternative to a smartphone from ASUS could be the Chinese competitor Meizu M3S. Thanks to an excellent 13-megapixel main camera with phase detection autofocus and 2.2 aperture, the device produces good quality pictures and videos for a low-budget smartphone, which is quite enough for posting on Instagram or other everyday purposes.

Chinese camera phone

It is worth noting that smartphones are divided not only by price, but also by country of origin. This is due to the fact that each country has its own characteristics of smartphone production. In America, the emphasis is on strict corporate design and high performance of devices due to software optimization, in China - on high technical equipment.

For example, the best camera on Chinese smartphones is installed in Meizu Pro 6, the company's current flagship. Immediately after the release of the device, many specialized publications around the globe unanimously claimed that this was a smartphone with the best camera. Meizu devices traditionally have excellent shooting modules installed. What can we say about the flagship line. In terms of image quality, the Pro 6 is ahead of its closest competitor, the Xiaomi Mi5.

Although Xiaomi Mi5 can also claim this title. And all thanks to a 16-megapixel camera with excellent optical stabilization, comparable to the iPhone 6S. It allows users to capture all the moments of life in highly detailed frames and widescreen videos with excellent picture quality.

Moreover, Xiaomi Mi5 can be bought at a relatively low price for a flagship - approximately 25,000 rubles, while Meizu Pro 6 costs from 20,000 rubles. Such prices are very rare for flagship smartphones. Especially considering that both companies make high-quality devices.

Huawei's sub-brand, Honor, by the way, also has flagship smartphones equipped with high-level camera modules. An example would be Honor 7. For about the same 20-25 thousand, the user gets an excellent device with a 20 MP main camera that produces amazing photo and video quality, comparable to 2015 devices such as the Sony Xperia Z5, for example, or last year’s flagship killer OnePlus 2.

In fact, a huge number of smartphone models of all price categories with excellent cameras are created and produced in China. True, with “formally” excellent ones. For example, it’s no secret that all UMi or Oppo flagships are equipped with the latest hardware available on the market. Very often, for example, you can see smartphones from Chinese B-class manufacturers with 6 gigabytes of memory and other “features”. In fact, they perform worse than the iPhone 6, which has only 1 gigabyte of RAM. The same problem exists with cameras. It’s paradoxical, but the modules are supplied by Sony, and the result is an average image quality. So Xiaomi and Meizu are one of the few companies, so to speak, “rays of light” that produce a quality product, not mediocrity. Both Lenovo and Huawei can be included in this category. But this is not surprising. This is business. A very profitable business through which huge financial flows pass. And in order to direct these flows into your “pocket”, you need to be somehow different from your competitors. And first of all - the quality of the products or services produced.

Bottom line

Thus, it turns out that in 2016, companies have released a huge number of smartphones with amazing cameras that are capable of creating real masterpieces with just one click on the screen thanks to modern photo and video processing technologies. Naturally, the leading market players - Samsung, Apple and Huawei - have succeeded in this. But smaller companies have not lagged behind and have proven that they can also create real camera phones in the truest sense of the word. Who knows, perhaps the day is not far off when a small device in your pocket can completely replace people's cameras and cameras. And not only them, but also a personal computer and many other devices, without which it is now impossible to imagine modern human life.

Every flagship smartphone manufacturer is trying to convince them that their device has the best camera among mobile devices. To achieve high image quality, developers install larger matrices, equip lenses with high-aperture optics, and use laser and phase autofocus. However, it doesn’t always turn out that the next top camera takes better pictures than the “old man” released several years ago.

Our material is dedicated to smartphones in 2016 that have the best camera in their class or on the market in general. The list includes only models that were released this year. For this reason, the selection does not include successful models, like the iPhone 6s, presented at the end of 2015. The list of devices is compiled taking into account the technical characteristics of their matrices and the real quality of the images. The opinion of expert photographers from the DXOMark resource was also taken into account.

Released in February 2016, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were notable for being the first smartphones to feature Dual Pixel technology. There is nothing supernatural about it (it’s just a phase-detection autofocus mechanism that has been brought to perfection), but previously such a solution was used only in DSLRs.

The devices received 12 MP Sony IMX260 or Samsung S5K2L1 matrices, 1/2.5" in size, with 1.4 micron pixels. Lens aperture is f/1.7, optical image stabilization is present. Experts evaluated the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge cameras 88 points (out of 100), this is the maximum score for a smartphone at present. Front camera is 5 MP, with f/1.7 aperture.

Smartphones differ in the size and shape of their displays. In the S7, it has a diagonal of 5.1", as well as a flat shape. In the S7 Edge, the diagonal has grown to 5.5", and the edges have become curved. The resolution of both matrices is 2560x1440 pixels. The devices operate on a quad-core Snapdragon 820 or eight-core Exynos Octa 8890 processor. 4 GB of RAM, 32 or 64 GB of built-in memory, a MicroSD slot is available. Smartphones run on Android 6 OS; an update is expected by the end of the year. The autonomy of the S7 is ensured by a 3000 mAh battery, and the S7 Edge – by a 3600 mAh battery. The device is good enough for any task. It’s not for nothing that many other manufacturers look up to Samsung’s flagships.

Examples of pictures taken with the Galaxy S7 smartphone camera

HTC 10 – familiar functionality, but at a new level

In April 2016, sales of the metal flagship HTC 10 started. It became a worthy successor to the idea of ​​“ultrapixels” used since the M7 model. The HTC 10 camera is based on a 1/2.3" Sony IMX377 matrix, which allows the pixel size to be increased to 1.55 microns. The total number of megapixels is 12. The optics have an aperture ratio of f/1.8.

HTC 10 has a laser autofocus mechanism, which is characterized by high speed. There is also optical frame stabilization. Due to the combination of these features, the device also scored a maximum of 88 points in the DXOMark assessment. The front camera is not far behind. It has a resolution of 5 MP, is equipped with a matrix with 1.34 micron pixels and a lens with an f/1.8 aperture.

HTC 10 is equipped with a SUPER LCD (a variation on the IPS theme) display with a diagonal of 5.2". Its resolution is 2560x1440 pixels, which makes the smartphone convenient for VR. The chipset is Snapdragon 820 with Adreno 530 graphics. The device has 4 GB of RAM, and the built-in one is 32 or 64 GB. I’m glad that there is a memory card slot.

Android 6 is installed as the operating system on board HTC 10. The smartphone battery has a capacity of 3000 mAh. We can safely say that HTC 10 has taken the functionality implemented in its predecessors to a new level. Especially in terms of the camera, which now not only stands out for its light sensitivity, but also provides decent detail (which the M7 or M8 did not have).

Examples of photos on HTC 10

Sony Xperia X Performance – giving you more pixels?!

Another smartphone that has a good camera among the flagships is the Sony Xperia X Performance, released in February 2016. Sony's company is a “photographic” company even more than a “musical” one, so the photo matrices of its smartphones pleasantly stand out for their shooting quality. Engineers do not risk “cutting from the shoulder” and using 30-40 MP (like Nokia). But they do not neglect the opportunity to increase the number of megapixels without sacrificing quality.

The Sony Xperia X Performance has a 25-megapixel IMX300 on a 1/2.3" matrix (23 million effective pixels in 3:4 size). It supports phase detection autofocus and is equipped with high-aperture optics with an f/2 aperture. According to experts, the device received 88 points, closing the top three. The front camera is 13 MP IMX 214, previously used as the main one on Xiaomi Mi4c and HTC One A9.

The Sony Xperia X Performance screen is based on an IPS matrix with a diagonal of 5". Its resolution is 1920x1080 pixels. The processor is Snapdragon 820, Adreno 530 is responsible for graphics processing. The RAM in the smartphone is 3 GB, about 25 out of 32 are allocated for user data GB. The smartphone also has a slot for MicroSD.

Sony Xperia X Performance runs Android 6, with an update to version 7 planned before the end of the year. The battery of the device is 2700 mAh. You shouldn’t expect record autonomy from it, but the battery provides average operating time.

Sample photos from Sony Xperia X Performance

Moto Z Droid Force is a revolutionary camera phone

Announced in June 2016, Moto Z Droid Force is not expected until September 2016. But experts were already able to evaluate his camera and gave it a high score. The smartphone is equipped with a 21-megapixel Sony IMX230 matrix. It has a size of 1/2.4", the pixel size is 1.12 microns.

High photo quality is ensured by high-aperture optics with an f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization and hybrid (phase-laser) autofocus. They deserved a final quality rating of 87 points. The front camera of the Moto Z Droid Force looks simpler, but it is also of high quality. The 5 MP matrix has a pixel size of 1.4 microns and is equipped with a flash.

The Moto Z DroidForce display has a diagonal of 5.5", with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. An AMOLED matrix with a sensor made of impact-resistant glass is used. The processor on board is Snapdragon 820, which is now installed in 90% of flagships. The amount of RAM is 4 GB, internal memory is 32 or 64 GB. There is a slot for a memory card on board.

The OS of the new Moto Z Droid Force is Android 6, there is no information about updates yet. An impressive 3500 mAh battery is responsible for autonomy. A feature of the device should be modularity. It is planned to connect accessories that expand functionality to the magnetic connector on the rear panel.

Sample photos from Moto Z Droid Force

LG G5 – modular flagship with two cameras

In February 2016, the LG G5 was released, which was supposed to become a fundamentally new product. Despite the fact that the modular concept attracted fewer buyers than expected, this does not remove the advantages. The smartphone's camera (or rather, two) puts it on the list of the best. The LG G5 uses a 16 MP main sensor based on a Sony IMX234 sensor (1/2.6", 1.12 micron pixels). It is equipped with an f/1.8 lens, laser autofocus and an optical stabilization system.

To support the main camera, the smartphone has an 8 MP matrix with wide-angle (135 degrees) optics. It is used when shooting landscapes and panoramas to expand the viewing angle. This two-module system received a score of 86 points. The front camera is 8 MP, with f/2 aperture.

The screen of the modular flagship is 5.3", with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels, IPS. Like other flagships in the selection, the LG G5 runs on a Snapdragon 820 processor. The amount of RAM is 4 GB, internal memory is 32 GB. There is a slot for MicroSD cards .

The LG G5 operating system is Android 6, with the proprietary Vibe UX 5 shell. The smartphone battery is removable, with a capacity of 2800 mAh. The modules allow you to install an additional battery. Also, a special module makes the device more suitable for photography by adding hardware camera control keys.

Examples of pictures taken with the LG G5 camera

Moto G4 Plus - the owner of the best camera in the middle class

All of the listed smartphones with a good camera belong to the flagship class and cost more than $500. Not everyone is ready to shell out that kind of money for a mobile device, and for budget-conscious users, the Moto G4 Plus, released in May 2016 (about $250-300), will be a good alternative. The gadget, equipped with a 16-megapixel OmniVision OV16860 sensor, is rated (84 points) on the same level as the iPhone 6s Plus. As for a matrix from a Chinese manufacturer, the result is amazing.

The camera characteristics are as follows: matrix diagonal – 1/3", pixel size – 1.3 microns, lens aperture – f/2. There is hybrid laser-phase focusing. The matrix itself is created using PureCell technology, which reduces the amount of noise and artifacts from the interaction of neighboring pixels The front module of the Moto G4 Plus is an unremarkable 5 MP OV5693 matrix, the same as dozens of competitors.

The Moto G4 Plus display has a diagonal of 5.5 inches, a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, and is created using IPS technology. The smartphone is powered by a mid-range Snapdragon 617 processor. The device has 2, 3 or 4 GB of RAM, and 16, 32 or 64 GB of ROM, respectively. There is a dedicated slot for a MicroSD memory card.

The operating system of Moto G4 Plus is Android 6. The battery capacity is 3000 mAh. Overall, the smartphone looks like a very attractive competitor to Xiaomi and Meizu phablets. Although it costs more, it offers a good camera, which they do not have.

Sample photos on Moto G4 Plus

Google Pixel – the reference “Google phone”

In 2016, Google decided to stop collaborating with various manufacturers to produce the Nexus series of smartphones. It was replaced by the Pixel line, created in close collaboration with HTC. The first devices were Google Pixel and Pixel XL, differing in screen sizes. Google Pixel received a new Sony IMX378 matrix with a resolution of 12 MP. On the front of the smartphone there is an 8-megapixel matrix with dimensions of 1/3.2".

The physical size of the main camera is 1/2.3", this is one of the largest sizes for smartphones. The pixels are distinguished by increased dimensions to 1.55 microns, which led to a doubling of the effective photosensitive area (compared to 1.12 microns). The matrix is ​​equipped with its own a gyroscope used for electronic image stabilization. The aperture of the optics is F/2.

The smartphone is equipped with an AMOLED display, 5 inches diagonal, with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The chipset inside is the top-end at the time of the release of Qualcomm Snapdragon 821. The RAM capacity is 4 GB, the built-in memory is 32 or 128 GB. MicroSD slot, they offer to compensate it with unlimited GoogleDrive cloud.

The smartphone has Android 7.1 OS installed on board, it is understood that in the future it will be the first to receive updates to the next OS versions. Autonomous operation is provided by a 2770 mAh battery, which turned out to be quite durable.

Examples of photos on Google Pixel

Apple iPhone 7 Plus – flagship with optical zoom

The older version of the Apple smartphone Apple iPhone 7 Plus differs from the younger one in the presence of a dual camera. The mechanism of their interaction has become an interesting novelty that has not been used in smartphones before. To ensure true optical approximation, the device was equipped with identical 12 MP matrices, but they were equipped with different lenses. The main one is wide-angle, with an equivalent focal length of 28 mm, the second is a telephoto lens of 56 mm. By switching between cameras, you can use optical zoom.

In addition to the unusual optics configuration, the main cameras have OIS. The main camera can record video in 4K at 30FPS. She also writes Slow-Mo at 240 FPS in HD resolution. Supports slow motion and a 7 MP front camera. It is equipped with optics with an aperture ratio of F/2.2.

The smartphone is equipped with a 5.5-inch FullHD display that is pressure sensitive. The chipset is the still unsurpassed Apple A10 Fusion with 4 cores. The amount of RAM was increased to 3 GB, storage – 32, 128 or 256 GB. Of course, there is no slot for a flash drive.

The iPhone 7 Plus runs iOS 10. The built-in battery has a capacity of 2900 mAh, and for a 5.5-inch phablet it provides very good battery life.

Examples of pictures taken with the iPhone 7 Plus camera

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