Which Smartphones Have the Best Camera?


Nowadays we do not simply use our mobile phones to call and text, with modern handheld devices now giving us access to a whole new technologically-driven world. From talking face-to-face with people using FaceTime to shopping for our groceries on Tesco online, the smartphone is now positioned at the epicentre of our lives.

One of the biggest selling points of a smartphone is the integrated camera, with new technology now permitting everyone to be a Photographer in the making. With phones now offering cameras built with editing features this generation is given us more and more aspiring Photographers than ever before, all wanting to know what smartphones are built with the best technology. 

Here are our top 3 suggestions.

iPhone 6

Although no phone camera is perfect the iPhone 6 camera is said to come as close as you can get. Many declare the 6 the best smart camera due to the superfast phase-detection autofocus which Apple calls "focus pixels".

It seems that Apple have really taken their early camera criticism on board, investing much time and money in advancing their photo-taking features. Apple's new local tone mapping technology has greatly reduced overexposed photos, proving to be a great tool when capturing images in the sunlight. 

Running iOS 8, the iPhone 6 Plus allows full manual camera control through a number of third-party apps, being one of the greatest selling points for the latest model.

Samsung Galaxy S5

The Galaxy S5 Active uses the same 16-MP camera as the regular S5, allowing users to make use of the incredible Real Time HDR and Selective Focus.

Real Time HDR – this camera feature allows owners to preview the image before the snap is taken, ensuring the photo gallery is not clogged up with unwanted images. As well as being a space-saving feature Real Time HDR sees that every image taken is of a high quality, permitting users to adjust lighting and build the perfect picture. 

Selective Focus – this function gives the phone owner complete control over how the image will pan out, allowing people to take a shot and then decide whether they want the foreground or background to be the focus of the image. 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-CM1

This phone has been branded ‘the smartphone for photographers’, being one of the only contenders to come close to the Apple iPhone reputation. Unlike the majority of camera phones on the market the Lumix exhibits a wealth of unique features, evidently not copying any other phone during the design process.

Features include:

  • A large lens
  • Big image sensor
  • Physical controls
  • A genuine manual mode 

One review reads:

The 1-inch sensor enables very detailed photos with minimal grain even at high ISO sensitivities. A metal ring around the lens allows you to easily adjust those manual settings; camera-activation and shutter buttons eliminate fiddling with a touchscreen’.

If you are planning on investing in a smartphone specifically to take pictures with then we would not hesitate to recommend any of the above three phones.