What is optical zoom in a smartphone. Choosing a Smartphone with Optical Zoom: Apple, Android and Alternatives. What is optical zoom

Everyone defines the word “best” in their own way: not very many smartphones came out this year, and most of them are similar to each other. We decided to focus on the most notable and interesting of them: we present to you the most distinguished smartphones in the outgoing year.

ZOOM selection: best smartphones autumn

There are five of them, and each of them is unique in its own way. Not being the lot of a bunch of geeks from Silicon Valley, they left their mark by bringing innovation or just balance to this world. It is no exaggeration to say that each of them will have its share of influence on further development the smartphone industry.

LG G2: buttons down

This smartphone is actually accompanied by various ironic and simply original coincidences. Let's say it is very similar to the new benchmark Google Nexus 5, produced by the same LG.

Nevertheless, Nexus has not officially made it to Russian counters yet, so let's talk about an existing product under the laconic name G2.

LG G2 - a definite success of the Korean manufacturer

He also noted a number of innovations that can slightly change the digital world of pocket computers, which some people still call phones out of habit. For example, graphic memory GRAM, which, according to the manufacturer, reduces the energy consumption of the display by 26% when displaying a static image, and in medium activity mode, the technology can, on average, provide up to 10% battery savings. A little, but already something.

Or here cameras: the Dual Camera function allows you to shoot with both (rear and front) cameras at the same time, and in VR Panorama mode, a series of pictures are generally combined into one circular panorama. In general, the analogue of the first mode is available in Samsung smartphones, and the second mode does not represent anything special, it just simplifies what has already been for a long time.

But the innovation in sound: LG claims that the G2 is the first device to support ultra-high quality playback up to 24-bit and sampling rates up to 192 kHz. True, no one may need it so far, but at first they did not think about CDs that they would completely replace CD-cassettes.

In addition, LG showed us a special Korean take on convenience: the volume rocker was moved to the rear cover (yes, that's right) under the camera, and a power button was placed in the center of it, and it was called the "Rear Key concept." On the front panel and ends of the smartphone, there are no controls at all. This approach, in fact, is a response to the ever-increasing diagonals of smartphones: in them, it becomes more and more difficult to press the side buttons with one hand. The Koreans just tried a new version, by the way, you can read about how convenient it is in our detailed LG G2. On the whole, the body is very comfortable, even in spite of the large dimensions (the screen diagonal is 5.2 inches).

LG G2 design pleasantly surprises

The rest of the innovations are not that new, they are just conveniences that make life easier for the user. Let's say the QuickRemote app allows you to use it as a remote control for various devices with preset codes, but you can also train your smartphone by creating codes for non-standard equipment. Guest Mode helps to display only pre-selected applications, although, in general, the presence of this program may seem incomprehensible given the fact that Android 4.3 introduced a full separation of profiles (but the smartphone has not yet received this update, it will receive in the very near future ).

Also, the G2 can be noted as one of the first smartphones based on the new top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. In addition, in the review, we noted a good IPS-screen for the gadget, at the level of HTC One and iPhone 5S.

As for the 13 MP rear camera, there are no special breakthroughs here: sapphire crystal, multi-point autofocus and high-quality optical stabilization are used.

In addition, the G2 has a lot of small usability improvements that cannot be called cardinal, but can be pleasant. Let's say the Plug & Pop feature recommends the appropriate apps when connecting a USB cable or headphones; Answer Me can automatically pick up the handset and lower the ringer volume when the user brings the smartphone to their ear. And the Slide Aside function ensures that you work with several applications at the same time by sliding an open application to the side with three fingers at the same time.

Finally, we note an interesting accessory - the LG QuickWindows cover, which covers the smartphone on both sides, but leaves the active part of the screen in front open, and the smartphone can recognize this cover and display various notifications in this area.

Nokia 1020: the last of the Mohicans

In the middle of the list we have a 41-megapixel Nokia flagship with an index of 1020. Of course, this is a smartphone on Windows Phone 8, it is big, according to the latest fashion, and it has a very advanced camera.

As for video, the main camera can shoot at resolutions up to FullHD (1920x1080) at 30 frames per second, zoom in the captured video without loss up to six times, and also stabilize it. The smartphone is able to broadcast videos on special sites in streaming mode, and Nokia Rich Recording technology will help to make the sound clearer than it really is.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3: the founder of "phablets"

Apple iPhone 5S: get your fingers ready

This time the presentation was expected with less impatience than the previous ones, due to a large number of information leaks before the announcement.

Apple iPhone 5s is easy to identify by the button

Among the innovations are, for example, a fingerprint scanner Finger Touch ID embedded in the Home button.

But besides that, there are other interesting details. In particular, the new Apple A7 processor, which became Apple's first commercial ARM processor with support for 64-bit instructions. Because of this, all bundled applications and itself operating system iOS 7 has been recompiled to 64-bit, although there is, of course, a complete backward compatibility with 32-bit applications. In addition, the new processor has become twice as fast (according to company representatives, of course) and the same can be said about the graphics coprocessor, which also acquired support for OpenGL WS 3.0. Actually, the iPhone has never suffered from a lack of performance (unlike smartphones on Android).

"Gold" iPhone 5s at a price not more expensive than the rest

The novelty also has a new coprocessor M7, introduced specifically for processing data from sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope and compass). In theory, applications that constantly read data from these sensors will no longer load the CPU, which in turn will lead to increased performance. In addition, thanks to the M7, the network processes while driving will not be active.

Apple also claims that the new processor and coprocessor are extremely energy efficient. By the way, the camera has become twice as fast - more precisely, its autofocus, thanks to the new signal processor in the A7. The camera is called the iSight and now has a new five-element f / 2.2 lens and a sensor that uses 15% more area. Light sensitivity is also increased by 33%. Also, the new camera can now record slow-motion (4x) at 120 frames per second in HD resolution. Burst shooting now allows up to 10 frames per second, and the analyzer in real time will offer the best photo taken by yourself. The technology, by the way, is similar to the one that has existed for a long time in Nokia Smart Cam, but nobody is interested in it anymore.

The last significant innovation for the rear camera is the combination of "cold" and "warm" flash. This will allow the device to automatically adjust the intensity and color temperature so that colors (and especially faces) appear as natural as possible. Front-camera also got better with a BSI sensor.

Sony Xperia Z1: does not burn in fire, does not sink in water

It unambiguously reminds us of the company's previous hit, the armor-piercing Xperia Z - that's how it basically is. The Japanese have done an excellent job on the bugs and presented us with a greatly improved gadget. And the improvements start immediately from the case: it is monolithic, with a metal frame around the perimeter and glass front and back panel... The screen is covered with a protective plate with a plastic oleophobic protective film, which is needed to reduce the number of fingerprints.

Waterproof and dustproof Sony Xperia Z1 is still a rare feature for smartphones

However, the Truluminos screen specs are pretty mundane for modern smartphone premium: five-inch screen with Full resolution HD, up to 460 nits brightness and 440 ppi pixel density. In addition to this, the user receives as a gift the proprietary X-Reality Pro image enhancement technology, and this is not to mention the OptiContrast technology, which eliminates the air gap between the glasses. However, some problems with the screen remained, many users still complain about the low contrast of the display.

The Xperia Z1 also meets IP55 and IP58 dust and water resistance safety standards. Translated into Russian, this means that in the state of all ports and covers closed with plugs, Z1 is protected from the effects of water jets, and it can also swim for up to 30 minutes at a depth of one and a half meters. In general, if you spill coffee or drop it in the bathroom or toilet, it's not scary.

Other innovations include the rear camera. Sony followed the path of many and among other improvements made more megapixels: now there are 20.7, using an Exmor RS sensor and a Bionz processor. Photo resolution - 3840x2160 pixels maximum in automatic mode... You can also read a detailed one with examples of photos on our portal.

The smartphone boasts a large number of related technologies: for example, the Time Shift Burst mode allows you to take 61 pictures in two seconds and choose the best one. Info-Eye inserts text to the frame during shooting, and when capturing any landmark, if you wish, text with information about the object can be superimposed on the photo. But the most entertaining thing is the entertaining AR Effect function, which allows you to combine pictures with animation using SmartAR proprietary augmented reality technology.

The colors of the Xperia Z1 are well matched

The same unusual innovation awaits you in voice communication. Sony Z1 offers a unique Slow Speech feature, which allows you to slow down your interlocutor's speech in real mode for your hearing if the speed of his speech apparatus is faster than the processing speed of your brain processor. Slow speech can really do a good job for someone.

Well, pay attention to additional accessories that are offered for a fee: for example, a case with a mount for the DSC-QX100 camera, and the unusual thing here is that the camera can work wirelessly with a smartphone. In addition to such exotic, the user can purchase a branded portable charging battery pack, wireless speaker, tripod, docking station, bluetooth headset, etc.

Cameras have been installed in telephones for a long time. This element has become an integral part mobile devices... Even the cheapest smartphones today are hard to imagine without it. Although cameras are available in inexpensive devices, they usually cannot meet the needs of people who are demanding on the quality of images. For example, they lack such an important component as optical stabilization. This is the prerogative of high-end smartphones. Modern flagships are capable of completely replacing digital cameras, they produce great shots, even at night. Therefore, optical stabilization should be given no less importance than the number of megapixels if you need pictures. High Quality... Today will be considered best smartphones with optical camera stabilization of 2018.

Meizu 16th

Meizu in 2018 did what no one expected from it. The brand has taken a huge step forward with the launch of a flagship device Meizu 16th on the most powerful processor Snapdragon 845... In addition to the hardware platform, the smartphone has a magnificent streamlined design with a combination of metal and glass, a good AMOLED display and a technological finger scanner built right into the screen. And with all this, the device is not too expensive, its price is quite reasonable.

The developers also paid a lot of attention to the camera. The dual main module produces excellent night and day images with high details and correct color reproduction, worthy of a top-level. The main lens is armed with a sensor Sony IMX380 at 12 megapixels, the aperture in it has a value of f / 1.8. Its equipment includes 4-axis optical stabilization and fast Dual Pixel autofocus. The second module with an integrated matrix is designed to blur the background thanks to the measurement of the depth of field. Sony IMX350, f / 1.8 aperture and phase detection autofocus, and an auxiliary camera is needed to operate the 3x zoom. Artificial intelligence comes to the rescue in difficult situations.

Huawei P20 Pro

This smartphone looks chic due to the gradient back panel, which mesmerizes with its iridescence when exposed to light rays, which is a feature of Huawei products. The inner content is not inferior to its bright appearance. The processor uses a 10-nanometer Kirin 970 with support for neural networks. The beautiful body made of glass and metal is endowed with moisture protection according to the IP67 standard. The front is occupied by a 6.1-inch AMOLED screen.

But the main trump card of the device is triple rear camera... This is a real photographic monster, awarded the highest marks for image quality, and it should be admitted, deservedly. The main camera unit includes an 8 megapixel color telephoto lens with f / 2.4 aperture, 3x optical zoom and optical stabilization, a 20 megapixel monochrome module with f / 1.6 aperture, and a 40 megapixel f / 1.8. There is also a laser + phase autofocus. As befits a modern camera phone, there is an AI system for enhancing shots.

Xiaomi Mi 8

Together with the aforementioned flagship from Meizu, the top smartphone from Xiaomi is the most affordable solution for taking cool photos. In addition, it looks very elegant, delighting the owner with a high-quality assembled metal case with glass back cover... The model is very powerful thanks to the chipset Snapdragon 845 The front surface is crowned with a colorful AMOLED screen with a notch at the top, which, among other things, houses an IR face recognition sensor.

On the back is a dual camera unit in the style of Apple devices. It contains the main module with an f / 1.8 aperture and 4-axis optical stabilization and an auxiliary telephoto lens with f / 2.4 aperture and double optical zoom... Both cameras are 12MP. There is a nimble phase detection autofocus. During the day, Xiaomi Mi8 shows itself great, but at night everything is very good, since the noise is practically invisible. There is a function of improving images using artificial intelligence. In addition, the device allows you to install the Google camera application, which will make the result even better.

Oneplus 6

Smartphones of this brand are all used to calling "flagship killers". The first models were more in line with this due to their very affordable price, but the latest OnePlus devices do not have a very high price tag and top-end characteristics. "Six" is made in accordance with all trends. There is a monobrow, a metal frame, a glass back, an elongated AMOLED screen and Snapdragon 845... The phone is great for its money, especially since its price will inevitably decrease due to the release of a newer model.

Users have long been waiting for the appearance of optical stabilization in the manufacturer's devices, and it first appeared in. It is equipped with one of the two modules in the main camera, which has a resolution of 16 megapixels and f / 1.7 aperture... For zooming and blurring the background, an auxiliary lens with a 20 megapixel sensor and f / 2.0 aperture... Camera options here on high level however, the pictures are not as good as in the three Chinese devices listed above. But most people will love them.

Samsung Galaxy S9 +

Smartphones from the renowned Korean company have long been no alternative for buyers looking for an Android device with a cool camera. Some devices from the Middle Kingdom today are in no way inferior to the venerable flagships from Samsung. But South Korean top-class devices are still in great demand today. The model, in particular, attracts attention with its elegant design, remarkable AMOLED-screen with a large diagonal and thoughtful software... The only pity is that we do not officially sell the version with Snapdragon 845, but only with Exynos 9810.

Of course, the list of advantages also includes the main camera of the device. Unlike the smaller "brother" Galaxy S9, in which there is only one photo module on the back, the Plus version is equipped with a dual camera that allows you to apply the bokeh effect for pictures at the hardware level. Both lenses have a resolution of 12 megapixels, but the parameters are different. The main module comes with an f / 1.5 aperture and Dual Pixel autofocus, the secondary telephoto has an aperture of f / 2.4 and 2x optical zoom... In both cases, optical stabilization is used. The quality of the footage is great, although the Galaxy S9 + is no longer the undisputed leader in this regard.

Today, many smartphones are equipped with a dual photo module. This allows you to get a spectacular background blur when shooting macro and portraits, more clear pictures, lossless zoom or wide-angle photos.

In this article, we have compiled the best models based on expert opinions (DxOmark, CNet, Techradar) and consumer reviews.

Perhaps, best phone that you can buy today. This also applies to him. A double 12 Mp module with optical stabilization is used. One f / 1.8 wide-angle lens, the other f / 2.4 telephoto (this allows you to realize a high-quality 2x zoom). Pictures are clear, juicy, macro like from DSLR-devices. The 7-megapixel front camera is also good.

We note a decent autonomy, a productive chipset, Face ID face recognition system, protection against water and dust according to the IP67 standard. There are also drawbacks: there is no fingerprint scanner (but this is a matter of habit), a slot for memory cards and a very, very high price.

Specifications

Display: 5.8 inches (2,436 x 1,125 pixels).
Processor: Apple A11 Bionic.
Memory: 3 GB of RAM, from 64 GB of ROM.
Cameras: main - 12 + 12 Mp, front - 7 Mp.
OS: iOS 11.
Price: from 66,000 rubles.

Perhaps the second best phone you can buy today. Unlike the previous generation, the S9 Plus model has a dual 12-megapixel camera module (the regular S9 has a single one). And - after all, you have to somehow persuade people to upgrade from the S8 - Samsung swears that they have invented the camera anew. And these are not marketing gimmicks. The world's first camera with a variable aperture (from f / 2.4 to f / 1.5). This brings the S9 Plus as close as possible to DSLRs and allows the device to adapt to different shooting conditions. For example, when shooting landscapes, the light is very natural, and in the dark, the pictures come out super sharp and bright (as much as possible).

The modules also have optical stabilization, super slow motion and noise removal options (when 12 shots are taken at the same time and one is almost perfect), a 2x zoom is available without loss of quality. The front camera (8 MP, f / 1.7) blurs the background well and makes great shots.

Other features include a powerful hardware platform, a retina scanner, IP68 moisture protection, a slot for memory cards up to 400 GB, stereo speakers. In the reviews, someone complains about the active post-processing of images, someone about the low battery capacity, but this is not very critical.

Specifications

Display: 6.2 inches (2,960 x 1,440 pixels).
Processor: Exynos 9810.
Memory: 6 GB of RAM, from 64 GB of ROM + microSD slot.
Cameras: main - 12 + 12 Mp, front - 8 Mp.
Battery: 3500 mAh.
OS: Android 8.0.
Price: from 67,000 rubles.

DxOMark claims to be the best camera phone on the market today. There are already three "eyes" on the back panel of the device: a dual module (the size of the main sensor is 1 / 1.7 ″, aperture f / 1.8, a resolution of 40 megapixels + a monochrome 20-megapixel sensor with a matrix of 1 / 2.7 ″ and aperture f / 1.6) + 8 megapixel telephoto lens with a focal length of 80 mm and an aperture of f / 2.4. The smartphone boasts 3x optical and 5x hybrid zoom, the ability to shoot at high ISO 102400 and in Super Slow-Mo, an intelligent optical stabilization system and advanced autofocus and no less advanced 24-megapixel front camera.

Before us is a model with outstanding cameras. Everyone notes high-quality and extremely clear pictures in all lighting conditions, in black and white. Among other things, the P20 Pro is a flagship with a top-end "filling". Please note that there is no memory card slot, but 128 GB in the base version makes up for this.

Specifications

Display: 6.1 inches (2,240 x 1,080 pixels).
Memory: 6 GB RAM, 128 GB ROM.
Cameras: main - 40 + 20 + 8 Mp, front - 24 Mp.
Battery: 4000 mAh.
OS: Android 8.1.
Price: from 55,000 rubles.

Not such a "cunning" option, but more affordable. The Leica-branded dual camera features two modules (12 + 20 MP, one monochrome, f / 1.6 aperture) with optical stabilization and 2x hybrid zoom. The pictures are good both from the main camera and from the front camera at 8 megapixels (but there is a minus - it has a fixed focus). Huawei is betting on artificial intelligence technologies - object recognition.

And the rest is a good device for its money: top-end chipset, waterproof IP67, capacious, attractive glass case (but quite easily soiled). There is no memory card slot.

Specifications

Display: 6 inches (2,160 x 1,080 pixels).
Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 970.
Memory: from 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of ROM.
Cameras: main - 12 + 20 Mp, front - 8 Mp.
Battery: 4000 mAh.
OS: Android 8.0.
Price: from 40,000 rubles.

Honor is the "daughter" of Huawei, as you probably know. At the same time, both brands are now producing strong models at good prices and are competing with might and main. The new Honor 10 can be called a budget flagship. It is distinguished by an affordable price, an iridescent glass body, a fashionable design with bangs, a dual camera module (24 + 16 Mp, one monochrome sensor, there are AI functions) and, if not top-end, but productive hardware stuffing. There is no memory card slot. The pictures are very good, but the quality decreases in low light conditions.

Specifications

Display: 5.84 inches (2,280 x 1,080 pixels).
Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 970.
Memory: 4 GB of RAM, from 64 GB of ROM.
Cameras: main - 24 + 16 Mp, front - 24 Mp.
Battery: 3 400 mAh.
OS: Android 8.1.
Price: from 27,000 rubles.

The newest flagship from the Chinese. Of course, with top-end hardware and a dual camera. Modules with an aperture of f / 1.8 and f / 2.4 are used, 2x zoom is available without loss of quality, optical stabilization. Again, artificial intelligence technologies are offered to determine the content and select the best settings. The device just went on sale, but judging by the first reviews and test results of the same DxOMark, the camera turned out to be successful. The front 20-megapixel module with f / 2.0 aperture is also excellent and uses different modes"Beautification".

The smartphone is beautiful (although it obviously copies the iPhone X), only the relatively low battery capacity frustrates. The device has not yet arrived in Russia, but it can be purchased on AliExpress.

Specifications

Display: 6.21 inches (2,280 x 1,080 pixels).
Memory: 6 GB of RAM, from 64 GB of ROM.
Cameras: main - 12 + 12 Mp, front - 20 Mp.
Battery: 3300 mAh.
OS: Android 8.1.
Price: from 35,000 rubles.

Another advanced Chinese flagship, which became a bright new product of the last month. The body is made of metal and glass, the screen with "bangs" and minimal bezels. Not iPhone copy, while beautiful. Iron is traditionally for OnePlus "at the forefront of the attack." They also tried to make the camera stand out. Two modules from Sony are used: a 16-megapixel IMX 519 with optical stabilization and an aperture of f / 1.7, as well as a 20-megapixel IMX 376K. To showcase the shooting capabilities of the OnePlus 6, a model was even captured on the cover of Indian Vogue. The manufacturer offers an improved HDR mode and automatic selection of shooting parameters depending on the scene.

Everything is good, but I would like the battery to be more capacious. And keep in mind: there is no memory card slot, like the Mi8. It seems that he began to recede into the past?

Specifications

Display: 6.28 inches (2,280 x 1,080 pixels).
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845.
Memory: from 6 GB of RAM, from 64 GB of ROM.

DxOmark is confident that this smartphone takes the second place in terms of its photo capabilities. - the first flagship of the company after a long break, which has a dual camera (recall that the brand was once a pioneer in the market, presenting a model with a dual camera and a 3D screen). It uses a 12-megapixel wide-angle module (f / 1.75, optical stabilization) and a 16-megapixel telephoto with a 54mm f / 2.6 lens. Such a bundle allows you to make a 2x zoom without loss of quality. We also note the UltraPixel 4 technology, traditional for the brand (larger pixels receive more light).

The smartphone has a Pro manual shooting mode and RAW support. Ultraspeed Autofocus 2 (a combination of phase detection and laser autofocus) ensures sharp focusing. Supports 4K video recording at 60 fps. The pictures are beautiful, good bokeh effect. This also applies to the front module: it is also double.

Otherwise, we have a top-end novelty based on Qualcomm 845 with IP68 water protection and Edge Sense option (you can squeeze the edges of the smartphone to activate some functions). And the U12 + also has a translucent body. But the gadget is too expensive for a model from a company that is struggling to stay afloat.

Specifications

Display: 6 inches (2,880 x 1,440 pixels).
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845.
Memory: 6 GB of RAM, from 64 GB of ROM, slot for memory cards microSD.
Cameras: main - 12 + 16 Mp, front - 8 + 8 Mp.
Battery: 3,500 mAh.
OS: Android 8.0.
Price: from 59,000 rubles.

The once ambitious smartphone makers said they would soon squeeze compact cameras out of the market. It happened before our eyes. Today everyone knows that a camera, even in an inexpensive smartphone, shoots no worse than a soap dish. Next stage - catch up on the quality of a DSLR... While this does not sound entirely realistic, but new smartphones prove that this goal will also be achieved sooner or later. There are a lot of decent models on the market that allow you to create photos of very, very high quality. We analyzed the existing offer and selected smartphones with the best camera 2018 year. Looking ahead, we note that all these camera phones are very, very expensive, but the cameras in them are really luxurious.

When it comes to evaluating a camera, the question arises, how to understand that it is cool in one smartphone, and worse in another. First of all, you need to look at the technical specifications:

number of megapixels... Forget the more is better rule. This is no longer the case, but for some reason marketers and sellers continue to mislead users. When it comes to a tiny (compared to a DSLR) camera in a smartphone, a large number of megapixels can even cause harm. 12-13 megapixels with the head is enough to create wonderful pictures... It is good that many companies realized this and focused their attention on improving other parameters;
diaphragm... The camera needs light to get a good shot. It enters the matrix and forms the image. Light passes through the aperture, and the wider the aperture blades are open, the more likely you are to get a clear, beautiful picture even in less than ideal conditions. In the specifications, the aperture is denoted as f / 2.0 or F2.0. The lower the number, the better. For example, a camera with f / 2.2 and f / 1.9 will shoot equally well in the daytime, but in the evening with a module with f / 1.9 it will take better pictures. Today, the standard even for inexpensive smartphones is f / 2.0, and flagships are equipped with modules onf/1.8 and evenf/1.6. By the way, a wide aperture, even in the absence of a second module, will allow you to create macro shots with a bokeh effect;
matrix diagonal... The bigger it is, the better. That's all the average user needs to know. It is not necessary to go into details. The diagonal of the matrix is denoted by a fractional number, and the lower the exponent under the fraction, the better. For example, a 1/3 "camera is fine for the budget class, 1 / 2.9" and 1 / 2.8 "for the midrange, and 1 / 2.5" for flagships, but exceptions are common. Recently, manufacturers prefer not to indicate this characteristic at all;
pixel size... A lot of stupid pixels can not lead to an improvement in the quality of the photo, but, on the contrary, can cause blurriness and the appearance of noise. Therefore, it is better to let the matrix have fewer larger pixels than a lot of small ones. The manufacturers usually indicate the pixel size. For budget and medium-sized smartphones, this indicator should be 1.22 microns or more, in flagships - at least 1.25 microns, or better - 1.4 and even 1.5 microns;
autofocus type... Autofocus can be contrasting (the most primitive, used in very cheap smartphones), phase(works quickly during the day, problems are possible at night) and laser... The latter is the most up-to-date and accurate, always works fast;
optical stabilization- a guarantee of high-quality pictures of dynamic scenes. The opportunity is invaluable when shooting video and will come in handy for all those who often have their hands shaking;
number of lenses... Many people think that the more the better. No. It is better when the lenses are of high quality, but this can only be judged by test shots;
camera sensor manufacturer... The modules from Sony as well as from Samsung(the company makes sensors for itself better than those that it sells to the outside). Slightly worse, but acceptably remove sensors from OmniVision... The most popular are Sony sensors, which are labeled as IMX and a three-digit number in the characteristics of the camera, for example, IMX The first number indicates the generation, the second indicates the class of the photosensor (the more the better), the third indicates the version;
additional main camera executed in several versions. Option # 1 is a black and white sensor that captures light better and allows you to create better images in low light conditions. Option # 2 - a camera with a wide angle of view to squeeze as much of the landscape into the frame as possible. Option number 3 - the second camera is used for zooming.

It also happens that a camera with seemingly ideal parameters makes, to put it mildly, not very good pictures. This means that the manufacturer did not pay enough attention to automation, optics and software algorithms... It is advisable to personally evaluate examples of photos in different shooting conditions before buying. It often happens that with a rather mediocre set of characteristics, the smartphone takes excellent pictures - this means that the developer was not too lazy to finish the software shell. But when the manufacturer takes good sensor, but kills him with lenses or problems in the software, very disappointing.

From theory to practice. We have found the best camera phones, selected the best among them and prepared a rating for you. The analysis used sample images, as well as the opinion of an authoritative resourceDxOMark, which tests cameras according to its own algorithm and gives them marks in points. Go!

Smartphones with the best camera 2018

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Just a few weeks ago new flagship from Samsung was presented atMWC 2018. The model received a very cool camera and has already been named a smartphone with the best camera in the world... Both the Galaxy S9 Plus and the slightly more compact Galaxy S9 received main module with variable diaphragm... Nobody has done this before. Yes, we tried, but Samsung was the first to bring the idea to life. What gives us aperture with variable value fromf/2.4 to a / 1.5? This feature brings the smartphone camera close to the DSLR and allows it to adapt to any shooting conditions. When it's light, the aperture blades close to keep the frame out and convey depth, which is especially important when shooting landscapes. When it's dark, the petals open as far as possible to let in light. Tests show that at night, the device shoots, indeed, much better than all other smartphones, even better than the main competitor - iPhone X. The resolution of the matrix is 12 megapixels, there is optical stabilization and phase autofocus.

Samsung Galaxy The S9 Plus, unlike the Galaxy S9, received additional main camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels and an aperture of f / 2.4. The second module is required for 2-card optical zoom... The pixel size of the main camera is 1.4 microns, in the additional one - 1 micron. The smartphone can shoot video in slow motion, got portrait mode and superbly handles all shooting scenarios. The front camera with 8 megapixels also knows how to blur the background and takes excellent pictures (f / 1.7 aperture, 80-degree field of view).

We can talk about the Galaxy S9 + for a long time, since this one of the most advanced smartphones available today. He received an 8-core Exynos 9810 processor with a frequency of 2.7 GHz: very powerful, but such resource-intensive applications, where this "stone" would show itself 100%, have not yet been invented. The screen received a diagonal of 6.2 inches, made using Super AMOLED technology, resolution 2960 * 1440. RAM in stock 6 GB, the main - 64/128/256 GB, there is a slot for memory cards up to 400 GB. The model has received protection from moisture and dust according to the IP68 class, is equipped with a face and retina scanner, and is able to make AR Emoji - an analogue of Animoji in the iPhone. Add stereo speakers, fast charging (battery capacity 3500 mAh) and chic looks, and we get, perhaps, the best smartphone for today. The 6/64 version costs about $ 1200.

Apple iPhone X

Apple smartphones always have good cameras. Anniversary and revolutionary iPhone model X only confirmed this rule. Before (and after) the Galaxy S9 +, the camera in the iPhone X will serve as an example for comparison. Apple traditionally pays attention to software optimization, but the hardware is all right. Rear camera - dual, both modules received 12 megapixels. One is an f / 1.8 wide-angle lens, and the other is an f / 2.4 telephoto lens. Both modules have optical stabilization... There is a portrait mode, 2x optical zoom. The camera performs well in all shooting scenarios, but falls short of the Galaxy S9 + at night. The front module received a resolution of 7 megapixels, an aperture of f / 2.2, and as a flash it can use the backlight of the screen.

The main feature of the new iPhone is the "bangs" on the top. The attitude towards it is ambiguous, so we will not comment on this feature. Let's just note that, following Apple, many Chinese companies have stamped iPhone X clones at very different prices. The AMOLED screen received a diagonal of 5.8 inches and a resolution of 2436 * 1125, the highest contrast and brightness. A smart processor, protection against water and dust according to the IP67 standard, face recognition technology and other more or less useful features make the gadget smartphone of dreams... The dream (64 GB version) costs about $ 1350.

Google Pixel 2

The flagship from Google differs not only in compact size, but also in conservatism, and this is not a minus at all. The company did not embrace fashion trends such as dual cameras and an elongated screen. Nevertheless, the smartphone creates excellent photos, and many experts are sure that this is the best camera phone on this moment... The main module received a resolution of 12.3 megapixels (aperture f / 1.8, pixel size 1.4 microns, matrix diagonal 1 / 2.6 "), phase and laser autofocus, optical and electronic stabilization. Everything is perfect on paper, and in fact it is not worse. The camera is good for any scene, the pictures are really gorgeous - amateur photographers should appreciate.

The front camera received a resolution of 8 megapixels, an aperture of f / 2.4, a pixel size of 1.4 microns and a matrix diagonal of 1 / 3.2 ”. The characteristics, frankly, are not so hot, but the front camera shoots very well. In addition, background blur is also implemented here. In general, the pictures are excellent in any conditions. Videos can be shot in 4K at 30fps, in FullHD at up to 120fps, and in HD at 240fps.

As for the main parameters, the smartphone received a 5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 * 1080, safety glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5, nimble Snapdragon 835 processor with a frequency of up to 2.45 GHz, IP67 water and dust resistance. The battery capacity is small (obviously, for the sake of compactness) - 2700 mAh, but the fast charging function should save. The smartphone is equipped with 4 GB random access memory, main memory - 64 or 128 GB. The pluses also include the presence of stereo speakers, an active noise cancellation system and a bunch of chips from the manufacturer. There is no 3.5mm jack. The device costs about $ 800: a lot, but better than the competitors.

Huawei Mate 10 Pro

Another confident contender for the title of the smartphone with the best camera. The device received a glass body, a giant screen, a smart processor, an enviable autonomy and a dual camera, which becomes the object of our interest. The main camera duo from Leica is positioned vertically. The color module received a resolution of 12 megapixels, an additional monochrome module - 20 megapixels. Aperture for both camerasf/1,6 , contrast, phase and laser autofocus, optical stabilization, there is a 2x hybrid zoom. The smartphone is great at taking photos in low light conditions, not to mention simpler shooting scenarios such as landscape, portrait and macro. The background is blurred perfectly, the pictures are clear and reproduce colors correctly. The front module received an 8 megapixel sensor with f / 2.0 aperture and fixed focus. He copes with his tasks at the level.

Huawei has installed an 8-core HiSilicon Kirin 970 processor with a frequency of up to 2.36 GHz in its flagship and neural computing module... Thanks to this solution, the smartphone will much more quickly and efficiently cope with applications that use artificial intelligence technology. 6 inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2160 * 1080, protective glass, 4000 mAh battery with fast charging function, waterproof IP67 -here everything is so perfect that it's already boring... The disadvantages are only the easily soiled case (glass) and the price. There are versions with 4 and 6 GB RAM, the main memory can be 64/128/256. The “simplest” 4/64 GB phone costs $ 630, which compares favorably with its more expensive fellow camera phones.

HTC U11 and HTC U11 Plus

Launched in summer 2017, the HTC U11 won over mobile photography enthusiasts by capturing great shots in the dark and superb detail when capturing tricky subjects such as threads and hair. The questions were only about the design, so in the fall the company released the HTC U11 Plus. The camera module remains the same, but over appearance worked: has it gotten better - a big question, everything is subjective.

The main camera in both models received a resolution of 12 megapixels and diaphragmf/1.7 , pixel size - 1.4 microns, there is optical image stabilization. All this means that day and night you will be able to get a photo of excellent quality, with a spectacularly blurred background. Post-processing lovers will love the fact that the smartphone can shoot in the formatRAW... Naturally, there is a manual mode - the user himself will be able to adjust all the shooting parameters. The front 16 megapixel module with f / 2.0 aperture and no autofocus allows you to create very decent selfies. In general, the device deserves to be in the ranking of smartphones with the best camera.

Htc U11 received a body made of glass and metal, a 5.5-inch screen with a resolution of 2560 * 1440, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protective glass and a 3000 mAh battery. Responsible for performance is the 8-core Snapdragon 835 with a frequency of up to 2.45 GHz, there are versions with 4 and 6 GB of RAM, and 64/128 GB of the main one. The fingerprint scanner is sub-screen, among the chips is a body compression sensor and a physical activity tracking sensor. The price for version 4/64 is about $ 660.

Htc U11 Plus received, as it is now customary to call, a full-screen 6-inch display with an aspect ratio of 18: 9. The changes also affected the battery: new version its capacity is 3930 mAh. Version 4/64 costs $ 790.

Apple iPhone 8 and Apple iPhone 8 Plus

Yes, the eighth iPhones are criticized for outdated design, but they still buy, because in terms of technical characteristics, they are almost perfect. The new iPhones differ from the sevens with a glass body, a faster processor and an increased amount of memory. The rest has not changed, and the cameras began to shoot even better. In the Plus version, the main camera is double, in the younger one it remains single.

iPhone 8 Plus received two main camera modules 12 megapixels each. One of them is wide-angle with f / 1.8 aperture, the other is telephoto lens with f / 2.8 aperture. There is double optical zoom, portrait mode, stage lighting mode, and the wide-angle lens has received optical stabilization. iPhone 8 equipped with only one lens 12 MP f / 1.8, there is no optical zoom. The cameras work quickly, produce decent quality images, and they are not afraid of the darkness. The 7MP f / 2.2 front camera produces decent results.

The eighth iPhones look solid. The younger version received a 4.7-inch screen (resolution 1334 * 750), the older one 5.5 inches (1920 * 1080). Both versions are powered by a 6-core A11 Bionic processor, equipped with 3 GB of RAM, the main one can be 64 or 256 GB. Powerful and beautiful apples are traditionally expensive - fashion gadgets after all. iPhone 8 - from $ 790, iPhone 8 Plus - from $ 1060.

Note also that the year before last iPhone 7 andiPhone 7 Plus also filmed at the level, namely, the iPhone 7 Plus set the fashion for dual main cameras.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Last year, the company's line of phablets was replenished with the Galaxy Note 8. This year, obviously, will be released updated version, well, in the meantime, the "eight" can confidently fight for the title of the best camera phone. However, the camera is not the only advantage of the gadget, but it is very, very significant. Both main cameras received 12 MP resolution and optical stabilization. It was the first smartphone in which both main modules are equipped with optical stabilization. One of the cameras is wide-angle with an aperture of f / 1.7, the other is a tele-camera with an aperture of f / 2.4. Their joint work allows you to take great pictures in any conditions and effectively blur the background. Thanks to the function dynamic focus you can change the focusing subject after shooting. The photos are spectacular. The good news is that video in 4K resolution is really high quality. The front camera with its 8 megapixels and f / 1.7 performs quite well.

The giant 6.3-inch display impresses with its high-quality picture. The device comes to our market with the Samsung Exynos 8895 processor: in the AnTuTu tests the device gains more than 170 thousand points. This is power! RAM in the size of 6 GB and built-in 64/128/256 GB is enough for the eyes. It should be noted separately sound quality and multifunctional unsinkable stylus. By the way, the smartphone itself has received protection from moisture and dust according to the IP68 standard. The battery capacity, however, is only 3300 mAh. Someone may not like the soiled glass case, as well as the price, but it's time to get used to the fact that the flagships cost about a thousand "green" ones and are a fashion item. This model, for example, is perfect for business people who need to work a lot with documents and spreadsheets. For the version with 64 GB, they are asking now from $ 900 to $ 1050.

ASUS Zenfone 5Z and ASUS Zenfone 5

The recent MWC exhibition, held in Barcelona, introduced us to a lot of interesting new products. ASUS introduced a whole series of new smartphones. If Zenfone 5 Lite just got an elongated screen, then 5 and 5Z are very strongly resembleiPhone Xwith his bangs, but they are much cheaper. The Zenfone 5Z and Zenfone 5 are slightly different in terms of hardware, but the cameras are the same. Rear module - double... The main camera received a Sony IMX363 sensor, 12 megapixel resolution, f / 1.8 aperture, optical stabilization and phase autofocus. The auxiliary module with 8 megapixels received a viewing angle of 120 degrees. The idea is that the camera should do a good job with different scenes and make an effective blur. The front module is more modest: 8 megapixels and the same viewing angle of 120 degrees.

Zenfone 5 received a screen with a diagonal of 6.2 inches with an aspect ratio of 19: 9 and a resolution of 2264 * 1080. On board is a smart Snapdragon 636 processor and 4 or 6 GB of RAM, 64 GB of main memory, it can be expanded. The developers say that the smartphone uses software with the makings of artificial intelligence, and its forces will be directed to more economical energy consumption, improving the quality of shooting.

Zenfone 5 Z outwardly exactly the same, but inside it hides a slightly more powerful Snapdragon 845. There are 4, or 6, or 8 GB of RAM !! Latest version generally impressive. Main memory stock - 64/128/256 GB. Prices will start at $ 590 (Zenfone 5 will obviously be cheaper), with sales starting in June.

LG V30 +

Recently everyone praised the camera inLg V30 ... We do not argue, it is really cool, but the novelty, which came out just recently, promises more best quality shooting. As befits a flagship, it uses dual main camera... One of them has a resolution of 16 megapixels, diaphragmf/1.6 , the second - 13 megapixels, f / 1.9 and a viewing angle of 120 degrees. As a result, excellent photo quality in any shooting conditions, the ability to create photos with maximum scene capture, and the presence of optical stabilization will allow you to achieve excellent results even when shooting in difficult conditions. Cameras received glass lenses CrystalClear, which minimize the scattering of light when transferring it to the matrix. The front camera with its 5 megapixel and f / 2.2 shoots acceptable.

The filling of the smartphone is top-end. This is a powerful modern 8-core Snapdragon 835 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory (expandable up to 2 TB). The screen is made using OLED FullVision technology, has a diagonal of 6 inches and a resolution of 2880 * 1440 pixels. There is protection against water and dust IP 68 and the function of fast charging, the battery capacity is minimum sufficient - 3300 mAh. The device looks futuristic, it costs about $ 900.

Xiaomi Mi Note 3

The new flagship from a well-known Chinese company received the same pair of cameras as in the more expensive Xiaomi Mi 6... Both main cameras have a resolution of 12 megapixels, one of them has an aperture of f / 1.8, and the other - f / 2.6. the first one is wide-angle, the second camera has a telephoto lens, so you can zoom in on the picture without losing quality and create bokeh. In most shooting scenarios, the camera behaves perfectly, practically not inferior to more expensive counterparts. The front module with a resolution of 16 megapixels will delight lovers of taking selfies.

A smart Snapdragon 660 processor is located in a beautiful glass case. The manufacturer decided to save money on the screen. Well, how to save money. Not to say that the display is bad, but these days they are also installed in devices of a lower price segment. The screen is made using IPS technology, has a diagonal of 5.5 inches and a resolution of 1920 * 1080. The fingerprint scanner is conveniently located under the display. The 3500 mAh battery can be charged quickly and provides acceptable autonomy. The smartphone is sold in 6/64 and 6/128 GB versions. If you need a smartphone with a good camera up to 20,000 rubles (350 $), then take a look at the 6/64 version. A device with twice as much memory will cost 1.5 times more.

Vivo X20 Plus

Rounding out our top camera phones is the flagship from Vivo. Now everyone is actively discussing that the company's updated smartphone Vivo X20 Plus UD will be the first in the world in which the fingerprint scanner will be built into the screen and will be located at the bottom of the display. While everyone is just waiting for the new product to appear on sale, it is known that the cameras in the new smartphone will be the same as in the Vivo X20 Plus.

The model is equipped with dual main camera: the first module with a resolution of 12 megapixels and an aperture of f / 1.8, the second has a modest resolution of 5 megapixels. An additional module is required to blur the background. The front module also has a resolution of 12 megapixels and f / 2.0. The authoritative resource DxOMark rated the device's camera at 90 points out of 100, which is a good result.

The device received a Super AMOLED display with a diagonal of 6.43 inches and a resolution of 2160 * 1080, an 8-core Snapdragon 660 processor, a sufficiently capacious 3905 mAh battery and an acceptable 4/64 GB of memory. The device costs about $ 540. There are cheaper alternative - Vivo X20... This smartphone is equipped with the same cameras, but it has a slightly smaller screen (6.01 inches, the same resolution) and a less capacious battery (3245 mAh), but the processor is the same, and the price is about $ 460.

Friends, it remains to add that we need to keep our finger on the pulse and closely monitor the release of new products, because cameras are being improved literally before our eyes.

We live in a time when almost everyone, before buying a new smartphone, thinks about its photo and video capabilities. There are just a lot of great camera phones on the market right now. And they all take approximately the same pictures. Gone are the days when the best camera was the one with more megapixels. Now other characteristics of the camera are also important, like.

In 2016, Apple announced two phones: the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. The most interesting innovation is the dual camera with optical 2x zoom. Apple set a trend that most mobile manufacturers followed.

What is optical zoom?

Optical zoom is a function of cameras or smartphones that allows you to zoom in or out on your subject. Optical zoom is used to enlarge objects with special optical elements, so that the resolution of the photo remains unchanged.

If your camera has a 12-megapixel module, then when the object is magnified optically, these 12 megapixels will remain (without pixel magnification). This article introduces the best smartphones that come with an optical zoom camera.

iPhone 8 Plus

This smartphone was presented a couple of weeks ago. Just a few days later, DxOMark rated the device's camera as the best on the market. Recall that the iPhone 8 Plus has a 12-megapixel dual camera, the main one with an aperture of f / 1.8, and the second - f / 2.8. Specifications cameras are unchanged from the iPhone 7 Plus.

The second camera features 2x optical zoom for beautiful portrait shots. And this is by far one of the best compact optical zoom smartphones you can buy today.

Smartphone specifications:

Display: 5.5-inch Retina, 1920 × 1080p, 401 ppi
CPU:
RAM: 3GB LPDDR4
Flash memory: 64/256 GB
Main camera: 12 MP + 12 MP, f / 1.8 and f / 2.8
Front camera: 7 MP, f / 2.2
Battery: 2691mAh
Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
Operating system: iOS 11
Dimensions: 158.4 × 78.1 × 7.5 mm
Weight: 202 grams

Xiaomi Mi6

Xiaomi's flagship has become very popular this year due to its price and decent performance. It was introduced almost six months ago. It has an excellent top-end Snapdragon 835 processor, a beautiful glass body with a metal frame, and of course, an impressive dual camera.

Got an all-metal body, a fingerprint scanner, a good 5.5-inch Full HD screen with a resolution of 1920 × 1080p, an eight-core Snapdragon 625 processor and a dual 12-megapixel camera with apertures of f / 2.2 and f / 2.6.

Smartphone specifications:

Display: 5.5 inches, 1920 × 1080p, 401 ppi
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, 8 cores
RAM: 4GB LPDDR3
Flash memory: 64 GB
Main camera: dual 12 MP + 12 MP, f / 2.2 and f / 2.6
Front camera: 5MP
Battery: 3080mAh
Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Operating System: Pure Android 7.1.2
Dimensions: 155.4 × 75.8 × 7.3 mm
Weight: 165 grams

OnePlus 5

This phone was announced this summer as a "flagship killer". He received flagship features: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 6GB or 8GB RAM plus 64GB or 128GB internal, 5.5-inch Optic AMOLED screen with Full HD resolution.

The main feature was its dual 16-megapixel camera with apertures of f / 1.7 and f / 2.6, as well as the presence of 2x optical zoom. But not everything is so good. After the announcement, the craftsmen were able to understand the technology and found out that the smartphone received 1.6x optical and 0.4x digital zoom. This caused outrage among many users. But, despite this, the smartphone deserves to be in this rating of camera phones.

Smartphone specifications:

Display: 5.5 inches AMOLED, 1920 × 1080p, 401 ppi
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
RAM: 6/8 GB, LPDDR4
Flash memory: 64/128 GB
Main camera: 16 MP + 16 MP, f / 1.7 and f / 2.6
Front camera: 16MP
Battery: 3300mAh
Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
Operating system: Oxygen OS (Android 7.1.1 Nougat)
Dimensions: 154.2 × 74.1 × 7.3 mm
Weight: 153 grams