Smartphones in 2024 are so good that they've pretty much become standalone cameras. Some companies have even shot entire movies on iPhones. That leaves us wondering: what are the best camera phones to get in 2024. Is it the new Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone 15 Pro?
In this guide, we did not just look at the hardware or the number of pixels slapped on the specs list, but went ahead and used the results of these camera smartphones in different conditions along with their software optimization (looking at your Pixel). We also kept the audience for these smartphones in mind because it isn't exactly necessary for a low light camera winner to be a great video camera as well. So without further ado, let's jump in the guide and get down to our top picks for the ultimate camera smartphone experience in 2024!
Google Pixel 7a
Best Overall $499 at Best BuyGoogle Pixel 8 Pro
Best Software $749 at Best BuyNothing phone (2)
Best For Budget See at AmazonSony Xperia 1 V
Best For DSLR Experience See at AmazonSamsung Z Flip 5
Best Foldable Camera $1200 at Best Buy- See More
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Best For Video See at Official SiteSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best Zoom $1100 at Best Buy
Our Top Picks For the Best Camera Smartphones in 2024
Best OverallGoogle Pixel 7a
Best Smartphone for Photography in 2024
Brand Google SoC Google Tensor G2 Display 6.1-inch, OLED, 90Hz RAM 8GB Storage 128GB UFS 3.1The Pixel 7a is the people’s champ, and without a doubt, the best Smartphone for Photography in 2024.
Pros & Cons- Affordable price
- Great software optimization
- Massive 64MP main camera
- No telephoto lens
- Poor battery life
This phone is, hands down, the best camera phone for 2024. While the S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro give it good competition, the Pixel 7a stands out for several reasons.
Pixel 7a is Google’s very own crowned king with stock Android, i.e., the unmodified version of the operating system. It features a dual camera setup with a 64MP main lens and a 13MP ultrawide. The selfie camera boasts 13MP as well.
That being said, the exceptionally optimized software is where the magic happens. Pixel arguably offers the best dynamic range of any smartphone camera this year due to its software. With its night sight processing capability, your pictures will not only look good during the day but also under low light. The image stabilization helps you retain stability even when you are moving around.
It also features a 90Hz display with a resolution of 1080x2400 pixels on a 6.1-inch OLED display. The vibrant colors add to its charm. Considering the price point, this phone is great for both hobbyists and professional photographers.
Best SoftwareGoogle Pixel 8 Pro
Software That Blows Every Smartphone out of the Water
$749 $999 Save $250 Brand Google SoC Google Tensor G3 Display 6.7-inch OLED RAM 12 GB LPDDR5XPixel 8 Pro is creating ripples in the smartphone industry and for good reason. Its software paired with Google’s in-house Tensor G3 chip can produce some of the best, AI-powered photographs.
Pros & Cons- Superior AI-powered image processing capabilities
- User-friendly for new photographers
- Software support for the next 7 years
- Some features may seem gimmicky when they?re new
The recurring theme of Pixel in this article is there for a reason. And that’s because the Pixel is pretty much the king of cameras. On paper, the specifications of Pixel cameras seem merely above average, but they outshine the competition due to their software optimization alone.
If you’re someone who has little to no photography experience, then you’re in luck. The Pixel 8 Pro will cater to your needs using its AI-powered computational capacity. Features like the Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Super Res Zoom, and Real Tone might seem gimmicky, but they’re anything but. They help you refine your photography by removing unwanted objects, enhancing the sharpness of blurry pictures, and reproducing accurate, high-resolution colors. Its image processing capabilities truly set it apart from the rest.
Sure, the Pixel 8 Pro doesn’t have the largest sensors on the market, but it comes with a triple-camera setup with one of the best front cameras around.
In short, if you’re just getting into photography, the Pixel 8 Pro is the best choice for you. Plus, the software can easily pick up the slack if you're learning the ropes.
Best For BudgetNothing phone (2)
The new OnePlus
Brand Nothing SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Display 6.7-inch, OLED, 120Hz RAM 8GB/12GB Storage 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1The Nothing Phone (2) has set a new standard in the budget smartphone market, carrying its unique lighting design and impressive camera performance. It’s being hailed as the new "flagship killer" of 2024.
Pros & Cons- Unique, minimalist, and modern design
- Night Mode on both rear cameras
- Affordable price
- Lighting on the back is gimmicky
- No telephoto lens
Back in 2022, no one thought we’d have a brand-new contender in the smartphone market. Nothing Phone was released to a warm public reception, and its successor further improved on it.
The Nothing Phone (2) is arguably the best budget camera smartphone of 2024. Some might even say that it is the new “flagship killer” and they wouldn’t be so wrong (look at you, OnePlus).
This phone has a dual 50MP rear camera setup that offers incredible, high-resolution images. The rear camera setup uses the Sony IMX890 sensor, which is known for low noise and accurate colors. The second rear camera on the Nothing Phone (2) is a 50MP ultrawide that delivers equally on the performance side of things. The minimalist look, coupled with the futuristic-looking light gimmicks on the backside of the smartphone pretty much set it apart from every smartphone on the market.
It also has various camera modes, including Night Mode on both rear cameras for low light photography, and a 32MP front camera. Beyond the camera, the Nothing Phone (2) features robust performance with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and a whopping 4700mAh battery. And you get all this at under $700.
Best For DSLR ExperienceSony Xperia 1 V
For the Professionals
Brand Sony SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Display 6.5-inch, OLED, 120Hz RAM 12GB Storage 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0The Sony Xperia 1 V is a dream for camera enthusiasts, offering a DSLR-like experience with its advanced triple camera setup and exceptional Night Mode performance.
Pros & Cons- Advanced triple camera setup
- 70 percent larger main camera sensor than its predecessor
- Extremely color-accurate white balance
- 12MP ultrawide with noise reduction
- DSLR-like camera controls
- Potentially steep learning curve
- Premium price point
- Niche market appeal
The Sony Xperia 1 V is known to serve as the conductor of an orchestra, controlling every minute element of photography with great elegance. It has a triple camera setup with a wide-angle primary, an ultrawide-angle secondary, and a telephoto camera.
This complex camera system does not compromise on consistency. Its main camera sensor is 70 percent larger than its predecessor, resulting in an astonishingly shallow depth of field. The white balance on this thing is also extremely color-accurate with the flagship standard dynamic range. The Xperia 1 V also features a 12MP ultrawide camera with noise reduction and improved clarity.
But that’s merely the tip of the iceberg. The main reason for putting this phone on this list is due to its DSLR-like features like Optical SteadyShot, which drastically improves image stabilization. The real case for this phone, however, is made when we go for the Night Mode. The lowlight pictures turn out crisp and high resolution. All in all, this smartphone is made for those looking to take camera controls in their own hands to orchestrate the perfect photograph.
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Posts Best Foldable CameraSamsung Z Flip 5
Flex Your Style
Brand Samsung SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Display 6.7-inch, AMOLED, 120Hz RAM 8GB Storage 265GB/512GB UFS 4.0Samsung continues its flip-phone legacy with its latest Flip 5. Its innovative foldable design and strong dual 12MP cameras make it a top choice for compact, stylish photography.
Pros & Cons- Swift autofocus with Dual Pixel technology
- Innovative foldable design
- Larger cover display as a viewfinder
- AI-based scene optimization
- Lacking low-light performance
- Potential durability concerns
- High price point
Since the first Z Flip showed up, Samsung has put a lot of work into fixing the crease and other software compatibility issues it had. Today, on its fifth iteration, the Z Flip 5 is one of our top picks for the best camera smartphones on the market.
Despite its compact form factor, the Z Flip 5 houses a dual 12MP camera system with a wide and ultrawide lens bolstered by Samsung’s optimized image processing capabilities. The phone works best in well-lit environments, offering an impressive dynamic range with swift autofocus thanks to the Dual Pixel technology.
But the novelty here is the foldable design that allows you to transform this smartphone into half its actual size. The larger cover display also serves as a viewfinder that can help you take photos without having to unfold the phone. Although its low-light performance does have a few shortcomings like reduced detail and noise, the software-based Night Mode takes care of them. Under the hood, the Z Flip 5 houses computational photography techniques like multi-frame processing and AI-based scene optimization to enhance image quality. It delivers extremely vibrant images with just the right amount of sharpness. This makes it one of the best folding smartphones of this year as well.
For video, the Z Flip 5 offers 4K recording at 60fps with decent stabilization and dynamic range. Though it may not match dedicated cameras in pure image quality, the Z Flip 5, combined with its form factor and robust software, is a compelling choice for photographers seeking a compact and powerful smartphone that doesn't sacrifice style or functionality.
Best For VideoApple iPhone 15 Pro
Record the Best Moments in Life
Brand Apple SoC A17 Pro - 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine Display 6.1-inch all-screen OLED Super Retina XDR, 2556x1179 resolution at 460 ppi RAM 8GB Storage Up to 1TBThe iPhone 15 Pro excels as a camera phone thanks to its advanced triple camera setup and top-tier video capabilities, making it a powerhouse for both photography and videography in 2024.
Pros & Cons- RAW file format support
- Superior selfie quality in most applications
- 4K video recording at 60fps
- HDR and ProRes Video features
- Chunky camera bump
- 5x Telephoto only in the Pro Max model
- Very expensive
It couldn’t be the best camera smartphone list without our very own iPhone 15 Pro. It is significantly better in contrast to its predecessor due to improved image processing and a 48MP sensor in the case of the Pro Max. Its massive camera bump might make it chunky and less pocketable, but it is a clear indication that the phone means business when it comes to photography.
The 15 Pro houses 3 rear cameras; a 48MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 12MP 3x telephoto, which gets upgraded to 5x telephoto on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The pictures it takes can be stored in a RAW file format, giving hardcore photographers the power to edit and color grade them in post. For the selfie camera, Apple went with a standard 12MP lens.
Dubbed as the best smartphone for videography in 2024, it would be a crime not to include this beast of a camera system in this list. With features like HDR, ProRes Video, and Action Mode, you can use the 15 Pro to capture your life’s best moments without any prior videography experience and trust the iPhone to produce the most refined videos possible. Or you can be an experienced videographer and extract every drop of performance out of this camera system to record videos on par with high-end premium video cameras.
Best ZoomSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
For the Selenophiles
Brand Samsung SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Display 6.8-inch, AMOLED, 120Hz RAM 12GB Storage upto 1TB UFS 4.0The Samsung S24 Ultra dominates the smartphone camera market with its 100x zoom and 200MP primary camera. All this is complemented by advanced software features and an included S-Pen for ultimate convenience.
Pros & Cons- 100x zoom capability
- A whopping 200MP primary camera
- Dedicated moon-photography function
- Remote shutter function with the included S-Pen
- Customizable Pro Mode
- The phone is large and bulky with prominent camera bumps
- Premium price point
The S24 currently reigns as the king of smartphone camera zoom, thanks to its 50MP periscope camera, which can achieve zoom levels of up to 100x. It also has a whopping 200MP primary shooter, a 10MP telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide camera.
They added a dedicated moon-photography function to the S24 Ultra. Every time you point your camera at the moon in the night sky and zoom in, the software automatically detects the moon and attempts to capture it in all its beauty. This gives you the best nighttime sky photography on any smartphone camera.
If you fancy yourself a professional photographer, Samsung has you covered. Its Pro Mode is extremely customizable, sophisticated, and one of the best pro modes you can find on a smartphone. Since the phone is so huge, Samsung allows you to move around the shutter button to anywhere on the screen for easier access.
The S24 Ultra comes with an included S-Pen, which is obviously handy when writing notes but can also be used as a remote shutter button. It's worth mentioning here that the processor on this thing is a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which is a beast when it comes to 8K video recording and gaming. So, if you prefer access to an absurd amount of convenient features and a whopping 100x camera zoom on your smartphone to impress your friends and family, you should go with the S24 Ultra.
FAQ
What smartphone has the best camera?
There is no single smartphone with the best camera. Each smartphone has its own strengths and weaknesses. If you tend to record more videos, the iPhone 15 Pro is the best option. For unreal amounts of zoom, the S24 Ultra can take you up to a 100x zoom thanks to its periscope camera.
Which Camera Phone Is The Best For Photography?
We think that the Pixel 7A is the best smartphone for most people for photography. It’s reliable, takes surprisingly good photos thanks to Google’s superior software, and doesn’t break the bank when you purchase it.
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