10 smartphones with the best cameras according to DxOMark

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

In the top were devices from Huawei, Apple, Xiaomi and Samsung.

1. Huawei P20 Pro

• DxOMark score - 109 points.

• Triple camera:

  • 40MP RGB sensor, f / 1, 8 aperture, 27mm focal length;
  • 20-megapixel monochrome sensor, lens with f / 1, 6 aperture and focal length of 27 mm;
  • 8MP RGB sensor, f / 2, 4 telephoto lens, 80mm focal length and OIS.
• Phase autofocus in a 40 megapixel sensor.
• Video mode in 4K resolution.
• Fast shooting at 960 fps at 720p resolution.
• Front camera - 24 megapixels.

The smartphone has 3x optical and 5x hybrid zoom. You can shoot at high ISO 102400 and in Super Slow-Mo. There is an intelligent optical stabilization system and advanced autofocus.

Cameras provide clear pictures in any light.

The filling of Huawei P20 Pro also did not disappoint. This is a full-fledged flagship.

2. iPhone XS Max

• DxOMark score - 105 points.
• The main module is 12 megapixels, a six-element lens with an aperture of f / 1.8, an equivalent focal length of 26 mm.
• Additional module - 12 megapixel, six-element lens with f / 2, 4 aperture, 52 mm equivalent focal length.
• Optical image stabilization.
• Automatic focusing (PDAF).
• Dual Quad-LED flash.
• Shoot 4K video at 30/60 fps, 1080p video at up to 240 fps.
• Front camera - 7 megapixels.

Overall, the camera specs of the iPhone XS Max are identical to last year's iPhone X. However, a closer look reveals some important improvements. For example, the 12-megapixel sensor in the wide-angle dual camera module is now larger than on the iPhone X (1.4 microns versus 1.22 microns).

However, the new iPhone has received much more changes in the imaging software. For example, when capturing a photo, the iPhone XS Max continuously captures a multi-frame buffer at various exposure levels for zero shutter lag and real-time HDR processing.

This means that the iPhone XS Max is capable of displaying HDR images right in the preview mode, so you will see your images in the viewfinder exactly as they will be saved. So far, none of the iPhone's competitors can do that.

3. HTC U12 +

• DxOMark score - 103 points.
• The main module is 12 megapixels, a lens with an aperture of f / 1.75.
• Additional module - 16 megapixels, telephoto lens with f / 2, 6 aperture.
• Phase detection and laser-guided autofocus.
• Optical image stabilization.
• Dual LED flash.
• Shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second.
• Front camera - dual 8 + 8 MP.

The flagship HTC U12 + has top-of-the-line imaging features. The smartphone supports shooting photos in RAW format. HTC's patented UltraSpeed Autofocus 2 system provides phase detection and laser-guided autofocus.

Bokeh simulation mode is also supported for artificially blurring the background when shooting portraits. The front panel of the smartphone houses a dual-tone LED flash.

4. Samsung Galaxy Note 9

• DxOMark score - 103 points.
• Main module - 12 MP, 1/2, 55-inch sensor, dual-element PDAF, lens with variable aperture f / 1, 5-2, 4.
• Additional module - 12 MP, f / 2, 4 lens, ¹⁄₃ inch sensor, AF.
• Optical stabilization on both cameras.
• LED flash.
• Shoot 4K video at 30/60 fps.
• Front camera - 8 megapixels.

Samsung has paid a lot of attention to the camera of its new brainchild. The Note 9 has a dual camera: a primary wide-angle and an additional one with a telephoto lens. Both modules are optically stabilized.

The main feature of the Note 9 is support for artificial intelligence to improve the quality of images, for which Samsung modestly calls the Note 9 camera the smartest camera of all. Thanks to AI, the system can identify key objects in the image and optimize the shooting parameters and photo processing.

5. Huawei P20

• DxOMark score - 102 points.
• The main module is a 12-megapixel RGB sensor, a lens with an f / 1, 8 aperture and a focal length of 27 mm.
• An additional module is a 20-megapixel monochrome sensor, a lens with an f / 1, 6 aperture and a focal length of 27 mm.
• Phase autofocus.
• Front camera - 24 megapixels.

Huawei P20 is the younger version of the P20 Pro. A camera with good detail and autofocus and a wide dynamic color range makes this smartphone a good choice for photography enthusiasts.

However, the P20 Pro lacks a telephoto lens, so the quality of the close-ups is poor.

6. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

• DxOMark score - 99 points.
• The main module is 12 megapixels, a lens with a variable aperture f / 1, 5 and f / 2, 4.
• Additional module - 12 megapixel, telephoto lens with f / 2, 4 aperture.
• Optical stabilization.
• Phase detection autofocus in the main module.
• Shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second.
• Fast shooting at 960fps and 720p resolution.
• Front camera - 8 megapixels.

With its variable aperture lens, the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus' main camera captures more light when shooting in low-light conditions. Excellent results are also demonstrated in sunny weather: the camera switches to optimizing the detail and sharpness of the photos.

Galaxy S9 Plus shots are bright with a wide dynamic range. DxOMark experts note a good balance between noise reduction and detail retention.

7. Xiaomi Mi 8

• DxOMark score - 99 points.
• The main module is 12 megapixels, a wide-angle lens with an aperture of f / 1, 8.
• Additional module - 12 megapixels, telephoto lens and f / 2, 4 aperture.
• Four-axis optical stabilization for the main camera.
• Automatic focusing.
• LED flash.
• Front camera - 20 megapixels.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 offers the buyer a quality camera that delivers ultra-fast and accurate autofocus, as well as excellent exposure and detail in any light. The Mi 8's camera has good dynamic range and is equipped with a 2x telephoto lens. The spectacularly simulated bokeh mode makes your portraits more beautiful.

The video shooting of the Mi 8 also did not disappoint.

8. Google Pixel 2

• DxOMark score - 98 points.
• The main camera is 12 megapixels, a lens with an aperture of f / 1, 8.
• Dual Pixel autofocus.
• Optical image stabilization.
• HDR + technology.
• Machine learning portrait mode.
• Front camera - 8 megapixels.

Google Pixel 2, unlike most others in the top DxOMark, is equipped with only one camera module based on a 12-megapixel sensor with an area of 1/2, 6 inches.

But even the non-dual module provides a wide dynamic range in any light, accurate autofocus, good white balance indoors and outdoors, and pleasant bokeh when shooting portraits.

True, DxOMark experts argue that the Google Pixel 2 is better suited for video shooting.

9. iPhone X

• DxOMark score - 97 points.
• The main module is 12 megapixels, a wide-angle lens with an aperture of f / 1, 8.
• Additional module - 12 megapixel, telephoto lens with f / 2, 4 aperture.
• Optical image stabilization.
• Quad-LED True Tone flash with slow sync mode.
• Phase autofocus.
• Portrait lighting.
• Shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second.
• Front camera - 7 megapixels.

Although the iPhone X is already a year old, its camera is still among the best. The smartphone boasts excellent exposure, especially in light, accurate white balance, pleasant color reproduction and good clarity. High contrast scenes are perfect. However, flash portraits often suffer from red-eye.

10. Huawei Mate 10 Pro

• DxOMark score - 97 points.
• The main module is a 12-megapixel sensor, a lens with an aperture of f / 1, 6.
• An additional module is a 20-megapixel monochrome sensor, a lens with an aperture of f / 1, 6.
• Laser autofocus.
• Dual LED flash.
• Video filming in a resolution of 2 160p with a frequency of 30 frames per second; in 1,080p resolution - with a frequency of 30 or 60 frames per second.
• Front camera - 8 megapixels.

Rounding out the top is Huawei Mate 10 Pro. The dual camera delivers excellent color reproduction, pleasing colors and accurate white balance in all conditions. In addition, the Huawei Mate 10 Pro demonstrates good results when shooting videos with autofocus.