Photographers' insights: how to choose the right smartphone camera

Since the first smartphone with an integrated camera was released nearly 25 years ago, we’ve seen many camera improvements.

Back in 2000, Samsung announced the SCH-V200, a flipped smartphone with only 0.35-megapixel capabilities. Subsequent models from various vendors gradually added more pixels and features, and smartphone cameras started out-producing digital ones.

Digital camera sales have been slowing down since 2010 and only slightly bounced back last year due to expensive interchangeable lens cameras, according to Nikkei Asia.

With AI enhancements, cameras in our pockets have become even more compelling. They allow users to improve quality and edit shots with a few clicks.

Meanwhile, Apple's latest iPhone 16 smartphone line features a dedicated Camera Control button, emphasizing smartphone photography's growing relevance.

For those who want to take decent pictures with their smartphones, though, it doesn’t necessarily require top-of-the-line flagships that cost close to $1000 or more.

There are cheaper and older models that will meet the needs of an average user.

However, to find the right one, you must know what features to look for in a smartphone camera.

So, what are the must-have features for a good smartphone camera? What factors are more important than the megapixel count? I asked these questions to several professional photographers, who shared their insights along with the basic concepts of smartphone cameras that are worth knowing.

Why do smartphones have multiple cameras?

Nowadays, many of the latest flagships come with multiple camera lenses. One of these is the main camera for everyday use, which is designed for a variety of scenarios, such as indoor and outdoor use, as well as daylight and low-light conditions.

The second camera is often wide-angle, which typically captures a broader field of view than a human eye, and is used for landscape photography.

The third camera can be a telephoto lens, providing 2x or 3x optical zoom without compromising the quality of a picture.

Some manufacturers include ultra-wide lenses that can capture an even broader field of view, periscope lenses that allow up to 10x optical zoom, and lenses for Macro photography.

“An ultra-wide lens typically has a focal length of around 13-16mm (35mm equivalent), while a macro lens can focus at very short distances (2-5cm). I love the aspect of getting a super wide shot on my phone, which is normally a pain in the butt with my pro cameras, having to change out lenses and readjust,” says Craig Peterman, a professional photographer at Peterman Photo and Video.

“With my phone, I can simply pinch the screen and get a wide landscape look for my shot easily. This may be one of the few advantages I see for phones vs. pro cameras.”

Which parameters are more important than pixel count?

One of the first things you’ll hear when companies announce their cameras is the megapixel count. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 12 Pro+, and Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offer cameras with a whopping 200MP sensor.

You may have heard that pixels are not the only factor determining photo quality, but this fact can be easily forgotten in the companies' marketing push.

Peterman emphasizes that while more pixels can mean more detail, they also require larger storage and processing power and can introduce noise if the sensor size is not proportionate.

“The quality of the lens, sensor size, and image processing algorithms (like HDR) often play a more significant role in the overall image quality than sheer pixel count,” he explains.

Stabilization and night mode

Chris Oberman, a travel photographer and an author at travel blog Moving Jack, says two main features are important for those who take pictures on the go: good image stabilization and the ability to shoot in low-light conditions.

“Photos taken with a phone are mostly ‘on-the-go,’ so you need good stabilization. In my experience, most photos are taken in low-light conditions, whether inside a house, at events, or at night. These situations often have quite low light. Shooting in bright daylight happens much less frequently,” Oberman explains.

Optical image stabilization (OIS) is a hardware-based solution that adjusts the camera according to movement. Oberman notes that it’s common in the latest flagships, though if you are buying an older model, it might be worth checking if it’s included.

Some also feature Electronic image stabilization (EIS), which is a cheaper, software-based solution. It analyzes motion and digitally adjusts the image to create smoother pictures and videos.

Many high-end flagships use both of these methods to achieve maximum-quality images and videos.

Sensor and pixel sizes

Sensor size is another important parameter worth considering when choosing a smartphone camera.

“Larger sensors typically capture more light, resulting in better image quality. Look at the aperture size, which affects low-light performance – a lower f-number means a wider aperture and better low-light capability,” advices Jeffrey Wang, a wedding photographer and the founder of PerfectMoment.

Peterman adds that a lower aperture can give the so-called “bokeh” effect in a photo, which is blurred background look.

In addition to sensor size, he recommends considering the size of pixels.

“Larger pixels (measured in micrometers, µm) on the sensor can collect more light. For example, a pixel size of 1.4µm or larger is considered good for capturing detailed and low-noise images. Also, the more pixels you have to work with, the more you can crop or zoom into a photo without losing quality,” Peterman says.

What about HDR?

All of the photographers emphasize that a High Dynamic Range (HDR) algorithm is a must-have for those who want to be able to shot decent pictures with their smartphones.

This algorithm combines multiple exposures to produce a single image with greater detail in both the shadows and highlights.

“A good HDR algorithm can significantly enhance photo quality in challenging lighting conditions. HDR is something that everyone is starting to become aware of, with super high resolution shots being the norm now,” Peterman says.

AI-enhancements

Nowadays, the main selling point of smartphone cameras is AI features. My experience with the Pixel 9 Pro XL shows that the software enhancements can compensate for a lack of photography skills, allowing users to reframe pictures after they are taken, change the background with a prompt, or learn how to do landscape photography.

Some of these or similar AI tools are also available on the latest flagships from Samsung, Apple and other vendors.

“AI features like night mode, scene detection and portrait mode create smartphone photos that look professionally edited. The iPhone and Google Pixel have solid AI-powered photography features for automatically enhancing photos,” says Jodi Blodgett, photographer at Jodi Blodgett photography.

However, the latest AI enhancements may soon allow users to go far beyond everyday photography. According to Danielle Kelvas, MD, medical advisor for a medical software company called IT Medical, smartphone cameras will also be increasingly used in medicine.

“Several companies are competing right now to develop software that will allow patients to screen for melanoma from the comforts of their home, with the assistance of camera-AI software,” she explains.

According to Kelvas, we'll see an improvement in the magnifying abilities of cameras, which will allow patients to take better pictures of rashes and lesions that could be cancerous. Meanwhile, developers are working on getting a camera to take pictures that can scan a few layers deep into the skin.

Smartphone recommendations

So, what smartphone camera is a good buy?

Peterman says that he uses iPhone 15 Pro Max, because it allows him to take RAW photos and LOG videos. Both RAW photos and LOG vidoes are high-quality footage formats.

However, for the average user such capabilities may not be needed.

Peterman recommends users look for smartphones that have similar qualities:

- A wide aperture (f/1.8 or lower).

- A large sensor size (1/1.7" or larger) and pixel size (1.4µm or larger).

- Advanced HDR capabilities and AI enhancements.

- Multiple lenses for different focal lengths, including telephoto and ultra-wide options.

According to him, some current models that meet these criteria include the iPhone 13 Pro, Google Pixel 6 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

For budget options, he lists Xiaomi’ Redmi Note 12 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy A52.

Wang says that iPhone 13 Pro and Google Pixel 6 Pro would be among his top picks.

For a mid-range smartphone, he recommends the Google Pixel 5a with features like Night Sight and HDR+, while the Samsung Galaxy A52 may be a budget option with a quad-camera setup.