Buying guide: the best smartphones for taking photos in 2021

Looking for a phone to take pictures? MeilleurMobile offers you a buying guide with the best devices on the market at the start of 2021.

To find a smartphone that is excellent in terms of photography, you have to compare the best. This selection includes the best cameras on the market for photos, even if it means paying the price. Use this selection to compare models and if you find what you are looking for, do not hesitate to compare prices on MeilleurMobile. Our dedicated tool will allow you to find the best price based on e-commerce sites.

Here is already the ranking of mobiles with a powerful camera:

1. Huawei Mate 40 Pro
2. iPhone 12 Pro Max
3. Oppo Find X2 Pro
4. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
5. Google pixel 5

Huawei Mate 40 Pro +: the best smartphone for photos in 2021

At the dawn of 2021, a device stands out in terms of photography is the Huawei Mate 40 Pro +. With this smartphone, the Chinese firm has pushed its excellence in terms of photo part to the end. On the strength of its partnership with Leica, the manufacturer is highlighting a quintuple photographic sensor with a main 50 megapixel module. It is supported by a 12-megapixel telephoto, an 8-megapixel periscope, a 20-megapixel ultra-wide angle and finally a 3D TOF module. The work is done in concert to provide great versatility in taking pictures. On the specialized site of DxOMark, the mobile gets a score of 144. The only problem is that the smartphone is still not fully usable by ordinary people since Huawei still does not have access to Android services. However, there are explanations for making full use of your phone, which will cost you 1399 euros.

The complete technical sheet of the Huawei Mate 40 Pro Plus available on MeilleurMobile

IPhone 12 Pro Max: Apple has made remarkable progress on its cameras

With this new range of iPhone, the Cupertino company has regained control of the high-end market. The Pro Max version of its new smartphones is the most richly endowed and this also concerns its camera. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is adorned on its rear face with four lenses working together. The three main sensors are all 12 megapixels with different attributes namely: a wide angle, a telephoto and an ultra wide angle. Everything is also completed by a 3D TOF which acts as a support in all situations. Besides the photo quality, the video is also well made, all boosted by the performance of its chip and iOS. The iPhone 12 Pro Max in its 128 GB version is available from 1389 euros.

The complete technical sheet of the iPhone 12 Pro Max on MeilleurMobile

Oppo Find X2 Pro: the good surprise of 2020 from all angles

In the global mobile telephony market, certain brands have been able to do well and this is the case with Oppo. The Chinese manufacturer took the competition by surprise with its Find X2 range. With its Find X2 Pro, the brand ticked all the boxes and in particular on the part of photography. The smartphone has three lenses on its dorsal part with a first 48 Mpx module. It is aided by a 13-megapixel telephoto periscope and a 48-megapixel ultra-wide angle. Artificial intelligence as well as versatility are required since the Oppo Find X2 Pro will adapt to all situations. If you want to know more about the phone we encourage you to read our full review. The mobile is available on several e-commerce sites at a price of 1199 euros.

The complete technical sheet of the Oppo Find X2 Pro on MeilleurMobile

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G: the other smartphone alternative on Android

On cameras, Samsung has also made great strides. With its Galaxy S20, the brand offers a new experience in taking pictures which is illustrated in particular with its very high-end model. The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has indeed four modules for taking pictures. The great strength of this system is its main objective of 108 megapixels while its support module at 48 Mpx with optical zoom x4. The 12-megapixel ultra-wide angle as well as the 3D TOF all work together to deliver great performance. Whether it is day or night, the Samsung phone will adapt. The mobile is sold at a starting price of 1359 euros but it is regularly promoted.

The complete technical sheet of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G on MeilleurMobile

Google Pixel 5: photography still at the top at the American firm

Since its arrival on the mobile telephony market, Google has stood out for the quality of its photos. With its Pixel 5, the manufacturer is making a comeback to the fundamentals with great services notably hailed by specialist critics but also the specialist site DxOMark. Unlike the other cameras mentioned above, the mobile has only two lenses for taking pictures. It is a 12.2 megapixel wide angle doped with Artificial Intelligence. The second module is 16 megapixels is an ultra wide angle with great fidelity to the colors but also the light. Regarding the price, the Google Pixel 5 is marketed at a price of 629 euros.

The complete technical sheet of the Google Pixel 5 on MeilleurMobile

What are the criteria to observe to take good photos on your smartphone?

The photo part has become a fundamental element on the technical sheet of a smartphone. All manufacturers without exception invest in this part to offer you the best possible services. To take good photos, the objectives must be of quality in this service or they must know how to adapt. In order to face all situations, the MeilleurMobile team offers you some keys to use to choose the best.

Use our product comparison on this link leading to MeilleurMobile

The goal: size and resolution are not everything

In 2020, a trend has been confirmed is the exponential growth of megapixels on the main objective. A Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G thus benefits from a 108 megapixel sensor while an iPhone 12 Pro Max is content with a 12 megapixel module. The question is, where is the truth? You have to see the training. For example, the S20 Ultra 5G sensor splits into 9 photodiodes to process a pixel. By quickly dividing we obtain a resolution similar to the Apple smartphone. We must therefore be careful not to fall into this fairly simple trap for the informed eye. The size of the sensor is also important to consider. A consensus seems to have been found with the competition for a fairly similar size.

Also read: smartphone manufacturers to follow in 2021

The focal opening of the lenses is also an element that must be observed. This data is expressed in (n) and is to be taken from the following subject. The closer the figure is to 0, the more capable the sensor is of absorbing maximum light. This is one of the things that makes the camera perform well in night shots.

Additional sensors: how much is needed to satisfy?

Another of the lessons to be learned from this year in the mobile telephony market concerns the accumulation of objectives. As you can see in the selection above, it is normal to see 3.4 or even 5 sensors on the back of the smartphone. However, less prestigious products also accumulate photo sensors without this bringing you any added value. To make a good camera, you already need an ultra wide angle, but also a telephoto. The former are perfect for taking pictures of landscapes while the latter specialize in shots a little closer.

During this year, brands even made the choice to add a TOF. The Time of flight which allows to manage in real time in three dimensions. With updated software, your photos will be able to calculate the distance between the subject and the sensor to give you a complete rendering. This will allow you to bring a little more precision in the photos taken.

Software processing: the last point to take into account

In high-end cameras, manufacturers collaborate with optical specialists in the construction of photographic sensors. On the other hand in software processing, it is more complicated to subcontract and it is often house software that is put forward. The ability to calculate but above all to process images. For that, no way to trust the data sheets. You need to read tests compare different reviews and do your own investigation.

The price to pay: not everyone can afford luxury

Obviously, the selection proposed above concerns very high-end devices. There are excellent cameras on phones marketed for less than $ 400 or less. This will be the subject of another comprehensive buying guide based on your budget.

The complete comparison of the 5 phones available below