With a plethora of smartphones to choose from, consumers are spoiled with loads of choices but also faced with the dilemma of which device would best suit their purpose.
A highly sought after feature of smartphones is their camera capability, especially with selfies being all the rage. If one is on the go, then it is far simpler to snap up a picture with the smartphone rather than a traditional camera. Moreover, it is not often that people lug around a point and shoot camera with them.
Thanks to cameras on smartphones, users can now click pictures whenever they want and not miss that special moment either. With camera usage being a major consideration for many users when purchasing a smartphone, we take a look at some of the best camera smartphones available: the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S5, LG G3, Sony Xperia Z3, Nokia Lumia 1020, HTC Desire Eye and Google Nexus 6.
1. iPhone 6
The flagship Apple smartphone is sought after by enthusiasts for its impeccable features and functionalities, and its camera packs quite a punch as well. The smartphone boasts a 8MP primary iSight camera, and the notable feature on the device is its super swift phase-detection autofocus or "focus pixels."
Apple's technology for local tone mapping is also a bonus as it helps reduce overexposure and makes the camera of the smartphone ideal for shooting pictures in daylight. The smartphone has fabulous low-light capabilities.
The primary camera is able to record 1080p videos at 60 frames per second. The iPhone 6 also supports geotagging, touch focus, smile/face detection, HDR and the ability to record images and HD videos at the same time. It can also take slow-motion videos.
The iPhone 6 also has a 1.2MP FaceTime camera that can record 720p videos at 30 frames per second.
2. iPhone 6 Plus
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have the same camera capabilities and features. The only thing that sets the iPhone 6 Plus camera apart from its smaller sibling's is that it packs in optical image stabilization (OIS), which aids in the snapping of clear images even if the smartphone is not steady.
3. Samsung Galaxy S5
The Samsung Galaxy S5's camera has won accolades for its superior performance. It touts a 16MP primary camera that has a 0.3-second autofocus time, which basically means that the smartphone's phase detection autofocus lens is able to click comprehensive images in the blink of an eye.
The Galaxy S5 also supports HDR, which will let a user see what the image will be like finally prior to shooting, face/smile detection, dual shot, geotagging, touch focus, as well as the ability to capture both HD videos and images simultaneously.
Another impressive feature is the Shot & More mode, which basically lets a user snap up images and adjust them later with ease. The Selective Focus mode is also a plus as it lets users change the image focus between the foreground and background.
The Galaxy S5's camera also supports 4K video recording and houses a 2MP secondary camera.
However, the camera is unable to take good low-light images, as well as night and indoor shots.
4. LG G3
The LG G3 sports a 13MP primary camera with an autofocus lens, which at first glance is reminiscent of the conventional digital cameras available currently. However, the LG G3's camera has OIS and a feature for soft light that aids selfie users in their quest for the perfect picture. The smartphone also has a feature that is quite handy: gesture shutter, which basically enables the user to click pictures by alerting the shutter via a hand gesture or motion rather than the press of a button.
The magic focus option on the LG G3 lets the lens of the camera create focal points while shooting as well. The LG G3's primary camera can record 4K videos and the smartphone supports HDR, geotagging, autofocus, panorama, dual-LED flash, face detection and OIS as well.
The smartphone also has a 2.1MP secondary camera.
While the LG G3 can take detailed pictures and good images in low-light conditions, the color accuracy of the smartphone's camera leaves a lot to be desired.
5. Sony Xperia Z3
The Sony Xperia Z3 features a 20.7MP primary camera (5248 х 3936 pixels). This smartphone's camera has a 25mm lens, which ensures a wider field of view or angle. The Xperia ZR also supports ISO 12800 and is able to capture fantastic images with great detailing even in low-light conditions.
The Xperia Z3 has a sensor size of 1/2.3 inch. The camera also supports face detection, panorama, HDR, geotagging and touch focus. The Xperia Z3's camera also supports defocus of the background, giving users the ability to blur the background. One can also shoot 4K videos with the primary snapper.
The Xperia Z3 has a 2.2MP secondary camera that can take 1080p videos at 30 frames per second.
However, a bummer of the smartphone is that the long focus time taken by the shutter before one snaps up the picture can lead to some missed moments. Another drawback may be the color reproduction, which is sometimes inaccurate.
6. Google Nexus 6
The Nexus 6 smartphone is said to have one of the best cameras in the business. It sports a 13MP rear-facing camera with OIS capabilities. The primary camera also has autofocus and dual-LED flash capabilities, as well as face detection, touch focus, panorama, dual recording, geotagging, HDR+ and photo sphere.
The primary camera can take 2160p videos at 30 frames per second. The Nexus 6 also has a 2MP front-facing camera for selfies with a F2.2 aperture.
7. Nokia Lumia 1020
This Nokia smartphone boasts a primary camera that has a whopping 41MP and Carl Zeiss optics. The Lumia 1020's Pure View camera with its autofocus lens is quite formidable. The Lumia 1020's camera has a high resolution 3x zoom, as well as OIS. The sensor size is 1/1.5 inch.
The Lumia 1020 also boasts a back-illuminated sensor (BSI), touch focus, manual focus, AF assist beam, face detection, presets for white balance, geotagging, self-timer, panorama, ISO control, night mode and exposure compensation.
The smartphone's camera can capture natural tones and realistic images with attention to detail. The great thing about this camera is its performance in low-light conditions. The smartphone's primary camera can take 1080p videos at 30 frames per second.
The Lumia 1020 also has a 1.2MP front-facing camera.
8. HTC Desire Eye
The HTC Desire Eye is the perfect companion for those bitten by the selfie bug. The Desire Eye boasts a 13MP front-facing camera with an extra wide 22mm equivalent lens that will ensure that not only you, but your friends too, fit in the frame. Thanks to the high resolution, selfie addicts can edit out any photo bombers and still have a high-quality image despite zooming in.
The Desire Eye also packs in a 13MP rear-facing camera with a resolution of 4208 x 3120 pixels. The camera also has autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash capabilities and can take 1080p videos at 30 frames per second.
The Desire Eye's camera also supports face detection, geotagging, panorama, HDR and touch focus.
