These days, a phone isn't worth having if it doesn't have a top-notch snapper strapped to its back.
We've rounded up the crème de la crème of camera phones and delved a little deeper than simple megapixels to establish what handsets should be on any self-respecting mo-pho's (mobile photographer's) wishlist.
It seems raw power has been replaced with more nuanced designs of late, so we've selected what we think are the best cameraphones on the market at the moment and pitted them against one another.
However, rest assured we'll be adding to the test as more top-end phone snappers appear to ensure you're always aware of which phones are the best around for photography.
The TechRadar photo team has spent weeks with each device, taking photos in a variety of conditions and subjecting them to the same tests as the high-spec cameras we review every week to give you a real feel for the raw pictorial power of each phone.
However, we also look at how easy each phone is to use on a day by day basis - there's no point bringing a photographical powerhouse on a hike if it's impossible to use the blasted thing.
Where possible we shot specially designed charts to test the cameraphones' image quality, including our resolution chart, which gives a measure of how much detail each camera can capture. This is assessed by eye on a computer screen and is measured in line width per picture height x100 (LW/PH). High numbers are good as they indicate that more detail can be recorded.
We also shot charts to enable us to use computer software to assess how much image noise each camera generates, their ability to record light and dark tones within a single image (dynamic range) and their colour accuracy.
See here for more information about our noise and dynamic range tests.
We used the cameras in a variety of different situations, both outdoors and indoors, using different camera settings (where possible) and in different lighting conditions.
The images were all then examined on a computer screen at normal viewing size and at 100%.
So read on to find out which phones come up trumps in our test, and which should stick to the day job of transmitting our voice and texts across the airwaves.
Your comments (13) Click to add a new comment
liricaria
February 7th
13. Hi! thank you for all the info, although i still dont know what to choose. My biggest problem is that at poor light conditions I usually get "moved" pictures... which one do you think it will stand better for this situations?
Alert a moderator
travisnj
January 15th
12. I am on Belle already and LOVE the N8...
Alert a moderator
sarahdrtw
January 6th
11. I like the review for what they've covered but wish it had also covered capturing young moving targets.
I am still stuck on which camera phone to get next because I have just had to return the Evo 3D because it was useless at catching clear images of young kids!! They don't sit still and with the Evo I had to take about 6 pics for every clear one, even after downloading a flashy camera app!! Burst helped getting one clear one out of 8 but they are then low resolution (tiny pictures!)
Any any ideas or suggestions welcome please?!?!
Alert a moderator
jostian
January 5th
10. @ironmit, the N8 was in the test, and won so not sure why you say "and no N8", but yes you are right the xenon flash is great, and the S2 takes pretty decent pics, enjoy!
Alert a moderator
ironmit
January 4th
9. i used to have a motorola xt720, although xenon flash helped produce great pics in dim lighting the screen, camera start up time and shutter lag on the first pic (because the xenon has to charge up on first shot) and then the time between pics because of a **** processor and ram it was very frustrating to use. (even after flashing multiple roms)
My galaxy s2 however take pics so quickly and effortlessly and is surprisingly good in dim lighting (not as good as a xenon but still decent in closer quarters)
hmmm..I thought the xperia arc camera got poor reviews? and no N8?
Alert a moderator
scottgilbert
January 4th
8. @ 7 jostian, has anybody tried to mod the N8 with ICS?
Alert a moderator
jostian
January 4th
7. The N8 has incredible IQ its sensor is double the size of most point and shoot cam's, it's detail is better than my ixus 110. And the xenon flash (as opposed to the lowly LED flashes on the others) captures great pics at night even with movement in the frame (something the LED flash cannot do, no good with movement) Xenon flash 'freezes' movement (its the same speed as a DSLR flash). seriously, the N8 IQ will amaze you, its definitely the equal of a high end P&S.
Alert a moderator
tarita
July 18th 2011
6. I think iPhone 4 is the best camera phone....
Alert a moderator
midknight
June 2nd 2011
5. Update 2011 long overdue :P
Alert a moderator
winnie
February 4th 2011
4. Hi, I'm due to upgrade my LG Viewty Smart and want a good camera phone. I tend to take a lot of pics at gigs and want a phone that will take a really good picture and only need to use the zoom. Any help would be grateful. Cheers.
Alert a moderator
bmwdriver
November 18th 2010
3. All these phones camera picture quality are no where near like a good dedicated digital compact camera.
Alert a moderator
romi
October 30th 2010
2. ...and rightly so HTC Desire is omitted from the review list.
Alert a moderator
romi
October 30th 2010
1. Massive improvements to be made on camera phones, HTC desire excessively and automatically reduces brightness of complete image if there is any point of brightness on screen. Colour accuracy becomes...****. This issue in combination to video panning shots the quality of image collapses all together. Under house bulb light conditions the image shows a strong tint of orange.
Very disappointing.
Alert a moderator
Tell us what you think
You need to Log in or register to post comments