Are there inexpensive smartphones with a good camera? Rating of the best budget camera phones (smartphone with a good camera) Which camera phone to buy in.

Scientific progress does not stand still; new devices are constantly appearing that make our lives more comfortable and allow us to realize many possibilities. One of such devices are smartphones with a high-quality camera, which are offered in a wide range, including our online store.

Why buy a smartphone with a good camera?

The question immediately arises: “Why is it worth buying a smartphone with a good camera?” After all, you can get by with specialized devices that are better in both characteristics and functionality. This is largely a matter of personal preference. But among the main features we note a few.

  • The first is the opportunity to take high-quality selfies. Try taking a photo of yourself using a regular camera. Will it work?
  • Second. Answer - do you always have a camera with you when suddenly the opportunity arises to capture a bright moment? And your smartphone is always at hand;
  • Third. Weight and dimensions. Compare how much a camera and a smartphone weigh and their sizes. The smartphone is lighter and more compact;
  • Fourth - mobility - a smartphone allows you not only to take photographs, but also to transfer images, which is very convenient.

A good camera is necessary to obtain high-quality images that can be used for further editing in various programs. For example, text recognition or creating portrait photographs, applying special effects, including artistic effects. The higher the resolution, the easier it is to work with the image.

It should also be noted that smartphone manufacturers are not standing still, trying to bring the quality of images as close as possible to those that can be obtained with a regular camera. Necessary functions are constantly being added, such as autofocus, stabilization systems, and a wide range of others, and the performance of cameras in smartphones is being improved. Therefore, some flagship smartphone models with good cameras have already reached the level of entry-level cameras, and this is not the limit.

Which smartphone with a good camera to buy in 2017

Based on customer preferences, KotoPhoto has compiled its own rating of smartphones with a good camera, which are in deserved demand. The TOP 5 includes the following models:

  • ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom ZE553KL 64GB;
  • Huawei P9 32Gb Dual Sim;
  • Samsung Galaxy S8 SM-G950F;
  • LG G6 H870DS 64Gb;
  • Doogee Shoot 1.

These models have the best cameras in smartphones. Let's look at these camera phones in more detail.

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom (ZE553KL)

A smartphone with a good camera ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom is the flagship model of the Taiwanese manufacturer. The model is completely new, was demonstrated at CES 2017. This is a radically redesigned version of ZenFone Zoom in a monoblock aluminum case with Android 6.0.1 operating system and ZenUI shell. It has a Qualcomm Snapdragon S625 platform with an 8-core processor and a screen with a high-quality AMOLED matrix. Internal memory 64 GB, RAM - 4 GB. The dimensions of the model are 154.3x77.00x8.00 mm, which is even smaller than the Xiaomi Mi 5S. The weight of the smartphone is 170 grams.

The model has two main cameras:

  • the first with a wide-angle lens and a large aperture, f/1.7 aperture and a 12 megapixel matrix, 25 mm focal length, which supports proprietary ASUS SuperPixel technology;
  • the second with a lens with a focal length of 59 mm, 2.3x optical zoom, f/2.8 aperture, laser autofocus and a 12 megapixel matrix.

The first camera is used for capturing everyday scenes, including those in low light, while the second camera is used for close-up photography. The cameras switch quite quickly (approximately on the same level as the Apple iPhone 7 Plus).

The front camera has a 13 megapixel matrix, f/2.0 aperture.

Among the advantages of the model are a capacious battery, a large amount of memory, small dimensions and, of course, good cameras.

Huawei P9 32Gb Dual Sim

A smartphone with a high-quality camera Huawei P9 32Gb Dual Sim is the flagship model of the Chinese manufacturer with two SIM cards in a monoblock metal case, with Android 6.0.1 operating system and Huawei EMUI 4.1 shell. It is made on the Hisilicon Kirin 955 platform, with an 8-core (4 4) processor and an IPS matrix. Internal memory 32 GB, RAM - 3 GB. The dimensions of the model are 145.3x70.90x7.00 mm, the weight of the smartphone is only 144 grams.

There are two rear cameras, both have a BSI CMOS Sony IMX286 matrix with a resolution of 12 megapixels, aperture F2.2, focal length 27 mm, pixel size 1.25 µm. The left camera shoots in monochrome and has a black and white sensor, the right one in color. This is a unique feature of this smartphone. One camera collects all the light, increasing photosensitivity and dynamic range, and the second is designed to capture color, after which the data from both cameras is combined in software, which improves the quality of images, ensures high focusing accuracy, which is also improved thanks to the presence of laser autofocus, and makes it possible get aperture from f0.95 to f16. Plus, there are two LED flashes of different light tones. And one more important point. The cameras were developed in close collaboration with the German Leica, a well-known name in the field of photo optics.

Samsung Galaxy S8 SM-G950F

Samsung Galaxy S8 SM-G950F is the flagship model of the South Korean manufacturer, one of the leaders in its segment. The smartphone is presented in a monoblock metal case with the Android 7 operating system and the Samsung Experience 8.1 shell on the Exynos 8895 platform, with an eight-core processor (4 4) and a SuperAMOLED matrix. Internal memory 64 GB, RAM - 4 GB. Model dimensions 159.5x73.40x8.10 mm. The weight of the smartphone is 152 grams.

There are two cameras. Front with a matrix resolution of 8 megapixels, rear with a matrix resolution of 12 megapixels, both f/1.7 aperture, which allows you to take high-quality pictures even in poor lighting conditions. Among the advantages, we note the use of Dual Pixe technology and intelligent autofocus. There is also Multiframe technology, when the camera takes three pictures in a row and selects the best one, or maybe combine fragments of three pictures into one. The camera module has its own memory and Burst Mode, which allows you to take several dozen photos in a row.

As a result, the Samsung Galaxy S8 SM-G950F has one of the best cameras currently installed on mobile devices.

LG G6 H870DS 64Gb

The LG G6 H870DS 64Gb smartphone is the latest flagship model of the South Korean manufacturer, was introduced at the beginning of 2017, and has been on sale in Russia since April 2017. The smartphone is presented in a monoblock metal case with Android 7 operating system and UX 6.0 shell on the Snapdragon 821 (MSM8996) platform, with a quad-core processor and an IPS matrix. Internal memory 64 GB, RAM - 4 GB (LPDDR4). Model dimensions 148.9x71.90x7.90 mm. The weight of the smartphone is 163 grams.

The smartphone has two rear cameras Sony IMX258, both with a 13 MP matrix resolution:

  • the first is standard, with a standard angle of 71°, aperture f1.8;
  • the second is widescreen, with a wide angle of 125°, aperture f2.4.

The combination of a widescreen and a standard camera has significantly expanded the capabilities of the smartphone. We also note the presence of an optical stabilization system and phase detection autofocus. There is also a front camera with a 5 MP matrix resolution and f1.8 aperture.

Doogee Shoot 1

Doogee Shoot 1 is a model from a dynamically developing Chinese brand with two rear cameras, belonging to the budget segment. The smartphone is presented in a monoblock plastic case with Android 6.0.1 operating system on the MediaTek 6737T platform, a 4-core processor and an IPS matrix from Sharp. Internal memory 16 GB, RAM - 2 GB. Model dimensions 156.60x77.00x8.70 mm. The weight of the smartphone is 167 grams.

On the front side there is one camera with a matrix resolution of 8 megapixels, on the rear side there are two:

  • the main one is made by Samsung with a 13 megapixel matrix resolution, f2.2 aperture;
  • auxiliary with a matrix resolution of 8 megapixels, aperture f2.4, is responsible for the depth of the image, creating a blur effect.

The model is equipped with phase detection autofocus and LED flash, as well as a continuous shooting mode.

You can always purchase the best camera phones listed in the review, as well as other smartphones with a high-quality camera at affordable prices, in the KotoPhoto online store.

Articles and Lifehacks

For those who would like to purchase an advanced camera phone, but do not yet know where to stop, we have compiled a rating of the very best smartphones of recent years with a wonderful camera available on the Russian market.

It should be noted right away: a good camera is not a cheap pleasure, and models for connoisseurs of high-quality photographs belong to the top, or at best, upper middle price segment.

So, let's go! This is how the TOP turned out

Last – phablet Blackberry DTEK60 , announced in October 2016. Built on a 14 nm 4-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4 GB of RAM and a luxurious AMOLED display with 2K resolution. The 21-megapixel camera with f/2.2 aperture is equipped with phase detection autofocus, allows you to shoot in HDR mode, and also record video in 4K resolution. Price – from 29 thousand rubles.

Pros of the model:

  • Quad-core Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 processor operating at 2.15 GHz.
  • 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440x2560.
  • Support for LTE networks.
  • Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging function.
  • 21-megapixel main camera with autofocus.
  • Wide angle
  • Fingerprint scanner.
  • Branded data protection tools.
Cons of Blackberry DTEK60:
  • The maximum screen brightness is not too high.



In 5th place – model Sony Xperia XA1 , announced in February 2017. The basis for the device was the 8-core Mediatek Helio P20 platform. The 5-inch display with HD resolution is somewhat surprising on a gadget of this class. 23-megapixel Exmor RS IMX-300 camera with a sensor size of 1/2.3", f/2 aperture, equipped with a pulse LED flash and autofocus. Video recording - FullHD only. Price - from 21 thousand rubles.


Pros of the model:
  • 8-core Mediatek Helio P20 MT6757 processor operating at 2.3 GHz.
  • 5-inch S-IPS display.
  • Lots of built-in memory – 32 GB.
  • The maximum capacity of Micro SD cards is up to 256 GB.
  • Support for LTE networks.
  • Pump Express+ 2.0 fast charging function.
  • 23-megapixel main camera Exmor RS IMX-300 with autofocus.
  • Front camera Exmor RS IMX-219 with a resolution of 8 megapixels.
  • Fingerprint scanner.
Cons of Sony Xperia XA1:
  • Insufficient display resolution - 720x1280.
  • Insufficient battery capacity – 2300 mAh.




At 4 positions – flagship Huawei P9 Plus , announced in April 2016. 16 nm 8-core Hisilicon Kirin 955 chipset, 5.5-inch AMOLED display with FullHD resolution. The camera was created jointly with Leica and consists of two modules: color and monochrome. This significantly improves the quality of pictures, especially in low light conditions. f/2.2 aperture, laser autofocus, very high-quality macro photography, RAW format support, a very convenient and multifunctional application for working with the camera and processing the resulting photos. The obvious disadvantages are the lack of optical stabilization and the inability to shoot video in resolutions higher than FullHD. Price – from 30 thousand rubles.


Pros of the model:
  • 8-core Hisilicon Kirin 955 processor operating at 2.5 GHz.
  • Current version of Android OS 6.0 Marshmallow.
  • 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080x1920.
  • 2.5D glass.
  • Lots of RAM – 4 GB.
  • The maximum capacity of Micro SD cards is up to 128 GB.
  • Support for LTE networks.
  • Good battery capacity – 3400 mAh.
  • Dual-module 12-megapixel main camera with autofocus.
  • Front camera with a resolution of 8 megapixels.
  • Fingerprint scanner.
  • Thin metal body of the device.
Cons of Huawei P9 Plus:
  • Inability to record video in 4K resolution.



In 3rd place – phablet LG G6 , announced in February 2017. Built on a 4-core 14 nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 platform. Note the atypical aspect ratio of the 5.7-inch display - 18:9. The camera is 13-megapixel, two-module: one module with a high aperture (f/1.8), the second with a lower aperture (f/2.4), but with a very wide viewing angle - 125°. The arsenal includes hybrid autofocus, digital and optical stabilization, and 8x digital Zoom. Price – from 39 thousand rubles.


Pros of the model:
  • Quad-core processor, Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821, clocked at 2.35 GHz.
  • The latest version of Android 7.0 Nougat OS.
  • 5.7-inch S-IPS display with a resolution of 1440x2880.
  • 2.5D Gorilla Glass 5.
  • Lots of RAM – 4 GB.
  • Lots of built-in memory – 32 GB.
  • The maximum capacity of Micro SD cards is up to 2 TB.
  • Support for LTE networks.
  • Good battery capacity – 3300 mAh.
  • Dual-module 13-megapixel main camera with autofocus.
  • Wide-angle front camera with a resolution of 5 megapixels.
  • Fingerprint scanner.
  • Metal body of the device.
  • Protection against moisture and dust according to IP68 standard.
Cons of LG G6:
  • Combination slot for memory cards.



2nd place takes the model Samsung Galaxy S8 , announced in March 2017. A magnificent Super AMOLED display and a chipset at the forefront of progress - 10 nm Samsung Exynos 8895. The dual-module 12-megapixel camera Samsung S5K2L2 also does not disappoint: 6 lenses, support for Dual Pixel technology, optical stabilization, f/1.7 aperture, 4K video shooting capability.


Pros of the model:
  • 8-core processor, Samsung Exynos 8895, clocked at 2.3 GHz.
  • The latest version of Android 7.0 Nougat OS.
  • 5.8-inch S-IPS display with a resolution of 1440x2960.
  • Protective glass Gorilla Glass 5.
  • Lots of RAM – 4 GB.
  • Lots of built-in memory – 64 GB.
  • The maximum capacity of Micro SD cards is up to 2 TB.
  • Support for LTE networks.
  • Acceptable battery capacity is 3000 mAh.
  • Front camera with a resolution of 8 megapixels.
  • Fingerprint scanner.
  • Iris scanner.
  • Thin metal body of the device.
Cons of Samsung Galaxy S8:
  • Combination slot for memory cards.



Tops the rating Apple iPhone 7 Plus , announced in September 2016. 5.5-inch display with HD resolution, fresh Apple A10 chipset. Dual-module camera, Sony Exmor RS: telephoto with f/2.8 aperture and wide-angle module f/1.8. 5x optical Zoom, 10x digital, optical stabilization, 4K video recording, RAW format support. The sensors are protected by sapphire glass. The price in the 256 GB version is from 50 thousand rubles.


Pros of the model:
  • Quad-core processor, Apple A10 Fusion APL1W24, operating at 2.37 GHz.
  • 5.5-inch S-IPS display with a resolution of 1080x1920.
  • Lots of RAM – 3 GB.
  • A lot of built-in memory – up to 256 GB.
  • Support for LTE networks.
  • Acceptable battery capacity is 2900 mAh.
  • Dual-module 12-megapixel main camera with autofocus and optical stabilization.
  • Front camera with a resolution of 8 megapixels.
  • Fingerprint scanner.
  • Thin metal body of the device.
  • Protection against moisture and dust according to IP67 standard.
Cons of Apple iPhone 7 Plus:
  • There is no memory card slot.


Many people are sure that cameras take better pictures than any modern smartphone. So we checked which frames readers would prefer – those taken with a DSLR or one of the top smartphones. To avoid bias, voting took place “blindly”: no one knew where and what apparatus was hiding.

The test involved 7 2017 flagships and one professional camera. We have prepared 5 scenes for them: day, night, macro, portrait and text shooting.

Scene 1. Daytime photo

  1. Honor 8 Pro
  2. Sony Xperia XZ Premium
  3. Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
  4. LG G6
  5. ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom
  6. HTC U11
  7. Xiaomi Mi 6
  8. Canon 5D Mark II

It seems that in the first story, readers were in a hurry to find out the result. How else to explain the gap between the overexposed Honor 8 Pro and the last place Canon 5D Mark II? Perhaps the DSLR was let down by its special, soft design and calm tones. We love with our eyes, so juicy and detailed photographs usually win.

For example, many liked the rich image of the Sony Xperia XZ Premium. ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom's inclusion in the top four was another surprise for us: the image is clearly inferior to all competitors in terms of detail and color rendition.

Editor's opinion:

  1. Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
  2. HTC U11
  3. Honor 8 Pro
  4. Sony Xperia XZ Premium
  5. LG G6
  6. Xiaomi Mi 6
  7. ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom

The shots from the Galaxy S8 Plus and HTC U11 turned out to be the closest to the DSLR. The first is a little colder, the second is calmer. Look, almost twins:

Behind them comes Honor 8 Pro. His photo looks natural, but if you zoom in, a slight oversharpening is noticeable, and the exposure is slightly too high. The Huawei P10 had the same deviation in our last test, and readers there also chose its photo.

If it’s easy to decide on the first three, then it’s more difficult. Everyone has problems, and everyone is different.

The colors in the Sony image aren't exactly natural, but the detail is impressive. It's no joke: the resolution is 19 MP, when rivals have 12 MP. Although the left turret has blurred - it’s a mess. The LG G6 has gone a little greenish, and there are noticeable artifacts in the corners - signs of harsh processing.

The frame from Xiaomi Mi 6 seems to have faded after being in the sun for a long time. ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom closes the rating: its photo generally “falls apart” in detail and goes into cold shades.

Scene 2. Portrait

  1. Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
  2. ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom
  3. Honor 8 Pro
  4. LG G6
  5. Canon 5D Mark II
  6. Sony Xperia XZ Premium
  7. HTC U11
  8. Xiaomi Mi 6

Here are the devices hidden under the numbers:

The DSLR gives out a strong background blur - bokeh. Despite this, readers did not like the soft drawing, overexposed background and dull, natural colors. As a result, the camera ended up in the middle of the rating.

The leaders were Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus and ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom, and the last places were taken by Xiaomi Mi 6 and HTC U11. To our surprise, even the Sony Xperia XZ Premium surpassed them, although its portrait can hardly be called such: the face turned into a solid mask, the details disappeared, the hair was blurred.

Editor's opinion:

  1. Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
  2. HTC U11
  3. Honor 8 Pro
  4. LG G6
  5. ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom
  6. Xiaomi Mi 6
  7. Sony Xperia XZ Premium

The best indicators of high detail are a girl's freckles and hair. Only three smartphones were able to reliably convey these details: Galaxy S8 Plus, HTC U11 and Honor 8 Pro. Samsung's flagship is unrivaled in terms of colors and detail; HTC U11 is a little less fortunate with lighting. The photo turned out not so bright, but correct in color and with a wide dynamic range. For comparison, here is a shot on the HTC U11 (left) and the ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom, which took 2nd place:

We couldn’t divide 3rd and 4th places between LG G6 and Honor 8 Pro. We preferred the second one. LG has excellent attention to detail, every hair is visible, but the impression is again spoiled by artifacts and a blown-out corner of the frame. Honor 8 Pro missed a little with focus, but otherwise worked well.

The penultimate places are shared by ZenFone 3 Zoom and Mi 6. The Xiaomi flagship did a better job with exposure, but the model’s face seemed to be painted with a brush - such rough strokes. ASUS simply overexposed the entire frame. And Sony was let down by automation: the intelligent auto mode determined portrait shooting, but instead of improving the quality, it ruined everything.

Plot 3. Text

  1. Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
  2. Honor 8 Pro
  3. Xiaomi Mi 6
  4. Sony Xperia XZ Premium
  5. Canon 5D Mark II
  6. ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom
  7. LG G6
  8. HTC U11

Here are the devices hidden under the numbers:

Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus continues to conquer readers: first place. The Canon 5D Mark II lost again, and not just Samsung. The lower left corner turned out to be fuzzy and blurry.

Most voters liked the shot from the Honor 8 Pro and the yellow Xiaomi Mi 6. ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom outperformed Sony and HTC, although it was enough to look at the fragment at the bottom of the book: the most blurry text among all.

Editor's opinion:

  1. Honor 8 Pro
  2. Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
  3. LG G6
  4. Sony Xperia XZ Premium
  5. HTC U11
  6. Xiaomi Mi 6
  7. ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom

What we liked the most was the shot from the Honor 8 Pro. Excellent detail across the entire field of the frame, there is no oversharpening, and you can even see the texture of the paper - almost like a camera. We put ASUS ZenFone 3 in last place, the entire left edge of the frame is blurry. HTC U11 set the exposure correctly, there is no blur throughout the frame, but the text turned out to have a purple tint.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus captivates with a bright picture, although even it has blurry areas. The frame of the Xiaomi Mi 6 turned out to be completely yellow; it stands out unfavorably from the rest not only in color, but also in poor detail. Sony, on the contrary, “hit” greenish shades. In this test, white balance is not so important, so we raise it higher in the rating for picture quality.

Scene 4. Macro

  1. Sony Xperia XZ Premium
  2. HTC U11
  3. Honor 8 Pro
  4. LG G6
  5. ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom
  6. Xiaomi Mi 6
  7. Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
  8. Canon 5D Mark II

Here are the devices hidden under the numbers:

Before voting, we wrote: the closer you can bring your smartphone to the object, the better. This is the essence of macro photography (from the Greek “macro” - large). However, readers chose the most distant frame, and besides, it has a very noticeable “ripple”. It was a Sony Xperia XZ Premium.

The Canon 5D Mark II was hiding in the eighth photo - its powerful bokeh gives it away: the background is smeared into a “mush”, and the glare from the flashlights is simply gigantic. But in the end, the camera received the fewest votes from readers, and it took last place.

Second and third places were taken by Honor 8 Pro and HTC U11. Readers liked the good detail and sharpness around the edges of the figures.

Editorial opinion

  1. Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
  2. Xiaomi Mi 6
  3. LG G6
  4. HTC U11
  5. Honor 8 Pro
  6. Sony Xperia XZ Premium
  7. ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom

We give first place to the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus. This is how macro should be: the closest possible subject, gorgeous bokeh and shallow DOF - depth of field. All attention is only to the object.

We took pictures with the S8 Plus literally a centimeter from the figure; no one could focus that close. Compare with the reader's rating winner Sony Xperia XZ Premium:

The remaining phones had to be moved away from the figure. The closest were the LG G6 and Xiaomi Mi 6. A little further was the Honor 8 Pro, but the frame turned out to be somehow greenish-brown. HTC U11 takes pictures from afar, but color reproduction, exposure and detail are close to ideal. Sony Xperia XZ Premium and ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom close the ranking.

Scene 5. Night photo

  1. LG G6
  2. Canon 5D Mark II
  3. Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
  4. Honor 8 Pro
  5. ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom
  6. HTC U11
  7. Sony Xperia XZ Premium
  8. Xiaomi Mi 6

Here are the devices hidden under the numbers:

The LG G6 has secured a fantastic lead over its competitors. More than half of the voters appreciated the sharp, fairly bright and detailed photo. Of course, there was some help in the form of dynamic lighting of the building. But both in the general view and in the fragment from the bottom of the photo, the LG G6 looks the best.

In quality it is second only to the first frame, this is the Canon 5D Mark II. But for inexplicable reasons, only 20% voted for the camera. The rest of the smartphones received equally few votes, with only the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus standing out.

Editor's opinion:

  1. LG G6
  2. Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
  3. HTC U11
  4. Honor 8 Pro
  5. Sony Xperia XZ Premium
  6. Xiaomi Mi 6
  7. ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom

First place is an unconditional victory for LG G6. The smartphone is really good at shooting in the dark, which was proven in the last “blind” test. Next comes the Galaxy S8 Plus, which has more noise. Third place goes to HTC U11. A very noisy shot, the processing of which resembles pictures from a Google Pixel.

The modern electronics market is filled with gadgets with the most incredible functions. But the majority of users choose mobile phones that have the most popular properties:

  • high-quality camera;
  • good battery;
  • clear sound;
  • contrast screen;
  • high performance.

Buying a smartphone with the best camera 2017 requires a thorough study of the available range to choose a reliable device.

Rating of smartphones with the best camera 2017

For your reference, we present the best models of mobile phones equipped with a good camera and a powerful battery.

The beginning of the rating and the tenth place go to the brand, known for its race for the leading developments of American and South Korean companies. Huawei and its sub-brand Honor have developed a real camera phone.
Unpretentious in appearance, equipped with a budget platform, the 6X impresses with the quality of its images - clear, rich, realistic. They are created using a dual lens of 12 and 2 megapixels. The 12-megapixel Sony IMX386 module is equipped with phase detection autofocus with a duration of 0.3 seconds.
The settings interface is quite simple, but varied; there are many modes, adjusting brightness, white balance, and contrast.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 7.0;
  2. 12 MP camera, autofocus;
  3. RAM: 3 or 4GB;
  4. battery 3340 mAh;
  5. weight 162 g;
  6. support for two SIM cards.

Advantages:

  • good display;
  • sufficient speed;
  • good nutrition optimization;
  • reasonable price/functionality ratio.

Flaws:

  • screen covering;
  • slippery;
  • Notifications are not visible when the screen is locked.

The ninth place is occupied by a model in the classic Sony design. In terms of price, the smartphone is considered a flagship, and the quality of the gadget confirms this. It combines high-speed performance, a capacious battery and luxurious cameras.

The 21.5 megapixel main camera takes excellent photos - juicy, with successful calibration and precise detail. Hybrid auto focus allows you to capture action shots. The selfie camera has a beauty mode and also independently corrects the image.
A useful feature of the phone is the ability to shoot 4K video. There is also a slow-motion video mode.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 5.0;
  2. screen 5″, resolution 1920×1080;
  3. camera 21.50 MP, autofocus;
  4. RAM: 3GB;
  5. battery 2600 mAh;
  6. weight 142 g;
  7. dimensions: 72x145x7.6 mm.

Advantages:

  • large and bright screen;
  • excellent front camera;
  • very comfortable;
  • moisture protection.

Flaws:

  • the processor turned out to be not the fastest;
  • software glitches;
  • warming up.

Eighth on the list of smartphones with the best camera of 2017 is the Chinese favorite of Xiaomi users. The stylish device, which looks like the well-known Galaxy, continues the line of camera phones.

The rear lens has 16 megapixels, optical stabilization, and phase detection autofocus. The pictures come out natural, with natural color rendition. Noise cancellation works great. The aperture remains stable at 2.0.
The front camera is designed for bright, colorful selfies with wide viewing angles. The output photos have clear outlines without visible pixels. But the night mode leaves much to be desired.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 6.0;
  2. screen 5.15″, resolution 1920×1080;
  3. camera 16 MP, autofocus, F/2;
  4. RAM: 3GB;
  5. battery 3000 mAh;
  6. weight 129 g;
  7. support for two SIM cards.

Advantages:

  • very powerful;
  • super camera;
  • The battery lasts a day, charges in 1.5 hours;
  • screen, materials, build quality.

Flaws:

  • The back panel is scratched.

Another Chinese representative is in the seventh position of the top. In terms of technical characteristics, the mobile phone is not inferior to many flagships from leading brands. The cameras deserve special attention.
The main 12 megapixel camera with a built-in Sony IMX386 module creates realistic photos with a deep effect and correct frame detail. The lack of laser and stabilization is saddening, but the shutter speed makes up for minor shortcomings.
The front one shows great results. The picture turns out balanced, bright, and contrasting. There is a flash.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 6.0;
  2. screen 5.5″, resolution 1920×1080;
  3. camera 12 MP, autofocus F/2;
  4. RAM: 3 or 4 GB;
  5. battery 3060 mAh;
  6. weight 155 g;
  7. support for two SIM cards.

Advantages:

  • very stylish design;
  • The battery lasts a day and a half;
  • a screen with very good color rendering and a very high-quality touchscreen;
  • good sound.

Flaws:

  • sometimes does not read the fingerprint the first time;
  • There is no slot for SD card.

The Chinese again gets to the top six. Le Eco Cool 1 is the result of the combined efforts of two brands. And the result is quite decent, especially the quality of photography.

A unique feature of the device is a dual camera with dual LED flash. Two cameras are equipped to increase image clarity. The effect of professional photographic equipment is used: one lens transmits color shades, the other – black and white.
The settings include HDR, ISO, contrast, sharpness, and exposure adjustments.
Photographing even in cloudy weather produces images that are detailed and accurate across the entire width.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 6.0;
  2. screen 5.5″, resolution 1920×1080;
  3. camera 13 MP, autofocus F/2;
  4. RAM: 3 or 4 GB;
  5. battery 4060 mAh;
  6. weight 173 g;
  7. support for two SIM cards.

Advantages:

  • design and assembly;
  • excellent dual camera;
  • powerful processor;
  • holds a charge for a long time;
  • shell eui 5.8.

Flaws:

  • no memory card slot;
  • Not enough brightness in the sun.

In the central position of the ranking is a native of Taiwan, whom hardly anyone expected to see here. Previous copies did not impress with their characteristics in the photo. But HTC 10 surprised the public by releasing a high-quality smartphone with a good camera.

The camera is equipped with Ultra Pixel 2 technology, which is focused on macro photography. The frames turn out to be unusually voluminous, sharp, and rich.
To improve images, laser focus, optical stabilization, and dynamic range are used. There is no noise, viewing angles are perfectly visible.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 6.0;
  2. screen 5.2″, resolution 2560×1440;
  3. RAM: 4 GB;
  4. battery 3000 mAh;
  5. weight 161 g;
  6. WxHxD 71.90×145.90×9 mm.

Advantages:

  • very cool sound;
  • fast charging;
  • QuadHD screen;
  • overall performance;
  • data reception/transmission speed.

Flaws:

  • slippery;
  • no moisture protection.

The phone, which became an example of technological progress in mobile photography, fell slightly short of the top three. The device was created by the Chinese brand together with the famous German photo laboratory Leica. The device is developed by introducing cutting-edge lenses.

One creates a color image with a resolution of 12 megapixels, the second - a monochrome image with 20 megapixels. This provides photographs with naturalness, detail, depth and volume. Sensors installed in a circle reproduce several types of focus:

  • deep;
  • laser;
  • phase;
  • contrasting.

A dual-LED flash transforms the frame, making viewing angles wide and clear.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 7.0;
  2. screen 5.1″, resolution 1920×1080;
  3. camera 20 MP, autofocus F/2.2;
  4. RAM: 4 GB;
  5. battery 3200 mAh;
  6. weight 145 g;
  7. support for two SIM cards.

Advantages:

  • awesome design, very neat, excellent build;
  • very fast fingerprint scanner;
  • The camera takes great pictures, even in poor lighting;
  • stereo sound;
  • The shell works very quickly, there are many options for different settings.

Flaws:

  • weak vibration without adjustability;
  • Selfie mode is enabled by default with face enhancement.

Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 EDGE

The South Korean company, which produces some of the best smartphones with a good camera, has released a gadget that ranked third in the top. This is not surprising - frames taken on the Samsung Galaxy have always been of excellent quality.


By default, all settings and filters are located on the main screen. You can adjust the screen yourself by setting your own modes. Unique features of the Galaxy S7 also include:

  • focus selection - the ability to change it after saving the photo;
  • virtual shooting - capturing an object from all sides for a three-dimensional image.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 6.0;
  2. screen 5.5″, resolution 2560×1440;
  3. camera 12 MP, autofocus F/1.7;
  4. RAM: 4 GB;
  5. battery 3600 mAh;
  6. weight 157 g;
  7. support for two SIM cards.

Advantages:

  • dust- and moisture-proof;
  • very cool camera;
  • practically does not heat up;
  • design view 5+;
  • metal case.

Flaws:

  • slippery;
  • the cost of the phone itself.

IPhone 7/ 7 Plus

The silver medalist of the rating is the object of admiration for most of the planet - the product from Apple, the iPhone 7. IPhone cameras have always been considered the highest quality and most accurate, but the latest version of the gadget has left its predecessors far behind.

A picture created in natural light looks natural and contrasty. The white balance is set comfortably, and convenient calibration helps reproduce rich footage.
The level of night photography deserves special attention. There is no grain in the finished images, details are clearly visible even at the edges.

Characteristics:

  1. iOS 10;
  2. screen 5.5″, resolution 1920×1080;
  3. camera 12 MP, autofocus F/1.8;
  4. RAM: 3 GB;
  5. battery 2900 mAh;
  6. weight 188 g;
  7. dimensions: 77.9×158.2×7.3 mm.

Advantages:

  • excellent screen;
  • speed of work;
  • excellent screen;
  • protection from water;
  • excellent dual camera.

Flaws:

  • price;
  • battery for one day.

If you ask an experienced smartphone user which one is better in terms of photography and video shooting, 90% of them will say Google Pixel. This model is the best smartphone of 2017 with a good camera.

The developers have introduced the latest innovations in the field of photography. Daylighting produces high-quality images with precise detail and wide spatial coverage. But this is difficult to surprise experienced amateur photographers.
Google has focused on night photography. Cloudy weather, poor lighting or night are no problem for Google Pixel. Each frame is full of life, realism, and depth. There is no noise, the picture is not blurry at all.

When choosing a budget smartphone with a good camera, the only thing you need to pay attention to is examples of real pictures. Since neither the camera resolution, nor the aperture of the optics, nor the presence of various software enhancers allow us to judge the photographic capabilities of a particular gadget.

We have prepared for you a rating of smartphones with the best cameras in the price range from 5 to 20 thousand rubles. This selection is relevant at the beginning of 2017, but it contains many not-so-recent smartphones released in 15-16. All of them are still on sale, have competitive technical characteristics, and at the same time shoot much better than modern state-of-the-art cameras.

Leagoo M8

M8 is one of the few ultra-budget Chinese products whose camera does not cause an oppressive feeling of despondency. The cost of the M8 is 4.5 thousand rubles, for this money you should not expect revelations, but given the price, this gadget is not bad not only in terms of the camera, but also in other characteristics - 5.7'' screen, 16/2 GB of memory, 3500 mAh battery, dedicated DAC and high-quality multimedia speaker.


Photos are clickable and open in original size when clicked.

The Leagoo M8 produces quite passable images with good detail, sharpness and pleasant colors. Disadvantages: weak dynamic range, thoughtful camera, and slow autofocus. In general, there are a lot of compromises, and you have to try hard to take a good photo. The front camera here is quite good, it is a full 8 MP and not interpolated 3 or 5, like most Chinese. But the M8 records video (FHD/30fps) frankly poorly; one of the serious shortcomings is also the lack of support for LTE networks.

Honor 5A

Also in the ultra-budget segment, Honor 5A from Huawei deserves attention. Its price is already 8 thousand, but the picture quality of the 5A is much better, at the level of smartphones for 13-15 thousand. The main module at 5M has an aperture of f/2.0 and a focal length of 27 mm. During the day, in good lighting, the shots come out very decent, and I am pleased with the adequate operation of the automation - in the pull-out-point-shoot mode, no problems arise.

The front camera 5A takes better pictures than the main cameras of most cheap Chinese cameras; an additional plus is the presence of a flash on the selfie camera. The device is powered by the MT6735P chipset + 16/2 GB of expandable memory, which is rather weak for gaming, but in everyday use everything is fast and stable. The 5’’ HD IPS screen is also not bad, the only disappointments are the lack of an oleophobic coating and a weak 2200 mAh battery.

LeEco Cool1

Cool1 is an excellent, balanced smartphone with a good camera, a capacious battery and productive hardware. It uses a dual 13+13 MP module, which allows you to get very decent photos during the day, but, like most Chinese, it fails when shooting in poor lighting. In fact, the second camera is needed only to be able to simulate bokeh in software - blurring the background, which in practice does not always work correctly.

The smartphone runs on the Snapdragon 652 chipset, has 32/3 GB of memory, a 5.5-inch FHD screen and a 4060 mAh battery. It has no significant drawbacks; the only downside is the unaesthetic black frame around the screen. By the way, Cool1 can record video in 4K resolution. Price – from 10 thousand rubles.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X / Xiaomi Mi4c

The main reason for the weak popularity of the regular version of Redmi Note 4 was the weak processor, which is why the old RN3P sold much better than its updated version. But in the recently released modification, which received the Snapdragon 625 chipset, the Note 4X lost all its weaknesses.

Note 4x is a beautiful smartphone for 15 thousand in a metal case with a 5.5’’ Full HD screen, a large amount of 64/4GB memory and a thick 4100 mAh battery. The main 4X camera is represented by a Sony IMX258 sensor with a pixel size of 1.12 nm and f/2.0 aperture. The front camera is normal – 5 MP, f/2.0.


For those who want to get comparable photo quality at a lower price, we recommend paying attention to the Xiaomi Mi4c. It’s already difficult to find it on sale here, but if you order from China, you can spend 7.5-8 thousand rubles. For that kind of money, the Mi4C has no alternative characteristics - it has the same camera module as the Note 4X, a Snapdragon 808 processor, a 5’’ FHD IPS screen, a 3000 mAh battery and 16/2 GB of memory. In general, Mi4C is cheap and cheerful. The device has only one critical disadvantage - the lack of a slot for a flash drive.

LG G4

G4 is the flagship of the last generation from LG, which, 2 years after the start of production, remains one of the best devices on the market in terms of photo quality. The new G4 can be purchased in Russian online stores for 16 thousand rubles. We recommend buying a smartphone with a warranty, since this model is known for problems with the motherboard bootloop. But if you manage to pick up a problem-free smartphone, you won’t regret it.


The photos taken on the LG G4 speak for themselves, and the device's characteristics remain more than decent today. The smartphone is equipped with a gorgeous 5.5’’ IPD screen with 2K resolution, a Snapdragon 808 processor + 32/3 GB of memory (there is a slot for a flash drive up to 128 GB) and a removable 3000 mAh battery. The chic design with a leather back cover is the icing on the cake.

Nexus 5X

The story with the Nexus 5X is the same as with the LG G4. The smartphone is already more than two years old, it is still on sale, and in terms of photo quality, none of the modern devices in the mid-price category has come close to it. The 5X can be called an ideal smartphone for automatic shooting; in the pull-out mode, it produces better images than most smartphones with manual settings. And advanced amateur photographers will have something to do, since the 5X supports the RAW format and shoots video in 4K resolution.


In terms of hardware, the 5X can be classified as a modern mid-budget segment - 5.2’’ FHD IPS screen, Snapdragon 808 chipset, 32/2 GB of memory, 2700 mAh battery. However, despite its not the most advanced characteristics, in terms of smooth operation and performance, thanks to software support from Google, Nexus will give odds to many Chinese flagships. Well, the latest version of Android on board always speaks in favor of this gadget. Price tag – from 17 thousand rubles.

Xiaomi Mi5

Flagship smartphones from Xiaomi are cheaper than devices with similar characteristics at the time of release, and six months to a year after the start of sales, their price becomes very attractive. What other smartphone with close to top-end specifications and a Snapdragon 820 can you buy for 14-15 thousand rubles?

Xiaomi Mi5 takes very good photos. It is equipped with a Sony IMX298 sensor (size 1/2.8", pixel - 1.12, aperture f/2.0, optical stabilization), which allows you to take decent pictures not only during the day, but also indoors and in low light. Photos are detailed, with excellent sharpness across the entire frame. The only things I can complain about are the not-so-best automation and the clumsy HDR mode, but for the money the Mi5 has one of the best cameras on the market. In addition, the smartphone supports Camera2 Api, which makes it possible to shoot in RAW, which provides solid opportunities for post-processing images.

Honor 6X

The 6X is a high-quality smartphone, into which they not only stuffed a good camera module from SONY, but also paid enough attention to the software part. If you don't want to buy the Nexus 5X due to obsolescence, but still need a smartphone for point-and-shoot photography, the Honor 6X would be an excellent choice. He takes excellent photographs on automatic, making almost no mistakes with exposure, white balance and focusing.

Honor 6X boasts a dual camera, the main module is Sony IMX386, paired with an auxiliary 2MP sensor. As in the case of the previously reviewed Cool1, the second camera is needed for software background blur, which is implemented much better here than in LeEco.

The hardware of the 6X is quite simple - Kirin 655 chipset, 32/3 GB of memory + MicroSD, 5.5’’ FHD IPS screen, 3340 mAh battery, but the cool camera fully justifies the 17 thousand price tag.

Meizu MX6

Meizu MX6 is a controversial smartphone. In Russia they ask for about 20 thousand rubles (although, if you work hard, you can find a price tag of 16 thousand), which is a bit expensive considering the MX6’s not the most productive hardware. But at a price of 13-14 thousand, for which you can order a smartphone from China, this is a very good option.


The MX6 camera is equipped with a 12 MP Sony IMX386 sensor similar to the Honor 6X with a pixel size of 1.25 micron, and it takes really good pictures. It’s pointless to find fault with the quality of pictures taken during the day, but at night, due to the lack of optical stabilization, the MX6 sags somewhat. But despite this, the MX6 is one of the few Chinese smartphones that can compete with top-end devices from A-brands in terms of photographic capabilities. In addition, it is equipped with a chic screen, has a high-quality metal body and pleases with performance thanks to the perfectly optimized Flyme shell. But there are some drawbacks, including the lack of a memory card slot with a modest built-in 32 GB and mediocre battery life.

Samsung A5 2016

A5 in the 2016 version can now be found in stores for 18-19 thousand rubles, and for this money it is one of the most balanced smartphones from A-brands. For high-quality photos, it has everything - a 13 MP camera module with f/1.9 aperture, hybrid autofocus and optical stabilization, thanks to which good pictures are obtained not only during the day, but also at night.


There is only one significant drawback - for such a price I would like to be able to record 4K video, but Samsung traditionally reserves this function for its flagships. In all other respects, the smartphone is great - 5.2 FHD Super AMOLED screen, Exynos 7580 chipset and 16/2 GB of memory expandable with cards up to 12 GB, 2900 mAh battery. The characteristics are not amazing on paper, but they are quite enough for comfortable use of the smartphone, and when using the A5 every day, you can feel that same “quality”, manifested in the smallest details.

Nubia Z11 Mini S

Z11 Mini S is a smaller version of the flagship Z11 smartphone, which ZTE produces under the premium Nubia brand. You can’t find fault with this device: Snapdragon 625, 64/4 GB of memory, 5.5’’ FHD IPS screen, 3000 mAh battery - all this can be obtained for 15-20 thousand rubles, depending on the place of purchase. The camera here is amazing. The smartphone is equipped with a 23MP Sony IMX318 (f/2.0) module, which takes stunning (especially in terms of detail) pictures during the day.


In addition, the Z11 Mini S records video in 4K resolution and does it very cool - an example is below.

In terms of photographic capabilities and other characteristics, this smartphone has very few competitors, except that the Xiaomi Mi5 can compare with the Z11 Mini S in terms of price/functionality, but it still takes worse photographs. We recommend for purchase.

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