Smartphone Cameras – Searching For The Best – Apple, Google, Samsung, LG, Sony, Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi

Searching for the best camera in a smartphone is not easy as it does not exist, it is a very personal and subjective.

After using/testing all of the top smartphone cameras, here’s my as objective as possible view on which one is the best in capturing great images and video. I hope my test/findings will help you to make a more educated decision when deciding. Please also find below all of the original photos for your own evaluation.

This test includes the latest and greatest phones on the market as of early 2016, including:

  • Apple iPhone 6S Plus
  • Google Nexus 6P (similar to Nexus 5X)
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (same camera as Galaxy S6, S6 Edge and S6 Edge+)
  • LG G4
  • Sony Xperia Z5
  • Motorla Moto X Style
  • OnePlus Two
  • Xiaomi Mi4C

In this test I’ll be covering:

  • 00:24 Introduction to the cameras in the test
  • 01:38 Specs and features. What’s important?
  • 05:07 Field of view (FOV) and depth of field (DOF)
  • 05:56 Colour rendering and skin tones
  • 06:57 Details and sharpness
  • 08:07 Dynamic range
  • 08:48 Lowlight capabilities
  • 10:02 Front facing camera / selfies
  • 10:44 Flash photography
  • 11:12 Panorama
  • 11:36 Video 4K and slow motion
  • 13:17 Conclusions

Please find all the specs below (more discussed in the video):

Published

By Sander

Sander is passionate about media and technology, helping companies with strategy, product and growth. Currently consulting Red Bull Media House with strategy and growth as well as Moonbug, a $145M fund to create and distribute inspiring kids content, with business strategy. Previously futurist and led non-linear strategy at Disney after heading strategy and growth at Maker Studios internationally. Before that product manager ​at Verizon Media Group (AOL) and video distribution network Goviral. Early on he helped Europe's largest seed investment fund Seedcamp​ and organized hackathons in Africa with Garage48​.