Best Smartphone Camera for October 2022

Smartphone cameras have improved enough in recent years to be used by professionals. Advances in computational photography have allowed smartphones to outperform the compact cameras of a few years ago. If you're looking for a phone with such features, here are some devices that will delight you.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max

iPhone 14 Pro Camera Specs

• 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS
• 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
• 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
• TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)

On paper, the Apple iPhone 14 Pro has a mediocre camera compared to the rest of the devices on our list, but given Apple's extreme control over its devices, the hardware and software work very harmoniously together and the image coming out of the device looks like they are among the best. While not great in any category of photography, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max offer a great experience overall. With the new 48 MP primary camera, the iPhone 14 Pro duo also allows some of the best RAW images with very high image data, which can be later edited in any program of your choice. With high resolution primary camera, the iPhone 14 Pro can simulate 2x zoom by using the centre 12 MP sensor of the camera even without a dedicated 2x zoom lens. When it comes to video quality, the iPhone 14 Pro has the edge over most other devices. If you're looking for a device that delivers great photos in any condition, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max should be at the top of your list.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max Price in India

Apple iPhone 14 Pro is available for Rs 129900 for the base model with 128 GB RAM while the iPhone 14 Pro Max is available for Rs 139900 for the base model with 128 GB of RAM.

Google Pixel 7 Pro

Pixel 7 Pro Camera Specs

• 50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS
• 48 MP, f/3.5, 120mm (telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom
• 12 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, AF

With the Pixel 7 Pro, Google finally revamped its camera hardware. All cameras are equipped with the latest sensors, combined with unrivalled image processing and custom Tensor G2 SoCs, due to which the Google Pixel 7 Pro arguably gives the best image output from any mobile device. In daylight, the captured image is sharp, slightly oversharpened, and has a high dynamic range. Depending on the lighting conditions, the colours in the photo can often be a bit cold. With each generation, Google improves its Pixel's low-light capabilities. Of course, the Pixel 7 Pro has one of the best low-light cameras in a smartphone. Similar to iPhone 14 Pro, Google Pixel 7 Pro can also use its high resolution sensor to do 2x zooms but the Pixel takes it to next level by incorporating Super Res Zoom. For starters, Super Res Zoom is Google's magic that improves zoom shots over simply cropping images and collects more information about the subject during the shake of the user's hand.

Google Pixel 7 Pro Price in India

Google Pixel 7 Pro recently launched at a price of Rs 84999.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

S22 Ultra Camera Specs

• 108 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, Laser AF, OIS
• 10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom
• 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
• 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video

The Samsung S22 Ultra offers the most well-rounded camera experience on an Android device. Aided by its large 108 MP camera, the S22 Ultra outputs stunningly detailed images. The S22 Ultra's zoom capabilities are on a different level than other mobile devices. With dual 10MP zoom cameras (3x and 10x), the S22 Ultra delivers sharp, easy-to-use images even at up to 30x zoom. The S22 Ultra has better edge detection than any device, resulting in great portrait images. Samsung can record slow motion video at up to 960 fps (32x slow motion) for those moments when you want to capture fast objects. Due to its larger resolution and sensor, the S22 Ultra takes a little longer to take a photo. That has to be the only downside while using the S22 Ultra’s camera.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Price in India

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra launched in India at a price of Rs 100999 but is available for Rs 86750 on Amazon.

Vivo X80 Pro

X80 Pro Camera Specs

• 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/1.3", PDAF, Laser AF, OIS
• 8 MP, f/3.4, (periscope telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom
• 12 MP, f/1.9, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, 2x optical zoom, gimbal OIS
• 48 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", AF

Vivo has teamed up with Zeiss Optics to bring the best camera hardware into the Vivo X80 Pro. I really enjoy using the camera on this device. The camera app has hundreds of modes, including different Zeiss lens styles. With the help of a custom-made sensor and a secondary Vivo V1 chip that focuses on camera optimization, the Vivo has one of the best low-light video capabilities of any mobile device. The images output from the Vivo X80 Pro are of high quality with excellent dynamic range and white balance. Similar to the S22 Ultra, the Vivo also has a dedicated zoom lens for shooting objects from a distance. Other camera options include Astrophotography Mode, Pro Sport Mode to help capture moving subjects, Pro Mode, and AI Group Portrait Mode. The only downside to the Vivo camera is that the app is highly customizable, which may be a good thing for some people but frustrating for some

Vivo X80 Pro Price in India

Vivo X80 Pro price in India starts from Rs 79999 for the only model with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB of storage.

Xiaomi 12 Pro

Xiaomi 12 Pro Camera Specs

• 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS
• 50 MP, f/1.9, 48mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
• 50 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)

Earlier this year, Xiaomi launched its flagship phone, the 12 Pro. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, it is one of the few smartphones with a 50MP main camera, a 50MP telephoto lens and a 50MP ultra-wide sensor.

All three cameras support night mode, which allows the phone to take great photos even in low light, preserving most of the details and contrast. This phone has a telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. and 20x digital zoom. Also available is his 50MP mode, which captures full-resolution photos, and motion-tracking focus, which automatically focuses on moving subjects such as animals, children, and vehicles. Xiaomi has also added AI-assisted video modes such as slow shutter and time-free. With new features like motion tracking, motion capture and eye tracking, Xiaomi has found success in the camera department.

Xiaomi 12 Pro Price in India

The Xiaomi 12 Pro launched in India at a price of Rs 79999 but is currently available for Rs 54999 on online sellers.