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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 are for connoisseurs high-quality images 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 on board 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:

• 4-core Qualcomm processor MSM8996 Snapdragon 820, clocked at 2.15 GHz.
• 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440x2560.
• Support for LTE networks.
• Function fast charging Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0.
• 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.
• Many 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. Magnificent Super AMOLED display and 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 for 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 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 flagship out of competition in terms of colors and detail, HTC U11 was a little less lucky 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 it also 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. The 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 also on 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.

Smartphone camera capabilities have come a long way in the last five years. Nowadays, even a relatively cheap budget camera can become a good tool in the hands of a skilled photographer. Today we have compiled a rating that includes best phones with a good camera 2018. Below you can choose both an inexpensive and a top-end phone for yourself.

Phones with a good camera up to 7,000 rubles

Meizu M5c

• Screen: IPS, 5” HD;
• Processor: MediaTek MT6737 (1.3 GHz);
• Memory: 2/16 GB;

Meizu M5c is a very rare representative of budget smartphones that can take a good shot in mediocre lighting conditions. The smartphone does not have outstanding optics or a photosensor, but sophisticated post-processing algorithms do an excellent job.

For the best quality shot, it is best to work in HDR mode; also do not forget about the flash at dusk. The main camera has some problems with autofocus (it does not always pick out the right objects), so when taking macro photography it is recommended to set the focus point manually. The front camera is also quite good, selfies come out clear and with correct color reproduction.

Conclusion: Meizu M5c - budget smartphone with a good camera. Suitable if you are not chasing top-level shooting.

Xiaomi Redmi 4A

• Screen: IPS, 5” HD;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 (1.4 GHz);
• Memory: 2/16 GB;

Redmi 4A uses a budget OmniVision OV13850 photo sensor. Based on the camera test results, we can say with complete confidence that this smartphone is a direct competitor to the Meizu M5c. In some ways, the Xiaomi device is better, in others – worse. For example, Xiaomi is doing great with video shooting (for such a price), the gadget can shoot fairly clear footage in FullHD, while the first copy of the rating only works in HD.

However, in terms of quality night photography Redmi 4A is significantly inferior to its competitor; even the HDR mode and flash cannot save it. But autofocus works great; you don’t have to manually point to the desired focus point.

Conclusion: Redmi 4A –an alternative to the already mentioned Meizu M5c. In fact, your choice will depend only on the individual features (shell, performance, autonomy) of each smartphone.

Huawei Y5 2017

• Screen: IPS, 5” HD;
• Processor: MediaTek MT6737T (1.4 GHz);
• Memory: 2/16 GB;
• Camera: main – 8 MP, front – 5 MP.

The 2017 Y5 is very different from its predecessor, and a lot of the work Huawei has done is on this smartphone's camera. At the same time, a rather strange misunderstanding arose - it turns out that the front camera of a budget employee takes pictures even better than the main one!

In fact, this is not possible all the time; in normal lighting, it is certainly better to use the main photo module than the front camera. In any case, selfie lovers will definitely be delighted. The Y5 2017's shortcomings also include the removable back cover. Because of it, the smartphone body crunches unpleasantly even with the slightest pressure.

Conclusion:Huawei Y5 2017 is a smartphone with a good selfie camera. But in terms of the quality of the main photosensor, it is slightly inferior to its competitors.

Phones with a good camera under 10,000 rubles

Honor 6C Pro

• Screen: IPS, 5.2” HD;
• Processor: MediaTek MT6750 (1.5 GHz);
• Memory: 3/32 GB;

The aperture of the main lens on the rear panel is f/2.2, the focal length is 27 mm. Despite the relatively low price, Honor decided to “hint” that the 6c Pro is a camera phone. To do this, the standard camera application has been equipped with a professional mode, which has quite a wide range of options for adjusting ISO, shutter speed, exposure and focus.

We had no complaints about the operation of the photo module; autofocus works very quickly and clearly. At night, the pictures are not as detailed, but without noise. The phone can shoot video in FullHD resolution. True, moving objects in the frame are slightly blurred. But the 8-megapixel front camera performed well in all tests.

Conclusion: a good option for those who can’t afford a flagship yet. In its price category 6cPro is one of the best.

Asus Zenfone 3 Max

• Screen: IPS, 5.2” HD;
• Processor: MediaTek MT6737T (1.45 GHz);
• Memory: 2/16 GB;
• Camera: main – 13 MP, front – 5 MP.

The Zenfone 3 Max uses a Largan lens with a five-layer lens as the main camera optics. There is an instant shutter function and the proprietary PixelMaster technology is supported.

During the test, Zenfone 3 Max surprised us with an excellent ratio of almost all of its parameters. The only problem was that the dynamic range of the camera was too narrow. Therefore, you should not expect miracles from it in the dark. High-resolution shooting is supported. After a few seconds, the smartphone saves a 52-megapixel frame stitched together from four 13-megapixel photos.

Conclusion: Zenfone 3 Max is good not only for its camera, but also for its price-to-quality ratio. In this matter he is one of best smartphones up to 10 thousand rubles.

Asus Zenfone 3 Max

Nokia 5

• Screen: IPS, 5.2” HD;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 (1.2 GHz);
• Memory: 2/16 GB;
• Camera: main – 13 MP, front – 8 MP.

HMD Global is placing its main bet on Nokia 5, because it is this model in the line that should bring the most profit to the manufacturer. The smartphone is perfectly balanced in almost all matters, although those who are particularly picky may be disappointed by the discreet design of the device. Also, do not forget about the low level of performance of Nokia 5.

When it comes to shooting, the device can easily be ranked first in terms of quality (naturally, in its price category). The weak point of the photomodule is shooting at poor lighting, then the blurriness of small details is added huge amount noise

Conclusion: according to experts,Nokia 5 has every chance to win the top ranking of camera phones under 10,000 rubles in 2018-2019.

Phones with a good camera up to 15,000 rubles

Galaxy J7 2017

• Screen: AMOLED, 5.5” FullHD;
• Processor: Exynos 7870 (1.6 GHz);
• Memory: 3/16 GB;
• Camera: main – 13 MP, front – 13 MP.

The 2017 J7 is noticeably “prettier” compared to last year’s model of the line. The smartphone has a high-quality all-metal body and a rather nice design. Also worth mentioning is the large 5.5-inch AMOLED display with AlwaysOn Display function. It allows you to display basic data (time, date, notifications) even on a dark screen.

The main 13-megapixel camera of the gadget performed well in macro photography. This is largely due to the accurate and fast autofocus. Apart from this, the excellent post-processing deserves praise. Thanks to it, it is possible to achieve the highlighting of small details and competent color reproduction. To shoot with several light sources in the frame at once, it is recommended to use the HDR mode.

Conclusion: great smartphone for your money. It has a good front camera with a built-in beautifier.

Huawei P10 Lite

• Screen: AMOLED, 5.2” FullHD;
• Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 658 (2.35 GHz);
• Memory: 3/32 GB;
• Camera: main – 12 MP, front – 8 MP.

The smartphone was equipped with a proprietary Kirin 658 chipset, its maximum clock frequency reaches 2.35 GHz. Paired with a fairly powerful graphics processor and 3 GB of RAM, this is quite enough for both everyday tasks and games. Things are even better with the camera.

The 12-megapixel main photosensor takes pictures more than well. In general, the quality of the P10 Lite can be compared with the original Huawei P10. The camera phone has good potential for night photography; a slight blurring of small details does not spoil general impressions from the picture. There's even some semblance of a portrait mode in the camera app. True, it does not always work correctly and can sometimes blur the contours of the photographed object.

Conclusion: a good option for a purchase; I was especially pleased with the presence of a portrait mode. Although it cannot compare with that of smartphones with dual cameras, its very presence is a huge plus compared to its competitors.

Motorola Moto G5s

• Screen: IPS, 5.2” FullHD;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 (1.4 GHz);
• Memory: 3/32 GB;
• Camera: main – 16 MP, front – 5 MP.

The Moto G5s is the epitome of compactness. With a 5.2-inch display, the smartphone fits very comfortably in the hand, and the front glass panel gives it a modern look. True, there is some risk of losing this very panel if the smartphone falls.

The Moto G5s camera has a lot of potential high-quality photography. In order to use this tool 100%, we recommend working in manual mode. The slightly “crooked” software does not always accurately adjust white balance and shutter speed to the surrounding environment. The front 5-megapixel camera is paired with an LED flash, so you can take pretty decent selfies in any conditions.

Conclusion: feel free to choose this model if you already have extensive experience working with the camera in manual mode.

Motorola Moto G5s

Phones with a good camera up to 20,000 rubles

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017

• Screen: SuperAMOLED, 5.2” FullHD;
• Processor: Exynos 7880 (1.9 GHz);
• Memory: 3/32 GB;
• Camera: main – 16 MP, front – 16 MP.

The 2017 Galaxy A5 model received a key improvement for the line - IP68 water protection. Now a smartphone can be underwater for just over 30 minutes without serious consequences for the electronics. Competitors in the same price category have not yet presented such a good solution in their devices.

A 16-megapixel sensor with an f/1.9 aperture is used as the main photo module. Focal length – 27 mm. The main camera of the Galaxy A5 2017 works quite well, although it lacks optical stabilization when shooting videos.

Conclusion: typical smartphoneSamsung is in the mid-price category. An ideal choice between flagships and cheaper devices.

Samsung Galaxy A5

Meizu M6 Note

• Screen: IPS, 5.5” FullHD;
• Memory: 3/32 GB;
• Camera: main – dual module 12+5 MP, front – 16 MP.

The camera characteristics of the Meizu phablet are quite good: Sony IMX362 module, ƒ/1.9 aperture for the main lens and ƒ/2.0 for the additional one. At the same time, the smartphone can record fairly high-quality 4K videos, but without optical stabilization.

The M6 ​​Note has a portrait mode. True, autofocus in it does not always cope with its task clearly, so you often have to select the focus point on the main object manually. The front 16-megapixel camera pleased me; all the details of the face are clearly visible indoors. If necessary, you can activate the built-in beautifier.

Conclusion: a smartphone with a good camera under 20,000 rubles. DefinitelyMeizu finally managed to break the “black streak” of failures with the cameras of its own devices.

Huawei Nova 2

• Screen: IPS, 5” FullHD;
• Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 659 (2.36 GHz);
• Memory: 4/64 GB;
• Camera: main – dual module 12+8 MP, front – 20 MP.

The resolution of the front camera seems to hint at what the brand's marketers were betting on. Yes, the Nova 2 takes excellent selfies, which are very hard to find fault with. However, smartphones with 8-megapixel front cameras can shoot almost the same way.

The main dual camera produced excellent shots even in the twilight. Subjectively, it can be compared with the Huawei P10 photo module. Portrait mode clearly highlights the outline of the subject against a blurred background.

Conclusion: Chinese smartphones with a good camera never cease to please with their price tag. Nova 2 may well even compete with some flagships.

Phones with a good camera up to 25,000 rubles

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom

• Screen: IPS, 5.5” FullHD;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (2.0 GHz);
• Memory: 4/64 GB;
• Camera: main – dual module 12+12 MP, front – 13 MP.

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom is not a phone for small hands; the device is quite large and not very convenient to operate with one hand. Externally, it very much resembles the iPhone 7, especially from the back. This is largely due to the dual camera module in the upper left corner.

Inside there is an IMX362 sensor on the main lens. Its optics are responsible for 2x zoom; after a closer approach, the camera switches to software zoom. It looks very cool, and the clarity of small details is not lost even at maximum magnification.

Conclusion: an excellent camera phone, only if you are not bothered by its dimensions.

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom

Meizu Pro 7

• Screen: IPS, 5.2” FullHD;
• Processor: Mediatek Helio P25 (2.6 GHz);
• Memory: 4/64 GB;
• Camera: main – dual module 12+12 MP, front – 16 MP.

The initial concepts of Pro 7 surprised everyone, because Meizu decided to make a smartphone in a new form factor. On its back panel there is an additional display that allows you to take excellent selfies with the main dual camera.

Inside, the SONY IMX386 dual sensor is used, supporting 4K shooting, software frame enhancement and dual lens blur mode. The clarity and color rendition of the footage is amazing; Meizu Pro 7 has great potential for professional shooting.

Conclusion: the best camera phones of 2018-2019 could not do without this unique model; Pro 7 is the ideal smartphone for selfies.

Xiaomi Mi5s

• Screen: IPS, 5.15” FullHD;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 (2.45 GHz);
• Memory: 4/32 GB;
• Camera: main – 12 MP, front – 4 MP.

Having a dual photo module does not mean amazing photo quality. Xiaomi Mi5s completely proves this. In daylight, a smartphone with one photo module performed best side, paying attention to fine details and white balance.

There are small problems with shooting video at night, but this is not critical. This kind of distortion occurs on almost all devices in this price category. For smoother operation, we recommend using manual mode.

About dual camera technology in modern smartphones. Today this is one of the most current trends in smartphone manufacturing.

Now we have decided to take away best camera phones, which can be considered as a potential purchase as of now (July 2017). If you want to decorate your Instagram or, as a mobile photographer, are looking for a decent smartphone with a great camera - this article will help you choose what you need.

All models presented in the material are divided into price categories (data taken from Yandex.Market) and selected based on the best results in mobile photography.

Smartphones with one camera

Xiaomi Mi5S

Last year's flagship of the famous Chinese company still holds the bar as one of the best camera phones on the market. Xiaomi Mi5S mainly deserves this status thanks to the photographic module taken from the flagship Google Pixel, which is also considered one of the best in mobile photography. Other features of the smartphone include: balanced technical specifications, an all-metal body, a fast fingerprint scanner and a very reasonable price for such a set of technologies.

Xiaomi Mi5S Camera Specifications: 12 megapixels, f/2.0 aperture, phase detection autofocus, sensor size 1/2.3″, pixel size 1.55 µm. There is support for HDR and video shooting in high resolution formats: 4K (2160p @ 30 fps) and Full HD (1080p @ 120 fps).

: 22,990 rubles.

Apple iPhone SE

The good old iPhone 5S with hardware from the more powerful iPhone 6S. This special edition of the popular Apple smartphone is suitable for anyone who needs a compact and powerful camera phone with long-term support. A camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels can still be a good competitor, even to modern flagships from competitors. Only you can buy all this for less than 25 thousand rubles.

Apple iPhone SE Camera Specifications: 12 megapixels, f/2.2 aperture, phase detection autofocus, 1/3″ sensor size, 1.22 µm pixel size. There is support for all modern shooting standards: HDR for photos and videos in 4K (2160p @ 30 fps), Full HD (1080p @ 30/60/120 fps) and HD (720p @ 240 fps).

Average price on Yandex.Market: 22,985 rubles.

BQ Aquaris X Pro

The current flagship smartphone in the line of the Spanish company BQ. Equipped with the Dual Pixel photographic module from the best camera phone of 2016 - Samsung Galaxy S7. But it is also good for some other features, including: a glass-metal case with a Spanish design, the current version of the Android 7.1.1 Nougat operating system without interface add-ons and, most importantly, a very good price tag.

BQ Aquaris X Pro camera specifications: 12 megapixels, f/1.8 aperture, phase detection autofocus, 1/2.5″ sensor size, 1.4 µm pixel size. HDR support is available. Supported video formats: 4K (2160 @ 30 fps) and HD (720p @ 120 fps).

Average price on Yandex.Market: 22,990 rubles.

OnePlus 3/3T

OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T are the most successful line of flagships of the Chinese startup, which calls its smartphones “killers” of competitors’ solutions. Troikas combine all the desires of geeks: stylish design, powerful hardware and optimized operating system Android system in its purebred form. The previous generation of OnePlus flagships was not deprived of cameras either: 3 and 3T received powerful 16-megapixel sensors, which provided strong competition to A-brand flagships.

OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T camera specs: 16 megapixels, f/2.0 aperture, phase detection autofocus, sensor size 1/2.8″, pixel size 1.19 µm. Like the BQ Aquaris X Pro, the triples support HDR (in auto mode) and video in two formats: 4K (2160p @ 30 fps) and HD (720p @ 120 fps).

Average price on Yandex.Market: 26,800/26,200 rubles.

Samsung Galaxy S7/S8

Galaxy S7 and especially became the best-selling flagships in the Galaxy S line in its entire history. Such a stunning success was achieved not at all in a difficult way: the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S8 incorporated the best mobile technologies 2016-2017 and offer them in a stylish case made of high-quality materials. Prices, of course, are appropriate, but at the moment you can pay less than 30 thousand rubles for the Galaxy S7, and the Galaxy S8 has become much cheaper since the start of sales.

Characteristics Galaxy cameras S7 and Galaxy S8: 12 megapixels, f/1.7 aperture, phase detection autofocus, optical image stabilization, 1/2.5″ pixel size, 1.4 µm pixel size. Support for HDR, as well as video shooting in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second, of course, is present.

Average price on Yandex.Market: 28,000/53,490 rubles.

HTC 10 and U11

Taiwanese manufacturer HTC smartphones, being in dire financial straits, continues to risk everything and release new flagships. The model with index 10 caused a mixed reaction among consumers, as did the 2017 flagship called U11. However, both smartphones combine premium design, powerful hardware and the best cameras on the market. , for example, is currently awarded a score of 90 points according to DxOMark experts. This is the best indicator today.

HTC 10 and HTC U11 camera specs: 12 megapixels, f/1.8 (HTC 10), f/1.7 (HTC U11), laser autofocus (HTC 10), phase detection autofocus (HTC U11), optical image stabilization, 1/2.3″ sensor size (HTC 10) or 1/2.5″ (HTC U11), pixel size 1.55 µm (HTC 10) or 1.4 µm (HTC U11). HDR mode is supported. Video shooting is available in 4K (2160p @ 30 fps) and HD (720p @ 120 fps) resolutions on HTC 10 or Full HD (1080p @ 30/120 fps) on HTC U11.

Average price on Yandex.Market: 37,430/44,990 rubles.

Google Pixel

Google Pixel is the debut flagship of Google's own production. From design to hardware and software- everything here is from the hands of the search giant. If you're a Google fan, then the Pixel is for you best choice as both an Android flagship and a camera phone. The photographic module performed very well. Pixel beats its competitors even in night conditions - this is its main feature.

Google Pixel Camera Specs: 12.3 megapixels, f/2.0 aperture, electronic stabilization (gyroscope), phase and laser autofocus, sensor size 1/2.3″, pixel size 1.55 µm. As for HDR and video, the Pixel has its own automatic mode HDR+, and videos can be recorded in a variety of formats: 4K (2160p @ 30 fps), Full HD (1080p @ 30/60/120 fps) and HD (720p @ 240 fps).

Average price on Yandex.Market: 43,499 rubles.

Apple iPhone 7

Apple's current flagship model. Without receiving any significant innovations in design and hardware, iPhone camera continues to be one of the best among smartphones. And the latest iPhone 7 is, of course, no exception. Among the pleasant advantages: for the first time in Apple devices, protection against water and dust according to the IP67 standard (can be filmed in the rain or under water).

Apple iPhone 7 Camera Specifications: 12 megapixels, f/1.8 aperture, phase detection autofocus, optical image stabilization, 1/3″ sensor size. Shooting in HDR mode is supported. As with the iPhone SE, video can be recorded in most formats: 4K (2160p @ 30 fps), Full HD (1080p @ 30/60/120 fps) and HD (720p @ 240 fps).

Average price on Yandex.Market: 41,200 rubles.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium

The latest and most technologically advanced flagship of the Japanese manufacturer Sony. Taking its time to create a frameless design and install a dual camera, the company has applied the best technologies available on the market today. Among the main advantages of the smartphone: a mirror body in the style of Sony, an incredible 4K screen and a stunning camera capable of recording super slow-motion video at 960 frames per second. Nobody offers such a cool “cocktail” except Sony.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium camera specifications: 19 megapixels, f/2.0 aperture, electronic stabilization (gyroscope), predictive phase detection and laser autofocus, sensor size 1/2.3″. There is support for HDR mode for photos and videos in 4K (2160p @ 30 fps) and HD (720p @ 960 fps) resolutions.

Average price on Yandex.Market: 54,990 rubles.

Smartphones with dual cameras

Honor 9

Honor 9 is a more affordable camera phone in the style of the P10, but without Leica optics. In addition to a good dual camera, this smartphone also offers high-performance hardware and beautiful design. complements the image of those mobile photographers who are chasing not only the quality of photography, but also want to be stylish.

Honor 9 Dual Camera Features: 20 megapixels (f/2.2 aperture, phase detection autofocus, 2x hybrid zoom without loss of quality) + 12 megapixels (f/2.2 aperture). There is HDR support, video shooting is only in 4K (2160p @ 30 fps).

Average price on Yandex.Market: 26,000 rubles.

Xiaomi Mi6

Xiaomi Mi6 is a 7-year journey to success and the current flagship product of Xiaomi. Like Sony, the Chinese did not experiment with frameless design (although they can, remember the Mi Mix), but they could not abandon the dual camera trend. In general, Xiaomi Mi6 attracts not only with two lenses, but also with flagship hardware, as well as an unusual design - completely glossy and comprehensively symmetrical. The relatively low price compared to larger market players also only increases the desire to buy.

Characteristics of the dual camera Xiaomi Mi6: 12 megapixels (f/1.8 aperture, four-axis stabilization, phase detection autofocus) + 12 megapixels (f/2.6 aperture), sensor size 1/2.9″, pixel size 1.25 µm. In terms of modes for photos and videos, everything is standard: HDR is available, videos can be recorded in 4K (2160p @ 30 fps), Full HD (1080p @ 30 fps) and HD (720p @ 120 fps).

Average price on Yandex.Market: 28,000 rubles.

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom

The first camera phone from ASUS, and a very good one. Pros: balanced technical characteristics, capacious battery and metal case. Of the minuses: the design is very amateurish. The Taiwanese offer all this for a rather inflated price tag of 30 thousand rubles. The ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom's dual camera is certainly strong, but it's certainly not worth the money. Nevertheless, the camera phone from the “zoom” turned out to be really what we needed.

Characteristics of the dual camera ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom: 12 megapixels (f/1.7 aperture, optical and four-axis stabilization, laser and phase detection autofocus) + 12 megapixels (f/2.8 aperture, 2.3x optical zoom), sensor size 1/2.5″, pixel size 1.4 µm.

Average price on Yandex.Market: 29,990 rubles.

Huawei P10/P10 Plus

Slightly evolved, but still excellent flagships from one of the leading Chinese smartphone manufacturers. They stand out among their analogues with a proprietary duet of powerful cameras, the main features of which are optics and image processing technologies from the German photo brand Leica. Huawei P10 and P10 Plus (), like real Leica flagships, are ideal for a mobile photographer. If you need a smartphone with a clear focus on broad photographic capabilities, then this line from Huawei is undoubtedly the best solution.

Features of the dual camera Huawei P10 and P10 Plus: 20 megapixels (f/2.2 aperture (f/1.8 in P10 Plus), optical stabilization, Leica optics, laser and phase detection autofocus, 2x zoom without loss of quality) + 12 megapixels (f/2.2 aperture). HDR is supported, video is in 4K (2160p @ 30 fps) and Full HD (1080p @ 60 fps).

Average price on Yandex.Market: 34,490/38,990 rubles.

OnePlus 5

OnePlus 5 is the most high-performance solution among all flagships. But it is just as ambiguous. This smartphone has everything an ideal flagship needs: Snapdragon 835, 8 GB of RAM, latest version Android with excellent firmware optimization and a dual camera with a record overall resolution. However, the design is frankly weak to match the iPhone 7 Plus and critical little things ( USB Type-C 2.0, one speaker, “jelly” scrolling) discourage purchases.

Previously, we already figured out what to buy: OnePlus 5 or the time-tested OnePlus 3T. If you have the same doubts, be sure to read.

OnePlus 5 dual camera specifications: 16 megapixels (f/1.7 aperture, electronic stabilization (gyroscope), phase detection autofocus) + 20 megapixels (f/2.6 aperture, 1.6x optical zoom), sensor size 1/2.8″, pixel size 1.12 µm. HDR is available, video support in most formats: 4K (2160p @ 30 fps), Full HD (1080p @ 30/60 fps) and HD (720p @ 30/120 fps).

Average price on Yandex.Market: 35,450 rubles.

LG G6

Solid try South Korean manufacturer regain its successful position in the flagship market. Having gotten rid of modular surprises, it has turned into a confident glass-metal representative of smartphones in the highest price category. The good design is complemented by a frameless FullVision screen and a dual camera with a wide-angle lens. True, all this costs a lot of money, but in the case of the LG G6 the price tag is quite justified.

LG G6 Dual Camera Specifications: 13 megapixels (f/1.8 aperture, three-axis stabilization, phase and laser autofocus, viewing angle 71 degrees) + 13 megapixels (f/2.4 aperture, wide viewing angle 125 degrees), sensor size 1/3″, pixel size 1.12 µm.

Average price on Yandex.Market: 45,990 rubles.

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

And finally, the top-end camera phone in the current line of Apple flagship smartphones. It was the iPhone 7 Plus that cemented its position as the leader in the field of mobile photography, despite the rapid advance from Android competitors. Today iPhone 7 Plus is one of best solutions to take great photos from your smartphone. It’s simply impossible not to recommend it for purchase if you don’t mind iOS and can shell out a tidy sum.

Characteristics of the dual camera Apple iPhone 7 Plus: 12 megapixels (f/1.8 aperture, optical stabilization, 28 mm viewing angle) + 12 megapixels (f/2.8 aperture, 56 mm viewing angle), phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, sensor size 1/3″ and 1/ 3.6″. HDR support is available, as is video recording in various formats: 4K (2160p @ 30 fps), Full HD (1080p @ 30/60/120 fps) and HD (720p @ 240 fps).

Average price on Yandex.Market: 51,800 rubles.

How is it filmed?

Each camera phone in the Pixel Story collection takes great photos with the highest levels of clarity, detail and color reproduction. Certain models are better at certain tasks. For example, Google Pixel takes incredible pictures at night, iPhone 7 Plus is good at natural color reproduction, and Huawei P10 turns black and white photos into a real work of art.

iPhone 7 Plus, Galaxy S8, HTC U11, LG G6, Huawei P10, Xperia XZ Premium
iPhone 7 Plus, Xperia XZ Premium, Galaxy S7 Edge, Huawei P10 Plus, LG G6
Galaxy S8+, iPhone 7 Plus, LG G6, Xperia XZ Premium
iPhone 7 Plus, Galaxy S7 Edge, Huawei P10 Plus, LG G6, Xperia XZ Premium

In this case, you decide for yourself which mobile photography parameter is most important to you. You can compare the quality and details of photos from the main camera phones in the special gallery above.

In conclusion, we suggest you take a survey and answer the main question - which camera phone do you think is the best of 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 budget 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; among the serious shortcomings, we also note 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 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. 5X can be called the perfect smartphone for shooting on automatic, in the pull-out-photo mode, it produces better pictures than most smartphones with manual settings. And advanced amateur photographers will have something to do, since 5X supports 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, always the last one Android version on board also 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

6X – 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 has the same 12 MP Sony IMX386 sensor as the Honor 6X with a 1.25 µp pixel size, 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 – smaller version flagship smartphone Z11, which ZTE produces under the premium Nubia brand. TO this device you can’t find fault: 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.

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

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