There was a time when we judged smartphone cameras via the megapixel count. Now that smartphone photography is taking off in a big way, more aspects are becoming important. In 2016, we have seen some innovative technologies such as the Dual Camera and OIS. Today, we are coming up with a curated list of the best camera phones of 2016. Shall we start with the list, then?
Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 edge
Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are probably the best camera smartphones released this year. They sport a 12MP rear camera with OIS and LED Flash. The 1/2.5” sensor size and f/1.7 aperture is extremely effective when it comes to capturing images in low-light conditions. The Korean company is utilising Dual Pixel technology, which enhances the autofocussing experience. A bunch of photography-related features features you’d find on the Galaxy S7 / S7 edge include Motion Photo, and Hyperlapse, among others. The phones score well on other parameters as well, with Exynos chipset, 4 GB RAM, Wireless charging, beefy batteries, and waterproof bodies.
Huawei P9
The Huawei P9 aimed to reinvent the smartphone photography — through the right blend of hardware and software. It flaunts a pair of 12MP sensors at the back. The secondary lens captures image in black and white thanks to Lecia’s partnership, ensuring that the output shots are not only crisp but also detailed. At the same time, you can also get amazing bokeh effects in the macro shots. Last but not the least, the camera app of the P9 allows complete manual controls, from ISO to White Balance and from Shutter Speed to focus mode. You can even have the output in the RAW format.
The P9 isn’t the only photography-centric smartphone from the Chinese company, it’s sub-brand Honor also introduced a dual camera-toting handset in the form of the Honor 8. It also features two 12MP modules at the back.
LG G5
The LG G5 might have garnered headlines because of its semi-modular design but it’s also an impressive camera phone. It has a combination of 16MP and 8MP primary shooters, with the latter offering a wide angle of 135 degrees. It means you can capture things in a wider frame – a capability you used to get in DSLRs. You can get the output images in JPG and RAW formats, and the Multi AF System is quite promising for every smartphone photographer. Of course, you get the flagship-grade specifications which include the Snapdragon 820 processor and 4GB RAM.
Google Pixel / Pixel XL
Google Pixel came as a surprise in this list, and if you ask us, then it probably tops this roundup of the best camera phone launched in 2016. With the Pixel, Google finally entered the smartphone business itself with its own branded devices and killing the Nexus lineup. The Google Pixel duo feature 12-meg sensor with an LED flash. Thanks to Google’s software algorithms, the image output is stunning. Be it daylight shots or low-light images, the smartphones offer sharp images and impressive colour reproduction. The handsets also boast flagship features such as the Snapdragon 821 CPU and 4gigs of RAM.
Apple iPhone 7 Plus
The iPhone 7 Plus has one of the best smartphone cameras you can find in the market. Similar to some other brands, Apple has joined the dual-camera bandwagon with two 12MP camera sensors, offering wide-angle and telephoto capabilities. They have apertures of f/1.8 and f/2.8 respectively. The six-element lens — when combined with Optical Image Stabilization as well as Quad-LED Flash — provides stunning results. The secondary camera gives a 2x optical zoom, which is simply impressive, and you can also enjoy the 10x digital zoom. That’s all about the camera aspect of iPhone 7 Plus, which scores well on all the other parameters as well, though we hope you know about the lack of headphone jack. 😉
ASUS ZenFone 3
The ZenFone 3 from ASUS is a smartphone that is built for photography. Powered by the PixelMaster 3.0 Tech, the handset comes with a 16MP Camera with Sony IMX298 Sensor and f/2.0 aperture. But the highlight is the TriTech autofocus, which lets you focus on the subject in just 0.03 seconds, all thanks to the combination of laser, phase detection, and continuous autofocus. It also benefits from OIS and EIS for stable pictures and video. The ASUS ZenFone 3 is an excellent offering otherwise as well, basis its hardware and specifications.
These were some of the best camera smartphones launched in 2016. The rise of dual-camera toting phones is interesting, and we’re excited to see what manufacturers have to offer next year.
