Best camera phones under $500
The best camera phones are usually flagship device, but Xiaomi Redmi CC9 Pro Premium Edition broke the barrier when it debuted with the Penta camera arrangement. According to the DXOMark rating, only Huawei P30 Pro can take a better photo, though their camera score is a tie. The CC9 Pro is currently the best smartphone for shooting videos, haven overtaken both Google Pixel 4 and Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 5G.
List of Best Camera Phones
Xiaomi MI Note 10
Release date: September 2019 | Main camera: 108MP (f/1.69, OIS, 27MP output resolution) | Short Telephoto: 12.19MP (f/2.0) | Long telephoto: 7:99MP (f/2.0)| Ultra-wide: 20.11MP (f/2.2) | Macro: 2MP (f/2.4) | Front camera: 32MP | Weight: 208g | Dimensions: 157.8 x 74.2 x 9.7mm | Battery size: 5260mAh | Max video quality: 4K 60fps | Storage: 64GB / 256GB | Memory card slot: No
Xiaomi MI Note 10 till today is one of the best camera phones under the mid-range category. It has some amazing camera hardware, which helped to rank the device, along with Huawei P30 Pro as the best camera phones according to the DXOmark rating.
The device combines a high-resolution 108MP lens with a 1/1.33″ sensor to output detailed 27MP images. The phone delivers accurate results in both outdoor and indoor situations. Xiaomi MI 10 makes use of the two telephoto camera effectively, which offers 2x and 5x optical zoom. Interestingly, the ultrawide lens is fitted with AF, while the 2MP macro lens is there as well for close up shots.
While some people believe Mi Note 10 only the master of a still image, DXOmark believes it’s the best for live images. The device takes a vivid and pleasantly-rendered color, along with its AF in all the tests. The 32MP front snapper is also there as one of the best, however, there’s no AF, which is quite disappointing.
Oppo Reno 2
Release date: September 2019 | Main camera: 48MP (f/1.7, OIS) | Telephoto: 13MP (f/2.4) | Ultra-wide: 8MP (f/2.2) | Macro: 2MP (f/2.4) | Front camera: 16MP | Weight: 189g | Dimensions: 160 x 74.3 x 9.5mm | Battery size: 4000mAh | Max video quality: 2K 30fps | Storage: 128GB / 256GB | Memory card slot: Yes
With a starting price of $400, Oppo Reno 2 is one of the best camera phones you can get for that price. It comes with amazing camera features, but unlike the Mi CC9 Pro, it has a Quad arrangement. The primary 48MP lens has AF and OIS, which produces one of the best camera shots ever from a mid-ranger. Both the ultrawide and telephoto lens has 2x optical zoom while a 2MP depth sensor comoletes the setup.
The selfie sensor is mounted on a shark-fin pop-up mechanism and takes an exquisite shot, but lacks AF. Meanwhile, the device isn’t available globally, but you can still order it from China and have it shipped down to your country.
Xiaomi MI 9
Release date: April 2019 | Main camera: 48MP (f/1.8) | Telephoto: 12MP (f/2.2) | Ultra-wide: 16MP (f/2.2) | Front camera: 20MP | Weight: 173g | Dimensions: 157.5 x 74.7 x 9.7mm | Battery size: 5260mAh | Max video quality: 4K 60fps | Storage: 64GB / 128GB | Memory card slot: No
It’s only Xiaomi that can price its flagship phone at $300. The price didn’t compromise anything as the phone still take exquisite details from each shot, with the triple camera lens. They include one wide, an ultra-wide, and one telephoto sensor. The device performs excellently in portraits with the additional help of software and will give you bright shots in low-light.
Unfortunately, it lacks any form of OIS, which results in shorter shutter speed, and you can notice noise on the images. It makes use of electronic image stabilization when shooting videos instead and can shoot up to 4k 60fps.
Xiaomi MI 9T
Release date: August 2019 | Main camera: 48MP (f/1.8) | Telephoto: 8MP (f/2.4) | Ultra-wide: 13MP (f/2.4) | Front camera: 20MP | Weight: 173g | Dimensions: 156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8mm | Battery size: 4000mAh | Max video quality: 4K 60fps | Storage: 64GB / 128GB/ 256GB| Memory card slot: No
One of the best camera phones available in the market, and the first Xiaomi attempt to a true full-view display. It’s the first Xiaomi device to feature a motorized selfie camera, plus the triple rear camera arrangement. The performance of the lens is on par with that of Mi 9 but different pricing.
Again, it lacks OIS but features AF for both wide and telephoto lens, with 2x optical zoom. It shoots 4k video at 60fps with accurate color reproduction.
OnePlus 6
Release date: May 2019 | Main camera: 16MP (f/1.7) | Ultrawide camera: 20MP (f/1.7) | Front camera: 16MP | Weight: 177g | Dimensions: 155.7 x 75.4 x 7.8mm | Battery size: 3300mAh | Max video quality: 4K 60fps | Storage: 64GB / 128GB/ 256GB | Memory card slot: No
The OnePlus 6 price starts from $450. It’s among the best camera phones with high-end mobile features but offered at a mid-range price.
The image quality is top-notch, thanks to the dual 20MP and 16MP shooters, coupled with AI enhancement. Again, the camera app performs incredibly well and is user-friendly with lots of features to edit and beautify each shot. You also get decent live shots up to 4k @60fps and slo-mo videos up to 480fps.
Google Pixel 3a
Release date: May 2019 | Main camera: 12MP (f/1.8) | Front camera: 8MP | Weight: 147g | Dimensions: 151.3 x 70.1 x 8.2mm | Battery size: 3000mAh | Max video quality: 4K 60fps | Storage: 64GB / 128GB | Memory card slot: No
The Google Pixel 3a lacks all the hardware features to be regarded as one of the best camera phones available, but thanks to the exceptional software, each shot was taken with the device is a hit. Meanwhile, it has just a single primary 12MP snapper, which manages to squeeze out amazing shots with Google Advanced editing software.
Google Pixel 3a features night mode photography, for long exposure night shooting with the ability to turn night into day. Unfortunately, the phone is not a power-house and will lag playing most demanding games, but still an option for smartphone photography enthusiasts.
