Get exclusive tech offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
By signing up, you agree to the Finder
Privacy & Cookies Policy
and
Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy.
The best camera phones for 2021, tested by our expert editors
Here are the very best phones for photographers, whether you're a seasoned pro or just want the sharpest photos without trying.
TRENDING
Smartphones
Best Phones
Mobile Phone Brands
Guides
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Top Pick for
Impressive range of shooting modes
Top Pick for
Underwater photography mode
Top Pick for
Good video quality
Top Pick for
Good low-light capture
The best camera phones for 2021, ranked
- Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G
- Huawei P40 Pro
- Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
- Oppo Find X2 Pro
- Google Pixel 4a
- Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G
- Google Pixel 4XL
- Apple iPhone SE 2020
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
- realme X3 SuperZoom
How did we pick this list?
The camera on a phone is more than just the sum of its megapixels. For that reason, Finder's expert team of reviewers have extensively tested the cameras of every phone on this list. When we're reviewing a phone, we put a special focus on its camera capabilities because it's such a key value area for most smartphones.
Our editorial team chose the phones in this list based on a weighted balance of camera features, quality and our experiences when testing them, compared to other phones available in the market. The selection and order were not based on our overall phone review scores.
Compare the best camera phones of 2021
1. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G
The best camera phone your money can buy.
- Great low-light shooting
- Impressive range of shooting modes
- Great 8K video capabilities
- 50x zoom isn't great
- Camera bump is immense
- Battery life at 120Hz isn't top notch
RRP from $1,849
Why we chose it
You can't help but grasp how seriously Samsung takes the camera on the Galaxy Note20 Ultra given its immense rear camera bump, although you can mitigate for that with the use of a good phone case. Its combination of a primary 108MP lens along with secondary 12MP ultra-wide and telephoto lenses gives it plenty of flexibility when choosing your shot parameters if you're a fan of pro modes.
Those who are less confident in their shooting prowess should see good results with the Note20 Ultra's Single Take mode. It's also a superb camera if you want to shoot video, with 8K support onboard. On the minus side, this is a big handset, which can make framing an interesting proposition, and its battery life is only ordinary compared to some other camera phones.
Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G, including plenty of camera samples
2. Huawei P40 Pro
A great camera phone seriously let down by the Google ban.
- Amazing low-light quality
- Easy to get great shots
- Underwater photography mode (with a case)
- Lack of Google support
- Lack of social sharing photo apps
- Lack of photo editing apps
RRP $1,599
Why we chose it
The Huawei P40 Pro is a curious inclusion, and in many ways, its camera hardware deserves to sit in the top spot of our best camera phones round-up. Huawei's deal with premium camera maker Leica has enabled it to make the best camera phones on the market for the past couple of years, and the Huawei P40 Pro is no exception. It matches up a primary 50MP sensor, a 40MP ultra-wide sensor and a 12MP 5x optical-zoom sensor in a package that shoots well, fast and in just about every possible situation, up to and including underwater photography – although you'll need a special case to shoot that way effectively.
So why isn't it top dog? Simply because of the current ban on Google services that affects every Huawei smartphone. That has a bigger impact in the general smartphone sense obviously, but for camera enthusiasts, it means that it can be tougher to get your photos off the Huawei P40 Pro and harder to share them across your social channels if that's your passion. It also means you're more limited in the number of photo editing apps you can use if you want to tweak your shots while they're still on the phone.
Read our full Huawei P40 Pro review, including camera samples
3. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
A simple phone for taking great photos.
- Easy-to-use portrait mode
- Good video quality
- Triple lens is flexible but simple
- Low light isn't as good as competitors
- Fixed storage is problematic for longer video shoots
- Slofies are a gimmick
RRP from $1,899
Why we chose it
Apple didn't invent smartphone photography, but it's very much the case that the explosive popularity of the original iPhone saw smartphone photography become a key component of any mobile phone device. Over the years, Apple has tended to lag the general Android market in terms of feature sets, which is why the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is the first Apple model to run with three rear lenses.
On paper, the combination of a trio of 12MP lenses might not seem that exciting, but Apple's ability to eke the most out of its hardware and software in iOS allows the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max to shoot way better shots than you would think possible. It's best suited to those who don't want to tweak settings, and it's not the strongest phone in very dark situations. What it is, is a phone that makes it quite effortless to take great photos, especially in its highly customisable portrait mode, which can finally add bokeh to objects that aren't human faces.
See all the camera samples in our comprehensive Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max review.
4. Oppo Find X2 Pro
Oppo's zoom heavy camera shoots well in most situations.
- Good low-light capture
- Fun photo modes
- Telescope lens works well at optical length
- 60x zoom is a stupid party trick
- Only shoots up to 4K video
- No storage expansion
RRP From $1,599
Why we chose it
While Oppo's core market in Australia for many years was in affordable phones, it has recently stretched itself further into the premium space, albeit with mixed results (especially when it comes to camera quality.) Oppo's made all the right moves with the Oppo Find X2 Pro, a camera phone that sells for less than its Samsung or Apple competition while still delivering a solid array of rear-lens choices and good performance in low-light situations.
Its use of a periscope style lens gives it good zooming capability, but like so many manufacturers right now, it stretches that out to a ludicrous degree. Yes, you can shoot at up to 60x digital zoom on the Oppo Find X2 Pro, but the results are uniformly unimpressive. It's also somewhat limited by the lack of storage expansion, which could be an issue if you take a lot of photos or shoot plenty of video on the go.
Read our full review of the Oppo Find X2 Pro to see photo samples.
5. Google Pixel 4a
An affordable and appealing camera phone.
- Best night photography in its price bracket
- Google's AI produces surprisingly good bokeh
- Astrophotography mode is fun
- Single lens only
- Limited storage
- Mediocre battery life
RRP From $599
Why we chose it
If you're after a good camera phone but your wallet cries at you if you even glance in the direction of a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra or Huawei P40 Pro, then Google's more affordable Pixel 4a is the phone you should buy. While you're only shooting with a single 12.2MP lens at the rear, it's what Google is able to do with software that makes the Pixel 4a such a compelling prospect.
In its price bracket, there's simply nothing to touch it in terms of its low-light capability. While that was true of 2019's Pixel 3a as well, the addition of astrophotography capabilities if you've got a tripod handy takes the Pixel 4a even higher. There is a balancing act here, however, because at this price point, plenty of competitors are offering up zoom and ultra-wide options that the Pixel 4a just can't match. It's also a smaller phone, and while that makes it easier to slip into a pocket for your next photographic adventure, it also limits its battery capacity, which could be problematic if you're shooting a lot of content at once.
Read our full review and check out our camera samples from the Google Pixel 4a here.
6. Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G
A more affordable Note option that still shoots well.
- Good all-round camera capabilities
- Single Take is getting smarter
- Solid low-light capability
- Not quite as nice as the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra's cameras
- Space Zoom isn't great
- No laser autofocus
RRP From $1,499
Why we chose it
Typically, the recipe for the second-stringer phone in a flagship phone family is to radically undercut the camera to keep costs low and make the true flagship that much more compelling. That's sort of what Samsung did with the Galaxy Note 20, which isn't quite as good a camera phone as the more expensive Galaxy Note 20 Ultra in a straight-line specifications showdown.
However, when you shoot with the Galaxy Note 20's trio of lenses, you quickly realise that this makes less of an impact than you'd expect. This is a highly competent camera phone in its own right, even if it does play second fiddle to the bigger Ultra Note this year. Given you're saving a fair chunk of cash in the process, that's a trade-off that many camera phone fans may find compelling, whether you prefer to dip into the extensive pro-mode settings or let the enhanced Single Take mode choose camera settings for you on the fly.
Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G.
7. Google Pixel 4 XL
A smart AI-led camera phone.
- A fun and simple camera
- Astrophotography works very well
- Adjustable contrast and brightness on the fly
- It's only dual lens at the rear
- Google dropped dual-lens front-facing cameras
- Fixed storage, like all Pixel phones
RRP From $1,279
Why we chose it
The Google Pixel 4 family has more than a few miles on it, but while we wait for the Google Pixel 5, if you're a fan of the search giant's clean UI and general phone approach, the Google Pixel 4XL is still worth consideration on the camera front. That's largely down to the same AI that powers the Google Pixel 4a's camera capabilities, including its exceptional astrophotography features. The Google Pixel 4XL goes one better with the inclusion of a telephoto lens where previous Pixel models were all strictly monogamous when it came to lens choices.
Dual lenses aren't that exciting, but again, Google's software impresses, giving it a very solid 8x SuperRes hybrid zoom feature that other cameras struggle to match. On the downside, you're once again in fixed-storage land – a feature of every Pixel phone to date – and while the Pixel 3 range had dual front cameras for wide selfies, Google dropped that in favour of its gimmicky "Project Soli" radar sensor for gestures you'll never use anyway.
Read our full review of the Google Pixel 4 XL.
8. Apple iPhone SE (2020)
A cheaper iPhone with a nice camera.
- Easy to shoot well for novices
- Good portrait shots
- Lots of great iOS camera apps to play with
- Single lens only
- Fixed storage
- Terrible battery life
RRP From $749
Why we chose it
Apple doesn't do "cheap", except when it does. That's been the story of the lower cost iPhone SE line for years, but the earlier SE models had truly mediocre cameras. Truth be told, the iPhone SE 2020's single rear 12MP lens isn't that exciting on its own terms because Apple would very much prefer camera pros invested in the pricier iPhone 11 Pro Max or its upcoming Apple iPhone 12 successor. However, if you're firmly in the iOS camp and looking for a good camera phone that won't break the bank, the iPhone SE 2020 still has its appeal, thanks to the AI processing it gains from the A13 Bionic processor and the huge array of flexible camera apps that iOS users can enjoy.
Read our full review of the Apple iPhone SE 2020.
9. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
A big and beautiful camera phone.
- Variety of lenses for every shooting need
- Single Take is good for novices
- Good battery life
- Some inconsistent focus results
- 100x Space Zoom is a silly gimmick
- Full 108MP shots aren't great
RRP From $1,999
Why we chose it
Samsung's first flagship for 2020 was sold on its camera prowess, and on paper, it wasn't hard to see where Samsung was aiming, with a hefty combination of a primary 108MP lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 48MP periscope-style telephoto lens. It's the beneficiary of the highest level of zoom on any Samsung flagship phone to date, with up to 100x "Space Zoom" if you really must.
You probably shouldn't, however, with 100x digital zoom shots delivering truly mediocre images in every situation we tested with. At the time of testing, the Galaxy S20 Ultra also had some issues with delivering quickly focused shots that were pleasing, despite the presence of a time-of-flight focusing sensor. It's still a very good camera phone in the comparative market, but it's clearly been outpaced by Samsung's own Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.
10. Realme X3 SuperZoom
Mid-range price with premium camera features.
- Zoom plus macro plus wide lenses
- Optical zoom shoots well
- Primary 64MP lens uses pixel binning to nice effect
- Full zoom shots are weak
- Macro lens is fiddly
- No storage expansion
RRP From $699
Why we chose it
Budget and youth-centric brand realme truly stepped out of its typical comfort zone with the realme X3 SuperZoom, a phone that costs a bit more than most of its highly affordable fare. That could have been a miscalculation, but instead, what realme delivers is a phone that shows off just what you can get for a mid-range price in terms of capabilities, even if some of those features are a little rougher around the edges than some of its more premium-priced competition. With a combo of primary 64MP lens, ultra-wide, 5x optical zoom and macro lenses on board, the realme X3 SuperZoom is capable of shooting just about anything.
The flip side of this is that you may have to work a little harder to get pleasing shots from the realme X3 SuperZoom's camera lenses, especially if you stretch the zoom much beyond its optical limits or want to do a lot of macro shooting.
Read our full review of the realme X3 SuperZoom.
Compare the best camera phones of 2020
Compare the specs and purchasing options of each phone in the table below. (Click on "View Details" for more product specifications.)
Methodology
150+Mobile phones reviewed
10,000+Hours spent testing
10Best phones ranked
- We've spent thousands of hours testing mobile phones with a particular focus on each phone's camera features and output.
- Our editorial team has a combined 60+ years of experience writing about tech and reviewing the latest devices.
- The phones on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not based on commercial relationships.
More guides on Finder
-
Biggest Amazon Prime Day discounts: 75% off games + heaps more
Top offers so far include 75% off games, 68% off tech and 38% off alcohol.
-
Bitcoin’s better half: Growing number of Australian women investing in crypto
Despite Bitcoin’s volatile value changes this year, Australians are still flocking to cryptocurrency in droves, with 17% of the population now owning a form of cryptocurrency.
-
Amazon Prime Day best Australian alcohol deals: Up to 38% off
Stock up on the good stuff this Prime Day, with these big booze offers.
-
How to buy iShares Global 100 AUD Hedged ETF units
Steps to owning and managing iShares Global 100 AUD Hedged ETF units.
-
Amazon Prime Day best book deals for all ages: Up to 55% off
Snap up best-selling reads for the whole family with these great Australian Prime Day offers.
-
Best Prime Day deals 2021: Highlights from day one [updated]
The wait is finally over. Here are the best Amazon Prime Day deals you can get in Australia right now.
-
Toyota LandCruiser 300 series: Release date, specs, price, models and more
Toyota popped the bonnet on its highly anticipated 2022 Toyota Landcruiser 300 series 4WD in June 2021. Here's everything you need to know.
-
Ethereum price continues to slide, correcting by 9% overnight
Crypto experts believe that ETH may still be able to go on a bull run later on this year after the ongoing bearish pressure subsides.
-
Amazon Prime Day 2021: Best Xbox and PC game deals
Whether you're a shiny Xbox owner or a proud member of the PC master race, Amazon Prime Day has what you're looking for.
-
Prime Day Coke deal: Get 57% off select multi-packs
Amazon's bonkers Coca-Cola deal is back for Prime Day - and this time it's brought Fanta and Sprite along to the party. Save up to 57%!
Ask an Expert
