The Best Camera Phones in 2022: Top Mobiles for Photography

You may be pleasantly surprised by the recent advancements in the capabilities of the best camera for smartphones.

22:14 25 November 2022

Sick of lugging around an additional camera with you? We’ve got some good news; some phones can take better pictures than the "professional" camera you might be tempted to buy. We've arrived at the point where your old point-and-shoot can stay at home. Nowadays, the greatest smartphones include DSLR-quality camera phones with cutting-edge image technology, crystal-clear glass displays, and lightning-fast internet connectivity.

If you last upgraded a while ago, you may be pleasantly surprised by the recent advancements in the capabilities of the best camera for smartphones. 

Find out what to look for in the best mobile phones and see our best model recommendations below.

A Rundown of the Best Camera for Android Phones in 2022

• OPPO Find X5 Pro (Top-pick)

• OPPO Find X5 5G ( Editor’s Choice)

• OPPO Reno 8 Pro

• OPPO Find X3 Neo 5G

• Reno7 5G

Reviews & Guide 

OPPO Find X5 Pro

Specs

RAM: 12 GB + 256 GB| Front camera: 32MP Front Camera: f/2.4; FOV 90°; lens: 5P, fixed focus | Rear camera: 50MP Main Camera: f/1.7; FOV 80°; 1G6P lens; AF supported; closed-loop focus motor; dual-OIS 5-axis stabilisation 50MP Ultra-wide Angle Camera: f/2.2; FOV 112°; 7P lens; AF supported; closed-loop focus motor; 4cm Macro photography supported

Review

One of the most talked-about high-end smartphones this year has been the OPPO Find X5 Pro. The camera, which was made possible by the Swedish camera manufacturer Hasselblad, is the main reason for its popularity. On the front, there is a 32 MP selfie camera. OPPO boats a powerful camera setup with twin 50MP Sony IMX766 cameras and an enhanced 13-channel spectral color sensor.

The new MariSilicon X neural processing unit uses AI imaging algorithms straight to RAW data to improve noise reduction for 4K video and photos in low light. A film-like appearance adds to even the most uninteresting photographs with Hasselblad's filters.

OPPO Find X5 5G

Specs

RAM: 8 GB + 256 GB | Front camera: 32MP Front Camera: f/2.4; FOV 81°; 5P lens | Rear camera: 50MP Main Camera: f/1.8; FOV 84°; 6P lens; AF supported; closed-loop focus motor; OIS supported 50MP Ultra-wide Angle Camera: f/2.2; FOV 110°; 7P lens; AF supported; closed-loop focus motor; 4cm marco photography supported

Review

The OPPO Find X5 and its pro5G android smartphone variant, both feature excellent cameras, with only minor variations. While the standard and pro versions of the OPPO Find X5 include a 50-megapixel main camera, the pro version's f/1.7 aperture and 25mm focal length set it apart from the standard X5's f/1.8 aperture and 24mm lens.

However, none of the device's other camera features are compromised in any way, including Hasselblad's Colour Calibration (which is only active on the camera's Pro Mode), AI Scene Enhancement 2.0, LED light, Automated Night mode, HDR, Auto HDR, Panoramic mode, leaf shutter sound, and an XPan mode.

The camera's pro mode can be activated with any of the three rear lenses. It allows the user to manually adjust ISO, aperture, focus, white balance, EV, and other settings. Additionally, you may use it to access several on-screen display options including a live histogram, light meter, grid display, and leveler.

OPPO Reno8 Pro

Specs

RAM: 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM| Front camera: Sony IMX709 Sensor with AutoFocus: 32MP DOL-HDR OPPO’s New Generation RGBW 60% Amount of Light Received | Rear camera: Main Camera Sony IMX766 Sensor: 50MP DOL-HDR 1/1.56" Sensor Size 4X Dynamic Range

Review

OPPO's Reno8 Pro is a well-rounded camera that offers a wide variety of shooting settings and other customization options. The phone has a 50MP Sony IMX766 primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide shooter, and a 2MP macro sensor, all housed in a triple camera arrangement on the back.

The MariSilicon X image NPU (Neural Processing Engine) is what truly sets the Reno8 Pro apart. OPPO's chip, constructed on 6nm architecture, allows the phone to process machine-learning algorithms when recording video.

The MariSilicon X doesn't enhance the Reno 8 Pro's camera, but the sensors and image processing are still more capable of creating visually appealing images. This phone has a superb camera that works well in low-light conditions. The secondary 112-degree-field-of-view (FoV) 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera takes excellent photos with enough light. However, if you shoot at night or without sufficient lighting, your images will be grainy and lack depth.

OPPO Find X3 Neo

Specs 

RAM: 12GB RAM + 256GB ROM| Front camera: 32MP Front Camera: f/2.4; FOV 81°; 5P lens | Rear camera: 50MP Main Camera: f/1.8; FOV 84°; Closed-loop Focus Motor OIS supported, 16MP Ultra Wide-angle Camera: f/2.2; FOV 123°; Fixed Focus, 13MP Telephoto Camera: f/2.4; FOV 45°, 2MP Macro Camera: f/2.4; FOV 89°; Fixed Focus

Review

OPPO has packed the Find X3 Neo with four cameras making it one of the best camera phones.Taking images with the front-facing camera yields high-quality results with accurate colours and sharp details. The only way to alter the image quality is through colour filters and the "beautify" function. OPPO’s innovative AI technology guarantees that each image has optimal lighting and colour settings.

Similarly, the main camera produces vivid, high-detail images. There is no uneven brightness, even in the darker parts of the picture. Still, the backdrop blur effect could be more polished, so certain parts of the image look a little hazy. However, the focal points are distinguished from the background. Colours are more vibrant, and there is a minor loss of clarity in ultra-wide shots. 

The Find X3 Neo's Tele sensor allows for a hybrid 5x zoom, and the device's digital zoom goes as high as 20x. Even while the OPPO smartphone's camera can capture some level of detail in low light. The primary camera has a "Pro" mode that lets you manually control ISO, shutter speed, white balance, focus, and illumination.

OPPO Reno7 5G

Specs

RAM: 8GB+128GB |Front camera: 32MP, f/2.4; FOV 85°; 5P lens | Rear camera: 64 MP: f/1.7; FOV 79°; 6P lens; AF, open-loop motor used, microscope：f/3.3；FOV 65°；3P+IR lens；FF, MONO：f/2.4；FOV 89°；3P+IRlens 

Review

The camera is always a priority for the OPPO Reno Series, and this iteration is no exception. This under-budget smartphone has a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel wide-angle camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera, all located on the back. There's a 32MP selfie camera right up front.

The 64-megapixel camera produces vivid, detailed images when taken outside in natural light. The highlighting is excellent, and the image noise level is negligible. The exposure is spot on, even when shooting into the light, and the shadow details are superb. The hues are accurate representations of the ones in real-life. The problem of purple fringe is also well addressed in this series. The smart portrait retouching is a good feature, but the flash snapshot feature, which claims to obtain good shots while the subject is in motion, could have been more up to snuff.

The recorded videos are of high quality. However, the app continuously gives a reminder to keep hands still, which can be frustrating for those with shaky hands.

Final Thoughts

Android phones with the best camera capabilities can be challenging to find because they have various features and styles. We hope this article has made your job easier. If you want to upgrade your smartphone, consider this list of top OPPO mobile phones we've mentioned above.