Best Camera Phones 2022: Usually, the best camera smartphones are also the best smartphones of the year. This is because companies put all the effort to make sure their flagship phones meet every need and beats the competition out there. There are familiar names like the Samsung Galaxies and Apple iPhones on the list of best camera phones of 2022.
But, this list closes with budget smartphones that you can buy and still offers an incredible camera experience. In each of the phones listed, we’ll explain the key camera features of these phones. Since this post is about the camera, we won’t be talking about other specifications like battery and display. You can read the best smartphones of 2022 article for complete details about some of these phones.
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Best camera phones 2022
1. Xiaomi 12S Ultra
Xiaomi 12S Ultra camera features
| Xiaomi 12S Ultra | Camera Features |
| Rear Camera | 50.3 + 48 + 48MP + TOF 3D |
| Front Camera | 32MP |
| Camera Features | multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS, 5x optical zoom, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR 10-bit rec. (4K, 1080p) |
| Additional Features | Leica lenses, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is arguably the best camera smartphone of 2022. It bests the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max when it comes to color corrections. The reason why it beats the iPhone and Galaxy phone is that it features the latest 1-inch type Sony IMX989 camera sensor that lets in more light. The quality of photos from the cameras of the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is just too good.
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Aside from quality, the camera is also very versatile. It has a 48MP periscope lens that can do x optical zoom and 120X digital zoom. It also has one of the best stabilization features you’ll see in a 2022 camera smartphone. The cameras of the Xiaomi 12S Ultra give you everything you need in a phone including an impressive Multicam mode that allows you to use 6 cameras simultaneously.
Buy Xiaomi 12S Ultra
| Xiaomi 12S Ultra | Price |
| Buy on Giztop | $1,199 |
2. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Galaxy S22 Ultra Camera features
| Galaxy S22 Ultra | Camera Features |
| Rear Camera | 108 + 10 + 10 + 12MP |
| Front Camera | 40MP |
| Camera Features | 10x optical zoom 3x optical zoom 8K video Resolution super steady video OIS and gyro-EIS Laser AF |
| Additional Features | Dual video call Auto HDR Cinematic Mode Expert RAW |
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra comes with big camera sensors and also lots of camera features. Its main camera sensor is a 108MP with PDAF, Laser AF, and OIS features. Then there is a 10MP periscope telephoto lens with dual pixel PDAF, OIS, and 10x optical zoom. The third sensor at the rear is another 10MP camera with dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom, and lastly, there is a 12MP with dual pixel PDAF, and Super Steady video feature. Upfront, it comes with a 40MP selfie camera with PDAF and has support for dual video calls and Auto-HDR. The Galaxy S22 Ultra has lots of camera options and features.
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It also has the set of most useful camera lenses you’ll see in a smartphone. Its portrait mode is top-notch and does a great job at detecting the edges. The camera can focus very well and separate the object from the background. When it comes to video, you can shoot videos in 8K resolution at 24fps and it also has HDR10+, stereo sound rec., and gyro-EIS features. There is a cinematic mode and it also has support for the Expert RAW App for those into professional videography.
Buy Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
| Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra | Price |
| Buy on Amazon | $1,199.99 |
3. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 13 Pro Max Camera features
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | Camera Features |
| Rear Camera | 12 + 12 + 12MP + TOF 3D LiDAR |
| Front Camera | 12MP + SL 3D |
| Camera Features | 3x optical zoom 4K video Resolution super steady video sensor-shift OIS |
| Additional Features | ProRes Cinematic Mode Dolby Vision HDR 10‑bit HDR |
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max is easily the best camera phone to buy if you’re into videography. It offers the best video capture experience. The device can shoot videos in 4K resolution at all sorts of frame rates using all its triple rear cameras. Its camera also boasts the best stabilization you’ll see in a smartphone. It has a 12MP main camera with dual-pixel PDAF and sensor-shift OIS, a 12MP telephoto lens with PDAF, OIS, and 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens with PDAF, and a TOF 3D LiDAR scanner. Upfront, it has a 12MP selfie camera and an SL 3D camera for biometrics (Face ID).
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The only reason this device is sitting below the Galaxy S22 Ultra above is that it lacks the zoom capabilities of that device. Taking that aside, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is easily the best camera phone of 2022 especially when it comes to recording or shooting videos. Its cameras take awesome photos and it has tons of video features such as 10‑bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, Cinematic mode, and stereo sound rec. If shooting videos is your thing, then the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the best camera phone to buy.
Buy Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | Price |
| Buy on Gazelle | $1,069.00 |
4. Sony Xperia Pro-I
Sony Xperia Pro-I Camera features
| Sony Xperia Pro-I | Camera Features |
| Rear Camera | 12 + 12 + 12 + 0.3 MP, TOF 3D |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Camera Features | 2x optical zoom 4K video Resolution OIS |
| Additional Features | 5-axis gyro-EIS Zeiss optics Zeiss T* lens coating 12-bit RAW |
The Sony Xperia Pro-I is another good camera smartphone you can buy in 2022. It has a 12MP main camera with PDAF and OIS (315 PDAF points, 90% frame coverage), a 12MP telephoto with PDAF, 2x optical zoom, and OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide lens with Dual Pixel PDAF, and a 0.3 MP, TOF 3D depth sensor. Upfront it has an 8MP camera that can shoot video in 1080p at 30fps with support for 5-axis gyro-EIS.
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The camera features include Zeiss optics and Zeiss T* lens coating. These features help in the reduction of reflection when taking photos. You can shoot videos in 4K resolution with impressive stabilization (5-axis gyro-EIS and OIS). This is the only device on this list to also feature the 1.0-type image sensor. The Sony Xperia pro-I also has the set of most camera features when using the Camera App. In fact, for average users, the photo and video features in this device can be very confusing. But, for professionals, the camera features are very useful.
Buy Sony Xperia Pro-I
| Sony Xperia Pro-I | Price |
| Buy on Amazon | $1,798.00 |
| Buy on Amazon UK | £1,426.18 |
Best camera phones 2022 under $1,000
5. Google Pixel 6 Pro
Google Pixel 6 Pro Camera features
| Google Pixel 6 Pro | Camera Features |
| Rear Camera | 50 + 48 + 12MP |
| Front Camera | 11.1MP |
| Camera Features | 4x optical zoom 4K video Resolution OIS and gyro-EIS Laser AF |
| Additional Features | Pixel Shift Auto-HDR Dual-LED flash |
The Google Pixel 6 Pro offers a set of very useful cameras. You get a 50MP main camera with Laser AF and OIS feature, a 48MP telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom and OIS feature, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. Both the back and 11.1MP front camera can record video in 4K resolution. Photos from the Pixel 6 Pro are well processed and detailed.
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The Pixel 6 Pro uses a new Google ISP to process its images and you also get the Pixel Shift along with the OIS features to help record stable videos. The cameras of this phone might not have all the crazy video features but the cameras sure deliver when it’s called upon. With the Pixel 6 Pro cameras, you get to take crisp images and also spend less than $1000 for the device.
Buy Pixel 6 Pro
| Pixel 6 Pro | Price |
| Buy on Amazon UK | £1,025.00 |
6. OnePlus 10 Pro
OnePlus 10 Pro Camera features
| OnePlus 10 Pro | Camera Features |
| Rear Camera | 48 + 8 + 50MP |
| Front Camera | 32MP |
| Camera Features | 3.3x optical zoom 8K video Resolution OIS and gyro-EIS Laser AF multi-directional PDAF |
| Additional Features | Auto HDR Hasselblad Color Calibration Dual-LED dual-tone flash |
The OnePlus 10 Pro offers a very good camera experience. It gives you the excitement of using the camera along with quality. The company partnered with Hasselblad to help fine-tune the photo quality. Some people might say the photos from the device are overly-processed but I say the photos are colorful. And its camera also comes with some cool features.
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The main 48MP camera has multi-directional PDAF and OIS, the 8MP telephoto has OIS and 3.3x optical zoom, and the 50MP ultra-wide lens comes with Auto Focus. In most situations, the cameras of the smartphone are useful. The partnership with Hasselblad has taken the photo quality of the OnePlus 10 Pro to a whole new level.
Buy OnePlus 10 Pro
| OnePlus 10 Pro | Price |
| Buy on Giztop | $699 |
7. iQOO 9 Pro
iQOO 9 Pro Camera features
| iQOO 9 Pro | Camera Features |
| Rear Camera | 50 + 16 + 50MP |
| Front Camera | 16MP |
| Camera Features | 2.5x optical zoom 8K video Resolution gimbal OIS AF (Auto Focus) |
| Additional Features | Dual-LED flash HDR gyro-EIS |
The iQOO 9 Pro is one of the affordable flagship smartphones you can buy in 2022 with good cameras. Its price starts at 4969 for the 256GB of storage option and it offers decent camera features. One of the most interesting camera features is the gimbal-OIS and optical zoom.
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With the gimbal-OIS, you can shoot steady video while with the 2.5x optical zoom you can take photos of objects from a distance. It does not have the many camera features in the first three phones but you’ll be saving a few bucks when you buy this phone and its camera quality is very good.
Buy iQOO 9 Pro
| iQOO 9 Pro | Price |
| Buy on Giztop | $969 |
Best camera phones 2022 under $500
8. Realme 9 Pro+
Realme 9 Pro+ Camera features
| Realme 9 Pro+ | Camera Features |
| Rear Camera | 50 + 8 + 2MP |
| Front Camera | 16MP |
| Camera Features | 4K video Resolution OIS and gyro-EIS PDAF |
| Additional Features | HDR LED flash |
If you’re looking for a good camera phone under $500 in 2022, the Realme 9 Pro+ is probably a good place to start. The phone features a 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor with an OIS feature. This camera can take clear photos and it’s the sensor used in many flagship smartphones.
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The back camera can shoot videos in 4K resolution with the gyro-EIS feature available. While the 16MP front camera can not shoot 4K videos, it can shoot steady 1080p video. The quality of daytime and nighttime photos from the 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor is just incredible. You also get an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro camera to aid the 50MP main camera at the rear.
Buy Realme 9 Pro+
| Realme 9 Pro+ | Price |
| Buy Realme Store | $466 |
9. Google Pixel 5a
Google Pixel 5a Camera features
| Google Pixel 5a | Camera Features |
| Rear Camera | 12.2 + 16MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Camera Features | 4K video Resolution OIS and gyro-EIS dual-pixel PDAF |
| Additional Features | Pixel Shift Auto-HDR LED flash |
The Google Pixel 5a only comes with dual rear cameras. A 12.2MP main camera with OIS and a 16MP ultra-wide lens. The quality of the photo that comes out of these two lenses is incredible. It takes well-detailed photos and can separate the background from the object. You can basically use the two cameras for everything even for taking photos from afar.
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The quality of photos from the Pixel 5a is so good that it made the list along with flagship phones as one of the best camera smartphones of 2021 (and now 2022, that is two years). You can shoot video up to 4K resolution and the camera comes with really nice stabilization features.
Buy Google Pixel 5a
| Google Pixel 5a | Price |
| Buy on Amazon | $464.35 |
| Buy on eBay | $369.99 |
10. Samsung Galaxy A52s
Galaxy A52s 5G Camera features
| Galaxy A52s | Camera Features |
| Rear Camera | 64 + 12 + 5 + 5MP |
| Front Camera | 32MP |
| Camera Features | 4K video Resolution OIS and gyro-EIS PDAF |
| Additional Features | HDR LED flash |
The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G comes with sets of useful cameras. There is the 64MP main camera with OIS, then a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP macro lens, a 5MP depth sensor, and a 32MP selfie camera. Both the back and front cameras can shoot videos in 4K resolution. Plus, you also get to record steady video using the electric image stabilization feature (gyro-EIS).
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The camera of this phone might not have a telephoto lens but it has a macro lens that is good for taking images of small objects. The 5MP depth sensor also does a good job of bringing blurring the background and keeping the object in focus.
Buy Galaxy A52s 5G
| Galaxy A52s 5G | Price |
| Buy on Amazon | $374.00 |
Best Camera Phones 2022: Conclusion
These are the best camera phones of 2022 and depending on your budget you can buy anyone. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and iPhone 13 Pro Max might be expensive but they sure offer the best camera experience.
Are the dmartphones based on what you think?? Like how is it possible that the Mi 11 Ultra won’t be here??
How many phone up there have you used?? You added the Pixel 5a without adding the S21 Ultra. You talked about best camera phone for 2022 but I can see phones launched last year.
Hello Revi, most of the phones on the list my team and I I’ve used them. And we based the selection on the camera experience. That is why in the table I tried to single out areas where the cameras are most powerful. Like the iPhone 13 Pro Max has the best camera for videography.
With that said, the Galaxy S21 Ultra and Mi 11 Ultra are good 2021 camera smartphones but the arrival of new phones in 2022 that cost around same price pushed them out.
About the Google Pixel 5a from last year making the list, we tested lots of phones under $500 (even those released in 2022) and only the Realme 9 Pro+ is worthy of taking up the space. It was not only about the year of release, quality for the phone in that price range was also a factor for selection.
With all the above said, thank you very much for your observations and your question. I hope this help clears things up a little. Plus, this list is also dynamic and if we see a 2022 phone that meets standards, we’ll adjust. (We’re currently testing the iPhone SE 2022).
Warm Regards