Having a reliable DSLR camera is always a good thing, especially if you’re really into taking a lot of pictures of your adventures, but sometimes it’s not really convenient to lug around something heavy and complicated—this is where smartphones come in.
Before you argue that DSLRs produce better photos, take into account that even pro photographers rely heavily on their smartphone cameras. In fact, some have even produced books and other materials solely with photos taken using this versatile gadget. At the end of the day, it’s your eye for special moments and knowing how to use whatever camera you have that will make a great photo. As the saying goes, “the best camera is the one you have in your hand.”
So if you’re planning to buy a new phone, make sure to invest in one that can double as a great camera. Even if you think that it won’t really matter in the long run, it definitely will, especially if you love to travel. Here are five devices that were recently released.
Huawei P20
Rear Camera Specs: 12 MP (RGB, f/1.8 aperture) + 20 MP (Monochrome, f/1.6 aperture)
Front Camera Specs: 24 MP, f/2.0 aperture
Price: to be announced
Huawei has worked hard to compete with the best camera phones, and the effort has paid off as its flagship devices are considered to have some of the best lenses out there. With three Leica-powered lenses, the new Huawei P20’s rear snapper “can see in the dark” to capture moments even in low-light conditions. It also comes with an AI image stabilizer to minimize shake.
Asus Zenfone 5
Rear Camera Specs: 12MP Sony flagship dual pixel image sensor (f/1.8 aperture) + 8MP (120-degrees wide-angle)
Front Rear Camera Specs: 8MP (f/2.0 aperture)
Price: to be announced
The Zenfone series has been known to deliver cutting-edge specs for reasonable rates. The Zenfone 5, which is ASUS’ newest top-of-the-line device, is equipped with “intelligent cameras that learn to think like you” by collecting data on your photography preferences and habits. Both cameras have night high dynamic range (HDR) for clear captures.
Google Pixel 2
Rear Camera Specs: 12MP (f/1.8 aperture) with RAISR technology and dual pixel phase detection
Front Camera Specs: 8MP (f/2.4 aperture)
Price: P34,800
The Google Pixel 2 was launched late last year but is still hard to come by as very few stores carry it. Quite underrated, the Pixel series followed the Nexus series of phones created by the tech giant for those looking for a pure Android experience (plus you get the perk of receiving upgrades and fixes first). While the Pixel 2 only has one rear camera, it comes with RAISR (Rapid and Accurate Image Super Resolution) technology—an AI that merges several raw photos into a perfect HDR+ shot.
Samsung Galaxy S9+
Rear Camera Specs: 12MP (dual aperture - f/1.5 and f/2.4 mode) + 12MP (f/2.4 aperture)
Front Camera Specs: 8MP, f/1.7 aperture
Price: P52,990 (64GB), P55,990 (128GB), P60,990 (256GB)
The Samsung Galaxy S9+ prides itself on developing a rear camera that works like the human eye through “dual aperture,” enabling it to “automatically switch between various lighting conditions.” The twin lenses can quickly detect changes in environments, making it easier for you to take photos in the brightest and darkest situations. The camera app also comes with bells and whistles—from super slow-mo options to gif-making capabilities.
iPhone X
Rear Camera Specs: 12MP (wide angle - f/1.8) + 12MP (telephoto - f/2.4 aperture)
Front Camera Specs: 7MP (f/2.2 aperture)
Price: from P64,490
Apple has always been known to deliver when it comes to smartphone cameras, and it continues to do so with the iPhone X. If you enjoy taking videos of your travels, you’ll love the detailed consistency that its main cameras produce when you shift from taking stills to capturing video, plus it can record in slow-motion at full HD resolution.
