Best camera phone 2021?

Carabosse · 15 Dec 2021 at 02:06

Hi guys. Newbie here and a keen photographer... although these days I tend to spend more time talking about the subject than actually taking photos.

I have two cameras and two smartphones. I want to get into the position of having one camera and one phone. Too much hardware!

I have read endless reviews on the web and have ended up getting more confused than when I started. So I've come to the experts.... OcUK is highly recommended .

My phones are a Samsung S10e and an Honor Play. I don't regard either of them as suitable camera replacements as neither has an optical telephoto lens.

Can you help me out here. Preferably with your personal experience of phones which may fit the bill as a camera replacement.Thanks.

V_R · 15 Dec 2021 at 07:22

Best is subjective, but any of the "flagship" devices (Pixel 6/pro, iPhone, S21 etc) take very good photos. They all have their own style too, which might sway your decision.

Also lol at experts. :cry:

mrgubby · 15 Dec 2021 at 09:08

No phone is a camera replacement, it's just the best camera you have with you at the time

Carabosse · 15 Dec 2021 at 16:02

The phone won't replace my interchangeable lens system, just my Sony compact.

As a supplementary, would any of you guys buy a used or refurbished phone? Or are issues such as a clapped out battery too much of a risk?

grudas · 15 Dec 2021 at 21:12

Pixel 6/6 pro and iPhone 13 pro

MrRockliffe · 15 Dec 2021 at 21:16

The most complete system is the iPhone 13 Pro.

Carabosse · 15 Dec 2021 at 21:31

What about the Samsung S21 Ultra ?

grudas · 15 Dec 2021 at 22:22

Carabosse said:
What about the Samsung S21 Ultra ?

Up there if you like the size. Not as consistent as others tho

Carabosse · 15 Dec 2021 at 22:27

I don't like the size of any of the aforementioned phones! Compared with my S10e they are all monsters.

But I realise there's a price to be paid (in every sense) if I want a phone which has good photographic ability/flexibility which for me has to include optical telephoto.

grudas · 15 Dec 2021 at 22:41

Carabosse said:
I don't like the size of any of the aforementioned phones! Compared with my S10e they are all monsters.

But I realise there's a price to be paid (in every sense) if I want a phone which has good photographic ability/flexibility which for me has to include optical telephoto.

Honestly the iPhone 13 pro while very expensive is also quite compact.

mrgubby · 15 Dec 2021 at 22:43

I carry my S20 FE with me always and have A3 prints on the wall produced by it, I'm not convinced that a S21 or an Iphone13 would be worth the extra money.

(I'd rather just take my R5 with me

)

Minstadave · 15 Dec 2021 at 22:47

Carabosse said:
What about the Samsung S21 Ultra ?

I find it very inconsistent to be honest, the main camera is pretty good, the wide OK, the zoom is a bit "meh". The computational stuff with multi-shot HDR is pretty impressive at times I have to say.

Video doesn't look amazing once light levels drop.

kakarott · 16 Dec 2021 at 08:07

MrRockliffe said:
The most complete system is the iPhone 13 Pro.

Yep. Also I don't think anyone can match them on video.

david25 · 16 Dec 2021 at 09:05

Pricey but the best!

https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_pro_i-review-2353.php

Deleted member 77746 · 16 Dec 2021 at 09:10

iPhone

Feek · 16 Dec 2021 at 09:32

Carabosse said:
As a supplementary, would any of you guys buy a used or refurbished phone? Or are issues such as a clapped out battery too much of a risk?

If you buy a refurbished iPhone direct from Apple, you're getting a phone which is as good as a brand spanking new one, complete with a new battery. If you buy one from eBay or Amazon that's 'refurbished', all they've probably done is clean the outside and erase it.

Carabosse · 17 Dec 2021 at 01:44

Thanks for the comments guys. Very helpful. I have always had Android phones and the idea of switching to iOS makes me just a tad uneasy..... dunno why!

But I am kinda hearing that as an overall photo/video package the iPhone 13 Pro Max is hard to beat?

robj20 · 17 Dec 2021 at 04:12

Surely it's that new Sony phone. Still wouldn't replace my camera with it though.

edscdk · 17 Dec 2021 at 04:41

The new snapdragon 8 gen 1 is supposed to have much better image processing the reviews were so compelling I might get a new phone next year... Though I suspect it will only be better on paper but I can hope

Carabosse · 17 Dec 2021 at 16:52

There's comparison review of the Sony Pro-1 with its competitors here :

https://youtu.be/hMrApotAPkA