Best Camera Phone 2021_Based on 1, 135, 724 Blind Tests | P&P RANK

Dec-6-2021 updated

Are you looking for the best camera phone recommendations? In addition to the DXOMARK scores, you now have another reliable second opinion- the P&P RANK.

The P&P RANK is a fair and honest measure that consumers can refer to before deciding which best smartphone to buy. It aggregates the votes from thousands of blind tests by comparing photos taken from different smartphones at the Phone & Photo site.

What's the difference between the P&P RANK and DXOMARK?

The DXOMARK score is more like Michelin as it is based on the professional judgments of a small group of experts. By contrast, the P&P Rank is more like Yelp (one of the most popular restaurants and local business review services in the world) as it reflects the preferences and opinions of the masses.

The P&P RANK also aims to include mid-range and budget phones. Nowadays, phone makers consider the best cameras to be not just flagship phones but also budget phones owing to their business strategy. Take the Pixel 5 for example; it costs less than $500 yet it’s a camera that is really kicking the asses of other expensive phones. This is definitely a great trend and good news for people. As this trend continues, we believe you will find more mind-blowing results using the P&P RANK.

How does the P&P RANK work?

The P&P RANK is based on tens of thousands of blind tests on the Phone & Photo site. Phone & Photo create standard studio scenes and compile photos from different smartphones for these tests. By comparing mobile phone images taken under the same light conditions and with the same camera settings, people can vote for the picture they prefer in each scene and, hopefully, will find their ideal camera phone.
By aggregating votes of a certain duration, we can find the Best Camera Phone of the Year, Best Camera Phone of the Month, Best Selfie Camera of the year, and Best Selfie Camera of the Month.

We collect votes from all test scenes to decide the Best Camera Phone 2021. For the Best Selfie Camera categories, only front camera test scenes are included.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE  Best Selfie Camera 2021 

1, 135, 724 Blind Tests 

2020/11/01- 2021/11/30

(Votes from all test scenes at Phone&Photo)

Top 10 Best Camera Phones 2021 Above $500 USD

No.10 Vivo X70 Pro 

 Rear Camera 

Quad

50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, Laser AF, gimbal OIS

8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom

12 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom

12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm

 Front Camera 

Single

32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm

 Camera samples  Vivo X70 Pro 

No.9 Apple iPhone SE 2020

 Rear Camera 

Single

12 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF, OIS

Front Camera 

Single

7 MP, f/2.2

 Camera samples  iPhone SE 2020 

 Camera samples  iPhone SE 2020 VS Google Pixel 3a

No.8 iPhone 12 Pro Max

 Rear Camera 

Triple
12 MP, f/1.6,  (wide)
12 MP, f/2.0 (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide), FOV 120°

Feature

2.5X optical zoom in / 2X optical zoom out / Digital zoom up to 12x / Night mode portraits enabled by LiDAR Scanner/ Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono) (f16 to f1.4) / Dual optical image stabilization (Wide and Telephoto) / Five‑element lens (Ultra Wide); six-element lens (Wide and Telephoto) / Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control / Panorama (up to 63MP) / Sapphire crystal lens cover / 100% Focus Pixels (Wide) / Night mode (Ultra Wide, Wide) /Deep Fusion (Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto) / Apple ProRAW/ Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos / Advanced red‑eye correction / Photo geotagging / Auto image stabilization / Burst mode / Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG

 Camera samples  iPhone 12 Pro Max 

No.7 OPPO FIND X2

 Rear Camera 

Triple

48 MP,( Wide Angle) Sony IMX586, 1/2", f/1.7, 6P 

12MP (Ultra Wide Angle) Sony IMX708, ½.4", f/2.2, 6P, 120°

13MP (Telephoto) f/2.4 aperture, 5P 

Feature

All Pixel Omni-Directional PDAF/ Image Stabilization: dual optical image stabilization (OIS)+electronic image stabilization (EIS)/ Focusing Method: contrast detection auto focus (CDAF)+phase detection auto focus (PDAF)+laser auto focus (LAF)/ Dual Native ISO/ 12-bit True Capture/ Ultra Night Mode 3.0

3cm ultra macro shooting/ Second-generation 5x hybrid zoom, up to 20x digital zoom/ Support up to 8000*6000 resolution (48MP mode) and 4000*3000 resolution (ordinary mode)

LED flash/ Fill light/ HDR/ Portrait/ AI Beauty / Stickers / Panorama/ Expert 

 Camera samples  OPPO FIND X2 

No.6 Google Pixel 6 Pro 

Rear Camera 

Triple

50 MP, f/1.85, 27mm (wide), FOV 82°, 1/1.31", 1.2µm, Octa PD Quad Bayer, OIS

12 MP, f/2.2, FOV 114°(ultrawide), 1.25µm

48 MP, f/3.5, 27mm (telephoto), FOV  23.5°, 1/2", 0.8µm, OIS, 4x optical zoom, Super Res Zoom with telephoto up to 20x

Front Camera 

11.1 MP, f/2.2,  FOV 84°,  1.22µm, Fixed focus

 Camera samples  Google Pixel 6 Pro 

No.5 Samsung S20 FE

 Rear Camera 

Triple

12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, FOV: 79˚, Super Speed Dual Pixel AF, OIS

12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm, FOV: 123˚

8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom

Front Camera

Single

32 MP, f/2.2 (wide),0.8 µm, FOV: 81˚

 Camera samples  Samsung S20 FE 

No.4 Apple iPhone 13/ 13 mini

 Rear Camera 

Dual

12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS

12 MP, f/2.4,  FOV 120°, 13mm (ultrawide)

Front Camera 

Single

12 MP dual pixel image sensor, f/2.2 

 Camera samples  iPhone 13/ 13 mini

No.3 Samsung Z Flip 3

 Rear Camera 

Dual

12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, FOV: 78˚, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS

12 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm, FOV: 123˚

Front Camera

Single

10 MP, f/2.4 (wide),1.22µm, FOV: 78˚

 Camera samples  Samsung Z flip 3 

No.2 Samsung S21 Ultra

 Rear Camera 

Quad

12 MP, f/2.2, (Ultra wide) 1.4µm,FOV: 120˚,Super speed Dual Pixel AF

108 MP, F1.8 (wide), 1/1.33" ,0.8µm (12MP 2.4μm), FOV: 83˚ ,OIS, PDAF

10 MP, f/4.9, (telephoto), 1/2.0", 1.22µm, FOV: 10˚,Dual Pixel AF

10 MP, f/2.4,(telephoto), 1.22µm, FOV: 35˚

Feature

Dual Optic Zoom 3X, 10X/ Super Resolution Zoom up to 100x / 108 MP / Night mode / OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) / Beauty mode-Auto: Intensity level 0-3 / Beauty mode-Manual :Smoothness 0-8, Tone -4-4, Jawline 0-8, Eyes 0-8 / Tracking AF / Intelligent features: Scene Optimizer, Shot suggestions, Flaw Detection/ Modes: Food, Panorama, Pro, Super Slow-mo, Night, Hyperlapse / Live focus with bokeh filters (background blur effect 0-7) / AR Emoji / Grid lines / HDR (High Dynamic Range) / Motion photo / Location tags / Full view / Filters / Timer / Floating camera button / Stamps / Quick launch

 Camera samples  Samsung S21 Ultra 

No.1 Apple iPhone 13 Pro/ 13 Pro Max

 Rear Camera 

Triple

12 MP, f/1.5, 26mm (wide), 1.9µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS

12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom

12 MP, f/1.8, 13mm,  FOV 120°(ultrawide), PDAF

TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)

Front Camera 

Single

12 MP dual pixel image sensor, f/2.2 

 Camera samples  iPhone 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max

Top 10 Best Camera Phones 2021 Under $500 USD

No.10 VIVO X50 

 Rear Camera 
Quad

48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF, OIS

13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (portrait), 1/2.8"

8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm

5 MP, f/2.5, (macro)

Feature

SONY IMX598 sensor/ AI denoise algorithm/ AI Super Wide-Angle Camera 120-degree

Super Night Mode/ PDAF Fast Focusing/ AI scene recognition/ HDR

Portrait(Art Portrait, AI Makeup, Filters, etc.)/ PROFESSIONAL/ Filter

AR Stickers/ DOC/ Panorama

 Camera samples  VIVO X50

No.9 Xiaomi 10T Lite 5G

 Rear Camera 

Quad

64 MP, f/1.89, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8μm pixel size, 4-in-1 to 1.6μm Super Pixel

, PDAF, Sony IMX682

8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4"sensor size, f/2.2, 5P lens, 1.12μm pixel size

2 MP, f/2.4, (macro), 1.75μm pixel size,3P lens, FF(4cm)，1/5’’ sensor size

2 MP, f/2.4, (depth), 1.75μm pixel size,1/5"sensor size, f/2.4, 3P lens, FF

 Front Camera 

Single

16 MP, F/2.45, 1.0μm pixel size

1 /3.06" sensor size, f/2.45, 5P lens, FF

 Camera samples Xiaomi 10T lite

No.8 OPPO Reno 5 5G 

 Rear Camera 

Quad

64 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.73", 80˚ 0.8µm, PDAF

8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 119˚ 1/4.0", 1.12µm

2 MP, f/2.4, (macro),89˚ 

2 MP, B&W, f/2.4, (depth),89˚ 

Feature

Ultra Dark Mode/ Ultrawide mode/ LED flash/ HDR portrait / Portrait mode 2.0

AI Beauty:0-100/ Dazzle color / Panorama/ Expert / Filter

 Camera samples OPPO Reno 5 5G

No.7 POCO F3 5G

 Rear Camera 

Triple

48 MP, f/1.79, 26mm (wide), 1.6μm 4-in-1 Super Pixel

8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)

5 MP, f/2.4, (macro), AF, (3cm-7cm)

 Front Camera 

Single

20 MP, F/2.45

 Camera samples POCO F3

No.6 HTC U20 5G

 Rear Camera 

Quad

48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF

8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm

2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)

2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)

Feature

Portrait/ Wide-angle mode/ Macro mode: 25-100 mm 

Timer/ Face recognition / Panorama/ Auto HDR/ LED Flashlight

 Camera samples  HTC U20 5G

No.5 Samsung A52S 

 Rear Camera 

Quad

64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS

12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm

5 MP, f/2.4, (macro)

5 MP, f/2.4, (depth)

 Front Camera 

Single

32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 0.8µm

 Camera samples Samsung A52S

No.4 Google Pixel 4a

 Rear Camera 

Single

12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, FOV: 77°, dual pixel PDAF, OIS

Feature

Light: Auto, Cloudy, Sunny, Fluorescent, Tungsten/ Motion/ Portrait/

Face retouching: Off, Natural, Soft/ Night Sight/ Photo Sphere/ Playground

Gestures/ Raw+JPG/ Panorama

 Camera samples  Pixel 4a

 

No.3 OPPO Reno 6

 Rear Camera 

Triple

64 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 26mm,1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF

8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 119˚ 1/4.0", 1.12µm

2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)

 Front Camera 

Single

32 MP, f/2.4,  (wide), ,81˚

 Camera samples OPPO 6

No.2 Realme X50 

 Rear Camera 

Quad

48MP Ultra High-resolution Primary Camera, f/1.8, 6P lens
8MP Ultra Wide-angle Lens, FOV 119°, f/2.3, 5P lens

B&W Portrait Lens, f/2.4, 3P lens

2MP Macro lens, 4cm focus, f/2.4, 3P lens

Rear Camera 

Dual

16MP Primary camera, Sony IMX471, FOV 79.3°, f/2.0, 5P lens 

2MP Portrait Lens, f/2.4, 3P lens

 Camera samples Realme X50

No.1 Google Pixel 4a 5G

Rear Camera 

Dual

12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), FOV 77°, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS

16 MP, f/2.2, 107˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm

Feature

Light: Auto, Cloudy, Sunny, Fluorescent, Tungsten/ Motion/ Portrait/

Face retouching: Off, Natural, Soft/ Night Sight/ Photo Sphere/ Playground

Gestures/ Raw+JPG/ Panorama

 Camera samples  Pixel 4a 5G

👀Check the winners' image samples shot under controlled conditions 

👇👇👇

Why not take a blind test at Phone & Photo right now and find your true-love camera phone?

But why should you take a blind test before buying a phone?

Specification comparisons and those dazzling advertisements don’t mean much, and an expensive phone won’t guarantee outstanding camera performance. In our limited testing experience, we have been amazed many times by the test results. It is frequently the case that budget phones easily beat flagship phones.

Which camera phone is good for you? Let the honest test speak for itself and then, believe me, you will definitely find your ideal phone

READ MORE 
Best Selfie Camera 2021 (Dec 2021 updated)
Camera Review: Samsung A51 better than Samsung A71? 

 MORE BLIND TEST 

 Samsung S21 Ultra VS Samsung Note20 Ultra Camera Blind Test 

 iPhone 11 VS  iPhone 12 Camera Blind Test 

 Pixel 4 5G VS  Pixel 5 5G Camera Blind Test 

 SONY Xperia 1iii VS  iPhone 12Pro Camera Blind Test 

 ASUS Zenfone 8  VS  ASUS Zenfone 8 Flip  Camera Blind Test