What is optical zoom in a smartphone? Choosing a smartphone with optical zoom: Apple, Android and alternatives What is optical zoom

Once upon a time, ambitious smartphone makers said they would soon drive compact cameras out of the market. This happened before our eyes. Today everyone knows that the camera even in an inexpensive smartphone takes pictures no worse than a point-and-shoot camera. Next stage - catch up with DSLR quality. While this does not sound entirely realistic, new smartphones prove that this goal will also be achieved sooner or later. There are a lot of decent models on the market that allow you to create photos of very, very high quality. We analyzed the existing offer and selected smartphones with the best camera of 2018 for our readers. Looking ahead, we note that all these camera phones they are very, very expensive, but the cameras in them are truly luxurious.

When it comes to evaluating a camera, the question involuntarily arises: how can you understand that it is cool in one smartphone, and worse in another? First of all, you need to look at the technical specifications:

• number of megapixels. Forget about the “more is better” rule. This has not been the case for a long time, but for some reason marketers and sellers continue to mislead users. When it comes to a tiny (compared to a DSLR) camera in a smartphone, a large number of megapixels can even cause harm. 12-13 megapixels is enough to create wonderful pictures. It’s good that many companies realized this and focused their attention on improving other parameters;
• diaphragm. To take a good photo, the camera needs light. It hits the matrix and forms an image. Light passes through the aperture, and the wider the aperture blades are open, the greater the chance of getting a clear, beautiful photo, even in less than ideal conditions. In the specifications, the aperture is designated as f/2.0 or F2.0. The lower the number, the better. For example, a camera with f/2.2 and f/1.9 will take equally good pictures during the day, but in the evening with a module with f/1.9 the pictures will be better. Today, the standard even for inexpensive smartphones is f/2.0, and they put it in flagships modules forf/1.8 and evenf/1.6. By the way, a wide aperture, even in the absence of a second module, will allow you to create macro photographs with a bokeh effect;
  
• matrix diagonal. The bigger it is, the better. That's all the average user needs to know. There is no need to go into details. The diagonal of the matrix is ​​indicated by a fractional number, and the smaller the number under the fraction, the better. For example, a 1/3” camera is normal for the budget class, 1/2.9” and 1/2.8” are for the mid-range, and 1/2.5” are for flagships, but there are often exceptions. Recently, manufacturers prefer not to indicate this characteristic at all;
• pixel size. A lot of stupid pixels may not improve the quality of the photo, but, on the contrary, cause blurriness and noise. Therefore it’s better to have fewer larger pixels on the matrix than many small ones. Manufacturers usually indicate the pixel size. For budget and mid-range smartphones this figure should be 1.22 microns or more, in flagships - at least 1.25 microns, and better - 1.4 and even 1.5 microns;
• autofocus type. Autofocus can be contrast (the most primitive, used in very cheap smartphones), phase(works quickly during the day, problems are possible at night) and laser. The latter is the most modern and accurate, always works quickly;
  
• optical stabilization– the key to high-quality photographs of dynamic scenes. This feature is invaluable when shooting video and will be useful to all those whose hands often tremble;
• number of lenses. Many people believe that the more there are, the better. No. It is better when the lenses are of high quality, but this can only be judged by test images;
• camera sensor manufacturer. Modules from Sony, as well as from Samsung(the company makes better sensors for itself than those it sells externally). Slightly worse, but acceptable, sensors are removed from OmniVision. The most popular are Sony sensors, which in the camera characteristics are marked as IMX and a three-digit number, for example, IMX The first digit indicates the generation, the second indicates the class of the photosensor (the larger the better), the third indicates the version;
  
• additional main camera performed in several versions. Option #1 is a black-and-white sensor, which captures light better and allows you to take better photos in low-light conditions. Option #2 – a camera with a wide viewing angle to squeeze as much of the landscape into the frame as possible. Option No. 3 – the second camera is used for zooming.

It also happens that a camera with seemingly ideal parameters takes, to put it mildly, not very good pictures. This means that the manufacturer did not pay enough attention automation, optics and software algorithms. It is advisable to personally evaluate examples of photos in different shooting conditions before purchasing. It often happens that with a fairly mediocre set of characteristics, a smartphone takes excellent pictures - this means that the developer was not too lazy to finish the software shell. But when a manufacturer takes a good sensor, but kills it with lenses or software problems, it’s very disappointing.

We move from theory to practice. We found the best camera phones, selected the best among them and prepared a rating for you. The analysis used sample images, as well as the opinion of an authoritative resourceDxOMark, which tests cameras using its own algorithm and gives them scores. Go!

Smartphones with the best camera 2018

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Just a few weeks ago, the new flagship from Samsung was presented atM.W.C. 2018. The model received a very cool camera and has already been called a smartphone with the best camera in the world. Both the Galaxy S9 Plus and the slightly more compact Galaxy S9 received main module with variable aperture. No one had done this before. Yes, they tried, but Samsung was the first to bring the idea to life. What does it give us? aperture with variable value fromf/2.4 to a/1.5? This feature brings the smartphone camera closer to the DSLR and allows it to adapt to any shooting conditions. When it’s light, the aperture blades close to keep the frame clear and to convey depth, which is especially important when shooting landscapes. When it is dark, the petals open as much as possible to let in light. Tests show that The device takes pictures at night, indeed, much better than all other smartphones, even better than its main competitor, the iPhone X. The matrix resolution is 12 megapixels, there is optical stabilization and phase detection autofocus.

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, unlike the Galaxy S9, received additional main camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels and f/2.4 aperture. The second module is required for 2-card optical zoom. The pixel size of the main camera is 1.4 microns, in the additional one – 1 microns. The smartphone can shoot video in slow motion, has a portrait mode and copes superbly with all shooting scenarios. The 8 MP front camera can also blur the background and takes excellent pictures (f/1.7 aperture, 80-degree viewing angle).

We can talk about the Galaxy S9+ for a long time, because it one of the most advanced smartphones today. It received an 8-core Exynos 9810 processor with a frequency of 2.7 GHz: very powerful, but such resource-intensive applications where this “stone” would show itself 100% have not yet been invented. The screen has a diagonal of 6.2 inches, made using Super AMOLED technology, resolution 2960 * 1440. There is 6 GB of RAM, the main one is 64/128/256 GB, there is a slot for memory cards up to 400 GB. The model received IP68 protection from moisture and dust, is equipped with a face and retinal scanner, and can make AR Emoji - an analogue of Animoji in the iPhone. Add here stereo speakers, fast charging (battery capacity 3500 mAh) and a chic appearance, and we get, perhaps, the best smartphone today. The 6/64 version costs about $1200.

Apple iPhone X

Apple smartphones always have good cameras. The anniversary and revolutionary iPhone X model only confirmed this rule. Before the release of the Galaxy S9+ (and even after it), the camera in the iPhone X will serve as an example for comparison. Apple traditionally pays attention to software optimization, but everything is fine with the hardware. Rear camera – dual, both modules received 12 megapixels. One of them is a wide-angle lens with f/1.8 aperture, the second is a telephoto lens with f/2.4 aperture. Both modules have optical stabilization. There is a portrait mode and 2x optical zoom. The camera performs well in all shooting scenarios, but is inferior to the Galaxy S9+ at night. The front module has a resolution of 7 megapixels, an f/2.2 aperture, and can use the screen backlight as a flash.

The main feature of the new iPhone is the “bangs” on top. The attitude towards it is ambiguous, so we will not comment on this feature. Let us only note that, following Apple, many Chinese companies have churned out clones of the iPhone X at very different prices. The AMOLED screen has a diagonal of 5.8 inches and a resolution of 2436 * 1125, the highest contrast and brightness. A fast processor, IP67 water and dust protection, face recognition technology and other more or less useful features make the gadget dream smartphone. The dream (64 GB version) costs about $1350.

Google Pixel 2

The flagship from Google is distinguished not only by its compact size, but also by its conservatism, and this is not a minus at all. The company did not use fashion trends such as a dual camera and an elongated screen. However, the smartphone takes excellent photos, and many experts are confident that this is the best camera phone at the moment. The main module has a resolution of 12.3 megapixels (f/1.8 aperture, pixel size 1.4 microns, matrix diagonal 1/2.6”), phase and laser autofocus, optical and electronic stabilization. Everything is perfect on paper, and in reality it’s no worse. The camera can handle any scene, the pictures turn out really gorgeous - amateur photographers should appreciate it.

The front camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels, an aperture of f/ 2.4, a pixel size of 1.4 microns and a matrix diagonal of 1/3.2”. The characteristics, frankly, are not so hot, but the front camera takes pictures very well. In addition, background blur is also implemented here. In general, the pictures come out great in any conditions. Video can be shot in 4K at 30fps, FullHD at up to 120fps, and HD at 240fps.

As for the main parameters, the smartphone received a 5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920*1080, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5, fast Snapdragon 835 processor with a frequency of up to 2.45 GHz, IP67 water and dust protection. The battery capacity is small (obviously for the sake of compactness) - 2700 mAh, but the fast charging function should save it. The smartphone is equipped with 4 GB of RAM, main memory – 64 or 128 GB. The pluses also include the presence of stereo speakers, an active noise reduction system and a bunch of chips from the manufacturer. There is no 3.5mm jack. The device costs about $800: a lot, but better than its competitors.

Huawei Mate 10 Pro

Another confident contender for the title of smartphone with the best camera. The device has a glass body, a giant screen, a fast processor, enviable battery life and a dual camera, which becomes the object of our interest. The Leica main camera duo is positioned vertically. The color module has a resolution of 12 megapixels, the additional monochrome module has a resolution of 20 megapixels. Aperture for both camerasf/1,6 , contrast, phase and laser autofocus, optical stabilization, there is a 2x hybrid zoom. The smartphone is excellent at taking photos in low light conditions, not to mention simpler shooting scenarios such as landscapes, portraits and macro. The background is blurred perfectly, the pictures are clear and the colors are reproduced correctly. The front module has an 8 megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture and fixed focus. He copes with his tasks at a high level.

Huawei installed in its flagship an 8-core HiSilicon Kirin 970 processor with a frequency of up to 2.36 GHz and neural computing module. Thanks to this solution, the smartphone will cope much more quickly and efficiently with applications that use artificial intelligence technology. OLED screen with a diagonal of 6 inches and a resolution of 2160*1080, protective glass, 4000 mAh battery with fast charging function, IP67 waterproof – here everything is so perfect it's boring. The only downsides are the easily soiled body (glass, after all) and the price. There are versions with 4 and 6 GB RAM, main memory can be 64/128/256. The “simplest” phone with 4/64 GB costs $630, which compares favorably with its more expensive fellow camera phones.

HTC U11 and HTC U11 Plus

HTC U11 was released in the summer of 2017 and captivated fans of mobile photography with its excellent photography in the dark and excellent detail when photographing complex objects such as threads and hair. There were only questions about the design, so in the fall the company released the HTC U11 Plus. The camera module remains the same, but they worked on the appearance: whether it has become better is a big question, everything is subjective.

The main camera in both models received a resolution of 12 megapixels and aperturef/1.7 , pixel size – 1.4 microns, there is optical image stabilization. All this means that both day and night you will be able to get photos of excellent quality, with a spectacularly blurred background. Post-processing enthusiasts will love the fact that smartphone can shoot inRAW. Naturally, there is a manual mode - the user can configure all shooting parameters himself. The 16 megapixel front module with f/2.0 aperture and without autofocus allows you to create very decent selfies. In general, the device deserves to be included in the ranking of smartphones with the best camera.

HTC U11 received a body made of glass and metal, a 5.5-inch screen with a resolution of 2560*1440, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and a 3000 mAh battery. The 8-core Snapdragon 835 with a frequency of up to 2.45 GHz is responsible for performance; there are versions with 4 and 6 GB of RAM, and 64/128 GB of main memory. An under-screen fingerprint scanner, features include a body compression sensor and a physical activity tracking sensor. The price for the 4/64 version is about $660.

HTC U11 Plus received, as is now commonly called, a full-screen 6-inch display with an aspect ratio of 18:9. The changes also affected the battery: in the new version its capacity is 3930 mAh. The 4/64 version costs $790.

Apple iPhone 8 and Apple iPhone 8 Plus

Yes, the eighth iPhones are criticized for their outdated design, but they still buy them, because in terms of technical characteristics they are almost ideal. The new iPhones differ from the iPhone 7s by having a glass body, a faster processor and an increased amount of memory. The rest has not changed, but the cameras began to shoot even better. In the Plus version, the main camera is dual, in the younger version it remains single.

iPhone 8 Plus received two main camera modules 12 MP each. One of them is wide-angle with an f/1.8 aperture, the second is a telephoto lens with an f/2.8 aperture. Eat dual optical zoom, portrait mode, stage lighting mode, and the wide-angle lens received optical stabilization. iPhone 8 equipped with only one 12 MP f/1.8 lens, there is no optical zoom. The cameras work quickly, produce images of decent quality, and they are not afraid of the dark. The 7 MP f/2.2 front camera produces decent results.

The eighth iPhones look solid. The younger version received a 4.7-inch screen (resolution 1334*750), the older version – 5.5 inches (1920*1080). Both versions are powered by a 6-core A11 Bionic processor, equipped with 3 GB of RAM, the main one can be 64 or 256 GB. Powerful and beautiful apples are traditionally not cheap - fashion gadgets, after all. iPhone 8 – from $790, iPhone 8 Plus – from $1060.

We also note that the year before last iPhone 7 andiPhone 7 Plus also filmed at the level, namely, the iPhone 7 Plus set the trend for dual main cameras.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Last year, the company’s line of phablets was replenished with the Galaxy Note 8 model. This year, obviously, an updated version will be released, but for now, the “eight” can confidently fight for the title of the best camera phone. However, the camera is not the only advantage of the gadget, but it is very, very significant. Both main cameras received 12 megapixel resolution and optical stabilization. This was the first smartphone in which both main modules are equipped with optical stabilization. One of the cameras is wide-angle with an f/1.7 aperture, the second is a tele-camera with an f/2.4 aperture. Their joint work allows you to create excellent photographs in any conditions and effectively blur the background. Thanks to the function dynamic focus You can change the focus object after shooting. The photos turn out spectacular. The good news is that video in 4K resolution turns out to be of really high quality. The front camera, with its 8 megapixels and f/1.7, performs quite well.

The giant 6.3-inch display amazes with high-quality images. The device comes to our market with a Samsung Exynos 8895 processor: in AnTuTu tests, the device scores more than 170 thousand points. This is power! RAM of 6 GB and built-in 64/128/256 GB is enough for the eyes. Separately worth noting sound quality and a multi-functional unsinkable stylus. By the way, the smartphone itself received protection from moisture and dust according to the IP68 standard. The battery capacity, however, is only 3300 mAh. Some may not like the dirty glass case, as well as the price, but it’s time to get used to the fact that flagships cost about a thousand “green” and are a fashion item. This model, for example, is perfect for business people who need to work a lot with documents and spreadsheets. For the 64 GB version they are now asking from $900 to $1050.

ASUS Zenfone 5Z and ASUS Zenfone 5

The recent MWC exhibition, held in Barcelona, ​​introduced us to a lot of interesting new products. ASUS has introduced a whole series of new smartphones. If Zenfone 5 Lite just received an elongated screen, then 5 and 5Z are very strongly reminiscentiPhone Xwith his bangs, but they are much cheaper. Zenfone 5Z and Zenfone 5 are slightly different in terms of hardware, but they have the same cameras. Rear module – double. The main camera received a Sony IMX363 sensor, 12 megapixel resolution, f/1.8 aperture, optical stabilization and phase detection autofocus. The 8-megapixel auxiliary module has a viewing angle of 120 degrees. In theory, the camera should cope well with different scenes and produce effective blur. The front module is more modest: 8 megapixels and the same viewing angle of 120 degrees.

Zenfone 5 received a 6.2-inch diagonal screen with an aspect ratio of 19:9 and a resolution of 2264 * 1080. On board is a fast Snapdragon 636 processor and 4 or 6 GB of RAM, 64 GB of main memory, it can be expanded. The developers say that the smartphone uses software with the makings of artificial intelligence, and its forces will be used to more economically consume energy and improve the quality of shooting.

Zenfone 5 Z outwardly it is exactly the same, but inside it hides a slightly more powerful Snapdragon 845. There are 4, or 6, or even 8 GB of RAM!! The latest version is absolutely impressive. Main memory capacity – 64/128/256 GB. The price will start at $590 (Zenfone 5 will obviously be cheaper), sales will begin in June.

LG V30+

Recently everyone praised the cameraLG V30 . We don’t argue that it’s really cool, but the new product, which was released just recently, promises even better shooting quality. As befits a flagship, it uses dual main camera. One of them has a resolution of 16 megapixels, aperturef/1.6 , the second is 13 megapixels, f/1.9 and a viewing angle of 120 degrees. As a result, excellent photo quality in any shooting conditions, the ability to create photos with maximum scene capture, and the presence of optical stabilization will allow you to achieve excellent results even when shooting in difficult conditions. Cameras received glass lenses CrystalClear, which minimize light scattering when transmitting it to the matrix. The front camera with its 5 MP and f/2.2 takes acceptable pictures.

The smartphone has top-end hardware. This is a powerful modern 8-core Snapdragon 835 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory (expandable up to 2 TB). The screen is made using OLED FullVision technology, has a diagonal of 6 inches and a resolution of 2880*1440 pixels. There is protection against water and dust IP 68 and a fast charging function, the battery capacity is minimally sufficient - 3300 mAh. The device looks futuristic and costs about $900.

Xiaomi Mi Note 3

The new flagship from the famous Chinese company received the same pair of cameras as in the more expensive Xiaomi Mi 6. Both main cameras have a resolution of 12 megapixels, one of them has an f/1.8 aperture, and the second one has an f/2.6 aperture. the first is wide-angle, the second camera has a telephoto lens, so you can zoom in on the image without losing quality and create bokeh. In most shooting scenarios, the camera performs excellently, almost on par with its more expensive counterparts. The front module with a resolution of 16 megapixels will delight those who like to take selfies.

The beautiful glass case houses the fast Snapdragon 660 processor. The manufacturer decided to save money on the screen. Well, how to save money. Not to say that the display is bad, but these days they are also installed in devices of the lower price segment. The screen is made using IPS technology, has a diagonal of 5.5 inches and a resolution of 1920*1080. The fingerprint scanner is conveniently located under the display. The 3500 mAh battery can charge quickly and provides acceptable battery life. The smartphone is sold in 6/64 and 6/128 GB versions. If you need a smartphone with a good camera under 20,000 rubles ($350), then take a closer look at version 6/64. A device with twice as much memory will cost 1.5 times more.

Vivo X20 Plus

The flagship from Vivo completes our top camera phones. Now everyone is actively discussing that the company's updated smartphone Vivo X20 Plus UD will be the first in the world in which The fingerprint scanner will be built into the screen and will be located at the bottom of the display. While everyone is just waiting for the new product to go on sale, it is known that the cameras in the new smartphone will be the same as those in the Vivo X20 Plus.

The model is equipped dual main camera: the first module has a resolution of 12 megapixels and an f/1.8 aperture, the second has a modest resolution of 5 megapixels. An additional module is needed to blur the background. The front module also has a resolution of 12 megapixels and f/2.0. The authoritative resource DxOMark rated the device’s camera at 90 points out of 100, which is a good result.

The device received a Super AMOLED display with a diagonal of 6.43 inches and a resolution of 2160 * 1080, an 8-core Snapdragon 660 processor, a fairly capacious 3905 mAh battery and an acceptable memory reserve of 4/64 GB. The device costs about $540. There are also cheaper alternative – Vivo X20. This smartphone is equipped with the same cameras, but has a slightly smaller screen (6.01 inches, the same resolution) and a less capacious battery (3245 mAh), but the processor is the same, and the price is about $460.

Friends, it remains to add that we need to keep our finger on the pulse and closely monitor the release of new products, because cameras are being improved literally before our eyes.

We live in a time when almost every person, before buying a new smartphone, thinks about its photo and video capabilities. Now there are simply a lot of excellent camera phones on the market. And they all take approximately the same pictures. Gone are the days when the best camera was the one with more megapixels. Now other camera characteristics are also important, like .

In 2016, Apple announced two phones: iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. The most interesting innovation is the dual camera with 2x optical zoom. Apple set a trend that was followed by most mobile manufacturers.

What is optical zoom?

Optical zoom is a function of cameras or smartphones that allows you to bring your subject closer or further away. Optical zooming is used to enlarge objects with special optical elements, so that the resolution of the photo remains unchanged.

If your camera has a 12-megapixel module, then when the object is optically zoomed in, these 12 megapixels will remain (without pixel enlargement). This article presents the best smartphones that are equipped with an optical zoom camera.

iPhone 8 Plus

This smartphone was introduced a couple of weeks ago. Just a few days later, the DxOMark resource rated the device’s camera as the best on the market. Let us remind you that the iPhone 8 Plus has a dual camera of 12 megapixels, the main one with f/1.8 aperture, and the second one with f/2.8 aperture. The camera specifications have not changed compared to the iPhone 7 Plus.

The second camera has an optical zoom with 2x zoom for creating beautiful portrait shots. And this is definitely one of the best and most compact optical zoom smartphones you can buy today.

Smartphone Specifications:

• Display: 5.5 inches Retina, 1920×1080p, 401 ppi
• CPU:
• RAM: 3 GB, LPDDR4
• Flash memory: 64/256 GB
• Main camera: 12 MP + 12 MP, f/1.8 and f/2.8
• Front camera: 7 MP, f/2.2
• Battery: 2691 mAh
• Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
• Operating system: iOS 11
• Dimensions: 158.4×78.1×7.5 mm
• Weight: 202 grams

Xiaomi Mi6

Xiaomi's flagship has become very popular this year, thanks to its price and decent characteristics. It was introduced almost six months ago. It has an excellent top-end Snapdragon 835 processor, a beautiful glass body with a metal frame, and of course, an impressive dual camera.

It has an all-metal body, a fingerprint scanner, a good 5.5-inch Full HD screen with a resolution of 1920×1080p, an eight-core Snapdragon 625 processor and a dual 12-megapixel camera with f/2.2 and f/2.6 apertures.

Smartphone Specifications:

• Display: 5.5 inches, 1920×1080p, 401 ppi
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, 8 cores
• RAM: 4 GB, LPDDR3
• Flash memory: 64 GB
• Main camera: dual 12 MP + 12 MP, f/2.2 and f/2.6
• Front camera: 5 MP
• Battery: 3080 mAh
• Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
• Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• Operating system: pure Android 7.1.2
• Dimensions: 155.4×75.8×7.3 mm
• Weight: 165 grams

OnePlus 5

This phone was announced this summer as a “flagship killer.” It received flagship characteristics: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM, as well as 64 GB or 128 GB of built-in, 5.5-inch Optic AMOLED screen with Full HD resolution.

The main feature was its dual 16-megapixel camera with f/1.7 and f/2.6 aperture, as well as the presence of 2x optical zoom. But not everything is so good. After the announcement, the craftsmen were able to understand the technology and found out that the smartphone received a 1.6x optical and 0.4-digit zoom. This caused outrage among many users. But, despite this, the smartphone deserves to be in this rating of camera phones.

Smartphone Specifications:

• Display: 5.5 inches AMOLED, 1920×1080p, 401 ppi
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
• RAM: 6/8 GB, LPDDR4
• Flash memory: 64/128 GB
• Main camera: 16 MP + 16 MP, f/1.7 and f/2.6
• Front camera: 16 MP
• Battery: 3300 mAh
• Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
• Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
• Operating system: Oxygen OS (Android 7.1.1 Nougat)
• Dimensions: 154.2×74.1×7.3 mm
• Weight: 153 grams

The evolution of mobile autofocus:
from contrast to Dual Pixel

When shooting with a smartphone, it is very important that the photos come out clear. To do this, the subject must be in focus before you click on the “Take Photo” button. Recently, a number of manufacturers have been working on improving autofocus technologies, and today we will look at how they differ from each other.

When choosing a camera phone, many pay attention to the number of megapixels - they say, whoever has more is cooler. However, it is often more important and useful to look at other factors that have an equally serious impact on the quality of photographs. Among them is the camera's autofocus type. Apple, Samsung, LG and other manufacturers are now actively rushing into this area, and many have actually managed to make significant progress.

What is autofocus and why do we need it?

The autofocus system adjusts the lens to focus directly on your subject, making the difference between a clear shot and a missed opportunity.

In a simplified way, the principle of operation of the camera is that rays of light are reflected from the objects being photographed and then hit the sensor, which converts the stream of photons into a stream of electrons. After this, the current is converted into a set of bits, the data is processed and recorded in the camera’s memory. CMOS sensors are now especially popular among smartphone manufacturers, which convert charge into voltage directly in the pixel, subsequently providing direct access to the contents of an arbitrary pixel.

In theory, it works like this: lenses focus light onto a sensor, which then creates a digital photo. In reality, everything is not so simple. The angle of the incoming light rays depends on the distance at which the photographed object is located. The diagram on the left shows lenses that focus light rays on a blue object: the green and red objects are out of focus and will be blurred in the final photo. If we want to focus on green or red objects, we need to change the distance between the lenses and the sensor.

At the dawn of camera phone manufacturing, most devices had a fixed focus. Modern smartphones provide the ability to adjust the distance between the lenses and the sensor. Therefore, you get high-quality detailed images. Nowadays, to implement autofocus in smartphones, three methods are mainly used: contrast, phase and laser.

Contrast autofocus

Contrast autofocus is a passive type of autofocus. This solution is still used in most smartphones, largely because it is one of the simplest. Using the sensor, the amount of light on the object is measured, after which it moves the lens depending on the contrast. If the contrast is maximum, then the subject is in focus.

In general, contrast autofocus copes with its task quite well and has a significant advantage - it is quite simple and does not require any complex hardware.

But it also has several disadvantages. Contrast AF in particular is slower than others, typically taking about a second to focus on a subject. During this time, you may change your mind about taking a photo, or, for example, if you wanted to capture a fast-moving object, the moment will be missed. This is due to the fact that the lion's share of time is occupied by the process of “shifting the focus point/lens of the lens – contrast assessment – ​​shift – contrast assessment.” In addition, contrast autofocus lacks tracking focusing capabilities, and in low light conditions it is unlikely to impress you. Therefore, this type of autofocus today is used mainly in budget smartphones such as Lenovo A536, ASUS Zenfone Go and others.

Phase detection autofocus: a fast and advanced alternative

One of the pioneers here was Samsung, which borrowed technology from digital SLR cameras and equipped its Galaxy S5 smartphone with phase detection autofocus. The point is that in this case special sensors are used - they catch the passing light flux from different points of the image using lenses and mirrors. Inside the sensor, light is divided into two parts, each of which hits an ultra-sensitive sensor. The distance between the light streams is measured by the sensor, after which it determines how much the lens needs to be moved for accurate focusing. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S5 takes only 0.3 seconds to focus on an object.

The first and main advantage of phase detection autofocus is that it is much faster than contrast detection, it is simply a must-have for shooting moving objects. In addition, the camera can evaluate the movement of an object using sensors, hence the possibility of tracking autofocus.

But there are also disadvantages. Phase detection autofocus, like contrast autofocus, doesn't do its job very well in low-light conditions. It also requires more powerful hardware, so it is usually available in high-end smartphones. Among them, for example, Huawei Honor 7, Sony Xperia M5 and Samsung Galaxy Note 5.

Some manufacturers have gone further and decided to use laser autofocus in smartphones (more on this later), while others are actively engaged in improving phase detection autofocus technology. For example, Apple uses so-called “focal pixels” in its iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus: the point is that the technology uses part of the pixels as a phase sensor, and shooting with Apple smartphones is really fast.

But the Dual Pixel technology that Samsung uses in its Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge smartphones really differs from standard phase focusing. Although it is a type of phase detection autofocus, it still has some differences and subtleties. In smartphones, phase detection autofocus is somewhat limited in its capabilities - in order to assign a focal sensor to each pixel, you need to greatly reduce it, which results in noise and blurred photos. Typically, about 10% of light-sensitive points are equipped with sensors; some manufacturers, however, do not go beyond 5%.

In Dual Pixel, each pixel is equipped with a separate sensor due to the increase in pixel sizes. The processor processes the readings of each pixel, but does it so quickly that autofocus still takes tenths of a second. Samsung says that Dual Pixel technology is similar to focusing using the human eye, but this is more of a metaphor. Nevertheless, we must recognize the innovativeness of this approach to phase detection autofocus. Now this is a real exclusive for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge.

Laser autofocus: the most active

Like phase detection, laser autofocus is an active type of autofocus. LG has been working in this area for a long time, which first implemented laser autofocus in its G3 smartphone. The technology is based on the principle of a laser range finder: a laser emitter illuminates an object, and a sensor measures the time of arrival of the reflected laser beam, determining the distance to the object.

One of the main advantages of this autofocus is time. According to LG, the entire laser autofocus process takes 0.276 seconds. Significantly faster than contrast autofocus and slightly faster than phase detection.

The obvious advantage of laser autofocus is that it is incredibly fast and does its job well in low light conditions. But it only works at a certain distance - the best effect is achieved if the distance from the smartphone to the object is less than 0.6 meters. And after five meters - hello, contrast autofocus.

Everyone defines the word “best” in their own way: not many smartphones came out this year, and most of them are similar to each other. We decided to focus on the most noticeable and interesting of them: we present to you the most distinguished smartphones in the past year.

ZOOM selection: the best smartphones of autumn

There are five of them, and each of them is unique in its own way. Far from being the preserve of a few Silicon Valley geeks, they have made their mark by bringing innovation or simply balance to the world. Without exaggeration, we can say that each of them will have their share of influence on the further development of the smartphone industry.

LG G2: buttons away

This smartphone is actually accompanied by various ironic and simply original coincidences. Let's say it is very similar to the new standard Google Nexus 5, produced by the same LG.

However, Nexus has not officially reached Russian shelves yet, so let’s talk about the existing product under the laconic name G2.

LG G2 is a clear success for the Korean manufacturer

He, too, was noted for a number of innovations that could slightly change the digital world of pocket computers, which some people still call phones out of habit. For example, GRAM graphics memory, which, according to the manufacturer, reduces the energy consumed by the display by 26% when displaying a static image, and in medium activity mode the technology on average can provide up to 10% battery savings. Not much, but it's something.

Or here are the cameras: the Dual Camera function allows you to shoot using both (rear and front) cameras simultaneously, and in VR Panorama mode, a series of images are generally combined into one circular panorama. In general, Samsung smartphones have an analogue of the first mode, but the second mode is nothing special, it just simplifies what has already happened for a long time.

But there is innovation in terms of sound: LG claims that the G2 is the first device to support ultra-high quality playback with a bit depth of up to 24 bits and a sampling rate of up to 192 kHz. True, no one may really need this yet, but at first they didn’t think about CDs that they would completely replace compact cassettes.

In addition, LG showed us a special Korean take on convenience: the volume rocker was moved to the rear cover (yes, that’s right) under the camera, and the screen power button was placed in its center and called the whole thing the “Rear Key concept.” There are no controls at all on the front panel and ends of the smartphone. This approach, in fact, is a response to the ever-increasing diagonals of smartphones: in them, pressing the side buttons with one hand is becoming more and more difficult. The Koreans simply tried a new option, by the way, you can read about how convenient it is in our detailed LG G2. In general, the case is very comfortable, even despite its large size (screen diagonal is 5.2 inches).

The design of the LG G2 pleasantly surprises

The rest of the innovations are not so new, they are just conveniences that make the user's life easier. For example, the QuickRemote application allows you to use it as a remote control for various devices with preset codes, but you can also train your smartphone by creating codes for non-standard equipment. Guest Mode helps to display only pre-selected applications, although, in general, the presence of this program may seem incomprehensible given the fact that Android 4.3 introduced full profile separation (but the smartphone has not yet received this update, it will receive it in the very near future ).

The G2 can also be noted as one of the first smartphones on the new top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. In addition, in the review we noted a good IPS screen on the gadget, on par with the HTC One and iPhone 5S.

As for the 13 MP rear camera, there are no special breakthroughs here: sapphire glass, multi-point autofocus and high-quality optical stabilization are used.

In addition, the G2 has a lot of small improvements in usability, which cannot be called cardinal, but can be pleasant. For example, the Plug & Pop function recommends appropriate applications when connecting a USB cable or headphones; Answer Me can automatically pick up the handset and lower the ringer volume when the user brings the smartphone to the ear. And the Slide Aside feature ensures you can work with multiple apps at once by sliding an open app to the side with three fingers at a time.

Finally, we note an interesting accessory - the LG QuickWindows case, which covers the smartphone on both sides, but leaves the active part of the screen open in front, and the smartphone can recognize this case and display various notifications in this area.

Nokia 1020: the last of the Mohicans

In the middle of the list we have Nokia's 41-megapixel flagship with index 1020. Of course, this is a Windows Phone 8 smartphone, it is large, according to the latest fashion, and it has a very advanced camera.

As for video, the main camera can shoot in resolutions up to FullHD (1920x1080) at 30 frames per second, enlarge the recorded video without loss up to six times, and also stabilize it. The smartphone can broadcast video on special sites in streaming mode, and Nokia Rich Recording technology will help make the sound clearer than it actually is.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3: the founder of “phablets”

Apple iPhone 5S: get your fingers ready

This time the presentation was awaited with less impatience than the previous ones, due to the large number of information leaks before the announcement.

Apple iPhone 5s can be easily identified by the button

Among the innovations we can note, for example, the Touch ID fingerprint scanner built into the Home button.

But besides this there are other interesting details. In particular, the new Apple A7 processor, which became Apple's first commercial ARM processor with support for 64-bit instructions. Because of this, all bundled applications and the iOS 7 operating system itself have been recompiled to 64-bit, although there is, of course, full backward compatibility with 32-bit applications. In addition, the new processor has become twice as fast (according to company representatives, of course) and the same can be said about the graphics coprocessor, which also acquired support for OpenGL WS 3.0. Actually, the iPhone has never suffered from a lack of performance (unlike Android smartphones).

"Golden" iPhone 5s is not more expensive than the rest

The new product also has a new M7 coprocessor, introduced specifically for processing data from sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope and compass). The idea is that applications that constantly read data from these sensors will no longer load the CPU, which will, in turn, lead to increased performance. In addition, thanks to M7, network processes will not be active while driving.

Apple also claims that the new processor and coprocessor are extremely energy efficient. By the way, the camera has become twice as fast – or rather, its autofocus, thanks to the new signal processor in the A7. The camera is called iSight, it now has a new five-element f/2.2 lens and a sensor that uses 15% more area. Light sensitivity is also increased by 33%. Also, the new camera can now shoot slow-motion (4x) at a frequency of 120 frames per second in HD resolution. Continuous shooting now allows up to 10 frames per second, and the real-time analyzer will suggest the best photo you take yourself. The technology, by the way, is similar to the long-existing Nokia Smart Cam, but no one is interested in this anymore.

The last significant innovation in the rear camera is a combination of “cold” and “warm” flashes. This will allow the device to automatically adjust the intensity and color temperature so that colors (and especially faces) appear as natural as possible. The front camera has also improved, having received a BSI sensor.

Sony Xperia Z1: does not burn in fire, does not sink in water

It clearly reminds us of the company’s previous hit, the armor-piercing Xperia Z – and that’s basically what it is. The Japanese have done an excellent job of correcting the bugs and presented to our attention a greatly improved gadget. And improvements begin right from the body: it is monolithic, with a metal frame around the perimeter and glass front and back panels. The screen is covered with a protective plate with a plastic oleophobic protective film, which is needed to reduce the number of fingerprints.

Water and dust protection of the Sony Xperia Z1 still remains a rare feature for smartphones

However, the Truluminos screen specs are quite ordinary for a modern premium smartphone: a five-inch screen with FullHD resolution, up to 460 nits of brightness and a pixel density of 440 ppi. In addition to this, the user receives the proprietary X-Reality Pro image enhancement technology as a gift, and this is not to mention the OptiContrast technology, which eliminates the air gap between the glasses. However, some problems with the screen remain; many users still complain about the low contrast of the display.

Xperia Z1 also meets IP55 and IP58 dust and water resistance safety standards. Translated into Russian, this means that with all ports and covers closed with plugs, the Z1 is protected from the effects of jets of water, and it can also float for up to 30 minutes at a depth of one and a half meters. In general, if you spill coffee or drop it in the bathroom or toilet, it’s not a big deal.

Other innovations include the rear camera. Sony followed the path of many and, among other improvements, made more megapixels: now there are 20.7, an Exmor RS sensor and a Bionz processor are used. Photo resolution is 3840x2160 pixels maximum in automatic mode. You can also read a detailed one with examples of photographs on our portal.

The smartphone boasts a large number of related technologies: for example, the Time Shift Burst mode allows you to take 61 pictures in two seconds and select the best one. Info-Eye inserts text into the frame during shooting, and when capturing any landmark, text with information about the object can be superimposed on the photo at your request. But the most entertaining thing is the AR Effect function, which allows you to combine pictures with animation using SmartAR’s proprietary augmented reality technology.

The colors of the Xperia Z1 body are well chosen

The same unusual innovation awaits you in voice communication. The Sony Z1 offers a unique “Slow Speech” feature that allows you to actually slow down the speech of your interlocutor for your hearing if the speed of his speech apparatus is greater than the processing speed of your brain processor. “Speaking slowly” can actually serve someone well.

Well, pay attention to additional accessories that are offered for an additional fee: for example, a case with fasteners for the DSC-QX100 camera, and what’s unusual here is that the camera can work wirelessly with a smartphone. In addition to such exotic items, the user can purchase a branded portable charging battery pack, a wireless speaker, a tripod, a docking station, a Bluetooth headset, etc.

Today, many smartphones are equipped with a dual photo module. This allows you to get spectacular background blur when taking macro photography and creating portraits, clearer pictures, zoom without loss of quality, or wide-angle photos.

In this article, we have collected the best models based on expert opinions (DxOmark, CNet, Techradar) and consumer reviews.

Perhaps the best phone you can buy today. This also applies to him. A dual 12 megapixel module with optical stabilization is used. One is a wide-angle lens with an f/1.8 aperture, the second is an f/2.4 telephoto lens (this allows for high-quality 2x zoom). The pictures are clear, juicy, macro like from DSLR cameras. The 7-megapixel front camera is also good.

We note decent battery life, a powerful chipset, a Face ID facial recognition system, and protection from water and dust according to the IP67 standard. There are also some shortcomings: there is no fingerprint scanner (but this is a matter of habit), a slot for memory cards and a very, very high price.

Characteristics

• Display: 5.8 inches (2,436 x 1,125 pixels).
• Processor: Apple A11 Bionic.
• Memory: 3 GB RAM, from 64 GB ROM.
• Cameras: main - 12 + 12 MP, front - 7 MP.
• OS: iOS 11.
• Price: from 66,000 rubles.

Possibly the second best phone you can buy today. Unlike the previous generation, the S9 Plus model received a dual 12-megapixel camera module (the regular S9 has a single one). And - we have to somehow persuade people to upgrade from the S8 - Samsung swears that they have reinvented the camera. And these are not marketing gimmicks. For the first time in the world, a camera with a variable aperture (from f/2.4 to f/1.5) has been created. This brings the S9 Plus as close as possible to a DSLR and allows the device to adapt to different shooting conditions. For example, when shooting landscapes, you get very natural light, and in the dark, the pictures come out super clear and bright (as much as possible).

The modules also have optical stabilization, super slow motion and noise removal options (when 12 pictures are taken simultaneously and one almost perfect one is created), 2x zoom is available without loss of quality. The front camera (8 MP, f/1.7) blurs the background well and takes excellent shots.

Other features: a powerful hardware platform, a retinal scanner, IP68 moisture protection, a slot for memory cards up to 400 GB, stereo speakers. In the reviews, some complain about the active post-processing of images, others about the low battery capacity, but this is not very critical.

Characteristics

• Display: 6.2 inches (2,960 x 1,440 pixels).
• Processor: Exynos 9810.
• Memory: 6 GB RAM, from 64 GB ROM + microSD slot.
• Cameras: main - 12 + 12 MP, front - 8 MP.
• Battery: 3500 mAh.
• OS: Android 8.0.
• Price: from 67,000 rubles.

The DxOMark website claims that this is the best camera phone on the market today. There are already three “eyes” on the back panel of the device: a dual module (main sensor size 1/1.7″, f/1.8 aperture, 40 MP resolution + monochrome 20-megapixel sensor with 1/2.7″ matrix and f/1.6 aperture) + 8 MP telephoto with a focal length of 80 mm and an aperture of f/2.4. The smartphone boasts three-fold optical and five-fold hybrid zooms, the ability to shoot at high ISO 102400 and in Super Slow-Mo, an intelligent optical stabilization system and advanced autofocus and an equally advanced 24-megapixel front camera.

Here is a model with outstanding cameras. Everyone notes high-quality and extremely clear pictures under any lighting conditions, in black and white mode. Among other things, P20 Pro is a flagship with top-end hardware. Please note that there is no memory card slot, but the 128 GB in the base version makes up for this.

Characteristics

• Display: 6.1 inches (2,240 x 1,080 pixels).
• Memory: 6 GB RAM, 128 GB ROM.
• Cameras: main - 40 + 20 + 8 MP, front - 24 MP.
• Battery: 4000 mAh.
• OS: Android 8.1.
• Price: from 55,000 rubles.

Not such a “cunning” option, but more accessible. The dual camera under the Leica brand features two modules (12 + 20 megapixels, one monochrome, f/1.6 aperture) with optical stabilization and 2x hybrid zoom. The pictures are good both from the main camera and from the 8 MP front camera (but there is a minus - it has a fixed focus). Huawei is relying on artificial intelligence technologies - recognizing photographed objects.

And otherwise, a good device for the money: top-end chipset, IP67 waterproofing, capacious, attractive glass case (but quite easily soiled). There is no slot for memory cards.

Characteristics

• Display: 6 inches (2,160 × 1,080 pixels).
• Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 970.
• Memory: from 4 GB RAM, 64 GB ROM.
• Cameras: main - 12 + 20 MP, front - 8 MP.
• Battery: 4,000 mAh.
• OS: Android 8.0.
• Price: from 40,000 rubles.

Honor is a subsidiary of Huawei, as you probably know. At the same time, both brands now produce strong models at good prices and compete with each other. The new Honor 10 can be called a budget flagship. It is distinguished by an affordable price, an iridescent glass body, a fashionable design with a bang, a dual camera module (24 + 16 megapixels, one monochrome sensor, AI functions) and, although not top-end, but productive hardware. There is no slot for memory cards. The pictures are very good, but in poor lighting conditions the quality decreases.

Characteristics

• Display: 5.84 inches (2,280 x 1,080 pixels).
• Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 970.
• Memory: 4 GB RAM, from 64 GB ROM.
• Cameras: main - 24 + 16 MP, front - 24 MP.
• Battery: 3,400 mAh.
• OS: Android 8.1.
• Price: from 27,000 rubles.

The newest flagship from the Chinese. Of course, with top-end hardware and a dual camera. Modules with apertures f/1.8 and f/2.4 are used, 2x zoom is available without loss of quality, and optical stabilization is available. Again, artificial intelligence technologies are offered to detect content and select the best settings. The device just went on sale, but judging by the first reviews and test results from the same DxOMark, the camera turned out to be successful. The front 20-megapixel module with f/2.0 aperture is also excellent and uses different “beautyification” modes.

The smartphone is beautiful (although it obviously copies the iPhone X), the only disappointment is the relatively low battery capacity. The device has not yet “arrived” in Russia, but it can be purchased on AliExpress.

Characteristics

• Display: 6.21 inches (2,280 x 1,080 pixels).
• Memory: 6 GB RAM, from 64 GB ROM.
• Cameras: main - 12 + 12 MP, front - 20 MP.
• Battery: 3300 mAh.
• OS: Android 8.1.
• Price: from 35,000 rubles.

Another advanced Chinese flagship, which became a bright new product last month. The case is made of metal and glass, the screen has a “bang” and minimal frames. Not a copy of the iPhone, but beautiful at the same time. Hardware is traditionally at the cutting edge for OnePlus. They also tried to make the camera stand out. Two modules from Sony are used: a 16-megapixel IMX 519 with optical stabilization and an f/1.7 aperture, as well as a 20-megapixel IMX 376K. To demonstrate the shooting capabilities of the OnePlus 6, a model was even captured on the cover of Indian Vogue. The manufacturer offers an improved HDR mode and automatic selection of shooting parameters depending on the scene.

Everything is not bad, but I would like the battery to be more capacious. And keep in mind: there is no memory card slot, just like the Mi8. It seems like he's starting to fade into history?

Characteristics

• Display: 6.28 inches (2,280 x 1,080 pixels).
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845.
• Memory: from 6 GB RAM, from 64 GB ROM.

DxOmark is confident that this smartphone ranks second in its photographic capabilities. - the first flagship of the company after a long break that has a dual camera (remember that the brand was once a pioneer in the market, introducing a model with a dual camera and a 3D screen). It uses a 12-megapixel wide-angle module (f/1.75, optical stabilization) and a 16-megapixel telephoto camera with a 54mm f/2.6 lens. This combination allows you to do a 2x zoom without losing quality. We also note the brand’s traditional UltraPixel 4 technology (enlarged pixels receive more light).

The smartphone has a manual shooting mode Pro and RAW support. Ultraspeed Autofocus 2 (a combination of phase detection and laser autofocus) ensures sharp focusing. Video recording in 4K at 60 fps is supported. The pictures are beautiful, good bokeh effect. This also applies to the front module: it is also double.

Otherwise, we have a top-end new product based on Qualcomm 845 with IP68 water protection and the Edge Sense option (you can squeeze the edges of the smartphone to activate some functions). The U12+ also has a translucent body. But the gadget is too expensive for a model from a company that is struggling to stay afloat.

Characteristics

• Display: 6 inches (2880 × 1440 pixels).
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845.
• Memory: 6 GB RAM, from 64 GB ROM, slot for microSD memory cards.
• Cameras: main - 12 + 16 MP, front - 8 + 8 MP.
• Battery: 3,500 mAh.
• OS: Android 8.0.
• Price: from 59,000 rubles.