Best smartphone cameras: OnePlus 3, Huawei P9 and Galaxy S7
Which smartphone has the best camera for you needs?
Smartphone camera technology has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years and this is now one of the key selling points for top of the range devices from the likes of Apple, Samsung, Sony and Huawei.
To keep tabs on some of the best devicecs on the market for smartphone camera tech we've compiled a list of smartphones that all make strong cases to be proper photographic tools in their own right.
10. Huawei P9 The Huawei P9's biggest selling point is the Leica-certified dual camera setup that can refocus pictures after they've been taken.
The Leica know-how provides access to every setting you'd expect from a professional DSLR camera. For instance, you can control aperture, ISO levels, shutter speed and white balance.
But it's the dual-lens array that really makes the Huawei P9's case compelling, as it makes use of two cameras: one that shoots in monochrome and one in RGB.
Both cameras are used when taking a colour photo so they can let in as much light as possible. Only the monochrome side is used if you want to shoot exclusively in black and white.
We've dived into the clever technology that powers the P9 camera and have now rounded up a selection of other smartphones that have dazzled us with their impressive camera work.
Best smartphone cameras: OnePlus 3, Huawei P9 and Galaxy S7
Which smartphone has the best camera for you needs?
9. iPhone 6S Plus
The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus bumped up the megapixel count from eight to 12 with a f/2.2 aperture. Lower is usually favoured in terms of aperture, but Apple has long been lauded for impressive cameras and this model certainly didn't break that tradition.
At the time of launch Apple talked about the addition of 50 per cent more focus pixels. This translates into faster and more accurate focusing, faithful colour reproduction and excellent performance in low light.
The iPhone 6S has the same camera optics, but crucially lacks the optical image stabilisation (OIS) of its big brother.
Best smartphone cameras: OnePlus 3, Huawei P9 and Galaxy S7
Which smartphone has the best camera for you needs?
8. LG G5
Interestingly the LG G5 also offers a dual-camera setup. There's a 16MP main rear camera, and a secondary 8MP sensor that functions as a dramatic wide-angle 135-degree lens.
The second sensor has been designed to expand the field of view offered by the human eye. In testing we can confirm it does evoke a certain awe on first use. That added reach allows you to capture sweeping landscapes with ease and provides an unusual perspective. The two cameras function independently but can handily serve different purposes based on the surroundings.
The modular nature of the LG G5 means you can also purchase the optional LG Cam Plus, a photography accessory that adds a camera grip, as well as additional hardware buttons.
Best smartphone cameras: OnePlus 3, Huawei P9 and Galaxy S7
Which smartphone has the best camera for you needs?
7. Nokia Lumia 1020
If you're willing to look past the blip that was the 808 PureView, you'll appreciate the clever optical trickery in the Nokia Lumia 1020 even more.
Despite its age, the Lumia 1020 is still worthy of being on our list. The Lumia 1020 has a 41MP camera, and has a larger sensor measuring 1/1.5in (resulting in a pixel size of 1.12µm). The sensor's larger size enables pixel oversampling which effectively squeezes many pixels into a space usually meant for one.
It also employs OIS for smooth, clear captures, and that sizeable camera module houses a Xenon flash and LED.
Best smartphone cameras: OnePlus 3, Huawei P9 and Galaxy S7
Which smartphone has the best camera for you needs?
6. Sony Xperia Z5
The Sony Xperia Z5 boasts some impressive numbers on paper. The sensor is 23MP and the hybrid autofocus fires in just 0.03 seconds.
The 1/2.3in sensor is the same size as you'd find in regular compact cameras. Sony has also added x5 Clear Image Zoom functionality that provides more pleasing results when zooming in and out.
The camera uses automatic scene recognition via its Superior Auto mode when shooting in dimly lit environments. Users of Sony's cameras will already be familiar with the impressive results generated in this mode.
Best smartphone cameras: OnePlus 3, Huawei P9 and Galaxy S7
Which smartphone has the best camera for you needs?
5. OnePlus 3
A 16MP Sony IMX298 sensor blesses the OnePlus 3 with a particular picture-taking prowess. At this juncture it's worth noting that the new flagship has done away with laser-assisted focus, and there's been a reduction in pixel size to 1.12µm.
For comparison the OnePlus 2 has 1.3uM sensor pixels, while Huawei's new P9 has 1.25. The size of these individual pixels is important as it determines how much surface area is available to light as it hits each pixel. So while the pixel may be smaller, in-turn it is capable of providing a larger zoom range.
If early indications are anything to go by, the OnePlus 3 offers superb dynamic range and a pleasing natural colour palette. The addition of OIS on both the front and rear cameras is also a nice touch indeed.
Best smartphone cameras: OnePlus 3, Huawei P9 and Galaxy S7
Which smartphone has the best camera for you needs?
4. Google Nexus 6P
The camera in the Google Nexus 6P is ranked the best among Nexus owners. The 12.3MP with fast f/2.0 aperture lens lets in an impressive amount of light thanks to a 1.55uM sensor.
This also benefits the general all-round performance and proves great in low light where it's still able to capture well-exposed shots.
There are rumours that the upcoming HTC One M10 may use the 6P camera tech, but with added OIS.
Best smartphone cameras: OnePlus 3, Huawei P9 and Galaxy S7
Which smartphone has the best camera for you needs?
3. HTC One M8
HTC surprised just about everyone with the arrival of the HTC One M8. Opting for a 'duo camera', the phone uses two sensors (one 4MP and the other 2.1MP) with one providing depth data only.
Despite the fanfare around the newly-released HTC 10, the M8 still features the more-interesting tech.
The megapixel count may appear low on paper, but one is an UltraPixel sensor that provides a larger surface area and increased detail. The other allows the depth-based trickery we've recently seen on the Huawei P9. The One M8 achieves this effect using its own uFocus algorithm.
It's all very clever but, like Huawei's effort, we wonder if it's just a bit gimmicky, hence why it's never really caught on.
Best smartphone cameras: OnePlus 3, Huawei P9 and Galaxy S7
Which smartphone has the best camera for you needs?
2. Microsoft Lumia 950/950 XL
Microsoft's Lumia phones offer a meaty 20MP snapper across the board. The sensor packs in bags of detail in good light, and still generates nice results, albeit with some softening, in low light.
The curious Rich Capture mode allows you to manually alter colour saturation and exposure levels after the photo has been taken. It's a neat little trick that we'd recommend to even the most hardened photographer.
Best smartphone cameras: OnePlus 3, Huawei P9 and Galaxy S7
Which smartphone has the best camera for you needs?
1. Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 Edge
We're big fans of Samsung's newest snapper. The Galaxy S7 offers a 12MP rear camera with a smaller f/1.7 aperture that really brings shots taken in low light to life.
The S7's ability to pick up and shoot immediately (without needing to lock focus) continues to impress.
The camera also features something called dual pixel technology which, coupled with the larger 1.4um pixel size, means that low light shots are more successful than not, despite the reduction in megapixels. Noisy pictures full of ghostly haze are all but a thing of the past.