Megapixels (MP)

You see them on every camera and they refer to the resolution of the photo, that is, how many pixels are contained within the image. Theoretically, the more, the clearer and sharper the image is. 

In general, for amateur photography, 10 to 20 MP is sufficient, and generally, as we will see later, the quality of the photo depends on several factors beyond the number of pixels.

The Number & Type of Lenses

Most devices, have more than 1 rear lens apart from the selfie, and this is because different types of lenses serve different occasions.

Specifically, the most common types of lenses you will encounter in devices are:

Wide-Angle 

Offers the ability to cover a wider field of view compared to the regular lens. This type of lens can "see" more elements of the image from the sides and capture more details in a single frame. It is excellent for landscapes & group photos.

Ultra-Wide 

Even larger frame than the above, making it a good choice for panoramic photos and impressive landscapes.

Telephoto

Offers the ability to bring distant objects closer without needing to move, maintaining high image quality. Unlike digital zoom, which often reduces resolution and sharpness, the telephoto lens allows optical zoom, ensuring better quality in magnifications.

Macro

Designed to take photos from a very close distance, revealing details not easily visible to the naked eye. This lens is ideal for capturing tiny objects. It is recommended for nature or small objects and jewelry.

Therefore, consider the use you want from the camera of your next phone and find one that has the corresponding rear and selfie lenses.

Video Resolution & FPS

If you are interested in video recording in addition to photos, you should pay attention to 2 features.

Video Resolution

This refers to the number of pixels in each frame of the video, and as of 2024, the minimum you want the device to have is 1080p. At the same time, if you want something even better, there are now many devices that offer 4K video resolution (3840p) without costing a fortune, such as the Google Pixel 8a.

FPS

Frames per second show how many frames the camera records every second. In short, the image of a video recorded at 120 fps will be much smoother compared to one at 30 fps, especially if it contains fast and abrupt movements.

The table below helps you understand what the ideal fps is for the corresponding use:

Skroutz Tip: As most mobile phones do not have the processing power to handle high resolutions along with a high frame rate, as you increase the fps you sacrifice the resolution of the video. Use more than 60 fps only if you want to capture action (e.g. a Formula 1 race) or plan to slow down the video later, maintaining its quality.

Extra features

Beyond the quality of the lens, many devices have features that significantly contribute to the final result of the photo. 

The most common are:

HDR (High Dynamic Range): Combines multiple exposures of a subject (difference in the amount of light present in the image) into one photo, keeping the best details from each exposure. Essentially, you manage to retain details in both the bright and dark areas of the image.

Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Compensates for small hand movements by physically moving the lens or sensor to stabilize the image. This reduces motion blur, especially in low light or during video recording.

Night Mode: The night mode captures multiple exposures over a longer period and merges them into one bright, low-noise image.

Dual-tone Flash: Flash with different tones that allow better lighting and a more natural color result in photos using flash.

The Usefulness of Reviews

As the MP number is a spec that you can easily compare, unfortunately, as we have seen so far, the type, quality, and size of the lens significantly affect the quality of the final photo. The above, especially the quality of the lens, unfortunately cannot always be reflected in the device's specifications.

Our advice: Prefer to look at other users' comments on the camera's performance and not rely solely on the high MP number as the only selection factor.

At the same time, you can check out our guide with the top phones for photography to choose the one that suits your needs.