Mobile phones have over the recent past changed the way photography is done especially by integrating camera systems that are as efficient as those of a DSLR camera. DSLR camera mobile phones of today are capable of doing more than just taking photos and videos. With sophisticated visuals, enhanced lenses, and innovative algorithms, you can take professional photos and videos right out of your pocket. These devices have many useful parameters including high-resolution sensors, optical zoom, the possibility to control many aspects of the camera, and RAW file support, making them a fully-fledged continuation of the great tradition of DSLR cameras.
Whether you are looking for a mobile phone to take casual snaps or professional-quality photographs, today’s smartphones allow any consumer to achieve incredible levels of accuracy and creativity. In this guide, find the 10 best mobile phones with DSLR-like cameras.
Top Mobile Phones with DSLR-Like Cameras
Many modern smartphones have cameras comparable in quality to entry-level DSLR cameras. Below are some of the top recommendations.
1. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is Apple’s latest smartphone for the year 2023-2024 with some enhancements from its previous models. High-quality lenses and manual settings are available through third-party apps such as Halide, for the phone. They come in Natural Titanium options, Black, White, and Blue Titanium. More Enhanced A17 Pro chip that delivers performance and power efficiency plus Integrated 6-core GPU for graphics, and console-level gaming.
Key Camera Features:
- 48 MP main sensor that is complemented by advanced computational photography.
- The camera comes with a five-times telephoto zoom on Pro Max or equivalent to 120mm.
- New ProRAW and ProRes options for powerful editing among professionals.
- High and low ISO tests with Night Mode.
2. Google Pixel 8 Pro
Google Pixel 8 Pro is among this year’s best Android phones from Google that come with enhancements in design, performance, cameras, and AI technology. The material and build have an aluminum frame with a matte finish and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back for protection. The main lens is 50MP wide with a larger sensor that allows enhanced low-light performance.
Key Features:
- Witness 50 MP main sensor with great AI-assisted photography.
- Telephoto five times zoom and the lens ultra-wide.
- The most effective programs for post-production work in the field of photo and video content.
- Realistic color reproduction and HDR+.
3. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of Samsung’s premium devices with a sleek design and powerful hardware as well as a photographic system. This phone is packed with a 200MP wide sensor with pixel binning for a better night shoot with more details. Powered with Android 13 with One UI 5.1 and introduces a choosable interface.
Key Camera Features:
- One of the best camera modules you can get on any smartphone as this phone has a 200 MP main camera with adaptive pixel technology.
- 10x optical zoom, periscope lens.
- The next highlights are 8K video recording and additional stabilization.
- You’ll have an expert RAW mode for full manual control.
4. Sony Xperia 1 V
The SONY XPERIA 1 V is SONY’s key smartphone model, designed for photography, videography, and multimedia users. The phone is optimized with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for high-end performance. This phone is equipped with 256 GB nonexpandable UFS 4.0 and has micro SD XC slot support up to 1 TB for storage expansion. Heat dissipating technology for extended operation during the performance of heavy tasks.
Key Camera Features:
- 52 MP main sensor with a variable focal length capability.
- Currently, there are manual control apps for photography known as Photography Pro, and videography known as Video Pro.
- Real-time Eye AF and object tracking. The features are borrowed from the Alpha line of cameras.
5. Xiaomi 13 Ultra
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is a current-year photography-centric flagship smartphone from Xiaomi with top-shelf internals complemented by the Leica co-developed camera array. It is intended for those users who value imaging capabilities, elegance, and reliability of manufactured products. Together with Leica, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra boasts one of the best smartphone camera setups.
Key Camera Features:
- 50 MP quad camera setup with Leica lens.
- Hybrid optical and electronic variable aperture on the main lens of 120mm periscope telephoto lens.
- High-definition color reproduction is made even better by Leica.
6. Vivo X100 Pro
The Vivo X100 Pro is all about advanced camera capabilities, a great display, and strong performance features on a flagship smartphone. An expansive, 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED supporting a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness for HDR content. The processing unit it comes with is MediaTek Dimensity 9300 with an all-big-core architecture designed to offer simultaneous high-performance multitasking and power-efficient working supported by high-performance gaming.
Key Camera Features:
- The smartphone will have a 50 MP 1-inch sensor for DSLR-like bokeh.
- Replica optics of Carl Zeiss for clarity.
- Astro mode and night mode improved.
7. OnePlus 12 Pro
OnePlus 12 Pro often known as OnePlus 12 is a super flagship mobile phone released at the end of 2024, which has provided major upgrades in design, performance, and function. It also comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with adaptive frequency ranging from 1 Hz up to 120 Hz and a maximum brightness of 2,600 nits. This will guarantee a bright and rich display alongside free and seamless scrolling through the pages even in bright sunshine.
Key Camera Features:
- The main sensor, specifically, is a 64 MP Hasselblad-tuned main sensor.
- Two features in this phone include ultra HDR mode and fast autofocus.
- A 5x telephoto zoom and RAW are also supported.
8. Huawei P60 Pro
The Huawei P60 Pro is a high-end smartphone with a robust configuration, an impressive screen, and a modern photographic module. The device runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Chipset accompanied by 8 GB RAM.
Key Features:
- 48 MP Ultra Lighting Camera with Changeable Aperture.
- Superb low-light performance.
- Optical zoom at 5x and digital 100x zoom.
9. Oppo Find X6 Pro
Oppo Find X6 Pro is one of the latest Oppo smartphones of the flagship line and it has many functions. First, the Huawei Y9 Prime 2019 has a 6.82-inch AMOLED screen that adapts to a 1Hz-120Hz refresh rate and 2500 nits of brightness which is pretty brighter than most devices in direct sunlight.
Key Camera Features:
- Triple 50 MP sensors with Hasselblad tuning.
- 1-inch main sensor for DSLR-like depth.
- Two features, namely; advanced manual mode and color calibration.
10. Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is among the best of the gaming smartphone brands available in the market. The photography section of the phone consists of a 50 MP main camera, an ultra-wide lens of 13 MP, and lastly a 5 MP macro lens. The camera setup is quite adequate for a gaming device along with other features.
Key Camera Features:
- 50 MP Sony IMX766 sensor.
- Good video stabilization if you are recording cinematic videos.
- Manual controls and HDR10 support are present.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the DSLR-like cameras in mobile phones have completely changed the face of photography. This technology has equipped powerful tools in a small and easily accessible form factor. Through the advancement in sensor technology, lens systems, and computational photography, it becomes possible to get professional quality images and videos without specific equipment.
