One of the greatest inventions of our time, smartphone cameras put powerful video and photography equipment in our hands. We can take and use them anywhere without additional equipment, making them perfect for music venues where space is limited.
The best smartphone cameras take excellent pictures under low-light conditions without disturbing the performers on stage. Their small size fits in a pocket and easily gets through security. Using the camera on a phone also allows concertgoers the ability to stay in contact with friends during a show and snap photos right to social media.
Before you run out and buy any of these phones, you should know the best smartphone camera will vary from person to person. You want a camera phone that best fits your needs. Anything else would be just a waste of your money. Fortunately, there are ways you can narrow down your search.
Apple iPhone 11 Pro
No list of great smartphones can go without mentioning the iPhone 11 Pro, and this list is no different. While not the latest technology available, Apple’s iPhone brand offers phone cameras that just work. They even have an excellent “Night Mode” for shooting pictures in dark places such as a concert hall.
The Smart HDR technology also keeps what you want in focus, no matter how you move and dance to the music. This lets you take professional-quality photo shoots and videos of the event that will let you relive every moment as if you were still there. The main downside is that you only have 64 GB to store your pictures.
Please note that Apple does not sell unlocked versions of its iPhones. Therefore, you must either get one that works with your service provider or buy the iPhone 11 from your provider.
Pros:
- Excellent three-lens night mode
- Consistent image and color quality
- Long battery life
- Bright OLED display
- Dynamic Smart HDR focusing technology
Cons:
- Small storage space available
- Expensive
- Captures less data than competition
Huawei P30 Pro
CNet’s top phone comes in at number 2 on our list. The Huawei P30 Pro is the first phone to over four rear cameras, and the processing power to run them all. All this power lets the P30 capture the best low-light photos in the industry. The phone also comes in either a light blue or write cases, making it perfect as a fashion piece as well.
Under the hood, the P30 Pro offers comparable features to the Galaxy S10. It has a decent display resolution.
The only real problems are the lack of a headphone jack and no SD card support. There is also the limited availability concerns from recent political and economic events.
Pros:
- Four rear cameras
- Excellent battery life
- Beautiful case design
- Large display with decent resolution
Cons:
- No headphone jacks
- Proprietary storage expansion
- Availability issues
Samsung Galaxy S20 5G
While some may choose the pro version, Samsung’s Galaxy S20 5G boasts some of the most impressive camera features on the market. With the phone’s 108MP with 100x zoon, you can get clear videos of the stage even from the back row. This telephoto smartphone camera comes with several lower resolution modes for excellent panoramas as well.
Sure, the night mode is nowhere near the best, but it is still a very capable low-light camera phone. It is even social-media friendly. It can capture multiple shots at once, and then let you decide which ones to share later.
As you can buy unlocked versions of the phone directly from Samsung, the Galaxy S20 will work with your current phone service unmodified. You may still want to check to see if your provider offers the phone to ensure compatibility.
Pros:
- 108MP primary camera with 100x zoom
- Large 6.9-inch display
- 8K video resolution
- 5G future-proof network connectivity
- Impressive single-take feature
Cons:
- 8K video compatibility issues with current displays
- Very expensive
- Photo processing too aggressive
Google Pixel 4 XL
The Google Pixel 4 line of phones may not have a triple-lens display as the other phones on the list, but its dual-lens setup is more than capable for concert recording.
It can even activate its “Astrophotography” DSLR-enhanced night mode as the light goes out, and the performance begins. The technology adjusts shadows separately from the brightness to record every detail.
The Pixel 4 XL itself comes with a long-lasting battery as well. This battery lets you record the entire concert no matter how many delays may occur.
However, the phone does not have a panorama mode. You also cannot get the phone factory unlocked. You can only use it if your current phone service offers it as there is no guarantee that the unlocked models will work.
Pros:
- Excellent 12MP primary camera
- Impressive “Astrophotography” night mode
- Smart DSLR exposure control
- Premium quality photos
- Smooth 5.7-inch OLED display
Cons:
- Low storage options that are not expandable
- No ultra-wide camera mode
- Poor battery life
Xiaomi Mi Note 10
Xiaomi’s Mi Note 10 is the other 108-megapixel camera on the list. However, the 108MP rating is a bit misleading. The Mi Notes 10 produces 27MP shots through its quad-pixel design. The camera turns four pixels into one to increase dynamic range and better low-light exposures. However, you can turn off the feature in the right lighting conditions to create spectacularly detailed shots.
Despite the perfect main lens, the secondaries give little to be desired. They seem like afterthoughts giving inconsistent results. Still, the main camera is more than enough to handle your concert-recording needs.
Another area of concern is the lack of a U. S. version of the phone. While you can get it unlocked, there is no way to know if it will work with your phone service.
Pros:
- Fantastic 108MP performance from the main camera
- Multiple social media-friendly modes including a vlog setting
- Long-lasting battery
- Multiple focal length settings
- High-quality, dynamic low-light photography
Cons:
- Limited storage available with no expansion options
- Not available in all markets
- Low-quality secondary cameras
Apple iPhone SE
The iPhone SE is an iPhone 8 with an iPhone 11 inside, but that is more than enough for a cheap low-light camera for concerts. It still makes high-quality 4K 60fps video and photos with a battery that lasts. It even has Smart HDR and Semantic rendering.
However, like an iPhone 8, the SE lacks a panoramic ultra-wide camera and other features found in other models.
Plus, you cannot find this phone factory unlocked, which means you can only use it if your phone service offers it. Unlocked versions exist, but they come with no warranties and may not work with your service.
Even so, it is still a good phone camera when living on a budget and nothing else, but an iPhone will do.
Pros:
- Fast iPhone 11 performance in a compact, iPhone 8 shell
- Supports wireless charging
- Great 4K video and photos even at night
- Excellent performance in normal lighting conditions
- Long-lasting battery
Cons:
- No zoom features
- No ultra-wide camera
- Single-lens setup
Google Pixel 3A
Unless you need an iPhone, the Google Pixel 3A is an excellent budget smartphone camera compatible with low-light photography. The ultra-sharp night sight and super Res zoom features produce clear images regardless of lighting conditions, enabling you to capture all the action at both indoor and outdoor venues.
The Pixel 3A comes with the same 12.2MP sensor that comes standard on most smartphones. This sensor gives you the same range of performance you can get from other phone models for a fraction of the cost. The dark screen may be difficult to see in the middle of a concert though.
Also note, you cannot buy a Pixel 3A factory unlocked. Thus, you may want to check to see if your phone service offers it. You can still get it unlocked, but you may want to do a background check on the seller first.
Pros:
- Excellent battery life
- Great low light performance for the price
- Reliable technology and features
- Very intuitive, user-friendly interface
- Decent double zoom feature
Cons:
- Dim display, hard to see in dark places
- No wireless charging
- Total automated experience, not for enthusiasts
Huawei P40 Pro
While not yet available in the United States, the Huawei P40 Pro is the best overall telephoto smartphone camera on the market. While it only offers a maximum 50-megapixel lens, the P40’s Leica red-yellow-yellow-blue, electronic-stabilized imaging system lets you shoot professional-quality photos and videos under any lighting condition. You can even capture the excitement of any musical performance from its large sensor in automatic mode.
The P40 also includes an impressive 50x zoom so you can get up close to the on-stage action from any seat in the house.
However, despite the high quality and low noise, the P40 photos are not as sharp as its competitors. You also have limited software compatibility from the on-going Huawei-Google situation. This also means that the phone may not work with your phone service either.
Fortunately, these phones come unlocked from the factory. So, you can use them without an active service if you just what the camera features.
Pros:
- Extra-long battery life
- Excellent camera options
- Electronic image stabilization
- Lecia imaging system works great under low-light conditions
- A reliable automatic mode
Cons:
- Limited software compatibility
- Low-sharp and punchy photos
- Limited zoom range
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus
The Galaxy Note 10 Plus brings a stylus to the table. While not useful during recording, the included pen makes editing videos a breeze. Good thing that the phone comes with a 12-millimeter ultra-wide camera for the best panoramic shots in the market. The pen can even double as a remote shutter.
The Note 10 Plus also comes with a time-of-flight sensor for capturing live depth information, on top of its comprehensive user interface. You can use it any mode include both pro and night settings.
Plus, you can get the phone factory unlocked from Samsung, which means you can use it with your current phone service.
However, the phone is a better daytime camera. The night mode works, but you cannot change the brightness of the shot or reduce noise.
Pros:
- A very wide panoramic camera
- Versatile three-camera setup
- The stylus makes editing on the phone easy
- Decent video performance
- Comprehensive user interface
Cons:
- Poor quality night mode
- Expensive
- Aggressive automatic mode
OnePlus 8 Pro
While the OnePlus 8 Pro does not come with decent zoom features, its standard 48MP main camera shots ridiculously clear photos regardless of the light conditions. The large camera even comes with both phase detection and laser autofocus modes. It will keep your photos and video steady regardless of how the music makes you move.
The included 8MP telephoto camera can zoom for decent 3x shots with better maximum focal points than the iPhone 11. The OnePlus 8 Pro also sports the largest panoramic smartphone camera on the market as well. It just does not have the storage capacity to go with its high price tag.
The phone is also factory unlocked by OnePlus. You can use the phone with your current phone service, provided you have a GSM-compatible carrier.
Pros:
- 5G future-proof connectivity
- 48MP ultra-wide camera
- Reverse and fast wireless charging
- Ultra-clear low-light photography
- Excellent autofocus modes
Cons:
- Expensive
- Low storage space
- Prone to false touches
Look for These Features in the Best Smartphone Cameras
If money were no object, the best technical smartphone camera would provide higher pixel resolution than most traditional cameras with a video format of at least 8K and 100x zoom. Many top-of-the-line models even boast 108MP resolution, which is quickly becoming the industry standard.
However, no phone beats a good DSLR mirrorless camera in image quality. So, your choice for a smartphone camera must include other factors than just the best specs on the market.
These factors include:
- Desired type of photos
- Phone size
- Aperture size and resolution
- Focal length and adjustments
- The specs of the selfie camera
- Video resolution and frame rate
- Available storage
- Phone Availability
- Network Connectivity
The Type of Photos and Videos You Take
At the top of the things to consider when buying a smartphone camera is knowing what you want to do with the camera. Not all multi-lens cameras can shoot every picture style. Ultra-wide cameras allow for stunning panoramic landscapes, letting you capture the entire concert stage at once. Telephoto lenses let you zoom in on your favorite performer.
Size Does Matter
You will be holding your phone while you take your photos. Thus, you want one you will be comfortable holding above the crowd for long periods. Many of the most compact phone cameras may not fit in your pocket either.
Aperture Before Megapixels
The aperture, or lens size, matters more than the resolutions. Larger apertures (lower f-stop numbers) let in more light and makes for better quality pictures in the dark. Megapixels only come in to play when all else is equal.
Focal lengths and Effects
Concert lighting conditions can create focus issues. The wrong camera can blur out everything into a mess. Thus, you want a camera with a dynamic focus. These cameras provide bokeh backgrounds, which blur out the background while keeping the subject in sharp focus. Some phones will even let you adjust the effect before and after you shoot.
Do Not Ignore the Front-Facing Camera
The front camera lets you take selfies. Some phones even offer the same resolution and quality from their front cameras as they offer from their rear ones. Other models do not.
Do Not Ignore Video Either
Phone cameras can shoot videos as well as still photographs. Thus, you want to consider a phone’s video resolution and frame rate as well.
Does the Phone Have Enough Storage?
Often overlooked, higher resolution pictures and videos take up a lot of storage space. Therefore, you want a phone that has enough internal storage for every clip you want to take. You also want to check to see if you can expand the available storage with an SD card as well.
Is the Phone Available in Your Area?
Manufacturers do not sell their entire product catalog everywhere. Local regulations and market trends can prevent some phone models from working in certain regions. Always make sure you can use the phone camera you want. Otherwise, you must sacrifice phone functionality for your photography.
Can You Connect the Phone to Your Local Wireless Network?
Beyond regulations and the market, you also want to know if your phone camera will work in your area’s network. Many newer camera phones boast their 5G capabilities. However, 5G is only available in a few markets. Thus, you can only use those phones in those cities, so that phone can become just a very-expensive low-quality camera.
Conclusion
Smartphone cameras come in all resolutions and types. However, only a few of them will work under the lighting conditions found at most concerts. By choosing the right smartphone camera for you, you can save your favorite concert memories so you can relive them later by yourself or with your friends.
However, not even low-light cameras are the same. You need a smartphone camera that offers the right features and resolutions that best match the pictures you want to take.