Best mobile phone camera up to 400 euros: 6 good models for frequent snappers
Which is the best mobile phone camera under 400 euros? That depends on what you intend to do with it and what you value in a smartphone camera. We present you six good and cheap smartphones from the top 100 of the DxOMark ranking.
When it comes to phone camera quality, DxOMark is a trusted place to go. The photo experts put smartphone cameras through their paces and continuously update their ranking of the best models. While the top spots are always occupied by expensive flagships, there are also some smartphones under 400 euros in the top 100. Below we present a selection of them – in descending order of their DxO rating (the higher the score, the better) .
OnePlus Nord 2 5G
Flagship camera for under 400 euros – that's what you get with the OnePlus Nord 2. Image: © OnePlus 2021
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G has what is currently probably the best mobile phone camera under 400 euros. The smartphone is equipped with the flagship camera of the high-end OnePlus 9 Pro model. The main camera has a resolution of 50 megapixels and is optically stabilized. There is also an 8-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 2-megapixel monochrome lens. The front camera of the OnePlus Nord 2 has a resolution of 32 megapixels. DxOMark especially praises the portrait shots, which are exceptionally good for this price range, and the videos with great color reproduction.
DxO Rating: 116
OnePlus Nord 2 5G Buy now at
Google Pixel 4a
The Pixel 4a, launched in August 2020, takes great photos. Picture:
When looking for a cheap but good cell phone camera, it is worth not only looking at the latest models. For example, the Google Pixel 4a scores with good photo quality. In contrast to many other smartphones, the Pixel 4a only has a main camera with a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, but the software does a good job here. The optically stabilized camera focuses quickly and accurately, and the Pixel 4a also copes well with poor lighting conditions. The front camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels.
DxO Rating: 111
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Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite copes comparatively well with backlighting. Image: © Xiaomi 2021
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G gets the same score as the Pixel 4a in the DxOMark ranking, but scores in different areas. The smartphone has a triple camera with a 64-megapixel main lens, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera and a 5-megapixel telephoto camera. The front camera has a resolution of 16 megapixels. Above all, the illumination of the main camera is praised, which delivers good results both indoors and outdoors – and even in backlit situations. The videos convince with a wealth of detail and effective stabilization.
DxO Rating: 111
Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G Buy now at
Oppo Reno6 5G
The Oppo Reno6 5G scores particularly well with its selfie camera. Image: © Oppo 2022
The Oppo Reno6 5G also costs less than 400 euros and comes with three rear cameras: a main camera with 64 megapixels, a wide-angle camera with 8 megapixels and a macro camera with 2 megapixels. According to DxOMark, these deliver sharp and detailed images. The front camera of the Oppo Reno6 is particularly noteworthy. The 32-megapixel selfie cam delivers particularly detailed photos and manages to evenly illuminate faces in almost all lighting situations.
DxO Rating: 107
Oppo Reno6 5G Buy now at
Realme GT Neo 2 5G
The Realme GT Neo 2 5G is interesting for vloggers and influencers. Image: © Realme 2022
If you like to film yourself a lot, for example for Instagram stories or vlogs, the Realme GT Neo 2 5G could offer you the best cell phone camera under 400 euros. The good face-tracking performance when filming is particularly noteworthy. The smartphone has a triple camera with 64 (main camera), 8 (ultra wide-angle lens) and 2 megapixels (macro lens). Photos succeed both indoors and outdoors, in bright light conditions or with a flash.
DxO Rating: 106
Realme GT Neo 2 5G Buy now at
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
There are even more cameras for under 400 euros! The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G comes with four rear cameras and one front camera. On the back, you'll find a 64-megapixel wide-angle lens, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, a 5-megapixel macro lens, and a 5-megapixel lens that provides depth information for photos with a bokeh effect. The front camera of the Galaxy A52s has a resolution of 32 megapixels. Although the camera's performance does not stand out in any respect from comparably expensive competing models, the Samsung smartphone delivers good and detailed images overall in different lighting situations indoors and outdoors.
DxO Rating: 105
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G Buy now at
