The 12 Best Smartphone Cameras for Low Light Conditions
Have you ever experienced a moment in which you can’t take good pictures because it’s too dark? Well, don’t worry because we’ve listed down which phones have the best smartphone camera in 2020.
Imagine yourself with your friends at night having a special moment, and you want to remember that moment forever. But your phone can’t capture pictures accurately because it wasn’t built for night use.
It’s annoying, right? It’s happened to me so many times that I can’t count.
Often, if I want a good night picture, I’d have to bring my DSLR camera and either set it to high ISO and low shutter speed.
Related: Best 360 Camera Apps for Android
This fact hinders my mobility because I always have to look out for my camera.
But since the dawn of the technological revolution, we’ve been presented with phones a lot of unique features.
In 2017, 85 percent of pictures taken came from smartphones. Now that’s a lot compared to the early 2000s.
Since then, we now have flip-camera phones, bezel-less screens, and foldable glass screens.
What’s great about the technological advancements of today is that they keep on adding features to smartphones.
Almost everything we need has been added to our smartphones, from high-quality cameras to wallets.
There have been so many improvements in terms of cellphone features, and the development with the cameras are just the tip of the iceberg.
Find the best smartphone camera for you!
We’ve listed down 12 of the best smartphone cameras for low light conditions. All of the phones on the list are capable of capturing images with little natural lighting.
While the phones on this list may not all be on the same standard, they are all capable of capturing images under low light conditions.
Find the right phone for you based on specs, affordability, and features.
Check out the list we made below and choose which one in our list has the best smartphone camera for you!
Best Smartphone Cameras for Low Light Conditions
| Best Over All | Oppo FindX2 Pro |
| Cheapest | Nokia 9 PureView |
| Highly Recommended | Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra |
| Best Value | Google Pixel 4 XL |
| Runner Ups | Huawei P40 Pro |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ | |
| Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus | |
| Sony Xperia 1 | |
| Xiaomi Mi Note 10 | |
| Huawei P30 Pro | |
| Xiaomi Mi9 | |
| OnePlus 7 Pro |
The Best Smartphone Cameras for Low Light Conditions in 2020
We curated our list based on the features included with the phone, its affordability, and its build. Choose from our list below and see what would fit your preferences.
We won’t be focusing on the device’s full specs; instead, we’ll be focusing on its camera build and its capacity to take pictures in the dark.
1. Huawei P40 Pro
The Huawei P40 Pro is Huawei’s current flagship. It features a 50 Megapixel quad-rear camera that uses Leica optics, and has an aperture of 1.9.
It has a 31 Megapixel front cam with a 2.2 aperture.
The phone can take clear photos in extreme low light conditions.
It also has an OLED touchscreen with a 441 PPI screen.
If you want a flagship phone that can take pictures under low light conditions (and being designed while having this feature in mind) as well as having top-of-the-line specs, then this phone is right for you.
Check out the device on Amazon!
2. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is Samsung’s flagship phone. This phone is indeed the pinnacle of current smartphone technology.
It has a “Bright Night Mode” in which you can take clear and crisp images in dark conditions, all without using the flash.
Along with that, it also has a 108 Megapixel camera with an 8K video capability.
It also has top-of-the-line specs such as super-fast charging capabilities, and all the latest hardware.
If you are willing to spend a little bit more for the additional functionalities, then this phone would be just right for you.
Check out the device now on Amazon!
3. Huawei P30 Pro
The Huawei P40 Pro’s predecessor is still a powerful phone and can even stand toe-to-toe with most brands’ flagship phones.
Like it’s successor, the P30 Pro can take gorgeous photos at deficient light conditions and was design with this feature in mind.
Although it only has 40 Megapixels compared to the P40’s 50 Megapixel primary camera, it can still do the job of taking photos in the dark perfectly.
If you don’t want to spend as much on the current flagship, then the Huawei P30 Pro is just right for you.
Check out the device on Amazon!
4. Samsung Galaxy Note 10+
Although released back in 2019, this phone is still a beast and would still be relevant a few years from now.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+’s camera isn’t as good as that of the S20+ or the Huawei P40, but if you use your phone for business purposes, then this is a proper choice.
The Note 10+ has a set of pro lenses that can get the job done in low light conditions. It has different features such as live-bokeh, super stabilization, and an enhanced night mode.
If you need a business-oriented smartphone capable of catching photos under low light conditions, then this is the phone for you.
Check out the device on Amazon!
5. Google Pixel 4 XL
The Google Pixel 4 XL’s camera may not be as powerful as that of the others on this list, but if you need to use your camera in dark conditions while not spending as much. Then this is an excellent choice for you.
The Google Pixel 4 XL features “Night Sight” which is an enhanced night mode of the device. Capture stunning images of the galaxy with a faster and easier to use night mode camera.
In terms of affordability and getting the job done, this is a great choice indeed.
Check out the device on Amazon!
6. Oppo FindX2 Pro
The Oppo FindX2 Pro is a beast in its own right; it is Oppo’s response to the other brands’ flagship phones.
This smartphone camera runs on an octa-core 865, and features a 48 Megapixel camera. The camera also has an “Ultra Night Mode 3.0” feature, which lets you take gorgeous photos at deficient light conditions.
If you want a flagship phone that is cheaper than those of its competitors, then the Oppo FindX2 Pro is a great choice.
Check out the device on Amazon!
7. Xiaomi Mi Note 10
With the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 being Xiaomi’s flagship, you should expect that it has specs on par with that of its competitors.
The device has an exceptional 108 Megapixel camera that can take breathtaking images, even in the dark.
With an enhanced night mode being the norm among flagship and mid-tier phones, this would certainly do the job right.
The only drawback to this phone is its front cam, which isn’t on the same level as those in its league.
Still, this smartphone camera is a compelling device and is worth checking out.
Check out the device on Amazon!
8. Sony Xperia 1
The Sony Xperia 1 is Sony’s answer to those wishing for an exceptional video camera on their phones.
Although it only has a 12 Megapixel camera, its triple-lens and AF tracking gives you a better exposure as well as a better precision focus.
This smartphone camera could certainly take great pictures under low light conditions, but this phone is better for those who will use it for video capturing purposes more.
With its CineAlta, this phone is just right for on-the-go videographers.
Check out the device on Amazon!
9. Xiaomi Mi9
Another one of Xiaomi’s Flagships, the Xiaomi Mi9 is certainly a bang-for-the-buck phone.
At its price point, it is undoubtedly a great phone to choose from. It features a triple-camera rear setup that has excellent dynamic range, as well as an enhanced color reproduction quality.
The phone also has the ability to de-focus backgrounds in pictures, a feature commonly observed in more expensive phones.
Although compared to the others on this list, its night shot capabilities aren’t as good. But with its specs and affordability, it’s worthy enough to be included in the list.
Check out the device on Amazon!
10. Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus
Being Samsung’s 2019 flagship phone, it can easily be said that this phone is up to par with its flagship contemporaries.
The Samsung Galaxy S10’s primary 12 Megapixel smartphone camera can take excellent photos with its dual-aperture camera. (even if the standard of most flagships today are 108 Megapixels)
The device also has a stunning night mode. Same with its successor, it can take beautiful night shots with little to no light.
If you want a cheaper smartphone camera than the current flagships, but can still function to be at the same level as current flagships, then this is the right choice for you.
Check out the device on Amazon!
11. Nokia 9 PureView
The Nokia 9 PureView boasts its Penta-rear smartphone camera at 12 Megapixel each lens. It has quality specs at a mid-tier price point.
The device features Zeiss optics, and also has an enhanced night mode that is capable of producing 4 pictures with its 5 cameras. (2 for RGB, 3 for Black and White.)
The 5-camera setup enables the device to collect a 10x increase in the amount of light.
During night mode, it is also capable of using a maximum of 1s shutter speed.
It produces results on par with its mid-tier contemporaries during night mode.
Check out the device on Amazon!
12. OnePlus 7 Pro
The OnePlus 7 Pro has been making news in the market due to its affordability in terms of its specs.
It has a triple-rear 48 Megapixel pop-up rear cam and a 4k video capture and playback.
In terms of its ability to capture clear photos at low light conditions, it certainly passes the tests.
In cases of extremely low light conditions, is it capable of producing better results compared to the other Galaxy upper mid-tier phones on this list.
Check out the device on Amazon!
FAQs
Do higher megapixels make a camera better?
Yes, technically, they do. The higher the megapixels of a camera means the more detail it can capture. But image quality doesn’t rely on megapixels exclusively.
What should be my ISO setting when shooting in low light conditions?
That depends on what you want to achieve; you usually balance out the shutter speed and the ISO to deliver good quality pictures under low light conditions. A higher ISO would create a grainy image, but a lower ISO would produce a darker image.
What is the highest Megapixels on a smartphone right now?
108 MP. Many of the current flagship phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra feature Quad-rear cameras with 108 Megapixels.
Which is the No 1 camera phone in the world?
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra has a great camera quality. It has the largest camera sensor ever seen on a smartphone.
What ISO is best for low light?
ISO between 1600 and 3200 can be perfect to capture low light images.
What lens is best for low light?
The ideal lenses for low light are prime lenses of at least f/18.
What shutter speed is used for dark conditions?
You need to set your shutter speed to a fraction of the focal length. For example if you are using a 50mm lens, you need to use a shutter speed of 1/50 second.
Are zoom lenses good for low light?
Zooming has nothing to do with lighting. You will not lose any light while zooming your lens into an image.
Do higher megapixels make a camera better?
Yes, technically, they do. The higher the megapixels of a camera means the more detail it can capture. But image quality doesn’t rely on megapixels exclusively.
What should be my ISO setting when shooting in low light conditions?
That depends on what you want to achieve; you usually balance out the shutter speed and the ISO to deliver good quality pictures under low light conditions. A higher ISO would create a grainy image, but a lower ISO would produce a darker image.
What is the highest Megapixels on a smartphone right now?
108 MP. Many of the current flagship phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra feature Quad-rear cameras with 108 Megapixels.
Bright Your Night!
All of the phones on this list can handle capturing pictures at low light conditions.
If you’re willing to spend a few more extra dollars on the Huawei P40 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, do so because they are certainly worth it if you have the extra money.
But if you’re not willing to spend too much, there are cheaper alternatives that could also get the job done.
It will all boil down to your preferences and your needs, as well as how you will be using the phone outside the boundaries of night photography.
If you have any comments or suggestions, let us know in the comments section below!
