Best 2023 Budget Smartphones for Photography

Best 2023 Budget Smartphones for Photography

Motorola Moto G82:

Should you be able to allocate some extra funds, the Moto G82 offers an enhanced viewing experience through an OLED display panel, along with notable improvements in day-to-day performance. While the camera technology remains largely consistent, the primary sensor now incorporates Optical Image Stabilization for better image quality. The 50-megapixel primary sensor capably captures everyday photos with a natural aesthetic, avoiding excessive color saturation or aggressive alterations.

The resulting images appear quite authentic, maintaining their quality even in scenarios with strong contrasts. Although occasional instances of color saturation might arise, they remain within reasonable bounds. Naturally, the performance diminishes somewhat in conditions of lower or ambient lighting. This can lead to softer results accompanied by noise and grain. Fortunately, the optical image stabilization feature contributes to preserving sharpness as effectively as possible.

Furthermore, the device boasts an ultra-wide-angle lens accessible for use at any time. Sporting a basic 8-megapixel capacity, it delivers satisfactory performance during daylight hours, yet encounters challenges in low-light settings, producing less clear outcomes. One area of disappointment is the absence of support for 4K Ultra HD resolution video recording. The default video quality is Full HD+, available at either 30 or 60 frames per second—no other options are provided.

On the front-facing side, positioned within a small cutout at the upper edge of the screen, resides a 16-megapixel selfie camera. This component functions adequately under well-lit conditions, ensuring sharp focus and delivering appealing portrait results when desired. However, indoor captures may appear somewhat subdued, and nighttime shots tend to exhibit some graininess. To mitigate this, a screen flash feature is included, providing intense illumination for nighttime situations, potentially even giving your skin a sun-kissed glow at the same time.

Nokia G60:

And finally, for around $300, you can always grab the Nokia G60, which comes back with years of software support, an eco-friendly design, and a 50-megapixel primary camera sensor. Unfortunately, without any OIS built-in, Nokia was a bit vague about exactly which camera sensor has been used in the Nokia G60, but I do know there’s no Optical Image Stabilization. But you know what?

I got some really good-looking photos out of this thing, packed with enough sharp details. They looked good even on a proper big screen. Particularly in portrait shots, colors come out close to natural, even when you’re snapping quite vibrant subjects. And while strong contrast usually results in oversaturation, the Nokia G60 holds up well compared to some of its rivals.

Indoor snaps are often a bit grainy, but again, nothing too horrific. And though at night, the Nokia G60 struggles quite a bit, and while the night mode brightens things up considerably, it often can’t help with soft focus and noise. For a different kind of view, you can always swap to the basic 5-megapixel ultra-wide-angle shooter. This is pretty basic stuff. It struggles in tougher testing conditions, but it’s there if you need it.

The final lens slapped on the back of the Nokia G60 is a depth sensor for those portrait shots. Now, if you swap over to the video mode, you’ll quickly discover there’s no way of shooting 4K resolution footage here. It maxes out at 1080p full HD at either 30 or 60 FPS.

Strong light will need to be avoided at all times, otherwise, the footage will look just like this right here. The same goes for night video as well. Like most of the competition, this phone kind of falls flat in low-light conditions, but in good lighting, you’ll get respectable-looking video clips with decent audio pickup and stabilization, not too bad either.

And then last up is the 8-megapixel, I believe it is, selfie camera. This does a pretty good job in stronger light, making sure your face is fully in focus, with attractive portrait results if you want. But again, indoor shots will look a bit soft, and at night, everything gets a bit grainy.

In conclusion, we’ve taken a flavorful journey through the top contenders in the realm of budget smartphones for photography in 2023. These delectable options have not only been meticulously tested and reviewed but also represent a slice of the best technology available.

However, it’s worth acknowledging that individual palates vary, and there might be a few hidden gems that haven’t made it into our tasting menu. So, as you explore the world of budget smartphone photography, don’t hesitate to savor your own personal favorites that add their own unique spices to this ever-evolving feast of innovation. Check out the latest prices here: Motorola Moto G82  And  Nokia G60.

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Daven Klarsen is a technology writer and researcher. He's also an avid sports fan, especially when it comes to the LAL. When not working, you can usually find him tweaking his Android devices or watching soccer news.