Top 10 Best Budget Smartphones for Photography That Capture Photos Like a DSLR

Top 10 Best Budget Smartphones for Photography That Capture Photos Like a DSLR

You no longer need to spend over $1,000 to get a smartphone with a great camera. Things have changed, and now, even budget phones can take amazing photos. Many of today’s affordable phones have camera features that used to be found only in expensive models, and they can even compete with real cameras in some situations.

Whether you're into photography but don’t want to spend much, need a backup for content creation, or just want the best camera for the price, these 10 smartphones under $500 will change how you see mobile photography.

10. OPPO Reno10 - The Portrait Specialist

The Reno 10 features a triple-lens setup with the 2x telephoto delivering great results, making it excellent for portrait photography.

Camera Specs:

• 64MP main camera

• 32MP telephoto (2x zoom)

• 8MP ultra-wide camera

• 32MP front camera

Portrait Excellence:

• Dedicated Telephoto: Perfect focal length for flattering portraits

• Natural Bokeh: Professional-looking background blur

• Front Camera: High-resolution selfie camera with portrait modes

• ColorOS: Intuitive interface with extensive beauty and portrait options.

Best For: Social media enthusiasts and portrait photographers who prioritize people photography.

9. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ - The Feature-Packed Value King

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ showcases an exceptional blend of design and technology with its advanced camera system and comprehensive connectivity options.

Camera Specs:

• 200MP main camera with pixel binning

• 8MP ultra-wide camera

• 2MP macro camera

• 16MP front camera

Value Excellence:

• Massive Resolution: 200MP sensor provides incredible detail when needed

• AMOLED Display: Beautiful 6.67-inch screen with Dolby Vision

• Fast Charging: Quick power-ups for extended shooting sessions

• MIUI Features: Extensive camera modes and editing options.

Ideal For: Spec-focused photographers who want maximum hardware for minimum cost.

8. CMF Phone 1 - The Surprise Performer

The CMF Phone 1 boasts a 50MP main camera, which uses pixel binning to produce detailed 12.5MP shots with surprisingly impressive results for the price.

Camera Specs:

• 50MP main camera with pixel binning

• 2MP portrait sensor

• 16MP front camera

Value Proposition:

• Unbeatable Price: Exceptional value at under $200

• Decent Low-Light: Surprisingly capable in challenging lighting

• Creative Accessories: Unique modular accessories for enhanced functionality

• Nothing Sub-Brand: Quality assurance from the Nothing ecosystem.

Perfect For: Budget-conscious photographers who need basic but reliable camera performance.

7. OnePlus Nord 4 - The Metal Marvel

The OnePlus Nord 4 is intended to be the first 5G phone with a full metal body that is 8mm thick, combining premium construction with capable cameras.

Camera Specs:

• 50MP main camera

• 8MP ultra-wide camera

• 16MP front camera.

Build Excellence:

• Full Metal Construction: Premium feel rare in this price range

• Dual-Tone Finish: Distinctive design that stands out

• IP65 Rating: Dust-tight protection for outdoor photography

• Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3: Powerful processing for camera AI.

Why It Matters: The premium build quality makes this phone feel like a much more expensive device while delivering solid photography performance.

6. Nothing Phone 3a Pro - The Creative's Choice

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro employs a cool, transparent design with a unique Glyph interface and lights that have practical purposes beyond aesthetics, while delivering surprisingly capable photography.

Camera Specs:

• 50MP main camera

• 8MP ultra-wide camera

• 16MP front camera

Unique Features:

• Glyph Interface: Unique notification system using light patterns

• Transparent Design: Unlike any other phone on the market

• Clean Android: Pure Android experience with regular updates

• Creative Potential: The unique design inspires creative photography approaches

Best For: Photographers who want their gear to be as unique as their creative vision.

5. Xiaomi 13T Pro - The Leica Partnership Bargain

This capable smartphone boasts a triple camera array with Leica-branded optics, making it quite possibly the cheapest Leica camera you can buy right now.

Camera Specs:

• 50MP main camera with Leica optics

• 12MP ultra-wide camera

• 50MP telephoto camera

• 20MP front camera

Leica Magic:

• Authentic Leica Processing: Choice between Leica Vibrant and Leica Authentic picture styles

• Professional Color Science: Delivers images that are bright and punchy without being oversaturated

• Premium Build: Flagship-level construction at budget pricing

• Versatile Zoom: Multiple focal lengths for creative flexibility.

Perfect For: Photography enthusiasts who want professional-grade color science and the prestige of the Leica partnership.

4. Samsung Galaxy A56 - The Reliable All-Rounder

The Samsung Galaxy A56 features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP f/1.8 wide-angle main camera with optical stabilization that consistently delivers good quality with pleasing detail.

Camera Specs:

• 50MP main camera (f/1.8) with OIS

• 12MP ultra-wide camera

• 5MP macro camera

• 32MP front camera

Samsung's Strengths:

• One UI Smoothness: Intuitive camera app with extensive shooting modes

• AI-Enhanced Photography: New AI features for better photo processing

• Excellent Build Quality: Premium feel with IP67 water resistance

• 5000mAh Battery: All-day shooting capability with fast charging

Why Choose It: Samsung's camera app offers more manual controls and shooting modes than most competitors, making it perfect for photographers who want creative control.

3. OnePlus 13R - The Speed and Zoom Specialist

The OnePlus 13R features three rear cameras, including a 50MP telephoto lens that delivers 2x optical zoom while specializing in portrait shots, making it unique among budget phones.

Camera Specs:

• 50MP main camera

• 8MP ultra-wide camera

• 50MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom

• 16MP front camera

Unique Advantages:

• Dedicated Telephoto: Rare in budget phones, perfect for portraits and distant subjects

• Lightning-Fast Charging: 80W charging means minimal downtime

• OxygenOS: Clean, fast interface with regular updates

• Portrait Excellence: The telephoto lens creates natural depth-of-field effects.

Ideal For: Photography enthusiasts who need versatile zoom capabilities and don't want to compromise on performance.

2. Google Pixel 8a - The Proven Champion

The Pixel 8a remains an incredible value with its 64MP main, 13MP ultrawide, and 13MP selfie sensors, backed by Google's renowned image processing prowess that has dominated budget camera phone comparisons.

Camera Specs:

• 64MP main camera with OIS

• 13MP ultra-wide camera

• 13MP front-facing camera.

Why It Stands Out:

• Proven Track Record: The Pixel 8a has beaten back plenty of low-cost rivals in 200-photo face-offs

• Seven Years of Updates: Future-proof with long-term software support

• Superior Video: 4K60 and 1080p at 120fps capabilities

• Consistent Excellence: Delivers reliable, high-quality results in any lighting condition.

Perfect For: Photographers who want proven excellence without paying for the latest features.

1. Google Pixel 9a - The Computational Photography King

The Google Pixel 9a sets the gold standard for budget camera phones with AI-powered photography that delivers flagship-level results at half the price. This isn't just the best budget camera phone – it's one of the best camera phones, period.

Camera Specs:

• 64MP main camera (f/1.9) with pixel binning to 16MP

• 13MP ultra-wide (f/2.2) with fixed focus

• 13MP front camera

Why It's DSLR-Quality:

• Magic Editor: AI tools that can erase unwanted objects, adjust lighting, and enhance photos with a tap

• Night Sight: Captures stunning low-light photos that rival full-frame cameras

• Astrophotography Mode: Long-exposure capabilities for capturing the Milky Way

• Portrait Mode: DSLR-level bokeh effects with natural subject separation.

Real-World Magic: The Pixel 9a's computational photography is so advanced that it can turn a mediocre shot into a masterpiece automatically. The camera consistently produces images with perfect exposure, vibrant but natural colors, and detail that often surprises even professional photographers.