Finding a great camera on a budget Android phone is no longer a compromise. In my recent test, I pitted four popular models against each other to find out which one takes the crown for the best photos and overall shooting experience.
The Google Pixel 8a (from left), Nothing Phone 2, Samsung Galaxy A35, and Samsung Galaxy A55. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
The Phones I Tested
Here’s a quick rundown of the smartphones I put through their paces:
Google Pixel 8a: The Google Pixel 8a leverages its computational photography prowess and packs a dual rear camera system comprising a 12.2MP main sensor with dual pixel PDAF (phase detection autofocus) and OIS (optical image stabilization), and a 16MP ultrawide lens. It harnesses the power of Google’s custom Tensor G2 chip, which plays a crucial role in image processing and computational photography tricks.
Nothing Phone (2): The Nothing Phone (2) isn’t just about its unique Glyph Interface; it also packs a solid dual rear camera setup. This includes a 50MP primary sensor with Sony’s IMX890 sensor and OIS, coupled with a 50MP ultrawide lens using the Samsung JN1 sensor. On the front, you’ll find a 32MP selfie camera.
Samsung Galaxy A35: A budget-friendly option from Samsung, the A35 offers a triple rear camera system with a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. It also has a 13MP front-facing camera for selfies.
Samsung Galaxy A55: A step up from the A35, the A55 features a similar camera setup but with an upgraded 8MP ultrawide sensor and OIS on the main 50MP sensor. It retains the 5MP macro lens and 13MP front-facing camera found on the A35.
What About the Apps and Editing Features?
All four phones offer decent camera apps with various shooting modes, settings, and features. However, the Pixel 8a stands out with its seamless integration with Google Photos and a suite of powerful AI-powered editing tools like Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, and Face Unblur.
The Nothing Phone (2)’s camera app is clean and user-friendly, but it lacks some of the advanced features found in the Pixel’s app. Meanwhile, Samsung’s camera app on the A35 and A55 offers a wide range of shooting modes, filters, and editing options, including an object eraser.
3. Comparing All Four Cameras
In daylight conditions, all four phones capture decent photos, but the Pixel 8a consistently delivers the most impressive results. Its images are sharp, detailed, and have excellent dynamic range. The Nothing Phone (2) comes close, with vibrant colors and good detail. However, the Samsung A35 and A55 struggle with overexposure in some scenarios and lack the same level of sharpness as the Pixel and Nothing Phone.
In low light, the Pixel 8a’s Night Sight mode truly shines, producing bright and clear photos with minimal noise. The Nothing Phone (2)’s low-light performance is decent but not on par with the Pixel. The Samsung A35 and Android Samsung Series A55 struggle significantly in low light, resulting in grainy and noisy images.
The Pixel 8a’s ultrawide camera outperforms the competition, capturing detailed and well-balanced shots. The Nothing Phone (2)’s ultrawide camera is a bit underwhelming, with noticeable distortion and less detail compared to its main sensor. The Samsung A55’s ultrawide camera performs surprisingly well, while the A35’s is average.
The Surprising Winner
After thorough testing, the Google Pixel 8a emerges as the clear winner in this camera comparison. Despite being a budget-friendly phone, it consistently outperforms the competition in various lighting conditions and shooting scenarios. Its superior image processing, AI-powered features, and overall camera performance truly set it apart.
While the Nothing Phone (2) and Samsung phones have their strengths, they cannot match the Pixel 8a’s overall camera prowess. If you are seeking the best camera experience on a budget Android phone, the Google Pixel 8a is the undeniable champion.
Comparing All Four Cameras
In my camera showdown, I pitted the Google Pixel 8a, Nothing Phone (2), Samsung Galaxy A35, and Samsung Galaxy A55 against each other in various lighting conditions and scenarios.
Daylight Photography:
- All four phones performed admirably in well-lit environments, producing sharp, detailed images with vibrant colors. However, the Pixel 8a consistently edged out the competition, capturing photos with exceptional dynamic range and clarity. The Nothing Phone (2) came in a close second, showcasing rich colors and good detail. The Samsung A35 and A55 were no slouches either, but they occasionally struggled with overexposure and lacked the same level of sharpness as their counterparts.
Low-Light Photography:
- This is where the Pixel 8a truly shone, thanks to its impressive Night Sight mode. It consistently captured bright, clear photos with minimal noise, even in challenging low-light conditions. The Nothing Phone (2) held its own in low light, but it couldn’t match the Pixel’s exceptional performance. The Samsung A35 and A55 struggled significantly in this area, producing grainy and noisy images.
Ultrawide Photography:
- The Pixel 8a once again reigned supreme in this category, capturing detailed and well-balanced ultrawide shots with minimal distortion. The Nothing Phone (2)’s ultrawide camera was a bit underwhelming, exhibiting noticeable distortion and less detail compared to its main sensor. The Samsung A55’s ultrawide camera performed surprisingly well, while the A35’s was decent but not exceptional.
The Verdict
After extensive testing, the Google Pixel 8a emerged as the clear winner in this camera comparison. It consistently outperformed the competition across various lighting conditions and shooting scenarios, demonstrating its superior image processing capabilities and the power of computational photography.
While the Nothing Phone (2), Samsung Galaxy A35, and A55 all have their strengths, they couldn’t quite match the Pixel 8a’s overall camera prowess. If you’re looking for the best camera experience on a budget Android phone, the Google Pixel 8a is the undeniable champion.