Best Phone Camera for Product Photography for High-Quality Images

Snapping product photos with a smartphone might sound a bit off the wall, yet modern tech makes it a walk in the park. With today’s phones, taking beautiful pictures is easy as pie using just a camera and a tripod. It’s a budget-friendly, straightforward, and super convenient way to get the job done!

However, with smartphone product photography, you have to know which phone cameras are best suited for the task — and we’re here to help you with that.

We’ve compiled a list of the best smartphone cameras for product photography, based on our findings and expert opinions. So whether you’re using an Android or iPhone device, we’ve got you covered.

But first, our image editing team at Pixel by Hand has listed a few tips on how you can use your smartphone to capture high-quality images.

In this guide:

• How to Use your Smartphone to Capture High-Quality Product Images
• Choose Your Camera: Best Smartphone Cameras
• How to Shoot Product Photos with a Smartphone
• Shooting with your Smartphone: Do’s and Don’ts

How to Use your Smartphone to Capture High-Quality Product Images

Today’s smartphones all have exceptional cameras. If you already have bought a DSLR, you’ve got a high-quality alternative at hand.

Mobile photography is one of the important features most smartphone brands are focusing on and competing against each other with. This is why there are now phone cameras that can rival even some DSLRs when it comes to picture quality.

However, when shopping for a smartphone with a good camera, it’s not just about the numbers though megapixel counts are hitting a new high. You want to find a smartphone with good software that’s able to do more with the available pixels.

Of course, there are a few important things you should keep in mind, such as the size of the sensor, lens quality, and image stabilization. These are all crucial factors that affect the quality of your photos.

If you want to produce high-quality product photos using your smartphone, there are a few things you need to do. Here are our tips:

• Invest in a good tripod. A tripod will help you keep your phone camera still, which is important for taking sharp photos.
• Use the timer or self-timer function. This will help avoid any camera shake when you press the shutter button.
• Shoot in RAW format. This file format is much flexible to work with.
• Use a cover or case to protect your phone. This is especially important if you’re going to be using your phone for product photography on a regular basis.
• Use a diffuser. This will help soften the light and reduce shadows.
• Invest in some good lighting. Natural light is always best, but if you’re shooting indoors, you’ll need artificial light. If natural light is insufficient and you need to use artificial light, make sure that it’s not too harsh.

Choose Your Camera: Best Smartphone Cameras 2022

Now that you know how to use your smartphone to take high-quality product photos, it’s time to choose the right camera.

There are a lot of smartphones with “good” cameras, but there are only few “great” ones on the market. The criteria we’ve used on this list include the quality of the camera sensor, the size of the sensor, the quality of the lens, image stabilization, and software.

Here are 5 of the best smartphone cameras in the market you can use for product photography.

• Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
  The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has a camera system that’s designed for professionals. It has a 108-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, a 10-megapixel telephoto camera with 10x optical zoom, and a 10-megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom.

  The image quality is excellent, thanks to the large sensor and great lens. The colors are pretty accurate and the image detail is incredible. And with image stabilization, you can take sharp photos even when zoomed in.

  What makes this camera great for product photography is that it gives you a lot of options. You can use the wide-angle camera for general shots, the telephoto camera for close-ups, and the ultra-wide-angle camera for creative shots.

   

• Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max
  The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max have slightly different camera setups, but they’re both great for product photography. The Pro has three 12-megapixel cameras: a wide-angle camera, an ultra-wide-angle camera, and a telephoto camera that supports 3x optical zoom. The Pro Max has the same three cameras, but with an added 12-megapixel sensor.

  Both phones have great image quality, with accurate colors and excellent detail. The Pro Max does have an advantage when it comes to zoom, thanks to its larger sensor.

  When used for product photography, the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max give you a lot of flexibility. You can use the wide-angle camera for general shots, the telephoto camera for close-ups, and the ultra-wide-angle camera for creative shots.

   

• Google Pixel 6 Pro
  Google’s new flagship has a lot to prove. The Pixel 5 was wonderful, but it wasn’t a top-of-the-line smartphone, and the Pixel 4 fell short for us, with rehashed camera hardware and overheating components. Google has once again hit the mark with the Pixel 6 Pro.

  The camera is a big part of what makes the Pixel 6 Pro great. It has a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and 48-megapixel telephoto camera with 4x optical zoom. The image quality is excellent, with accurate colors and great detail.

  What makes this camera great for product photography is the ability to switch between the two wide-angle cameras. The 50-megapixel camera is great for general shots, while the 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera is perfect for creative shots.

• Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro
  The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is a flagship smartphone from China that has a lot to offer. It has a triple-lens: 50 MP, 8 MP, and 13 MP on the front, whereas there is only a single 20 MP (wide) camera on the back.

  The image quality is excellent, with accurate colors and great detail. The telephoto camera is also very good, with 3x optical zoom.

  When used for product photography, the Mi 11 Pro gives you a lot of flexibility. You can use the wide-angle camera for general shots, the telephoto camera for close-ups, and the ultra-wide-angle camera for creative shots.

   

• OnePlus 10 Pro
  OnePlus is a company that’s known for making great flagship smartphones. And the OnePlus 10 Pro is no exception. It has a quad-camera system that includes a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera, an 8-megapixel telephoto camera, 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera.

  The image quality is excellent, with accurate colors and great detail. The telephoto cameras are also very good, with 3x and 5x optical zoom.

  When used for product photography, the OnePlus 10 Pro gives you a lot of flexibility. You can use the wide-angle camera for general shots, the telephoto camera for close-ups, and the ultra-wide-angle camera for creative shots.

How to Shoot Product Photos with a Smartphone

Once you’ve decided on a phone, it’s time to start shooting some product photos. Here are a few photography tips to help you get started:

• Gather Your Accessories

First, you’ll need to gather your accessories. This includes a tripod, a camera mount, and a remote shutter. Using a tripod helps keep your camera still and preventing blur. A camera mount is necessary for attaching your phone to the tripod. And a remote shutter allows you to take photos without touching your phone.

• Build Your Set

Next, you’ll need to build your set. This includes a background, a light source, and props. If you’re a bit tied on the budget, you can use a piece of white cardboard. Desk lamps or a window can be used as a light source. And the props can be anything that will help show off your product, such as boxes, bottles, or cans.

• Your Product’s Surface

When choosing a surface for your product, you’ll want to consider two things: reflectivity and texture. A glossy surface may reflect light and create glare, while a matte surface will diffract light and create an even light. A textured surface will add interest to your photos.

• Choose a Background

The background is one of the most important elements in your photo. It should be simple and uncluttered. A plain background can do just fine. You can also use a piece of fabric or a sheet of paper.

• Choose Your Lighting

Lighting is critical for product photography. Natural light is always best, but you can also use artificial light. If you’re using artificial light, you’ll want to use a diffuser to soften the light and prevent glare.

• Position Your Product

Now it’s time to position your product. You’ll want to place it in the center of the frame and make sure it’s in focus. If you’re using a tripod, you can use the remote shutter to take the photo. Otherwise, you’ll need to use the timer on your camera.

• Get Your Smartphone Ready

Now that you’ve gathered your accessories and built your set, it’s time to get your smartphone ready. The first thing you’ll need to do is open the camera app. Then, you’ll want to choose the settings that are best for product photography.

For most phones, the best settings are:

• A high resolution (at least 12 megapixels)
• A low ISO (100 or 200)
• A small aperture (f/2.8 or f/4)
• A long shutter speed (1/15 or 1/30)
• Once you’ve chosen your settings, you’re ready to start taking photos.

• Take Lots of Photos

When shooting product photos, it’s important to take lots of photos. This will give you a lot of options to choose from when you’re editing.

• Edit Your Photos

Once you’ve taken your photos, it’s time to edit them. There are a several ways to edit photos on a smartphone. The most popular apps are Adobe Photoshop Express and VSCO.

These apps offer basic editing features, such as cropping, exposure, and color correction. They also allow you to save your photos in a high-resolution format.

However, if you’re not feeling confident with your editing skills or don’t have the time to do so, you can rely on professional image editors like Pixel by Hand to get it done for you.

Shooting with your Smartphone: Do’s and Don’ts

Remember, shooting with your camera phone requires a different skill compared to using a professional camera or DSLR. Here are several important notes to remember when shooting product photos with your smartphone:

Do:

• Use a high resolution: This will ensure that your photos are sharp and clear.
• Use a low ISO: This will prevent your photos from being grainy.
• Use a small aperture: This will give your photos a shallow depth of field.
• Use a long shutter speed: This will help reduce blur.

Don’t:

• Shoot in low light: This will cause your photos to be grainy.
• Shoot in direct sunlight: This will cause glare and make it difficult to see your product.
• Don’t use flash: This will cause your photos to look unnatural.
• Use the zoom feature: This will reduce the quality of your photo.
• Edit your photos with filters: This will reduce the quality of your photo.

Product Photo Retouching Services Pixel By Hand

Now that we’ve covered the basics of taking product photos with your smartphone, let’s talk about retouching.

As we mentioned earlier, there are a number of apps that offer basic image editing features. However, if you want to take your product photos to the next level, you’ll need to invest in a professional retouching service.

Product photo retouching is editing your images to make them look their best. This can involve a wide range of tasks, such as removing blemishes, whitening teeth, and adding shadows. Retouching and other post-production techniques are very important not just for smartphone photos but also for camera phone photos. This will allow you to publish photos that are truly professional-looking, which is important for your e-commerce success.

At Pixel By Hand, we offer a wide range of product photo retouching services. We can help you with everything from basic cleanup to complex image manipulation.

No matter what your needs are, we’re here to help you create stunning product photos that will make your products look their best.

So, there you have it! These are the basics of taking and editing product photos with your smartphone. With these tips in mind, you’re ready to start taking amazing product photos that will help you boost your e-commerce business.

If you need any help with product photo retouching or editing, be sure to contact us today or use the chatbox below. We’re always happy to help!