What smartphone camera specs really mean
More megapixels does not mean better photos. Sensor size, aperture, stabilisation and processing matter more — here's why.
Phone launches love big camera numbers. Some matter a lot; some are mostly marketing. Here is how to read a camera spec sheet.
Megapixels
Megapixels measure resolution — how many dots make up the image. More megapixels help if you crop heavily or print large. But most phones with 48 or 50 MP sensors combine groups of pixels (pixel binning) and save 12 MP photos by default, trading resolution for cleaner low-light results.
Sensor size
This is one of the most important specs. A larger sensor collects more light, which means less noise at night and more natural background blur. It is usually written as a fraction like 1/1.3" — the smaller the number after the slash, the bigger the sensor.
Aperture
Written as f/1.8, f/2.2 and so on. A lower f-number means a wider opening and more light. It matters most in dim conditions.
Stabilisation
OIS (optical image stabilisation) physically moves the lens or sensor to counter hand shake — very useful for night shots and video. EIS (electronic) crops and shifts the image in software. Having OIS on the main camera is a strong plus.
Zoom
"Optical" zoom uses a dedicated telephoto lens; "digital" zoom enlarges part of the image. Some phones advertise huge digital zoom numbers — judge by the telephoto lens's own optical magnification instead.
Processing
The biggest difference between phones is often software: how the phone combines several frames, handles skin tones, and preserves detail. That is why a phone with modest specs can outshoot one with bigger numbers.
How to judge a camera
Look at real sample photos in the conditions you care about — night, indoor, moving children — from sources that publish full-size images. Specs tell you the potential; samples tell you the result.