What is the best camera smartphone in $235-$400 range?

[Windows Central Question]

Best camera smartphone in $235-$400 range

Hi,

I'm planning to buy a smartphone in $235-$400 range with pretty good camera (capable of low light photography, optical image stabilization, video recording), battery backup, decent performance with basic apps (facebook, whatsapp, banking apps etc., no games) and good after-sales service.

Please suggest a good phone for me.

Thanks!

 

[Zulfigar]

Re: Best camera smartphone in $235-$400 range

Well, the first camera phone that comes to mind is the Lumia 1020, if you can find it, it'll be in the price range you mentioned. The second/ third phone is the Lumia 930/ Lumia 1520.

Lumia 1020 - 4.5 inch display with a 41 MP rear camera that has all the features you're looking for, and more. Only two problems is the camera app doesn't open up quickly (about 2 seconds, but this gets fixed with Windows 10) and the battery isn't removable.

Lumia 930/ Lumia 1520 - 5 inch/ 6 inch display, both with a 20 MP rear camera and all the features you're looking for, plus a quick launching app, but like the Lumia 1020, a non-removable battery (both of them). The other benefit to the Lumia 1520 though is a MicroSD slot, which isn't in either of the two phones mentioned.

All three phones can be bought on websites, such as eBay, in the price range you mentioned. Good luck!

P.S. - When it comes to camera, the 950 (5.1 inch display) and 950 XL (5.7 inch display) (both rumored phones until next month) come with a 20 MP camera, everything you mentioned, removable battery, and MicroSD slots. Sadly, I'm expecting about 600-750 for them.

 

[triageatdawn]

Re: Best camera smartphone in $235-$400 range

Both L1020 and L930 are under $400 on Amazon and Expansys. Lumia 1020 has an amazing 41 megapixel camera but if you're looking for the latest hardware you can go with Lumia 930 instead, it has a 20 megapixel PureView camera - not as good as the one on the 1020 but I'm pretty sure you'd be happy with it. If you're interested you can take a look at some photo samples in their respective forums. :wink:

 

[xandros9]

Re: Best camera smartphone in $235-$400 range

I'd try to snag a Lumia 930 or 1520.

If you want to go below that budget, the 830 is an option, as well as the older 92x series.