Best Phone Camera for Product Photography for High-Quality Images

Taking product photos with a smartphone might seem a bit unusual, but modern technology makes it incredibly simple. With today’s phones, capturing stunning images is as easy as pie with only a camera and a tripod. It’s a cost-effective, direct, and highly convenient method to accomplish the task!

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

Whilst product photography with a mobile phone may not be suitable for all business uses,  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 2025

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 S25 Ultra

   

  Overview: The Galaxy S25 Ultra stands as Samsung’s premier flagship, renowned for its powerful performance driven by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and an exceptionally versatile camera system. Its imaging hardware is headlined by a 200-megapixel main sensor, complemented by a 50MP ultrawide, a 10MP 3x optical telephoto, and a 50MP 5x optical telephoto lens.  

  Strengths Summary (for Product Photography):

  Exceptional detail capture potential from the 200MP main sensor.
  Highly versatile lens system with useful 3x and 5x optical telephotos.
  Improved macro photography via the 50MP ultrawide lens.
  Comprehensive native Pro mode and advanced Expert RAW options for manual control and flexible editing.

• Potential Weaknesses Summary (for Product Photography):

  Default color processing tends towards vibrancy and saturation, potentially requiring correction for accuracy.
  Possible over-sharpening in JPEGs.  
  Expert RAW functionality requires a separate app download and use.  
  The sheer number of options might present a steeper learning curve for beginners.

   

   

• Apple iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max

• Overview: The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max represent Apple’s pinnacle smartphone offering, lauded for image consistency, reliability, user-friendliness, and class-leading video capabilities. Both models share the identical, upgraded camera system for this generation , featuring a 48MP main camera (24mm equivalent, f/1.8, 0.78-inch sensor), a new 48MP ultrawide camera (13mm equivalent, f/2.2), and a 12MP 5x telephoto camera (120mm equivalent, f/2.8, 0.33-inch sensor). Performance is driven by the A18 Pro chip.

   

  Strengths Summary (for Product Photography):

  Excellent, natural color accuracy and realistic image rendering.
  High detail capture, especially using 48MP ProRAW.
  Consistent and reliable performance across various conditions.
  Improved macro capability via the high-resolution 48MP ultrawide lens.
  High-quality ProRAW format offers superb editing flexibility.
  Strong ecosystem of capable third-party manual camera apps.
  Potential Weaknesses Summary (for Product Photography):

  Native camera app lacks comprehensive manual controls (requires third-party apps).
  Macro capabilities, while improved, might be less versatile than specialized telemacro systems on competitors.
  One early review noted the Camera Control button’s focus function was not yet operational.  

  .

  Google Pixel 9 Pro / Pro XL

• Overview: Google’s Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL continue the line’s reputation for leveraging sophisticated AI and computational photography to produce striking images. Both models share the same camera hardware , featuring a 50MP main camera (f/1.68 or f/1.7, ~1/1.3-inch sensor), a 48MP ultrawide camera (f/1.7 or f/1.95, 1/2.55-inch sensor with autofocus for macro), and a 48MP 5x telephoto camera (f/2.8, 1/2.55-inch sensor). The devices are powered by Google’s Tensor G4 chip.  

Strengths Summary (for Product Photography):

Excellent computational photography yields sharp, well-exposed JPEGs with strong HDR.
Native Pro controls allow for manual adjustments within the default camera app.
Macro Focus capability using the ultrawide lens.
Consistent photo output in many conditions.
Potential Weaknesses Summary (for Product Photography):

Significant concerns regarding RAW file quality, potentially hindering professional editing workflows due to pre-processing.
Limited access and potentially lower resolution for third-party camera apps.
Macro capabilities are less versatile than competitors with telemacro (no telephoto macro).
Full 50MP resolution mode may not consistently deliver superior sharpness compared to standard 12.5MP output.

• Xiaomi 15 Ultra
  

• Overview: Building on the legacy of the highly praised Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra positions itself as a camera-first flagship, heavily emphasizing hardware specifications and its ongoing collaboration with Leica. Key hardware includes a large 1-inch type 50MP main sensor (Sony LYT-900, f/1.63 aperture), a 50MP ultrawide (Samsung JN5), a 50MP 3x telephoto (Sony IMX858, f/1.8 aperture, 10cm minimum focus), and a headline-grabbing 200MP ~4.3x-5x periscope telephoto lens, potentially using a 1-inch Samsung HP9 sensor (f/2.6 aperture). An optional Photography Kit accessory transforms the phone’s ergonomics with a physical grip and shutter button.

   

• Strengths Summary (for Product Photography):

  Outstanding camera hardware, including a 1-inch main sensor and high-resolution 200MP telephoto.
  Excellent potential for detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance.
  Superb telemacro capabilities via both telephoto lenses, ideal for close-ups.
  Versatile focal range coverage with Leica optics.
  Likely high-quality RAW files for editing flexibility.
  Optional Photography Kit enhances ergonomics and control

• Potential Weaknesses Summary (for Product Photography):

  Automatic mode may exhibit inconsistencies in white balance and exposure, potentially requiring Pro mode use.  
  Software can occasionally be buggy or exhibit overheating issues.  
  Premium pricing makes it a significant investment.  
  Limited global availability, particularly in the US market.  

   

• Vivo X200 Pro

• Overview: The Vivo X200 Pro emerges as a formidable camera-centric flagship, developed in collaboration with optics specialist Zeiss. It has garnered significant praise, particularly for its groundbreaking telephoto performance and overall photographic prowess. Its camera array features a 50MP main sensor (Sony LYT-818, 1/1.28-inch size, f/1.57 or f/1.7 aperture), a 50MP ultrawide sensor (1/2.76-inch size, f/2.0 aperture), and a remarkable 200MP 3.7x periscope telephoto lens (potentially Samsung HP9, 1/1.4-inch size, f/2.67 aperture). The processor may vary, with sources mentioning both Snapdragon 8 Elite and MediaTek Dimensity chips, possibly depending on region or specific model variant.

  Strengths Summary (for Product Photography):

  Exceptional telephoto camera performance, delivering outstanding zoom detail and class-leading telemacro capabilities.
  High-resolution sensors (50MP main, 200MP telephoto) for excellent detail capture.
  Zeiss optics and color profiles, including a “Natural” mode for accuracy.
  Strong overall image quality and good handling of challenging lighting conditions.
  Practical 3.7x (85mm) telephoto focal length.

  Potential Weaknesses Summary (for Product Photography):

  Limited global availability makes it difficult to acquire in many regions.  
  Automatic white balance may occasionally produce overly warm/yellowish results.
  AI editing features in the software might not be as advanced as competitors.  
  Video recording quality noted as a relative weakness compared to its still photo prowess.  

How to Shoot Product Photos with a Smartphone

Here is a more detailed guide on this. 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!