The best phones for video stabilization Whether you shoot a lot of video on your smartphone, whether for personal use or to upload to TikTok, Instagram, Spanchat, Facebook, or YouTube, or if you like to film movies on your smartphone, having optical image stabilization (OIS) on your smartphone can greatly improve the quality of your video.
A few years ago, OIS was a unique feature that was only available on high-end smartphones. Over time, most devices will add this feature. But if you need an OIS camera phone right now, don’t worry. In this article, we’ll review some great, affordable smartphones.
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Best Phone for Video Stabilization
1. iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a testament to Apple’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of smartphone photography. With its impressive zoom, advanced stabilization, and outstanding image quality, it sets a new standard for iPhone cameras and redefines what’s possible in smartphone photography.
Apple introduced periscope technology, a foldable lens, and a mirror to deliver a true 5x optical zoom. But it’s not just about having a great zoom range. It also has a 6-axis stabilizer that moves in all directions to keep the camera steady even when zoomed in.
When it comes to photography, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is a true game changer compared to previous iPhone models, rivaling all other smartphones. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is also a standout when it comes to videography.
The dynamic range and level of detail you get when shooting at the highest resolution and frame rate in Apple’s ProRes format are unparalleled.
2. Xiaomi 14 Ultra
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a great example of Xiaomi’s best work. It’s almost as if the phone has a high-end camera strapped to the back, with a massive camera bump housing an impressive 50MP lens. Building on the success of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, the phone offers an even more advanced camera setup.
The camera bump is packed with options, including a primary, ultra-wide, telephoto and periscope lens, as well as a 3D ToF sensor. While only the primary sensor is a high-end model, the others are still decent-sized sensors, offering plenty of flexibility.
Daytime photos taken with the primary camera are amazing, but portrait mode can take some practice due to the unique zoom length. There are occasional issues with detail, but the photos are generally sharp and noise-free.
One of the standout features of Xiaomi’s Leica-tuned lenses is their color science. You can choose between two color profiles: Leica Authentic for a classic look, or Leica Vibrant for more saturated colors, especially in reds and greens.
In low-light situations, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra performs very well. The large sensor and advanced technology ensure impressive results even in low-light conditions.
3. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a game changer in smartphone photography. With its unrivaled zoom, improved image quality, and overall performance, it’s a top contender for anyone looking to improve their photography skills.
What sets this phone apart is its incredible zoom capabilities, thanks to Samsung’s top-notch image stabilization technology. That means no more shaky shots, even when zooming in really close.
The zoom is also powerful enough to be used as a makeshift magnifying glass to read signs or menus from afar. The Galaxy S24 Ultra takes it to the next level. With not one, but two telephoto zoom lenses and some seriously clever software, it can zoom in closer than almost any other phone. Up to a whopping 100x.
4. Huawei P60 Pro
The Huawei P60 Pro is a huge step forward for the brand, especially in terms of camera quality and overall performance. While there are still some issues with Google, the camera on this device is truly impressive.
Featuring a dual 48MP RYYB sensor and a 13MP ultra-wide lens, the rear camera setup on the Huawei P60 Pro is top-notch. But what really stands out is the mechanically variable aperture on the primary camera, which can vary between f/1.4 and f/4.0. This feature creates beautiful, soft background blur in wide-open shots.
Huawei’s XMAGE algorithm is a game-changer for the camera. It offers advanced features like night vision, super-resolution zoom, and a variety of portrait modes, greatly improving the camera capabilities of the Huawei P60 Pro.
Furthermore, the camera app is packed with features, with 14 shooting modes hidden under six primary tabs and additional tabs.
5. iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 is a huge step forward in iPhone camera technology, offering impressive imaging capabilities and some great features. It’s a great choice for those who want top-notch photo and video capabilities without having to spend a fortune on a Pro model.
As for video, the iPhone 15 still impresses, offering 4K recording at 60fps. One of the standout features is Cinematic Mode, which adds some cool focus effects to your videos. You can choose what you want to focus on while shooting, and don’t worry if you change your mind later, you can always edit to choose a different focus point.
The iPhone 15 boasts the best camera setup in a base model iPhone. It may be a bit different than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but it still delivers fantastic performance.
However, it lacks the powerful telephoto and macro capabilities found in its more expensive counterparts. However, for the price, the iPhone 15 offers everything you could want or need in a non-Pro iPhone.
6. OPPO Find X5 Pro
The OPPO Find X5 Pro offers a unique camera experience to suit a variety of needs. Whether you value style, quality, or versatility, OPPO has something for every photography enthusiast.
If zoom isn’t your top concern, the OPPO Find X5 Pro is worth considering. Powered by OPPO’s collaboration with Hasselblad and the MariSilicon X neural processing chip, the resulting photo quality is outstanding.
The collaboration brings some neat tweaks to the Pro photo mode, and also introduces a dedicated XPan mode for that classic Hasselblad feel.
But don’t forget about video. The Find X5 Pro offers excellent stabilization in 1080p recording, and features a solid 32MP selfie camera for the perfect selfie.
While the camera setup isn’t the most versatile, the Find X5 Pro excels in most photo scenarios and even holds its own in videography. However, OPPO will need to step up its zoom game going forward if it wants to compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple.
7. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 impresses with its camera performance and multitasking capabilities. It may have its drawbacks, like a narrow front display and a disappointing under-display camera, but the overall performance and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset combine to make it a standout choice in the foldable phone world.
Samsung hasn’t tinkered with the camera hardware much compared to the previous Galaxy Z Fold 4 model. You still get a 50MP main camera, along with a 12MP ultra-wide and 10MP telephoto lenses.
The cool thing about the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is its folding design, which allows you to use the rear camera for selfies. This is a feature I recommend over the disappointing 4MP under-display camera.
Thanks to the chipset, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 boasts the best battery life among foldable phones, so you won’t have to worry about running out of battery and missing that perfect shot.
8. Huawei P50 Pro
The Huawei P50 Pro, which was released in August 2021, is priced at $1,177.99. It’s the latest P-series high-end smartphone from the Chinese company.
The large sensor main camera is combined with a 13mm ultra-wide, 90mm telephoto, monochrome lens, and hyperspectral color temperature sensor to optimize brightness levels and color reproduction.
The primary camera lens has a 50-megapixel sensor (12.5-megapixel output) and a 23-mm equivalent f/1.8 aperture lens with optical image stabilization.
The Huawei P50 Pro’s telephoto camera has a 50-megapixel sensor (12.5-megapixel output) and a 23-mm equivalent f/1.8 aperture lens with OIS. It also includes a 40-megapixel monochrome lens and a 14-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor.
The monochrome sensor increases detail expression and noise reduction, especially in low-light situations. It also helps in depth measurement for artificial bokeh effects.
9. iPhone 13 Pro
The iPhone 13 Pro is the gold standard when it comes to smartphone cameras. The combination of the phone’s three 12MP cameras on the back and its perfectly tuned camera software makes it the best smartphone for video recording in 2022, according to platforms like Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, and Mobile Motion.
The iPhone 13 Pro can record video up to 4K at 60FPS. The colorful Super Retina XDR display does a fair job of presenting the footage.
You might think that a 12MP camera set is worse than what many Android phones offer, but Android phones can also boast a lot more features than the latest iPhones.
However, even the most expensive Android devices can’t match the quality of the final footage that the iPhones deliver. The key to success is a combination of several factors:
Balance between cameras. Many smartphones are made with a great primary camera and another camera with a much lower resolution (e.g. 64MP for the primary camera and 2MP for the secondary camera).
This affects the quality of footage shot in various non-primary modes. Since all the cameras on the iPhone 13 Pro are equally good, all the features Apple offers work together perfectly to deliver the best photos and videos.
The camera captures more light, improving images taken in low-light conditions.. The stabilization offered by the iPhone is unmatched by most Android phone manufacturers. It delivers a sharpness that makes the final images and photos really enjoyable.
The main difference between the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the base version is the screen size. So it’s only worth investing in if you prefer a larger phone with a larger display. If you only care about the camera, there’s no reason to spend more on the device.
10. Samsung S21 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra features one of the largest screens currently available on a phone. The official price of the Samsung S21 Ultra is $1,249.
It has a 6.8-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 and a pixel density of 551ppi. The display also offers an advanced 120Hz refresh rate to enhance gaming performance.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra’s main camera lens is 108MP and features optical image stabilization (OIS) and phase detection autofocus. This is complemented by a 12MP (F/2.2) ultra-wide lens with dual autofocus and a 120-degree field of view.
The device has a large 5,000mAh battery that supports 25W conventional fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse charging.
It has an Infinity-O display, a blown cutout for the sole front camera, and HDR10+ approval. There’s also an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner on the screen. The Exynos 2100 processor powers the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
What’s the difference between AIS, OIS, and EIS?
Most people prefer OIS over EIS and AIS. The hardware approach is generally superior to the software platform. This is because EIS is simply a repair solution that compromises image resolution. EIS predicts what the image will look like when cropped and held constant.
Most people don’t know about AIS because Huawei recently introduced it. However, if you read on, you’ll understand the difference.
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): OIS is a motor-driven mechanical image stabilization technology that detects camera shake and uses a clutch to reposition the lens to stabilize the shooting process.
AI Image Stabilization (AIS): AIS is an AI-powered image stabilization technology that allows cameras to record long exposure films or photos, maintaining sharp, detailed images without blur, especially in low-light environments.
Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS): EIS is an image stabilization technology that examines about 2/3 of the image on the camera sensor and then uses the image on the edges to adjust for camera movement. This is a strategy used by most cameras.
Conclusion
Phones with video stabilization can be expensive, but there are also affordable options available. Choose the one that fits your budget and start capturing smooth video. Also, check out reviews and comparisons to see how each device performs in real-world situations.
When choosing the best camera phone for video stabilization, consider factors such as camera resolution, aperture size, image stabilization technology, and zoom capabilities.
