Cameras in smartphones are getting better than ever, and that applies just as much to videography as it does to photography. Luckily, just about any high-end phone captures great-looking footage these days. Some have great specialized video features, while others are better suited for point and shoot videography. So what's the for shooting video?
Staff Pick
II combines three great cameras — wide, telephoto, and ultra-wide — with robust manual controls and a color-accurate 4K display that's capable of utilizing the Rec. 2020 color gamut. Sony's Cinema Pro app is based on the company's CineAlta Venice cinema camera and allows you to manually set ISO, focus, and shutter speed, as well as apply LUTs to achieve different film looks.
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra doesn't have quite as extensive manual video controls as the Xperia 1 II, but it does shoot video at up to 8K resolution. You can upload straight to YouTube at that size, or you can use the built-in gallery to trim or even downscale that footage to something more shareable. In lower resolutions, there's also ultra-steady video stabilization, and you can shoot in HDR10+ for supporting displays.
The V60 has a list of manual video controls almost as expansive as the Xperia 1 II, with LUTs and manual focus, plus its own great triple camera array. You can monitor your audio in bliss with LG's incredible-sounding Quad DAC, and like the Note 20 Ultra, you can shoot at up to 8K. You also get a secondary screen you can attach to the phone, giving you more room to work with when editing your footage.
Like its predecessors, the Pixel 5 has fantastic video stabilization. With both OIS and EIS in tow, you get buttery smooth video whether you're riding along in a car or train, or just walking down the street with the phone in your hand. There are four different stabilization modes, allowing you to tackle each shooting scenario differently and even switch to the ultra-wide lens for a different perspective.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 takes stellar photos with its triple camera array and shoots sharp, smooth 4K video. What makes its shooting experience unique is the ability to fold the display and prop the phone up like a tiny laptop, allowing you to use the cover display as a viewfinder for shooting selfie videos with high-quality main sensors. There's even a video editor built directly into the gallery app, letting you make quick cuts of your footage with ease.
The Galaxy S20 FE offers all the same video features as the far pricier Note 20 Ultra, with similarly great cameras and a much more compelling price. Its flat display won't distort your videos as you watch them back, and you can add to its storage when you run low with microSD expandability. Best of all, it has a fantastic battery life, so you can confidently shoot all day without worry.
Smartphones have become pretty incredible videography tools in recent years, and these options will serve you well, whether you're vlogging or shooting your next indie film. For the highest-quality, most versatile shooter around, go for the , which offers three great cameras, robust manual video controls through its Cinema Pro app, and shoots in a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio with the efficient h.265 codec.
With Cinema Pro, you can apply different looks to your shots based on the CineAlta Venice, Sony's incredible 6K full-frame cinema camera. You can also adjust settings like your project's frame rate, with the option to shoot at 24fps, and change settings like ISO, white balance, and shutter speed on the fly. This is by far one of the most comprehensive video capture experiences we've seen on an Android phone, and it's well worth the money for on-the-go cinematographers.
If you're not ready to spend quite that much, though, there are other great options like the , which offers different stabilization modes for different situations. You can't expand its storage, nor does it have a dedicated telephoto camera, but it's still an extremely capable shooter.
The good news is that most phones these days are getting great at video. Every phone listed does a great job with various specialized features such as remote operation, EIS, and background blur. No matter which phone you pick, you'll be getting a capable video camera (or three) that fits in your pocket.
Best overall
Sony Xperia 1 II
Staff Pick
II combines three great cameras — wide, telephoto, and ultra-wide — with robust manual controls and a color-accurate 4K display that's capable of utilizing the Rec. 2020 color gamut. Sony's Cinema Pro app is based on the company's CineAlta Venice cinema camera and allows you to manually set ISO, focus, and shutter speed, as well as apply LUTs to achieve different film looks.
Highest resolution videos
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra doesn't have quite as extensive manual video controls as the Xperia 1 II, but it does shoot video at up to 8K resolution. You can upload straight to YouTube at that size, or you can use the built-in gallery to trim or even downscale that footage to something more shareable. In lower resolutions, there's also ultra-steady video stabilization, and you can shoot in HDR10+ for supporting displays.
Great manual controls
LG V60 ThinQ
The V60 has a list of manual video controls almost as expansive as the Xperia 1 II, with LUTs and manual focus, plus its own great triple camera array. You can monitor your audio in bliss with LG's incredible-sounding Quad DAC, and like the Note 20 Ultra, you can shoot at up to 8K. You also get a secondary screen you can attach to the phone, giving you more room to work with when editing your footage.
Best stabilization
Google Pixel 5
Like its predecessors, the Pixel 5 has fantastic video stabilization. With both OIS and EIS in tow, you get buttery smooth video whether you're riding along in a car or train, or just walking down the street with the phone in your hand. There are four different stabilization modes, allowing you to tackle each shooting scenario differently and even switch to the ultra-wide lens for a different perspective.
Best foldable for video
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 takes stellar photos with its triple camera array and shoots sharp, smooth 4K video. What makes its shooting experience unique is the ability to fold the display and prop the phone up like a tiny laptop, allowing you to use the cover display as a viewfinder for shooting selfie videos with high-quality main sensors. There's even a video editor built directly into the gallery app, letting you make quick cuts of your footage with ease.
Best for less
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
The Galaxy S20 FE offers all the same video features as the far pricier Note 20 Ultra, with similarly great cameras and a much more compelling price. Its flat display won't distort your videos as you watch them back, and you can add to its storage when you run low with microSD expandability. Best of all, it has a fantastic battery life, so you can confidently shoot all day without worry.
Shoot for the best
Smartphones have become pretty incredible videography tools in recent years, and these options will serve you well, whether you're vlogging or shooting your next indie film. For the highest-quality, most versatile shooter around, go for the , which offers three great cameras, robust manual video controls through its Cinema Pro app, and shoots in a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio with the efficient h.265 codec.
With Cinema Pro, you can apply different looks to your shots based on the CineAlta Venice, Sony's incredible 6K full-frame cinema camera. You can also adjust settings like your project's frame rate, with the option to shoot at 24fps, and change settings like ISO, white balance, and shutter speed on the fly. This is by far one of the most comprehensive video capture experiences we've seen on an Android phone, and it's well worth the money for on-the-go cinematographers.
If you're not ready to spend quite that much, though, there are other great options like the , which offers different stabilization modes for different situations. You can't expand its storage, nor does it have a dedicated telephoto camera, but it's still an extremely capable shooter.
The good news is that most phones these days are getting great at video. Every phone listed does a great job with various specialized features such as remote operation, EIS, and background blur. No matter which phone you pick, you'll be getting a capable video camera (or three) that fits in your pocket.