Camera systems in mobile phones continue to improve, including those in budget models. A phone can be an ideal tool for taking personal photos, such as vacation snapshots, so it is helpful when you do not have to spend too much. This article examines the cameras in two budget smartphones: the Oppo A74 5G and Motorola Edge 20 Lite.
Megapixels
What exactly are megapixels? A digital image consists of tiny points of light called pixels, and 1 million pixels make up 1 megapixel. The number of pixels in a photo is its resolution. The more pixels an image contains, the higher its resolution. Selfie cameras once lagged behind in pixel count, but a phone such as the Oppo A74 5G already has a 16-megapixel selfie camera that produces sharp images.
Although megapixel count matters most when you want the option to crop heavily or make prints at A1 size or larger, the Oppo A74 5G has a 48-megapixel rear camera capable of producing attractive images.
If you are looking for a phone with even more megapixels, the Motorola Edge 20 Lite may suit you. Its 108-megapixel camera captures highly detailed images and also performs well in low light.
Lenses
In addition to its main camera, the Oppo A74 5G has three additional lenses on the back. They can be used for extreme close-ups and wide landscapes, giving you a variety of photographic options.
Alongside its 108-megapixel camera, the Motorola Edge 20 Lite has an ultra-wide lens for sharp images of broad landscapes. Another advantage is its sharp display, which gives you a clear view of what you are photographing.
Other Performance
The Oppo A74 5G was competitively priced for the features it offered. Its battery was a particular strength and provided very long battery life.
The Motorola Edge 20 Lite also provided effective correction in bright sunlight and harsh indoor light for both photos and video, rendered pleasing skin tones, and separated subjects well in bokeh mode. Its preview exposure closely matched the final image, and video stabilization was reasonably effective when the camera was held still.
Choosing a Phone
Megapixel count can affect low-light image quality, but it should not necessarily be the deciding factor when choosing a smartphone. If you plan to use your phone’s camera frequently, resolution is still worth considering: more megapixels provide a higher-resolution image and more room to crop. An ultra-wide lens is also useful if you want to photograph expansive landscapes.
If you prefer capturing fine details, choose a phone with a close-up lens.
