Best Smartphone Camera Features for Pro Video
Robert Cerff / 13-07-2022 / Tech
The latest smartphones have some of the best video specs for shooting like a pro, whether you're diving into a full-length feature film, vlogging for your YouTube channel or producing creative short films. If you're looking to take your video recording skills to pro-level, these are the top camera features you need in a smartphone.
A telephoto lens for crisp close-ups
Any professional photographer will advise you against purchasing a smartphone with digital zoom as this results in poor, low-resolution videos. Thankfully, top-of-the-range smartphones now feature an optical zoom lens (telephoto lens) that captures crisp and detailed videos with vivid colour when zooming in on objects and people. Most new smartphones feature this lens, particularly phones with more than one camera on the back or multi-camera modules. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has one of the best optical zooms on the market, capturing outstanding close-ups for that professional touch.
Cinematic magic with 8K resolution and high frame rates
For game-changing pro video quality, opt for a smartphone with a 4K video feature at 30 frames per second (fps) or higher. If you have the budget for a high-end flagship like the Galaxy S22 Ultra, you can go even further with a ground-breaking 8K resolution. Along with better resolution, the latest smartphones also offer higher frame rates from 60 fps all the way up to 960 fps. High frame rates add a captivating slow-motion cinematic effect to your videos for a more dramatic feel.
Night mode for videos that explode with colour
Professional videos shot at night capture the vibrant city lights, beaming star-lit skies, and the still yet magical ambiance of the night sky. Unfortunately, not all smartphones can create enthralling videos in these low-light conditions. Often, videos end up with super dark backgrounds, a skewed colour temperature and subjects with red eyes. Ironically, the LED flash is usually the cause of these poorly lit videos. To avoid this, opt for a smartphone with a dedicated night mode feature like the iPhone 13 series. It’s great in low-light conditions, enabling you to create videos that explode with colour without compromising on accuracy.
The power of HDR in backlit environments
Lighting is a big deal when creating professional-looking videos, especially at night. Besides night mode, another handy feature is HDR shooting - it's ideal for shooting videos in backlit settings. Although this light allows you to clearly see people and their faces, smartphone cameras usually aren't able to capture these details. Instead, it produces videos where the subjects look like dark figures with no visible features. Advanced HDR capabilities like those in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 help create exceptional videos even when the environment is backlit.
