How the Xiaomi 12S Series Stacks Up Against Other Smartphone Cameras

Xiaomi 12S Xiaomi’s impressive success in the smartphone market has been largely driven by the popularity of its devices’ cameras. The company has just released three new models in its 12S series, and they all have improved imaging capabilities with high-quality lenses made by Leica Camera AG, as well as improved image processing software. But how do these new cameras stack up against other smartphones on the market?

What is a camera phone?
A camera phone is a mobile device that includes one or more built-in cameras to take photographs, record videos and/or capture images. They can also be used to send pictures and video via SMS, email or MMS, or upload them onto social networking sites. Most camera phones come with an internal rechargeable battery that allows you to use it for extended periods away from a power source, although some are equipped with external batteries as well. Many also have memory card slots so you can expand their storage space if needed.

Comparison chart
Because there are so many popular smartphone cameras to compare, it’s easier to visualize their respective strengths and weaknesses using a chart. The following chart shows how each camera compares with respect to ISO ratings, aperture size, megapixels and focal length—all very important features in determining a camera’s picture quality. And just because a camera has more megapixels doesn’t mean it takes better pictures; at least not necessarily.

What does it mean to have a Leica lens?
Most people will recognize Leica as a luxury camera brand, but it actually has nothing to do with making physical cameras. Instead, Leica is a partnership between a German optical manufacturer and a Japanese electronics firm that makes high-end cameras that are worth thousands of dollars—but you can also find many cheaper models that range from $1,000 to $300. These prices have little to do with how good they are; they’re mostly determined by what sensors and features each model comes with.

How good is the Xiaomi 12s camera?
The camera is one of Xiaomi’s main selling points and it seems to be very good on paper. But will its results match up? We ran a few comparison tests to find out how it stacks up against other smartphones in daylight, artificial light, and low-light scenarios. Here are our findings • Daylight: Daytime shots taken with the Xiaomi 12s turned out great—they were sharp, detailed, and not too overexposed. They matched closely with shots taken by high-end flagship models like the Galaxy S10+, LG G8 ThinQ, or iPhone XS Max in terms of clarity and color accuracy. In challenging lighting conditions like overcast days or shadows cast by buildings on sunny days, photos came out well exposed without blown highlights or crushed shadows.

Is it worth upgrading from another brand phone?
There are pros and cons to upgrading your smartphone; on one hand, many of us use our phones as our primary camera. On the other, if you’re still happy with your current phone, then it may not be worth purchasing a new one just for its better camera alone. You should compare cameras across brands (and ideally see test results from multiple sources) to see how much each differs from your own. What we can tell you is that some major brands use Sony sensors and others use Samsung or Panasonic parts.