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Mid-range phone with good camera
Mar 29, 2019 13:04:59   #
philz Loc: Rockaway Township NJ
 
I currently use an unlocked Motorola G5 Plus on T-Mobile which has a 12 mp camera that is shall we say of limited quality and flexibility. So it is only for grab shots when I do not have my better cameras with me.

I need to replace this phone and am looking at the Motorola G7, which at under $300 has a much more sophisticated camera. This is still for me a smartphone first with the camera as a bonus so I am not interested in the high end Samsung or other models. Any input as to the quality of the G7 and other phones in this price range that could be better is appreciated.

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Mar 29, 2019 13:13:00   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
philz wrote:
I currently use an unlocked Motorola G5 Plus on T-Mobile which has a 12 mp camera that is shall we say of limited quality and flexibility. So it is only for grab shots when I do not have my better cameras with me.

I need to replace this phone and am looking at the Motorola G7, which at under $300 has a much more sophisticated camera. This is still for me a smartphone first with the camera as a bonus so I am not interested in the high end Samsung or other models. Any input as to the quality of the G7 and other phones in this price range that could be better is appreciated.
I currently use an unlocked Motorola G5 Plus on T-... (show quote)


Phil, Go for the G7. You have made your mind up.

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Mar 30, 2019 06:34:18   #
johneccles Loc: Leyland UK
 
I have just read an article about the G7, the verdict was that for the extra cost over a G6 it not not worth considering. The G6 came out much better and the camera was far superior.

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Mar 30, 2019 08:33:39   #
Geofw Loc: Thornton Cleveleys UK
 
philz wrote:
I currently use an unlocked Motorola G5 Plus on T-Mobile which has a 12 mp camera that is shall we say of limited quality and flexibility. So it is only for grab shots when I do not have my better cameras with me.

I need to replace this phone and am looking at the Motorola G7, which at under $300 has a much more sophisticated camera. This is still for me a smartphone first with the camera as a bonus so I am not interested in the high end Samsung or other models. Any input as to the quality of the G7 and other phones in this price range that could be better is appreciated.
I currently use an unlocked Motorola G5 Plus on T-... (show quote)


I use this site for phone reviews they seem thorough and honest reviews.
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/moto-g7-review

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Mar 30, 2019 10:02:47   #
rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA
 
Keep in mind, there are apps available which will give any smart phone camera more flexibility, expanding the camera's functionality. Even shooting in manual exposure mode is possible with some of these apps. The aim of the installed camera software phones typically ship with is ease of use, not maximum control over the camera. Before buying a new phone, look into installing third party camera apps on the phone you already have. Try the free ones first; some are actually quite good!

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Mar 30, 2019 10:22:29   #
philz Loc: Rockaway Township NJ
 
rook2c4 wrote:
Keep in mind, there are apps available which will give any smart phone camera more flexibility, expanding the camera's functionality. Even shooting in manual exposure mode is possible with some of these apps. The aim of the installed camera software phones typically ship with is ease of use, not maximum control over the camera. Before buying a new phone, look into installing third party camera apps on the phone you already have. Try the free ones first; some are actually quite good!


Good to know. I have a couple camera apps on my phone but I am not really anything but a snapshot shooter with my phone so I have not tried these apps much. And then there is Snapseed. I never use my phone for serious images but I have encountered circumstances when traveling that I only was able to use my phone for shots I wanted to use in books or slide shows. And I found that when the light was good so were the images, usable even. Nice to have such backup but not nice enough for me to spend big bucks on a phone for just the camera.

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Mar 30, 2019 12:08:33   #
JD750 Loc: SoCal
 
philz wrote:
I currently use an unlocked Motorola G5 Plus on T-Mobile which has a 12 mp camera that is shall we say of limited quality and flexibility. So it is only for grab shots when I do not have my better cameras with me.

I need to replace this phone and am looking at the Motorola G7, which at under $300 has a much more sophisticated camera. This is still for me a smartphone first with the camera as a bonus so I am not interested in the high end Samsung or other models. Any input as to the quality of the G7 and other phones in this price range that could be better is appreciated.
I currently use an unlocked Motorola G5 Plus on T-... (show quote)


My friend has a Galaxy phone, and on group outings, her pics royally kick the butt of all of us with iPhones, and many of the DSLR images as well. She has "the eye" so there is that factor. But that Galaxy camera gives her images with great color and exposure and exceptional low light processing.

Why not go to a phone store? They have demo models available, you can try out the phone's cameras and see which one you like best.

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Mar 30, 2019 12:17:13   #
philz Loc: Rockaway Township NJ
 
JD750 wrote:
My friend has a Galaxy phone, and on group outings, her pics royally kick the butt of all of us with iPhones, and many of the DSLR images as well. She has "the eye" so there is that factor. But that Galaxy camera gives her images with great color and exposure and exceptional low light processing.

Why not go to a phone store? They have demo models available, you can try out the phone's cameras and see which one you like best.


Good idea. But the Galaxy phones I see advertised or rated with better cameras are all $700 plus. I'd like to stay at $350 minus. The Motorola G7 Plus looks like a winner but so far it is International only.

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Mar 30, 2019 13:48:42   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
For what it’s worth, i have read OP's on this forum who have printed nice prints up to 16x20 with 12 MP camera phones. And they’re not novices. You have to conform your compositions within the abilities of the camera you’re using. My wife’s waterproof Nikon AW120 captures great photos but easily gets sun flare because of the lens design.

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Mar 30, 2019 14:03:11   #
pc2053
 
I know what you mean, I use a Motorola Pure edition it is 21 megs camera. The photos are just about as good on my Nikon D5500.. I find tune in Google. Zoom and or sharpen if needed. End results are reasonably good.

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Mar 30, 2019 15:01:41   #
JeffR Loc: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
 
I recently attended a presentation by Rad Drew on smartphone photography and post-processing. I was astounded at his images, and even more by the processing he was doing in his phone. You can check out his website at raddrewphotography.com to see what I mean.

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Apr 1, 2019 11:31:10   #
RichardSmithTaylor
 
I'm paying about $9.50 per month for three years for the Galaxy J7 Aura (2017 model) through US Cellular. I'm also paying $11 a month for insurance, since I live on a remote NC Outer Banks Island, far from any store. That puts the phone's raw cost at $342, just below your $350 limit. The phone has 16MP forward and rear cameras (I seldom use the selfie mode) and takes great pictures, especially low light. My only complaint is that its selective focus can't be overridden and the fact that the screen reflects your face in the glare of the sun, even with an "anti-glare" screen protector. Even if you "pinch zoom" to get tighter, the resultant image is very good. It also has the largest display of any Smartphone I've seen, which is a necessity for my limited vision. Since the phone is always in my pocket, I always have a good camera with me. You can shoot 16:9 and also shoot excellent horizontal video.

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Apr 2, 2019 10:44:21   #
TedB2540
 
Not sure on the comparison of specs, but I've been very happy with the quality of the pics I take with the Samsung Galaxy J7 2nd Gen. It was $190 on the Verizon site. I think the same at Target.

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Apr 2, 2019 11:11:49   #
philz Loc: Rockaway Township NJ
 
I have been doing a lot of research about mid-range phones comparable to the Motorola options. It seems the Chinese have entered this range with some choices that could be equal or even better for less money. I ordered a Xiomi MI 8 lite international from Amazon for use with T- Mobile for $205 versus $300 for the Moto G7. Hopefully it will work properly here. The other option is the Honor 8X at $216. Both good choices, I think.

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