A camera phone will never take the place of a Hasselblad, Canon, or Nikon camera. But, a great camera phone can turn an average snapshot into something that you’ll want to share. The quality of phone cameras has vastly improved over the past few years.

At the time of this writing, 5-megapixel camera phones were the norm, though 12-megapixel cameras do exist. When shopping for a camera, it’s important to note whether or not a phone’s camera is easy to use. Sometimes, a phone can contain the best camera, but attempting to use that camera can be time-consuming.

Apple iPhone 4

It’s hard to beat the Apple iPhone 4. This all-around brilliant phone is packed with an array of excellent features. One such feature is the iPhone 4’s camera. Backed by 5-megapixels, the iPhone 4 camera takes clear photos down to the very last detail. While megapixels are important, there are other reasons why the iPhone 4 blows the camera competition away.

The 3.85mm camera is backlight illuminated, and it includes Apple’s patented “tap to focus” feature. When taking a photo, users can tap the iPhone screen to focus on a particular object.

The camera will then automatically adjust according to the area tapped. The iPhone 4’s camera controls are simple to use, and snapping photos with this camera is a cinch. At the time of this writing, Apple had not released the iPhone 5, though there are rumors that the iPhone 5 may come with a better camera than the iPhone 4 (if this is possible!).

Nokia N8

The Nokia N8 is not a phone that’s gained a large following. Yet, this phone does come with a camera that stands out. The Nokia N8 contains a 12-megapixel sensor and a xenon flash. Photos snapped with this camera are crystal clear, placing the Nokia N8 at the top of the camera heap.

For those who are avid shutterbugs, you’ll be happy to know that the N8 comes with a Carl Zeiss lens – that means something huge within the camera world. The phone itself is also stylish and tough. If you’re looking for a phone that can replace your camera on most trips, the N8 might be the best option for you.

Samsung Galaxy S

The Samsung Galaxy S comes with a 5-megapixle autofocus camera that many consumers love. This camera is capable of snapping very clear photos. In addition, the Samsung Galaxy S comes with a number of camera settings that are user-friendly and intuitive. If you enjoy taking large panoramic photos, the Galaxy S includes a panorama feature that’s excellent all around.

The best thing about the Galaxy’s phone is that you won’t have to play around with the camera in order to take a great snapshot. Everything about this camera is easy from start to finish. At present, the Samsung Galaxy S is one of the top phones on the market.

Shopping for a Camera Phone

When shopping for a camera phone, pay attention to the phone’s megapixels. Also, take into account the quality of the photos during any demonstration. If possible, try out each phone before you make any purchase. Often, stores set up phone demonstrations that do not reflect the true photo capabilities of a phone. Thus, it is best to snap a few photos of your own before buying a phone based upon camera quality.