The Xperia 1 II is our favorite phone for shooting video - Android

Best overall

Sony Xperia 1 II 256GB

Staff Pick

The Xperia 1 II combines three great cameras — wide, telephoto, and ultra-wide — with robust manual controls and a color-accurate 4K display that's capable of utilizing the Rec. 2020 color gamut. Sony's Cinema Pro app is based on the company's CineAlta Venice cinema camera and allows you to manually set ISO, focus, and shutter speed, as well as apply LUTs to achieve different film looks.

$1,098 at Amazon $1,100 at Best Buy $1,098 at B&H

Highest resolution videos

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 128GB

The Galaxy S21 Ultra doesn't have quite as extensive manual video controls as the Xperia 1 II, but it does shoot video at up to 8K resolution. You can upload straight to YouTube at that size, or you can use the built-in gallery to trim or even downscale that footage to something more shareable. In lower resolutions, there's also ultra-steady video stabilization, and you can shoot in HDR10+ for supporting displays.

$1,074 at Amazon From $950 at Best Buy $1,050 at B&H

Great manual controls

LG V60 ThinQ 128GB

The V60 has a list of manual video controls almost as expansive as the Xperia 1 II, with LUTs and manual focus, plus its own great triple camera array. You can monitor your audio in bliss with LG's incredible-sounding Quad DAC, and like the S21 Ultra, you can shoot at up to 8K. You also get a secondary screen you can attach to the phone, giving you more room to work with when editing your footage.

$429 at Amazon

Best stabilization

Google Pixel 5 128GB

Like its predecessors, the Pixel 5 has fantastic video stabilization. With both OIS and EIS in tow, you get buttery smooth video whether you're riding along in a car or train, or just walking down the street with the phone in your hand. There are four different stabilization modes, allowing you to tackle each shooting scenario differently and even switch to the ultra-wide lens for a different perspective.

From $650 at Best Buy $700 at B&H

Pro-grade equipment

Sony Xperia Pro 512GB

The Xperia Pro has the same cameras as the Xperia 1 II, but packs far more pro-grade features that cater to filmmakers and broadcasters alike. Thanks to its HDMI port, you can connect your dedicated camera and use the Xperia Pro as a 4K HDR reference monitor, and even upload your captured footage in real time over 5G. Of course, that just scratches the surface of what this phone can do — this is an incredibly powerful creative tool for the right user.

$2,498 at Amazon $2,498 at B&H

Best for less

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 128GB

The Galaxy S20 FE offers all the same video features as the far pricier S21 Ultra, with similarly great cameras and a much more compelling price. Its flat display won't distort your videos as you watch them back, and you can add to its storage when you run low with microSD expandability. Best of all, it has a fantastic battery life, so you can confidently shoot all day without worry.

$600 at Amazon From $550 at Best Buy $600 at B&H