Let's be honest: even the best tablet cameras lag far behind the best camera phones in terms of capabilities. But at the same time, they still serve a purpose. For example, they're convenient backup cameras when your phone is unavailable or low on battery. Plus the larger screen can be useful for framing shots or handling tasks like scanning QR codes.
Plus it's worth noting that tablet camera quality has improved significantly in recent years, though performance varies widely between models. So while camera quality is unlikely to be your top priority when choosing new tablet, it can still be a noteworthy factor.
With that in mind, we've curated a list of the top tablet cameras currently available from major manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, and Microsoft, and more. We'll outline the capabilities of the cameras themselves, and we'll also touch on some of the best general features of the tablet itself.
Best overall
The best tablet camera there is right now. The rear camera setup includes a 12MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide lens, capable of 4K video at up to 60fps, and the new M4 chip is perfect for post-processing. Read more below
Best Android
This is hands-down the best tablet camera for Android users today. On the rear, you get two cameras, a wide and an ultra-wide. The first sports a 13MP sensor, the second an 8MP sensor. Read more below
Best Windows
Want a Windows device? This 2-in-1 tablet/laptop hybrid boasts a 10MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD and 4K video, plus a 5MP front-facing camera with 1080p full HD video. Read more below
Best value iPad
This basic 10.9-inch iPad is affordable, but still good for photography. Yes, there's only one 12MP wide sensor, but you'll also get digital zoom (up to 5x) and Smart HDR 3 for your photos. Read more below
Best cheap Android
This budget-friendly Android tablet aims to provide a premium-like experience. The 13MP rear camera can capture decent images in good lighting conditions though it struggles in low light. Read more below
Best cheap Windows
If you're looking for a cheap Windows tablet with a decent camera, the Surface Go 2 is a good one to choose. Despite the low price, you get a decent 8MP autofocus rear camera that shoots 1080p video. Read more below
Tom May
Tom May is a freelance writer and editor specializing in photography, design, technology and travel. He has been editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. He has also worked for a wide range of mainstream titles including The Sun, Radio Times, NME, T3, Heat, Company and Bella.
The best tablet camera 2024
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The best tablet camera overall
(Image credit: George Cairns / Digital Camera World)
The best tablet camera experience you can get at the moment comes from the iPad Pro 11-inch M4 (2024), launched in May.
The rear camera setup includes a 12MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide lens, capable of 4K video capture at up to 60fps. The front-facing 12MP ultra-wide camera supports Center Stage for video calls and selfies. But while these camera specs are similar to previous models, the real magic happens in post-production.
The M4 chip, combined with the new iOS Final Cut Pro app, revolutionizes mobile video editing. The standout feature is the ability to live stream from up to four iPhones running the iOS Final Cut Camera app directly into a multicam clip in Final Cut Pro on the iPad. This streamlines workflow for multi-angle shoots, eliminating the need for time-sucking file transfers and manual syncing.
The 11-inch Ultra Retina XDR OLED display is a significant upgrade, offering 1,000 nits of brightness (1,600 nits peak for HDR content) and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. This makes it ideal for editing HDR footage, with deeper blacks and brighter whites than ever before. The ProMotion technology's adaptive 10-120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth playback and responsiveness.
In short, while it may only be a slight improvement on its predecessor, the iPad 12.9 M2 (2022), this still has the best tablet camera available today, and is one of the best iPads for photo editing too.
Samsung has just released the Galaxy S9 Tab Ultra, its latest and greatest tablet. And it boasts the best camera on a Samsung tablet to date. Indeed, we'd describe this as the best tablet camera for Android tablet overall.
There is a caveat, though. Its camera isn't really a huge jump up from its predecessor, the S8 Tab Ultra (next on our list below). Yes, it has has slightly better low-light performance thanks to an aperture that can shift between F2.4 and F1.5. And the second, ultrawide sensor in the rear camera has been boosted a little in resolution, from 6GB to 8GB. But we're really not talking a lot of difference overall. So you certainly wouldn't want to upgrade if you already had an S8 Tab; certainly not for photography anyway.
In fact, there aren't too many reasons to upgrade at all, as the new tablet is pretty similar to the old one. If you're new to Samsung, though, this is the one to get as it has a slightly faster processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Gen 1), double the maximum storage (1TB), better battery life and Android version 13.
Want a Windows tablet with a decent camera? Then we recommend the Microsoft Surface Pro 8. This 2-in-1 tablet/laptop hybrid boasts a 10MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD and 4K video, plus a 5MP front-facing camera with 1080p full HD video.
The rear camera offers clean and clear images, and the extra 2MP bump from the Surface Pro 7 really makes a difference in the level of detail you can capture. The front camera, meanwhile, does a surprisingly good job of conducting video calls, as long as your room isn’t overly dim.
That’s thanks to an Ambient Color Sensor in the front camera, which Microsoft has added to this Surface Pro for improved brightness and color. It also allows you to log into Windows Hello using just your face.
There are plenty of other improvements over the Surface Pro 7 too, including a boost in RAM from 4GB to 8GB, a bigger and brighter 13-inch display, and longer battery life, plus it runs the latest Windows 11 operating system.
But why, you might ask, is this the tablet camera we're recommending, rather than the latest Surface Pro 9? Quite simply, because the latter is much more expensive, and yet has the exact same camera setup as far as we can see.
The only difference is that in the SQ3 version there's extra support for Windows Studio Effects like automatic framing and portrait blurring on the selfie camera. But that's not worth the price hike, in our eyes. So right now, we'd say the Surface Pro 8 is the best tablet camera for Windows users.
Rolled out in October 2022, this budget-friendly iPad holds its ground as the cheapest way to get into Apple's tablet ecosystem. In a nutshell, a great-looking tablet for an affordable price, doubling as a monitor or photo/video sidekick. Camera skills? Not its forte, but certainly good enough if you are just snapping a few pics to share with friends.
Sporting a screen matching the iPad Air in size and quality, plus an aluminum frame mimicking the Air's chic look, it's a solid choice. The USB-C port and front-and-back cameras add to its appeal.
Now, the Air face-off. While this iPad's screen lacks the Air's wider color gamut and laminated goodness, it's no biggie unless you're deep into pro-level work. Just beware of reflections outdoors – it's not the sun's best friend.
But here's the twist – no Apple Pencil 2 love here. Choose between the OG Pencil or the new USB-C version. Pencil v1 brings pressure sensitivity but needs an adapter dance, while the USB-C one skips sensitivity but keeps it simple. Decisions, decisions.
In the real world, this iPad is a smooth operator. Detailed, rich screen, and that A14 chip? Speedy for regular use. Just don't expect it to replace your laptop superhero – it's more of a trusty sidekick. It might hit the RAM ceiling with heavy image documents, but for everyday tablet fun, it's golden.
If you're seeking a cheap Android tablet with a good camera, the Oukitel OT8 is worth considering. This budget-friendly 11-inch Android tablet aims to provide a premium-like experience at a fraction of the cost of high-end devices. And while it makes some compromises, it offers a surprisingly decent package for casual users and media consumption.
You will, however, get what you pay for, and our reviewer found its camera performance is mixed. The 13MP rear camera could capture decent images in good lighting conditions but struggled in low light. The front-facing camera, despite conflicting marketing claims about its resolution, is serviceable for video calls at 720p.
The 11-inch IPS LCD display has a resolution of 1200 x 1920 pixels (206 ppi) and can reach up to 350 nits of brightness. While adequate for indoor use, it may struggle in brighter environments. The quad-speaker system is a standout feature, delivering impressive audio quality for the price point.
Battery life is a strong point, with over 12 hours of continuous video playback on a single charge. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack and support for Widevine L1 (enabling 1080p playback on streaming services) enhances its appeal as a media consumption device.
Performance-wise, the OT8 handles basic tasks and media playback smoothly but shows limitations with more demanding applications or multitasking. Its Geekbench 6 scores (366 single-core, 1180 multi-core) reflect its budget-oriented hardware.
If you're looking for a cheap Windows tablet with a decent camera, then look no further than the Surface Go 2. Despite the low price, you're getting a pretty good 8MP autofocus rear camera that shoots 1080p video.
The 5MP front camera lets you stream in 1080p too, which gives it the edge over many similarly priced laptops, which tend to be stuck around the 720p mark.
More generally, the Surface Go 2 is a 2-in-1 device that can be transformed into a laptop when combined with Microsoft's Type Cover (sold separately). It's not the fastest or most powerful device, but battery life is good, and overall this is a great budget choice for kids, students, or just anyone who wants to keep their costs low.
If you're looking for a tablet with a decent camera, consider several key factors to ensure it meets your needs. For photography, the rear camera's resolution will be a good guide: higher megapixels generally sharper images. If you want to use your tablet for streaming, selfies or videos, prioritize a high-resolution front camera and wide angle lens.
What's more important on a tablet: the rear or front camera?
This depends on your primary use. For video calls and selfies, you'll want to prioritize the front camera, while for photography and scanning documents, the rear camera (which is normally a much higher specification) is more important.
Should I judge a tablet camera on the number of megapixels?
Not necessarily. More megapixels do mean more picture detail, but a high number of MP doesn't necessary mean it's a great camera. Other factors such as sensor size, lens quality, and software processing play a bigger role in the quality of your photographs. Also, if you plan to do a lot of video recording, you need consider features like frame rate, resolution, and video stabilization.
Are tablet cameras as good as other cameras?
Presently, no. While tablet cameras have improved significantly, dedicated cameras and smartphone cameras generally offer more advanced features and better image quality. Tablets are convenient for casual photography, and for doing things like scanning QR codes, but they're no good for serious photography, and not particularly great for amateur photography either.
We test cameras on tablets in the same way we test dedicated cameras and smartphone cameras. In other words, we carry out tests in controlled conditions to measure their performance in terms of usability, image quality, video capture and more. For full details of our process, read our full article on How we test.
Tom May is a freelance writer and editor specializing in art, photography, design and travel. He has been editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. He has also worked for a wide range of mainstream titles including The Sun, Radio Times, NME, T3, Heat, Company and Bella.
