There’s no getting around it. The best tablet cameras are held back by the inherently cumbersome form factor of a tablet device; they simply cannot compare to the best camera phones when it comes to everyday snapshots. But it is handy to have a decent tablet camera in a pinch. From impromptu family photos to selfies and scanning QR codes, the camera is an important bit of kit when it comes to selecting a new tablet. And for photographers who use the best tablets for photo editing, you may even turn to your tablet to capture a quick snapshot when reccing a location.
That said, a good tablet is much more than just a camera, so within this buying guide, I’ll be mentioning other key specs to help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re after my top overall recommendation, the Apple iPad Pro M4, or a budget option like the Amazon Fire Max 11, I’ll help you find the best camera tablet for your needs.
The Quick List
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
Identical camera hardware to its predecessor, but good camera specs nonetheless, with the added bonus of being a tablet powerhouse
Read more below
Want a Windows device? This 2-in-1 tablet/laptop hybrid has a 10MP rear-facing camera capable of 4K video recording, while the 5MP front-facing camera handles 1080p video calls
Read more below
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
It doesn’t boast the best camera on this list and having to go through the Amazon Appstore limits available photo editing apps, but you simply cannot argue with the price
Read more below
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
I used to write iPhone photography tutorials for Apple tech website, iMore. So you can bet I know a thing or two about the best tablet camera. I’m also Digital Camera World’s go-to for image-editing software advice and coverage, and one of my favorite ways to edit images is on my iPad Pro 12.9-inch M1. As such, tablets are a key part of my workflow. Here are my top picks on the market right now…
The best tablet camera 2025
Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.
The best tablet camera overall
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 iOS Final Cut Pro app, has revolutionized 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.
And while you could plump for the 13-inch version, I’ve gone for the 11-inch version, here, since this is the more comfortable option when taking photos. 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.
Read our full iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) review.
The best tablet camera for Android
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, both feature the same 13-MP f/2.0 primary camera and 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera on the rear, along with a 12-MP f/2.2 lens and a 12MP f/2.24 ultra-wide lens on the front. Capable of recording 4K and 1080p content at 30fps. I haven’t tested the cameras side-by-side, so it’s conceivable there are some differences in computational photography, but as far as the hardware goes, it’s identical. And these are good cameras as far as tablets go.
With that in mind, I've plumped for the S10 Ultra as the best tablet camera for Android, because its specs beat its predecessor by a razor-thin margin, and as the newer model, it’s likely to be supported for longer. But if budget is a concern, and you don’t mind shopping for a used or refurbished tablet, the S9 Ultra is still a great choice. And if you’re already an S9 Ultra owner, there’s virtually no need to upgrade.
And if we’re talking camera specs, even the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra isn’t a world away from what’s on offer here. Still, the S10 and S9 have slightly better low-light performance thanks to an aperture that can shift between f/2.4 and f/1.5. And the second, ultra-wide sensor in the rear camera has been boosted a little in resolution.
Beyond its image-making capabilities, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra boasts a massive 14.6-inch OLED screen – rather impractical for taking photos – but a real pleasure to use otherwise. And its anti-reflective coating is definitely a plus for outside photography or outside use in general. Sure, I could split hairs over Samsung’s move from Qualcomm in favor of a cheaper MediaTek CPU, but the Dimensity 9300 will edge the S9 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in most instances. If you’re an Android user who’s willing to spare no expense, this is the cream of the Android tablet crop.
See the full Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra review
The best tablet camera for Windows
The Windows Surface Pro 9 is still a great tablet with a decent rear-facing camera. And if you’re happy to go down the used or refurbished route, it’s a great option if you cannot justify the expenditure of the latest Windows Surface Pro 11. The Surface Pro 9’s imaging capabilities are built around a front and rear camera. The front device is a 5-MP Windows Hello face authentication camera, with full HD video support, while the 10-MP rear camera boasts autofocus and 4K video.
And while this is very nice to have, the Surface Pro series of tablets is arguably less suitable for photography than even your average tablet, given that they’re a true laptop/tablet hybrid. Sure, if you have the keyboard, you can quickly separate it, but it’s just not a setup I foresee people shooting with all that much. However, I think the Surface Pro 9 is a fantastic tablet for photographers because it runs Windows 11, meaning you can use desktop versions of your favorite editing software. And should you opt for a machine with 32GB of RAM and a 12th-gen Intel Core i7, you’ve got the power to do some serious editing to boot.
Read our full Microsoft Surface Pro 9 review
Best cheap iPad camera
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.
Read our full Apple iPad 10.9-inch (10th Gen, 2022) review
Best cheap tablet camera for Android
The Amazon Fire Max 11 doesn’t boast the most impressive camera specs on the market, but then again, its RRP is a very reasonable $229.99 / £249.99. Plus, like all Amazon products, it often receives a chunky discount. The front and rear cameras are the highest-resolution cameras you can find on an Amazon tablet, but they still only manage 8MP apiece and can only shoot 1080p video (no 4K here). The rear camera has autofocus, and the front camera’s focus is fixed.
As such, I can only recommend the Amazon Fire Max 11's cameras for personal video calls and the odd selfie. And while Android already lags behind Apple when it comes to available photo editing software, apps for the Fire Max 11 are even more limited, since you're forced to go through the Amazon Appstore.
With all that said, the tablet’s 2.2Ghz octa-core processor and 4GB of RAM perform well enough. Other plus points include great battery life and expandable storage up to 1TB. And while I can’t recommend this tablet for photography or hardcore image editing, I can recommend it for web browsing and entertainment. After all, the price is so reasonable, I simply had to include it on my list.
See the full Amazon Fire Max 11 review
Best cheap tablet camera for Windows
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.
How to choose the best tablet camera
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.
How we test the best tablet camera
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.
