The best tablet camera 2022: iPads, Android and Windows tablets with photo smarts
These days, the best tablet cameras can capture surprisingly decent images. Of course, that begs the question: why would you want to use a tablet to take pictures? Well, maybe you don't have your phone to hand at the time. Maybe you're using it for something else. Maybe your phone battery is low. Or maybe you just want a nice big tablet screen on which to view your shot.
Either way, tablets often come in handy for photography. And while of course, they're never going to match up to the best camera phone or the best cameras, they are getting much better at it.
With that in mind, if you're going to buy a tablet anyway, you may as well get one with a decent camera. And to help you out, below we've gathered together the very best tablet cameras on the market today, for Windows, iOS, and Android.
The best tablet camera 2022
1. iPad Pro 12.9 M1 (2021)
The best tablet camera overall
Rear cameras (3): Wide: 12MP, f/1.8, 1/3", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF; Ultrawide: 10 MP, f/2.4, 125˚; Depth: TOF 3D LiDAR scanner | Front camera: 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ | Screen size: 12.9-inch | Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels | Weight: 682g | Dimensions: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm | OS: iPadOS 14 | CPU: Apple M1 chip | Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
Brilliant rear cameras
Fantastic front camera
Smart HDR 3 software
Not that different from 2020 version
The best tablet camera experience you can get at the moment comes from the iPad Pro 12.9 M1 (2021). On the rear, you get 12MP wide and 10MP ultra-wide rear cameras, along with a time-of-flight (ToF) LiDAR scanner for depth. This setup offers video capture of up to 4K at up to 60fps, and Full HD (1080p) capture at up to 240fps.
It’s worth noting that these stats are exactly matched on the previous model, the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2020). Subtle improvements to performance have been made, though. For example, the 2021 iPad Pro boasts Smart HDR 3 software compared to Smart HDR on its predecessor; and offers extended dynamic range for video up to 30fps.
Overall, though, if the rear camera was your only concern, you might opt for the cheaper 2020 model (number 3 on our list). Where the 2021 Pro truly trumps its predecessor, however, is in the front-facing camera. That’s jumped up in quality from 7MP on the previous year’s model to 12MP. It also now boasts an ultrawide view which, thanks to the ‘Center Stage’ feature, means you’re automatically cropped into a shot when on a video call or taking a selfie.
The iPad Pro 12.9 M1 (2021) is also a fantastic tablet in general, with a high-resolution screen, excellent levels of brightness, the superfast M1 processor, and generous battery life making it one of the best iPads for photo editing too.
Read our full Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch M1 review
2. Samsung Galaxy S8 Tab Ultra
The best tablet camera for Android users
Rear cameras (2): Wide: 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm; Ultrawide: 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF 6 MP, f/2.2 | Front cameras (2): Wide: 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm; Ultrawide: 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ | Screen size: 14.6-inch | Resolution: 1848 x 2960 | Weight: 726g | Dimensions: 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm | OS: Android 12 | CPU: Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Storage: 128/256/512GB
13MP & 6MP rear sensors
Wide & ultrawide front sensors
Support for 4K video
Premium price
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has the best tablet camera for Android users we've seen to date. On the rear, you get two cameras, a wide and an ultra-wide. The first sports a 13MP sensor, measuring 1/3.4-inch, an f/2 lens, and a 26mm focal length. The second boasts a 6MP ultrawide sensor with an f/2.2 aperture.
There are also two selfie cameras, both featuring 12MP resolution. With auto-framing, you can position your tablet and move around in front of it, and it will choose the optimal framing for you. And both front and rear cameras support 4K at 60fps.
This is a great tablet in general too. It's ultrathin at just 5.5mm thick and boasts a huge 14.6-inch Super AMOLED screen that's great for watching movies and working in creative apps like Photoshop. It offers superior picture quality, with an 1848 x 2960 resolution, deep blacks, zingy colors, and a fast refresh rate of 120Hz. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, with 8-16GB RAM, does a great job of running Android 12. The S-Pen has been redesigned and improved. And a powerful 11,200mAh battery promises up to 14 hours of video playback.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S8 Tab Ultra review
3. iPad Air 10.9" (2022)
The best tablet camera for value
Rear camera: 12 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF | Front camera: 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ | Screen size: 10.9-inch | Resolution: 1640 x 2360 pixels | Weight: 661g | Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm | OS: iPadOS 15.4 | CPU: Apple M1 chip | Storage: 64GB/256GB
Good front camera
Thin and light
Affordable price
Cameras not as good as iPad Pro 2021
Released this March, the 10.9-inch iPad Air 2022 matches many of the specs in the iPad Pro 2021 (number one on our list), yet at a significantly lower price. For example, you get the same M1 chip, support for 5G, a 12MP selfie camera, and the same Centre Stage feature.
On the back, though, you just get one 12MP wide sensor, so you're missing the ultrawide lens and the LIDAR scanner of the iPad Pro 2021. On the plus side, it does match the latter's digital zoom (up to 5x) and Smart HDR 3 for photos. 4K video is supported at up to 60fps, and 1080p maxes out at 240fps.
On the whole, the iPad Air 2022 is a less powerful tablet than the iPad Pro 2021, with storage of just 64GB or 256GB (the Pro offers up to 2TB), and RAM of only 8GB, to the Pro's 16GB. But frankly, that's not much of a climbdown in specs. And so overall, anyone looking for a modern iPad with a great camera will find much to like here.
why not take a look at our Best 11in laptops
4. iPad Pro 12.9" (2020)
The best tablet camera for most people
Rear cameras (3): Wide: 12 MP, f/1.8, 1/3", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF; Ultrawide: 10 MP, f/2.4, 11mm; Depth: TOF 3D LiDAR scanner | Front camera: 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/4", 1.12µm | Screen size: 12.9-inch | Resolution: 2732 x 2048 | Weight: 639g | Dimensions: 280.4 x 214.8 x 5.8 mm | OS: iOS 13.4 | CPU: A12Z Bionic | Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
Brilliant rear cameras
4K video at 60fps
Good value
Lacks auto-centering feature
Want an iPad with a decent tablet camera, but on a tight budget? As we mention above, the latest iPad Pro is the absolute best there is; but the more affordable 2020 model comes a very close second.
After all, you’re still getting the same 12MP wide and 10MP ultra-wide rear cameras, along with a time-of-flight (ToF) LiDAR scanner for depth, video capture up to 4K at up to 60fps, and Full HD (1080p) capture at up to 240fps.
The main compromise is that the front-facing camera drops down from 12MP to 7MP and doesn’t have the automatic centering feature. The other big difference is that the 2021 iPad Pro is much, much faster; so if you’re doing very resource-intensive tasks such as video editing, that might make a difference to your productivity.
If that’s not the case, though, and the front camera isn’t important to you, we’d probably advise opting for the more affordable 2020 iPad Pro.
5. Microsoft Surface Pro 8
The best tablet camera for Windows users
Rear camera: 10MP | Front camera: 5MP | Screen size: 13-inch | Resolution: 2880 x 1920 | Weight: 891g | Dimensions: 287mm x 208mm x 9.3mm | OS: Windows 11 | CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5-i7 | Storage: 128-1TB
10MP rear camera
Vibrant display
Runs Windows 11
Not a budget model
Want a Windows tablet with a decent camera? Then we recommend the latest Microsoft Surface Pro. 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. That means this isn’t just the best tablet camera for Windows users available today, it’s the best Windows tablet, period.
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
The best value tablet camera for Android users
Rear cameras (2): Wide: 13MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF; Ultrawide: 5 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm | Front camera: 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | Screen size: 12.4-inch | Resolution: 1752 x 2800 | Weight: 575g | Dimensions: 185.0 x 285.0 x 5.7mm | OS: Android 10 | CPU: Snapdragon 865 Plus | Storage: 128/256GB
High-res cameras
Great shooting modes
Beautiful screen
Lacks audio jack
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ isn't quite as powerful overall as the S8 Ultra (number 4 on our list). But in terms of the cameras, it's not far off at all. And so if you can save money by buying this slightly older tablet, it is definitely worth considering.
On the rear, you get 13MP wide and 5MP ultrawide cameras, and you can capture 4K video at 30fps. On the front, meanwhile, you get an 8MP front facing camera for your video calls and selfies.
This is a pretty great tablet in general too. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus processor is super speedy. The 10,090mAh battery will keep going for hours. The S Pen stylus is a joy to use for photo editing, and the 12.4in Super AMOLED screen delivers a lovely, hi-res picture quality.
7. Microsoft Surface Go 2
The best cheap tablet camera for Windows
Rear camera: 8MP | Front camera: 5MP | Screen size: 10.5 inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1280 | Weight: 553g | Dimensions: 245 x 175 x 8.3mm | OS: Windows 10 S | CPU: Dual Core Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y | Storage: 64-128GB
Good cameras
Shoot in HD
Excellent value
Not the most powerful
If you're looking for an affordable Windows tablet with a decent camera, then look no further than the Surface Go 2. Despite the low price, you're getting a very 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, hence it runs by default in Windows 10 S Mode, which restricts you to apps from the Windows Store only. However, 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.
8. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5 (2018)
The best cheap tablet camera for Android
Rear camera: 8MP, f/1.9, AF | Front camera: 5MP, f/2.2 | Screen size: 10.5-inch | Resolution: 1200 x 1920 | Weight: 529g | Dimensions: 260 x 161.1 x 8mm | OS: Android 8.1 | CPU: Snapdragon 450 | Storage: 32GB
Good cameras
Nice camera app
Great value
A little outdated now
If you're seeking a cheap Android tablet with a good camera, check out the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5 (2018). It's a few years old now, hence the reduced price, but it's still a good performer.
Photography wise, you get an 8MP f/1.9 camera on the rear, while on the front you'll find a 5MP f/2.2 selfie camera. These perform as well as you can expect in an older model, plus there are some nice tools in the camera app, including Night Capture, Panorama, and a Pro mode that lets you adjust things like white balance and ISO. Both can capture 1080p video at 30fps.
Obviously this is not the most powerful or up-to-date Android tablet, with just 3GB RAM, and running an older version of the operating system (8.1). But it copes with most things pretty well, and for this price, you won't find better.
9. Oukitel RT1 Rugged Android tablet
The best rugged tablet camera
Rear camera: 16MP | Front camera: 16MP, 1080p video | Screen size: 10.1-inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels | Weight: 850g | Dimensions: 251 x 170 x 14.5mm | OS: Android 11 | CPU: MediaTek Helio P22 | Storage: 64GB
Fully rugged
Decent cameras
Excellent battery life
Can run slow
Not the brightest screen
Heading out into rough terrain or hazardous conditions? Then you'll want one of the best rugged tablets. And the Oukitel RT1 offers our favorite combination of tough protection, great cameras and overall performance.
Conforming to MIL-STD-810G military standards and IP68-certified, this super-tough device is waterproof to five feet for 30 minutes, and boasts drop protection to an incredible 30m. Plus you'll benefit from 360° all-round dust resistance, to IP69K certification.
It's not a bad choice for capturing images either. Both the front and rear feature 16MP Samsung cameras with built-in photography modes such as Panorama, Night and Pro. The selfie camera offers 1080p video recording for video calls.
Plus it's a very nice tablet in general, too. Running Android 11, it has a 10,000mAh battery, which the makers say will keep your device running on standby for up to 350 hours. The 10.1 inch touchscreen, which has an aspect ratio of 16:10, offers Full HD resolution, and works even when you're wearing gloves. On the downside, the P22 processor isn't the most advanced, so it can run a little slowly. Also, the screen offers only 350 nits of brightness, so isn't great in sunlight.
See our guide to the best rugged tablets, for other waterproof and drop-proof alternatives.
10. iPad Mini (2021)
The best compact tablet camera
Rear camera: 12 MP, f/1.8, AF | Front camera: Ultrawide: 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ | Screen size: 8.3 inch | Resolution: 1488 x 2266 pixels | Weight: 293-297g | Dimensions: 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm | OS: iPadOS 15 | CPU: Hexa-core | Storage: 64/256GB
Ultra portable
Surprisingly powerful
Small screen size
Tablets tend to be quite big and cumbersome, making them not-so-great for taking pictures with. If, for this reason, you'd rather opt for something on the small side, we'd recommend the latest iPad Mini.
The best tablet camera you'll find in a compact size, its rear camera sports the same 12MP sensor as the iPad Pro. This is capable of capturing 4K video at up to 60fps. On the front, meanwhile, there's an excellent 12MP selfie/video call camera. This employs the Center Stage feature that automatically centers you in picture, and can capture 1080p video at up to 240fps.
Elsewhere, the 8.3 inch screen offers a gorgeous hi-quality display, with vivid colours. You get excellent performance thanks to the speedy Apple A15 processor. And the tiny size and weight means it's easy to carry everywhere.
Read more:
Best budget tablets
Best cases for iPad Pro
Best cases for iPad Mini
Best cases for iPad Air
Best stylus for iPads and iPhones
