Why are my smartphone camera pics blurry in low light despite having a high megapixel count?

A high megapixel count doesn’t guarantee better low-light photos. Megapixels only determine how much detail an image can contain. In darker conditions, image quality depends much more on sensor size, lens quality, optical image stabilisation (OIS) and the phone’s image processing.

So basically yes, a phone with a 12MP camera can easily outperform a 200MP camera at night. But there might be other reasons as to why your picture of the moon looks simply tragic.

Camera shake, subject moving or simply Night Mode

In low light, your phone keeps the shutter open for longer to capture more light. Even slight hand movement during this time can blur the image.

Try holding your phone with both hands, resting it on a stable surface or using a tripod if you’re taking night photos.

Other than that, even if your hands are perfectly still, when you take pics of people or animals and they move even slightly, they can appear blurry. If possible, ask your model to keep still or move to a brighter area where the camera can use a faster shutter speed.

Then there is Night Mode. It usually combines several photos into one brighter image. If you move the phone before it’s finished, the final photo may be blurred. After pressing the shutter button, keep the phone still until the capture completes.

The lens is dirty

A fingerprint or greasy smudge on the camera lens can soften images and create glare around lights. Clean the lens with a microfibre cloth or towel before taking photos.

You’re using digital zoom

Digital zoom crops the image rather than bringing your subject closer, making blur and image noise much more noticeable in low light. Move closer instead. Or stick to the main camera.

Autofocus isn’t locking correctly

Low light makes it harder for the camera to find focus. Tap the object you want to appear best on the screen before taking the photo to make sure it’s focusing where you want it to.

Software processing

Some phones apply heavy noise reduction in dark scenes. While this reduces grain, it can also remove fine detail and make photos look soft.

Keeping your phone updated can help. Because manufacturers often improve camera processing through software updates.

Could it be a hardware fault?

If every photo is blurry, even in good lighting, the problem may be physical rather than software related. A scratched lens, moisture inside the camera or a damaged autofocus system can all affect image quality.

So how to improve low-light photos?

Here is the summary of the simple things you can do for sharper pics:

• hold your phone steady,
• clean the camera lens,
• use the main camera instead of digital zoom,
• let Night Mode finish capturing,
• tap to focus before taking the photo,
• keep your phone’s software up to date.

All in all, a high megapixel camera won’t save your night photos from looking as if they were taken by a microwave. If you want better image quality, look for a phone with OIS and a larger sensor. And improve your low-light photography technique.