Last updated: June 2026
The best thing about the digital age is the ability to create wherever you are, using the equipment you already have on you — your smartphone. Today's phones are capable of producing stunning cinematic footage, but great results don't happen by accident. Whether you're shooting a travel vlog, a product review, or a short film If you're also creating content for social media, our guide on how to make a good TikTok video covers platform-specific tips to help your phone footage shine on that format., these five tips will help you get the most out of your mobile camera.
Here are our 5 tips for shooting video on your phone.
1. Steer Clear Of Digital Zoom
It's tempting to pinch-zoom into your scene, but digital zoom degrades image quality significantly — especially in lower light. Instead, zoom with your feet and get physically closer to your subject.
If you're shooting on a newer flagship phone (iPhone 15 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Google Pixel 9 Pro), you may have access to optical zoom via a dedicated telephoto lens. Use that instead — it preserves quality by using actual glass optics rather than cropping the sensor digitally.
2. Stabilise Your Shot
Even the steadiest hands produce shaky footage on playback. Most modern phones now include optical image stabilisation (OIS) or computational stabilisation modes, but for truly smooth results, a dedicated stabiliser makes a world of difference.
A lightweight tripod is still the most affordable option and ideal for static shots, interviews, or time-lapses. If time-lapses interest you, see our full guide on how to make a time lapse video for step-by-step tips, techniques, and camera settings. For moving shots, a smartphone gimbal is the go-to tool — brands like DJI (OM 6), Zhiyun (Smooth 5S), and Hohem have made excellent, compact options accessible at a range of price points. Many now include built-in AI tracking, so your subject stays in frame automatically.
3. Master Your Lighting
Lighting remains the single biggest factor separating amateur and professional-looking footage. Phones still struggle in low light despite significant sensor improvements — so whenever possible, shoot in natural light.
Outdoors, the golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) produces warm, flattering light with minimal harsh shadows. Indoors, position your subject facing a large window to use soft, diffused natural light. A cheap reflector can bounce light back onto your subject and fill in unwanted shadows.
If you're shooting in controlled environments regularly, a small LED panel light (bi-colour or RGB) is a worthwhile investment and pairs perfectly with a phone rig setup.
4. Take Control Of Your Camera Settings
Modern native camera apps have come a long way — iOS and Android both now offer manual controls, LOG or flat colour profiles, and even ProRes or RAW video capture on higher-end devices. Before reaching for a third-party app, explore what your stock camera can already do.
That said, apps like Blackmagic Camera (free), Filmic Pro, and Moment Pro Camera unlock frame rate control, manual focus peaking, audio metering, and more — giving you DSLR-level control from your pocket. If you're serious about your footage, it's worth spending time with at least one of these.
Also worth noting: shoot in the highest quality your storage allows, and consider 4K 24fps for a cinematic look, or 1080p 60fps if you want smooth slow-motion capability in post. For a deeper look at how 1080p, 4K, and higher resolutions compare for video, see our guide to 1080p vs 4K vs 6K vs 8K video resolution. Not sure which frame rate suits your project? Our guide to 30fps vs. 60fps video frame rates explains the key differences and when to use each.
5. Invest In The Right Accessories
The right accessories can transform your phone into a genuinely professional production tool. Here are a few worth considering:
Lenses: Clip-on wide-angle, macro, and anamorphic lenses from brands like Moment expand your creative options well beyond what your phone's built-in cameras offer.
Microphones: Audio quality is often overlooked but immediately noticed. A directional shotgun mic (like the Rode VideoMicro 2) or a wireless lapel system (like the DJI Mic 2) will dramatically improve your dialogue and reduce background noise.
Rigs & Cages: A phone cage or rig gives you a stable platform to mount your mic, light, and lens simultaneously — and makes handheld shooting far more comfortable for longer shoots.
Ted's stocks a wide range of smartphone video accessories, from budget-friendly essentials to professional-grade gear. Browse our smartphone accessories range in store or online.
Cut! If you're ready to take your phone video skills further, check out our guide on how to live stream from your phone — covering setup, equipment, and tips for going live.
And that's a wrap. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up If you want to understand the full process from concept to final cut, our guide on how to make a video from start to finish covers every stage of production. your mobile filmmaking, these tips will help you get noticeably better results — straight from the device in your pocket.
For more photography and videography guides, head back to the Ted's Blog — we publish new content regularly to help you get the most from your gear.
Best Phones for Video Stabilisation and Walking Shots
If shaky footage is your biggest challenge, your phone choice matters as much as your technique. Three standouts for smooth video in 2025–2026 are the iPhone 16 Pro (with Action mode and sensor-shift OIS), the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (which combines OIS with advanced AI motion stabilisation), and the Google Pixel 9 Pro (whose Video Boost and Cinematic Pan modes are particularly effective for walking and handheld shots). All three handle stabilisation well enough that even casual walkers can get usable footage without a gimbal — though pairing any of them with a gimbal still produces the cleanest results. If you're shopping for a phone specifically to shoot video, these are the models worth shortlisting at Ted's Cameras.
Best Phone Camera for Low-Light Video
Low-light video is where phone cameras differ most dramatically. The Google Pixel 9 Pro leads on computational low-light processing, using Night Sight Video to brighten dark scenes without excessive noise. The iPhone 16 Pro offers excellent sensor performance and Log video recording for more control in post. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra brings a large sensor and strong noise reduction to dim environments. Regardless of which phone you use, the technique tips still apply: prioritise available light, avoid digital zoom in dark scenes (noise compounds dramatically), and shoot at 24fps rather than 60fps to allow more light per frame. The right phone gets you further, but smart shooting habits make the real difference.
Best Phone for Photography and Videography
Many creators need a phone that excels at both stills and video — not just one or the other. The good news is the best phones for videography in 2026 are equally strong for photography. The iPhone 16 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Google Pixel 9 Pro all offer versatile multi-lens systems covering wide, ultrawide, and telephoto — useful whether you're framing a photo or composing a video scene. If macro photography matters to you, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro offer dedicated macro capability. For video-first creators who also shoot stills, the iPhone 16 Pro's ProRes video and the Pixel 9 Pro's computational photography pipeline make both an excellent all-rounder choice available at Ted's Cameras Australia.
Gear Up for Better Phone Videos
When you're ready to edit your footage, see our guide to the 5 best video editing programs in 2026 to find the right software for cutting and polishing your phone video content.