The seven best selfie phones, cameras and accessories to get the perfect self-portrait
You may have the technique and the pout or cheesy grin, but without the right gear your selfie will be lacking a certain something. These seven bits of kit should ensure you get the right shot every time
Travel photography is, for some, purely a collection of selfies taken in exotic locations. Most are badly lit and poorly composed, but there are some simple pointers to make selfies better. Always think about the background to your shot, and look for the best lighting. Natural light tends to look more flattering, so if you’re indoors, stand facing a window (unless you’re aiming for a silhouette shot).
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If you’re outdoors, however, it can help to have the sun behind you, to avoid shadows on your face. Try to bring the phone closer than arm’s length to avoid your arm getting in the shot (and to avoid face-widening distortion), and actually look at the phone’s front camera, not the screen. Once you’ve mastered your technique, these selfie-centric phones, cameras, selfie sticks and wireless Bluetooth selfie accessories will help you get the perfect self-portrait.
1. Stikbox phone case
This multipurpose case (HK$390/US$50) for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus has a ‘secret’ selfie stick on its back. Just slide out the collapsed aluminium sections to create a 28-inch selfie stick that swivels into position. A Bluetooth connection allows a button on the surprisingly sturdy stick’s slim handle to act as the shutter release. It also props up a phone for watching videos on long journeys. Available at stikbox.com
2. Huawei tripod selfie stick
With a 46cm neck and an optional tripod, this selfie stick (HK$156/US$20) is able to hold almost any Android phone in its rotating clamp. However, make sure your phone has a 3.5mm headphone jack because that’s how the phone controls it. Available at store.hihonor.com
3. Vivo V7 Plus
At first glance this shiny 5.9-inch hunk of glass looks like any other Android device, but the Vivo V7 Plus (HK$2,325/US$370) proves the most selfie-centric smartphone around. Its front-facing camera is a stunning 24 megapixels, while its Face Beauty 7.0 algorithms brighten selfies and give the subjects a more even complexion.
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There’s also a Portrait Mode to introduce DSLR-like looks, such as shallow depth of field and heightened contrast. Not surprisingly, the phone itself is unlocked using a self-portrait instead of a fingerprint sensor. Available at mobile57.com/hk
4. Insta360 One
How about a slow-motion selfie video? By filming at 240 frames per second, this 360-degree camera (HK$2,480/US$317) allows you to create a slow motion video of yourself. The way it does this is slightly bizarre; you attach a piece of string to it and hurl it around your head for a couple of minutes. The result is a video that freezes you in time as the world spins around you – odd, but unforgettable. Available at foresoon.com.hk
5. CliqueFie Max
Similar to Huawei’s effort, this selfie stick collapses into a handbag or pocket-friendly size, and has a tripod option. Where it differs is the length; at 76cm it’s great for framing group selfies. However, if you do want to use the tripod, the CliqueFie Max (HK$349/US$45) also comes with a Bluetooth wireless remote shutter. Available at price.com.hk
6. Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70
Promising better images than most smartphones, there are plenty of compact cameras out there with easy to use selfie modes. One of the best is the DC-ZS70 (HK$3,511/US$450), which has a touch screen that can be rotated to face the front. However, the highlight is Buddy Shutter mode, in which the DC-ZS70 automatically take a photo when it detects two faces together. Available at panasonic.com
7. Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra
Do you often find yourself unable to take a selfie without blocking the view of the beautiful landscape behind you? Then consider Sony’s new Xperia XA2 Ultra (price not yet confirmed), which is engineered for selfies in two ways.
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Not only does it have a 16 megapixel front camera for high resolution selfies, but the Xperia XA2 Ultra’s front also houses a second camera for taking a 120-degree super wide-angle shot. Available from February 2018 at sony.com.hk
