Those comparison on Youtube only showing the apps launching speed, but not showing the apps actual usage like scrolling down the option, navigation and usage speed. So, seems pointless to do such comparison.
Lag normally happen on long usage, when many apps being opened, turn on mobile network, GPS, load many browser page at once, switch between apps.
Camera is subjective, some prefer the over expose in low light, some prefer the normal expose picture, it depend on taste. You got to zoom in those image to see if detail is being captured or just blurred detail being capture. So, I can't comment on this, especially those low light image, need to zoom in to check the noise level, rather than checking the brightness only.
Zenfone Selfie will be same spec with J7, but with bigger storage and RAM, but many say their camera quality are not good, even the front selfie camera are just average.
Normal usage wise, RN3,J7, Zenfone Selfie will be the same, no lag, fast.
But heavy usage and gaming wise, RN3 will be more superior than those, with faster processor, and better graphic chip.
I agree that lag usually comes from heavy usage. Zenfone2 with 4gb of ram might fair better.
What's important is selfie camera though. All these are fairly big phones especially zenfone family prefer smaller.
Redmi 3 no where In sight yet.
Maybe small phone will be popular again after apple introduce smaller iPhone but that will be quite a long time yet