Xiaomi makes a living by copying everything that comes out of Cupertino, but recently it’s okay to look at Apple’s copies.
There were 15 ultra smartphone designs first, but now it shows an interesting concept that seems to be able to build the foundation for a great Apple camera lens module for iPhone…
My iPhone is my most used camera, and that’s because it’s the camera I always have. Certainly, a few years ago, it actually became the default camera even when traveling.
That doesn’t mean I never use a dedicated camera. There are places where you go somewhere to take a photo or take a video, or you go enough to justify carrying it.
But Xiaomi came up with something that could be a complete compromise.
The two biggest compromises in smartphone cameras are small plastic lenses as well as small sensors. What Xiaomi did is to generate a real camera lens with a large sensor that can be magnetically attached to your smartphone.
It has built-in camera modules for casual use, but if you want better quality, you can effectively turn your phone into a mirrorless camera by carrying something smaller and lighter than a standalone.
Wired Simon Hill was impressed and was able to try out a fully functional prototype.
The lens I tested was a Xiaomi 35mm f/1.4 lens with a 100 megapixel Light Fusion x Type 4/3 sensor, which is much larger than the lenses available on today’s phones. It features variable openings that allow for exceptional low-light performance.
He said it snaps to the camera like a Magsaf wallet and it’s very similar to using a standalone camera in both the feel and the result.
There is an autofocus motor so you can tap on the screen to focus on your subject, but there is also a physical focus ring for its tactile fine-tuning control. Shooting in Pro Mode, the removable lens is as responsive as a regular camera, and I focused on subjects of various distances to achieve a lovely natural bokeh.
Sadly, I don’t know if Xiaomi will release it, but I love the idea and want Apple to look at people and partners with Nikon, Canon, Sony and others to create one for the iPhone.
Do ideas appeal to you? Check out the video below and then vote and share your thoughts in the comments.
Image: Xiaomi
(tagStoTRASSLATE) Xiaomi
