Xiaomi wants to attract photographers with its new smartphone camera

Since our smartphones can take photos and videos, we buy photo cameras less commonly. However, if you really want to take good pictures, you are usually at the mercy of buying an expensive SLR camera from Nikon, Canon, or another brand. However, smartphone cameras are also improving. As far as Xiaomi is concerned, even SLR cameras worth several hundred euros.

xiaomi

There is one thing that always remains difficult for a smartphone camera: the light. You don’t want a giant bulging lens in the back of your device. Some phone makers still opt for the slightly elevated camera island, but it can’t be compared to the larger lenses you’d click on an SLR camera. Xiaomi thinks it can bridge the gap with a new smartphone: a phone with interchangeable lenses.

The chance of the device appearing to the masses is very slim, but xiaomi experience with it. Posted a video on Weibo It shows a concept of a phone based on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra (which only appeared in China). You don’t see anything crazy, but at the back is a ring that you can attach a Leica M series lens. In the middle of the camera unit there is a 1 inch sensor: 50 MP Sony IMX989. We’ve seen this camera sensor quite often in phones, specifically on the Sony Xperia PRO-I. If you do not “tie” the lens from the back, the aperture will be closed with sapphire glass.

bulk lenses

The 12S Ultra’s main camera, a second Sony IMX989, is still a little off the side. However, the 48MP wide-angle lens is now where the 48MP zoom camera used to be. This doesn’t exist at all anymore, because of course you can probably zoom in a lot with the attachable lens.

This large sensor means that software no longer gives that bokeh effect in your photos, where what’s in the foreground is sharp. This is now happening naturally. In addition, the sensor can capture 10-bit RAW images. Camera software is still applied to photos as well, so you can choose a specific histogram or focus, among other things.

Leica M lenses.

The leica mLenses are not equally good at all. They last a long time and are very sharp, but they have to focus manually. The price is also a huge disappointment: $2,795 for the cheapest lens in the series. People will likely still choose an SLR for a while, although taking it with you on a trip, for example, is a logistical challenge. Anyway, it’s good to know that phone makers continue to improve lenses and photography. Even if they have not yet managed to completely replace the SLR camera.

Do you use an SLR camera in addition to your smartphone camera? Have you ever seen that change? Leave it in the comments.