Xiaomi has mostly made a living from copying everything coming out of Cupertino, but it’s lately done a couple of things I wouldn’t mind seeing Apple copy.
First there was the design of its 15 Ultra smartphone, and now it’s shown-off an interesting-looking concept that I think could make the basis of an excellent Apple Camera Lens module for iPhone …
My iPhone is by far my most-used camera, and that’s because it’s the camera I always have on me. Indeed, as of a few years ago, it actually became my default camera even when travelling.
That’s not to say I never use a dedicated camera. There are occasions when I’m specifically going somewhere to take photos or shoot video, or where I’m going somewhere interesting enough to justify carrying one.
But Xiaomi has just come up with something which might just be the perfect compromise.
The two biggest compromises with smartphone cameras are tiny sensors and equally tiny plastic lenses. What Xiaomi has done is produce a real camera lens with a large sensor that you can magnetically attach to a smartphone.
You still have built-in camera modules for casual use, but when you want better quality, you can effectively turn your phone into a mirrorless camera by carrying something both smaller and lighter than a standalone one.
Wired’s Simon Hill got to try out a fully-functional prototype, and was impressed.
The lens I tested was a Xiaomi 35-mm f/1.4 lens with a 100-megapixel Light Fusion X Type 4/3 sensor, much larger than any lens you will find in a phone today. It has a variable aperture that makes it capable of exceptional low-light performance.
He said it snapped to the camera much like a MagSafe wallet, and that it was very much like using a standalone camera, both in feel and in results.
It has an autofocus motor, so you can tap on the screen to focus on a subject, but there’s also a physical focus ring for that tactile fine-tune control. Shooting in Pro mode, the detachable lens was as responsive as the regular camera, and I focused on subjects at different distances to achieve a lovely natural bokeh.
Sadly we don’t know whether Xiaomi will ever release it, but I have to say I love the idea, and would love to see Apple partner with someone like Nikon, Canon, or Sony to create one for iPhone.
Does the idea appeal to you? Check out the video below, then take our poll and share your thoughts in the comments.
Image: Xiaomi
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