New Interchangeable Lenses for smartphones... are they going to kill anything?

[Emanuel]

Huawei’s new Ruiying Z10 module for the Mate 90 Pro Max... Inspiring, to say the least : ) That is, an interesting development in the long-running convergence between smartphones and dedicated cameras.

The module reportedly includes:

• its own sensor and optical system (detachable connection to the smartphone)
• 1-inch 50MP RYYB sensor
• 24–240mm equivalent range in 35mm terms (10x continuous optical zoom)
• f/2.0–4.5 aperture

So this is not simply an accessory lens placed in front of the phone’s built-in camera.

It is effectively a separate camera module using the smartphone as its display, processor and interface.

Strictly speaking, this is not yet an interchangeable-lens camera system in the conventional sense, since the entire camera module is replaced rather than just the lens. But it does raise an obvious question about where smartphone camera design may be heading.

Smartphones already provide processing, computational photography, large displays, storage, editing and connectivity. If large sensors and modular or interchangeable optics become more common, part of the traditional role of the dedicated camera body could become less distinct.

Mirrorless cameras still retain substantial advantages: larger sensors, mature lens systems, ergonomics, cooling, battery life, physical controls, professional I/O and more sophisticated video recording options.

The question is how much of that distinction will remain relevant if smartphone camera systems continue moving in this direction.

Are interchangeable lenses for smartphones going to kill the mirrorless camera industry or will they remain a separate category?

- EAG :- )

 

 

[stephen]

Nothing new under the sun. Sony tried this concept 13 years ago with Sony DSC-QX100 and Sony DSC-QX10. It didn't work / sell well. 
Maybe their implementation was not good, maybe smartphones were not fast enough or price was too high. I somehow doubt it will work now.  
99.9 percent of the people are quite happy with the cameras on their smartphones. Those who want something more are a tiny minority and they have plenty of other toys to play with. So again I doubt this will sell. Same as those telephoto 300mm,400mm  and more add on lenses. Who the heck needs those ? Bird shooters, sports shooters ? They are a tiny minority of a tiny minority and they will buy a mirrorless camera for those tasks. Smartphone manufacturers will soon realize they waist time and money. 

I am quite happy that we now have :
    1. RAW video and basically great video IQ from smartphones with 3rd party applications
    2. Finally one company broke the mold and produced a flagship smartphone with 35mm focal lenght main camera

[Emanuel]

Take a better look at the video, Stephen, where the reviewer explains why this is actually an entirely new product concept... ; )

But let me answer you on this new one now:

Have you ever been to a music concert with a camera in hands without being accredited as often happens but just not all the time? : )

Maybe not or perhaps you've already been asked to leave your telephoto zoom at the cloakroom, assuming there even was one... ;- )

Or then, going to the middle of the crowd with your gear after the first three songs... : X

I bet you're able to pay for it just in a single gig! : P

- EAG