Why do we make double-triple-quadruple eyed cameras in smartphones instead of just improving the specs and keeping one lens?
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In addition to varied focal lengths, newer phones have advanced processing hardware and software that combines the multiple images from the multiple cameras into one “AI enhanced” image.
Different lenses have different properties that can often be faked in software, but looks better when done with real light bending. To make a zoom lense it has to be long. Just look at the really big cameras. Next iphone should have that with a periscope stile lense.
The lens is similar to a pair of glasses.
Sure you can have bifocals, but a lens has an optimal focal range.
With a lens where you can change the focal point, but only so far.
So if you want a super zoom, and a great macro, and a great 10 to 20 foot distance focal point. You will get much clearer pictures with 3 lens each optimized to the distance you want.
so they can advertise has “one hundreds cameras” and can try to justify a 2.5k price tag for a phone that is essentially the same as the previous 5 models.
Theoretically they could make a zoom lens, big apertures, but the size would be very big, bulky and heavy. Phone camera priorities size so that’s out of question.
Zoom lens with small aperture? Then there would be not much light, and background blur would be too weak, hence destroy the zoom purpose: to take portraits. And it’d still be too big.
Is there any workaround for zoom lenses on phones? Maybe (asus zoom) but it’s over engineering imo.
Not to mention there’re techs like IR, AR that needs a special kind of sensors.
Other solution, like external optics? It’d be easy to lost, too much hassle, low sale potential….
So here you go: it’s not that they have a choice. Most effective solution is just slap a bunch of cameras with different focal length, no hassle for both makers and users.
Unless in the future they can make use of liquid glass then we might see ‘the ultimate camera lens for all situations’. But not now
Single lens already exists. They have an optical setup that can zoom from covering a wide angle to closing in on far subjects (telephoto).
The problem is that this type of lens can only fit in a volume about the size of a Us prescription pills bottle and would create a bulk on the back of your phone.
In order to avoid that, phone manufacturers create one separate lens for each purpose: wide angle, normal and telephoto.
Alternatively can they just make a decent smartphone with only 1 camera even if its not that good? I have to pay for those 3 or 4 cameras on my phone that i never use.
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