DxO ONE attached to an iPhone
Credit: Shutterbug
Best camera for the photograph you wish to take? – the one you have with you. For most people, most of the time, that means a phone camera. It comes as no surprise to anyone that more photographs are taken with phone cameras than any other type of camera.
Fundamental to a phone camera, as with the phone which contains it, is small size. Thus (with few exceptions), sensor & lens are tiny, & optical zoom is not available. The few exceptions are in thick, heavy phones which have enjoyed few sales.
Sony was first to conceive of a solution, in the form of its QX series "smart lenses". These “lenses” are actually complete cameras, less viewfinder, which can clip to almost any smartphone. With the phone screen providing viewfinder capability, an app, & Wifi connection, the combination provides at least point-&-shoot capability. Inherent in the WiFi connection, is the option of remote operation.
Recently, 2 more add on cameras have appeared to expand the photographic capability of smartphones. Like the Sony smart lenses, the DxO ONE & Olympus AIR attach to a smartphone, use the phone screen as a viewfinder, & control interface. Beyond that they are very different.
DxO ONE – “the World's First Truly Connected Camera”
• major design parameters: small size & image quality
• 20.1 megapixel, 1” (12.8 x 9.6 mm)1 type sensor
• 32mm2, F1.8 lens, i.e. no zoom
• plugs into an iOS device via the Lightning socket for both data & mechanical connection
• no remote operation capability
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/new-20mp-dxo-one-imaging-device-promises-dslr-quality-images-your-iphone-hands-preview#fmq5WsdUik14B8T1.97
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/5778413776/dxo-one-the-world-s-first-truly-connected-camera
http://www.dxo.com/us/dxo-one
Olympus AIR
Olympus AIR attached to phone
Credit: notey.com
Phone & Olympus AIR attached to 1,200mm telephoto1 lens
Credit: Photo Rumours
• 16 megapixel, 4/3 format (17.3mm x 13.0mm)1 sensor
• 28-84mm2 zoom lens included but accepts other Olympus lenses
• data connection via WiFi & Bluetooth to any Android or iOS device
• clamp allows physical connection to almost any smartphone
• remote operation capability
• open architecture – SDK (Software Developer's Kit) & physical design files available
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/olympus-air-a01/olympus-air-a01A.HTM
http://www.techradar.com/au/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/compact-cameras/olympus-air-a01-1298009/review
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1 "Image sensor format", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_sensor_format#Table_of_sensor_formats_and_sizes
2 full frame (35mm film) equivalent / zoom telephoto lens interchangeable lens fixed lens larger sensor /