Strong camera, Xiaomi's "magnetic camera module" and "interchangeable lens concept machine" released: the past and present life of plug-in camera | Ainongji

On March 3, MWC 2025 (World Mobile Communication Conference) opened. Both Xiaomi and Zhenwo have released new "mobile image scheme" Their goal is to bring the peaceful old age of small cameras to an abrupt end.

[Xiaomi Module Optical System]

Comparison Diagram of Senile Sensor Sizes ↑

Xiaomi's name【 Xiaomi module optical system] The sensor and lens of the camera are directly attached to the back of the mobile phone with a magnet. In the mobile phone industry, it is a dream specification:

Light and shadow hunter X sensor, [M4/3 frame with 100 million pixels] , the size is 1.7 times of LYT-900, and it claims 16 gear dynamic range (LYT-900 is 14 gear). The default four in one is 6144 × 4096, and the high pixel mode is 12288 × 8192;
The unit pixel size should be at 1.4 μ m. While LYT-900 is a 1.02 type with 1.6 μ m 50 million pixels, and GN2 is a 1/1.12 type with 1.4 μ m 50 million pixels;
"All non spherical glass lens set", F1.4 aperture, equivalent 35mm, the nearest focusing distance is 30cm. There are automatic focusing and electronic focusing ring;
[Magnetic endothermic plug] Design, power supply with two contacts LaserLink near light speed laser transmission ， 10Gbps transmission speed, the same as USB 3.2 Gen 2;
direct Call system camera+call mobile phone ISP and multi frame synthesis algorithm , can take RAW photos, and the photos can be directly sent to the system album;
The overall weight is about 100g, and the "magic" millet 15 is used. In order to place the magnet of magnetic attraction, the Magic Change machine has removed the wireless charger (the official said that the wireless charger will be added if the product is mass produced);

There are setting out sheets officially, What else does Xiaomi 15 Ultra play , this is the night god ↓

[New problems of the new scheme] Video Hurricane has sent test videos. Let's briefly summarize the disadvantages of the "Xiaomi Modular Optical System" scheme:

The current version [no optical anti shake]. When shooting video, it will be cut 1.2 times for electronic anti shake;
Now, only 4K30fps video can be shot, and the jelly effect is obvious (maybe the interface transmission speed is limited?);
The power consumption is high, which hinders the battery life of the mobile phone (Xiaomi 15, which has a good battery life, needs to be charged 2 or 3 times a day for high-intensity photos);

Anti shake and jelly problems should be easily solved. As for power consumption, maybe we can make a magnetic back cover similar to moto Z, and then bring a battery handle?

True self [interchangeable lens concept machine]

Real me [interchangeable lens concept machine] (The left side of the above figure), a 1-inch sensor is placed in the middle, and the camera ring is made with a snap ring. Through the snap ring in the middle, two official lenses can be connected - a 73mm F1.4 lens and a 234mm F1.5 lens.

Hands on picture of Android Headline ↑

The middle swivel ↑ can increase the flange distance, and can also be compatible with lenses with different bayonets in the future.

The real machine diagram of the "interchangeable lens concept machine" has the feeling that the motherboard is inserted on the graphics card ↑.

The testing machine may be the "magic revision" OPPO Find X6 Pro.

The four screen Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the 1.02 IMX989 in the middle, and the ultra wide angle IMX890. All these imply that it may be an engineering machine in the same era as the Xiaomi 12S Ultra concept machine.

The scheme of true self also has its own troubles:

This engineering machine [also has no optical anti shake], Android Headline said that the maximum usable ratio of handheld is about 30 times;
Without the lens, the engineering machine only has the 0.6 times super wide angle support field. It is estimated that it will be very difficult when encountering the two-dimensional code that is far away.

If you keep an additional 1.02 IMX989 main camera like the Xiaomi 12S Ultra concept camera, or use a triple vertical JN5 telephoto, life away from the external lens may be much more comfortable.

Ideally, Can have ultra-thin daily use lens , so that it can also be used in daily life without connecting long guns and cannons (there is no space on the mobile phone to accommodate the "fishing sensor that can work only with an external lens", If you don't take photos, you have sensors to take photos ）。

The "replaceable lens concept machine" is not as cool as the "Xiaomi module optical system", but in terms of mass production difficulty, cost and daily practicality, it may be more reliable (mainly because the cost advantage is too obvious).

The martyrs of "plug-in camera"

Xiaomi, True Self: As long as we don't mass produce, we won't become martyrs.

Marx did not deceive me. The trend is really a circle, and history is really spiraling.

As early as 12 years ago in 2013, Sony created the category of "lens camera" ↑. In this category, there are 6 machines with some reputation:

[Sony DSC-QX10] and [DSC-QX100] released in 2013;
[Sony DSC-QX30] and [Sony ILCE-QX1] ↑ (It is much stronger when you look at the camera). Sony ILCE-QX1 is the top of the history of "lens camera". Its identity can be seen from the name of ILCE. It is the APS-C picture of the E checkpoint. You can change the lens. Do you believe it?
In 2015, there was also [Olympus AIR A01] (M4/3 pictures);
In 2015, [OPPO O-Lens] ↓ (16 million pixel sensor is equipped with 10 times light variable lens);

These six martyrs are all filmed through NFC/Wi Fi connection. Of that year The biggest problem is the connection speed and response speed 。

When it is connected to the mobile phone, it will take more than 10 seconds. In the era when WiFi 6/7 was not available, it was called sour and refreshing to send RAW photos and videos.

Now looking back, They are just cameras that "use mobile phones as viewfinder" , and the finished photos should be uploaded from the camera to the mobile phone. The use experience is similar to that when you clip a sports camera to your mobile phone and then use your mobile phone to take pictures. In theory, it would be much better to equip a lens camera with a small screen of a sports camera.

Later, there were two more martyrs, who were the direct predecessors of Xiaomi's "Xiaomi Modular Optical System".

In 2015, DxOMark's [DXO ONE external camera] ↑, it uses the 1-inch 20.2 million pixel sensor of Sony Black Card, F1.8。 It is different from the above "lens cameras". It is connected to the Lightning interface of iPhone.

It also has a USB-C test machine, but the later project is busy, and this version has not been sold.

In 2016, [Moto Z Hassou's 10x zoom module] ↑, a 1/2.3 inch 12 million pixel sensor, was the highest in the history of modular mobile phones, equipped with a 25mm to 250mm 10x true light variable lens, F3.5-F6.5。 We also tested ↓

DXO ONE is an intermediate from a lens camera to a camera module (old platypus). It itself is a camera, while moto Z Hasu is the "module".

if Camera lens uses mobile phones as camera accessories. Xiaomi's new plan is to use camera sensors/lenses as mobile phone accessories The starting point and priority are opposite.

But Zhenwo's "interchangeable lens concept machine" (including Xiaomi 12S Ultra concept machine) and Xiaomi's new scheme, The core difference is whether the camera sensor should be left in the mobile phone.

YY section

The plug-in camera modules of Xiaomi and Zhenwo more than 10 years later are "Sensor of camera+computing power of mobile phone" The combination of.

Camera sensors and lenses, mobile phone algorithms and ISP all said: I have never fought such a rich war in my life.

Video Screenshot of Hurricane ↑

Let's think about it. If the full width sensor is replaced in the module (labor model IMX410: what do you want to do? Don't come here). In future concerts, there may be many "shots without fuselage".

Full width sensor and lens, use the mobile phone's single/multi frame HDR, automatic super night view mode LivePhoto， So the imaging effect can't fly in place?
The photo interface is still the simple and easy to use UI of the mobile phone, and the photos are still directly in the mobile phone album. Instead of using a guide card, you can use a filter to edit the pictures and directly go to the circle of friends.
After squeezing out the multi camera system, mobile phones can leave more space for batteries, motors and speakers. The cost of the flagship machine itself can be cut down, and users who need images can buy the camera modules they need. Isn't it beautiful? Return to single photography is just around the corner!!

But to be honest, the biggest problem of the two concept machines, Xiaomi and Zhenwo, is still to bring additional modules/lenses.

Take one more thing when you go out. For those who carry a power pack iPhone Users may only be conditioned, but many users do not have this habit.

When you meet something you want to shoot, you find that the lens is not with you, and then you are hit by the old saying that "the best camera is always the one you have".

We don't know whether such a mobile phone/camera is easy to use, but it must be cool ↑