What if you could use a DSLR or mirrorless camera lens with your smartphone camera? Such is the concept that Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has developed with the 12S Ultra phone. For this, the German camera manufacturing company Leica collaborated with Xiaomi. Xiaomi has prepared a unique rear camera system in the 12S Ultra concept phone. The 12S Ultra model launched by the company also caught the attention of photography enthusiasts instantly. But now the tech world is learning that the circular camera system had some special purposes as well. (The difference between Xiaomi’s 12S Ultra and 12S Ultra concept phones can be read below.) Here’s a video Xiaomi released of the unreleased but functional 12S Ultra: https://bit.ly/3UkvDUM
∙ Camera launched with great enthusiasm
The Xiaomi-Leica collaboration has resulted in one of the best smartphone photography experiments ever seen. Xiaomi’s 12S Ultra uses a 50.3 MP Type A sensor developed by Sony. The accompanying f1.8 lens also has a focal length of 23mm. Also, Leica’s color processing technology is incorporated. Along with the main camera, the phone has a 13mm ultra-wide lens and a 120mm telephoto lens.
∙ Behind the circle
These are held square but have a circular structure around it. This circular shape is actually reminiscent of the mount on interchangeable lens cameras. It is no accident. On the contrary, Xiaomi and Leica have done it with the aim of using other lenses.
∙ Phone camera idea or concept
Xiaomi has now revealed another phone developed alongside the 12S Ultra called the 12S Ultra Concept Phone. Concept devices are developed to explore new possibilities. Xiaomi’s 12S Ultra concept phone is available inside the company. The camera sensor can be seen at the center of this concept phone. However, the difference is that the 12S Ultra has a lens mounted on top of it.
∙ Leica M mount
The 12S Ultra concept phone is designed in such a way that Leica’s M mount lenses can be attached using an adapter. That’s not the only difference between the 12S Ultra and the 12S Ultra Concept model. The concept phone also includes a second 50.3 Type A (13.1 x 8.9 mm) sensor. The second 50.3MP camera on the concept phone is placed behind the 48MP telephoto camera on the 12S Ultra that went on sale. Above this sensor, the concept phone also has a lens attached.
∙ The lens cannot be held directly
The Leica lens cannot be attached directly to the smartphone. But it needs an adapter. All this will increase the overall size of the phone. However, the concept phone can also be operated like a regular 12S Ultra when the camera system is not in use.
∙ 2.73 times crop
The images released by Xiaomi show the concept phone with a Leica 35mm f1.4 lens. Attaching it to the phone using an adapter turns it into a 95mm full frame focal length lens. This gives a crop factor of 2.73 times. This will help you capture great portrait photos.
∙ This is not new
The idea of using a different lens with a smartphone’s camera is not new at all. Companies like Moment, Shiftcam and SmallRig have already launched such accessories. However, Xiaomi-Leica’s new concept will easily surpass the above mentioned companies in terms of the quality of the photos from the phone. This is because the 12S Ultra concept phone is designed to accept Leica lenses. Such phones are classified as modular. In other words, modular devices where more parts can be assembled.
∙ Unprecedented quality
The reason behind this excellence is that the only glass between the sensor and the Leica camera lens acts as a protective layer outside the sensor that can be seen outdoors. This system may be better than the photos obtained from smart phones till date. Xiaomi’s head of product marketing, Abi Goh, has shared the images of the concept phone and the photos taken on it. Images of the concept phone can be seen at this link: https://bit.ly/3UsVvha Photos taken on the phone are also available at this link: https://bit.ly/3t0aX8F
∙ Many other photography features
The phone can also take 10-bit RAW photos using technology from the Leica company. Leica Color Science, which is loved by all, is clearly seen in this. Come on Shoot with the Leica M-mount lens and get excellent raw photos. Apart from this, many features like focus peaking, zebra lines, live histogram are also included in the concept phone.
∙ It costs $40,000 to make a phone
Xiaomi made just 10 phones to make this concept a reality. However, Engadget reports that each of these cost the company $40,000. If this phone is manufactured in large quantities, the cost will be reduced. However, 9to5Google reports that the company may not be big enough for this.
∙ Limitations
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra concept phone may be able to take better photos than existing smartphone cameras. However, it also has several limitations. It just isn’t as easy to use as pulling a smartphone out of a pocket or bag and snapping a photo. It’s sure not to appeal to the average smartphone photographer. And if you want to carry the lens and adapter, you will need a bag etc. Then there are those who ask if it is enough to walk with a camera. Also, the lens does not have autofocus, so manual focus is required. Who would be interested in this?
∙ Leica lenses
Leica is one of the most expensive lens manufacturers in the world. Those who want to buy the company’s lenses will be out of pocket. (And let’s not forget that third-party lens makers like TTArtisans and 7Artisans are making lenses for the Leica mount at much lower prices.) Also, questions are raised about how this balances out if no grip is released with the phone.
∙ Why no Canon Mount?
Leica is a company that makes cameras that only the rich can afford. However, there will be those who ask why phones that can hold lenses from companies like Canon, Nikon and Sony, which release relatively inexpensive cameras and lenses, are not being tested. The answer is obvious – it is developed by Leica and Xiaomi. Meanwhile, this concept has become a reality. Other phone manufacturing companies may consider collaborating with other camera manufacturers to manufacture such phones.
∙ The last word
Xiaomi 12S Ultra may never go on sale. However, the concept points to what more can be done with a phone camera. If that’s not enough, even the possibility that even better ideas could become a reality in the Xiaomi-Leica collaboration might excite technology enthusiasts. Experts judge it to be the most successful modular smartphone camera ever seen.