Counterclockwise: counting cameras as single camera phones are on the way out

17 February 2019
Before 2003, most phones didn't even have one camera. Now a phone having 3, 4 or even 5 cameras is considered normal.

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IpsDisplay, 18 Feb 2019It's not a matter of beating physics, but in the future we ... moreI suspect that already some phones recognise well known landmarks and fill in details that cannot be resolved by the lens. Some digital photocopier makers have, I believe, been sued because they take a guess at unresolvable numbers, which could cost someone a lot of money.

    www, 17 Feb 2019Nothing come close to xenon flash in night time photography... moreGood luck puting xeon on thin smartphone profiles. Xeon is outadeted tech. Led can reach similar brightness not disturbing smartphone dimesnions

      IpsDisplay, 18 Feb 2019It's not a matter of beating physics, but in the future we ... moreIf that's your point of argument, then I would be more than happy to do it old school. As long as there's no advancement in terms of smartphone camera sensors, I would never let software and AI do the job for me.

        YUKI93, 18 Feb 2019Software and AI would never beat real physics, enough said.It's not a matter of beating physics, but in the future we will rely mostly on prediction and filling in details essentially taking "fake pictures" similar to Google's night mode, portraits mode using pixels in the camera instead of physically changing apertures look at sony's prediction focus, reading of a gyroscope to imitate stabilization,

        We are moving to smaller mobile devices that depend on computational photography, to think that we will go in the direction of bigger "physical" lenses is ridiculous.... I gave points for my arguement don't just Jump in here and say something without your points to back up your views

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          • Camera
          • X}B
          • 18 Feb 2019

          The last Oracle, 18 Feb 2019Smartphone sensors may start to reach DSLR quality from abo... moreI think it is better to integrate the smartphone functionality into a DSLR rather than other way around. Also, the cost would be 5K for the phone you are talking about.

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            • Luxor
            • KZK
            • 18 Feb 2019

            The last Oracle, 18 Feb 2019Stop using a smartphone. Use a feature phone instead. But... moreWhat are you saying then? You are really posting something for the sake of saying something. Joke on you.

              Luxor, 18 Feb 2019People emphasized too much on camera. I actually would love... moreStop using a smartphone. Use a feature phone instead.
              But stop posting something for the sake of saying something.

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                • Luxor
                • KZK
                • 18 Feb 2019

                People emphasized too much on camera. I actually would love Google to make a standalone Pixel Camera and sell it for $100 or something. I would bring that around gladly everywhere with my main phone. Of course it form factor should be like a thin smartphone. That will solve all of these camera obsession.

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                  • s-pen pusher
                  • PMT
                  • 18 Feb 2019

                  Anonymous, 18 Feb 2019Mechanical shutter in a digital phone camera??? yes. they had this in the old feature phones of samsung and sony ericsson.

                    Smartphone sensors may start to reach DSLR quality from about 10 years back WHEN:
                    1. Smartphone sensors reach 240fps Full Res readout speeds (meaning that the DRAM may have to be increased significantly).
                    2. They employ 30 frames instead or the present 9-15 that they do for HDR (night modes obviously use a Lot more frames).
                    3. Smartphone sensors has a complete redesign like the mythical IMX607 sensor that is rumoured for the Huawei P30 Pro, with 3 Base ISOs (ISO50/500/5000). This should help push any possible issue with low light to the dustbin.
                    4. The Bayer CFA is a huge factor with issues like noise, light loss as well as detail loss due to trying to correct these issues. This arrangement needs to be mixed with what Fuji does on its sensors and a new format needs to be adopted. I have a few ideas but I don't want to post them here.
                    5. Smartphone chips must reach the ability to process 8k at 240fps. For downressing from larger sensors and then using that information for a 12MP photos or photos of 36MP and above. Sometimes 12MP is not sufficient.
                    6. Sharper smartphone lenses that can resolve a lot more detail than presently possible.
                    7. HEIF and RAW created from HDR, so that the photos can be pushed significantly in post, when necessary. And for professional work.
                    8. Mechanical shutter on smartphones. The HDR could have elements of mechanical shutter photos as well as those from electronic shutter ones. The mechanical shutter ones may be slightly sharper and handle moving subjects better.
                    9. Have 14-bit RAW photos on smartphones. This should help in pushing the image a lot more in post. These could be compressed RAW, if space in an issue.
                    10. Smartphone video camera to move to 10-bit even if its 4-2-0, to start with. And employ HDR combining atleast 3-9 frames into a single one to have way better dynamic range. And log like on cinema cameras or Mirrorless ILCs. And bitrates over 100mbps in h.265.
                    11. Have a 5 camera modules for various levels of zoom. 10mm, 18mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 100mm FF equivalent. And one large pixel B&W sensor for sensor fusion for improving detail and lowlight even further (though honestly this may not even be necessary with faster sensors).
                    12. Increase RAM to 16Gb and above and when RAM enters DDR6 speeds.

                    This may eat a lot of memory, but the photos and videos such a smartphone camera produces would be insane. You could actually replace your professional photographic and video graphic equipment. And you could have the option of 12MP or 36MP, and each level would be highly detailed.

                    Maybe even have an UpRessing option when 12MP are upressed in resolution upto 48MP.

                      IpsDisplay, 17 Feb 2019So your saying your surprised that the relatively new compu... moreSoftware and AI would never beat real physics, enough said.

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                        • Anonymous
                        • 2Iq
                        • 18 Feb 2019

                        s-pen pusher, 18 Feb 2019i agree with a previous poster about xenon flashes- these a... moreMechanical shutter in a digital phone camera???

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                          • Anonymous
                          • 2Iq
                          • 18 Feb 2019

                          Anonymous, 17 Feb 2019Atleast Galaxy A9 has atleast every sensor. Depth Camera... morePixel did not prove digital zoom is better, just an alternative solution. Eventually, computational photography will become the norm in hp. It's not about fooling you.

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                            • s-pen pusher
                            • PMT
                            • 18 Feb 2019

                            i agree with a previous poster about xenon flashes- these are way better than leds. also if i may add- mechanical shutter. i know it will be difficult to include such with multiple cameras, but at least have it on the main one. i don't care really about optical zoom as this is difiicult to execute in a thin device, but the xenon flash and mechanical shutter are alot more possible as ois.

                              • Moj
                              • a32
                              • 18 Feb 2019

                              www, 17 Feb 2019Nothing come close to xenon flash in night time photography... more"They should invent smaller but powerful Xenon flash."
                              that really not gonna happen!
                              well there are limited amount of electrons can go to higher layer and come back to cause xenon flashes produce sparkles(light)!

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                                • Laciboti
                                • md9
                                • 17 Feb 2019

                                I don't think it's necessary because I own a Pixel 2 XL.

                                  SpiritWolf, 17 Feb 2019'So you side with brawn over brain, eventually computationa... moreYou have to do better than that state why what I said is wrong , looking back I would reword physical with analogue

                                  Soon we will have computation at the level that will input information better than relying on just raw powerful lenses

                                    Aria, 17 Feb 2019I think having multiple cameras becoming an anti consumer s... moreOptical always beats digital zoom. The 5x zoow with a good wide angle on my mate 20x is awesome. I'd have no issue getting a phone with 5 plus sensors.

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                                      • Jason Melling
                                      • 7vb
                                      • 17 Feb 2019

                                      Too much emphasis placed on cameras in phones, you want a good camera then buy a cmera

                                        IpsDisplay, 17 Feb 2019So your saying your surprised that the relatively new compu... more'So you side with brawn over brain, eventually computational input will do better than physical photography'

                                        That's probably most senseless commentary i've ever red in GSMArena. Why don't you hire painters then? My 808 does strongly disagree with you.

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