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== Technology == Mobile phone cameras typically feature CMOS [[active-pixel sensor|active-pixel]] [[image sensors]] (CMOS sensors) due to largely reduced power consumption compared to [[charge-coupled device]] (CCD) type cameras.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Infinix Hot 50 Pro Price in Pakistan, Review & Features |url=https://pricehub.pk/product/infinix-hot-50-pro-price-in-pakistan/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=pricehub.pk |language=en-US}}</ref> Some use CMOS [[back-illuminated sensor]]s, which use even less energy,<ref>{{Cite news| pages = 1| title = DxO Labs Rolls Out DxO IPE| work = Wireless News| location = Jacksonville| quote=All of the solutions are implemented using DxO's proprietary, highly configurable and programmable SIMD processor core and are extremely power, space and form factor efficient. |date = 2007-12-26}}</ref> at a higher price than CMOS and CCD. The usual [[fixed focus|fixed-focus]] lenses and [[image sensor format|smaller sensors]] limit performance in poor lighting. Lacking a physical shutter, some have a long [[shutter lag]]. [[Photoflash]] by the typical internal LED source illuminates less intensely over a much longer exposure time than a [[Flash (photography)|flash]] strobe, and none has a [[hot shoe]] for attaching an external flash. [[zoom lens|Optical zoom]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Joel|date=October 2009 |title=Take High-Quality Pics With Your Phone's Low-Quality Camera |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/4282963|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912013851/http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/4282963|archive-date=2010-09-12|work=Popular Mechanics}}</ref> and [[Tripod (photography)|tripod screws]] are rare, and some also lack a [[USB]] connection or a removable [[SD card#Mobile phones|memory card]]. Most have [[Bluetooth]] and [[WiFi]] and can make [[geotagged photograph]]s. Some of the more expensive camera phones have only a few of these technical disadvantages, but with bigger [[image sensor]]s (a few are up to 1", such as the [[Panasonic Lumix DMC-CM1]]), their capabilities approach those of low-end [[point-and-shoot camera]]s. The few hybrid camera phones, such as [[Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom|Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom and K Zoom]], were equipped with real [[optical zoom]] lenses. [[File:Samsung Galaxy S5 camera components.jpg|thumb|[[Samsung Galaxy S5]] camera module, with floating element group suspended by ceramic bearings and a small magnet]] [[File:Samsung Galaxy S5 camera elements.jpg|thumb|Image showing the six molded elements in the [[Samsung Galaxy S5]]]] As camera phone technology has progressed, lens design has evolved from a simple [[double Gauss]] or [[Cooke triplet]] to many molded plastic [[aspheric lens]] elements made with varying dispersion and refractive indexes. Some phone cameras also apply [[distortion (optics)]], [[vignetting]], and various [[optical aberration]] corrections to the image before it is compressed into a [[JPEG]] format. [[Optical image stabilization]] allows longer exposures without blurring, despite trembling. The earliest known smartphone to feature it on the rear camera is in late 2012 on the [[Nokia Lumia 920]], and the first known front camera to feature one is on the [[HTC 10]] from early 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ferenczi |first1=Peter M. |title=Nokia Lumia 920 Camera Review |url=https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nokia-lumia-920-camera-review-first-look |website=[[DPReview]] |access-date=27 March 2022 |date=2013-03-07 |quote=It's the first phone with an optically stabilized (OIS) camera, and this is the big low-light news. Note that a number of phones claim "image stabilization" as a feature, but this is not stratospheric ISO abuse and/or waiting for a relatively steady moment to release the shutter. |archive-date=2022-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327003803/https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nokia-lumia-920-camera-review-first-look |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Rehm |first1=Lars |title=HTC 10 is the first smartphone with OIS in front and rear cameras |url=https://www.dpreview.com/news/4992017147/htc-10-is-the-first-smartphone-with-ois-in-front-and-rear-cameras |website=[[DPReview]] |access-date=27 March 2022 |date=2016-04-12 |archive-date=2022-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327003805/https://www.dpreview.com/news/4992017147/htc-10-is-the-first-smartphone-with-ois-in-front-and-rear-cameras |url-status=live }}</ref> Few smartphones, such as LG initially with the 2014 [[LG G3|G3]], are equipped with a [[time-of-flight camera]] with infrared laser beam assisted auto focus. A [[thermal imaging camera]] has initially been implemented in 2016 on the [[Cat S60|Caterpillar S60]]. [[High dynamic range imaging]] merges multiple images with different exposure values for a balanced brightness across the image and was first implemented in early 2010s smartphones such as the [[Samsung Galaxy S III]] and [[iPhone 5]]. The earliest known smartphone to feature high dynamic range filming is the [[Sony Xperia Z]], 2013, where frames are arrayed by changing the exposure every two lines of pixels to create a spatially varying exposure (''SVE'').<ref>{{cite web |last1=P. |first1=Daniel |title=Sony Xperia Z HDR video compilation: less burn, more detail |url=https://www.phonearena.com/news/Sony-Xperia-Z-HDR-video-compilation-less-burn-more-detail_id38773 |website=Phone Arena |access-date=2 December 2021 |date=2013-01-21 |archive-date=2021-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202005501/https://www.phonearena.com/news/Sony-Xperia-Z-HDR-video-compilation-less-burn-more-detail_id38773 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://developer.sonymobile.com/2013/01/22/shoot-great-videos-in-all-conditions-with-the-new-hdr-functionality-in-xperia-z/ |title=Shoot great videos in all conditions with the new HDR functionality in Xperia™ Z – Developer World |website=Sony Developer World |access-date=2 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126015131/http://developer.sonymobile.com/2013/01/22/shoot-great-videos-in-all-conditions-with-the-new-hdr-functionality-in-xperia-z/ |archive-date=26 January 2013 |date=22 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> As of 2019, high-end camera phones can produce video with up to [[4K resolution|4K]] resolution at 60 frames per second for smoothness.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-phone-cameras,review-2272.html |title=Best Smartphone Cameras 2019 |author=Adam Ismail |date=May 11, 2019 |access-date=May 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515003357/https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-phone-cameras,review-2272.html |archive-date=May 15, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> === Zooming === {{See also|List of longest smartphone telephoto lenses}} Most camera phones have a [[digital zoom]] feature, which may allow zooming without quality loss if a lower resolution than the highest image sensor resolution is selected, as it makes use of image sensors' spare resolution. For example, at twice digital zoom, only a quarter of the image sensor resolution is available. [[:Category:Mobile phones with mechanical zoom lens|A few]] have [[optical zoom]], and several have a few cameras with different fields of view, combined with digital zoom as a hybrid zoom feature. For example, the [[Huawei P30 Pro]] uses a [[Periscope lens|periscope]] 5x telephoto camera with up to 10x [[digital zoom]], resulting in 50x hybrid zoom.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ron Amadeo|date=March 27, 2019|title=New Huawei phone has a 5x optical zoom, thanks to a periscope lens|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/03/new-huawei-phone-has-a-5x-optical-zoom-thanks-to-a-periscope-lens/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130135027/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/03/new-huawei-phone-has-a-5x-optical-zoom-thanks-to-a-periscope-lens/|archive-date=November 30, 2019|access-date=November 20, 2019}}</ref> An external camera can be added, coupled [[wireless]]ly to the phone by [[Wi-Fi]]. They are compatible with most smartphones. [[Windows Phone]]s can be configured to operate as a camera even if the phone is asleep. === Physical location === When viewed vertically from behind, the rear camera module on some mobile phones is located in the top center, while other mobile phones have cameras located in the upper left corner. The latter has benefits in terms of [[ergonomy]] due to the lower likelihood of covering and soiling the lens when held horizontally, as well as more efficient packing of tight physical device space due to neighbouring components not having to be built around the lens. === Audio recording === Mobile phones with multiple [[microphone]]s usually allow video recording with [[stereo audio]]. Samsung, Sony, and HTC initially implemented it in 2012 on their [[Samsung Galaxy S III]], [[Sony Xperia S]], and [[HTC One X]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III review: S to the third |url=https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i9300_galaxy_s_iii-review-761p9.php |website=GSMArena.com |page=9 |access-date=2021-10-02 |archive-date=2020-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702100352/https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i9300_galaxy_s_iii-review-761p9.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sony Xperia S review: NXT of kin |url=https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_s-review-741p6.php |website=GSMArena.com |page=6 |access-date=2021-10-02 |archive-date=2022-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412142843/https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_s-review-741p6.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=HTC One X review: eXtra special|url=https://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_x-review-747.php|access-date=2021-04-02|website=GSMArena.com|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-04-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414130349/https://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_x-review-747.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Apple implemented stereo audio starting with the 2018 [[iPhone XS]] family and [[iPhone XR]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Apple iPhone XS review |url=https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_xs-review-1827p7.php |website=GSMArena.com |page=7 |access-date=2021-10-02 |archive-date=2020-07-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703171146/https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_xs-review-1827p7.php |url-status=live }}</ref> === Low light photography === In the past, manufacturers of mobile phone cameras had to compromise between the amount of detail they could capture in good light and the brightness of images in low light. With [[pixel binning]], both have been accomplished with the same image sensor. === Multimedia Messaging Service === {{Main|Multimedia Messaging Service}} Camera phones can share pictures almost instantly and automatically via a sharing infrastructure integrated with the carrier network. Early developers, including Philippe Kahn, envisioned a technology that would enable service providers to "collect a fee every time anyone snaps a photo".<ref name="Wired"/> The resulting technologies, [[Multimedia Messaging Service]] (MMS) and [[Sha-Mail]], were developed in parallel to and in competition with open [[Internet]]-based mobile communication provided by [[GPRS]] and later [[3G]] networks. The first commercial camera phone, complete with infrastructure, was the [[J-SH04]], made by [[Sharp Corporation]]; it had an integrated [[CCD sensor]], with the [[Sha-Mail]] (Picture-Mail in Japanese) infrastructure developed in collaboration with Kahn's [[LightSurf]] venture, and marketed from 2001 by J-Phone in Japan today owned by [[Softbank]]. It was also the world's first cellular mobile camera phone. The first commercial deployment in North America of camera phones was in 2004. The Sprint wireless carriers deployed over one million camera phones manufactured by Sanyo and launched by the PictureMail infrastructure (Sha-Mail in English) developed and managed by [[LightSurf]]. While early phones had Internet connectivity, working [[web browsers]], and email programs, the phone menu offered no way of including a photo in an email or uploading it to a website. Connecting cables or removable media that would enable the local transfer of pictures were also usually missing. Modern [[smartphones]] have almost unlimited connectivity and transfer options with photograph [[email attachment|attachment]] features. === External camera === {{See also|Digital cameras#Modular cameras}} During 2003 (as camera phones were gaining popularity), in Europe some phones without cameras had support for [[Multimedia Messaging Service|MMS]] and external cameras that could be connected with a small cable or directly to the data port at the base of the phone. The external cameras were comparable in quality to those fitted on regular camera phones at the time, typically offering [[VGA]] resolution. One of these examples was the Nokia Fun Camera (model number PT-3) announced together with the [[Nokia 3100]] in June 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20030616005436/en/Nokia-3100-Sheds-Light-Mobile-Personal-Expression|title=Nokia 3100 Sheds Light on Mobile Personal Expression|date=June 16, 2003|website=www.businesswire.com|access-date=November 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111000025/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20030616005436/en/Nokia-3100-Sheds-Light-Mobile-Personal-Expression|archive-date=November 11, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The idea was for it to be used on devices without a built-in camera (connected via the [[Pop-Port]] interface) and be able to transfer images taken on the camera (VGA resolution and a flash) directly to the phone to be stored or sent via MMS.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://asia.cnet.com/reviews/mobilephones/accessories/0,39057084,39017700p,00.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112055820/https://asia.cnet.com/reviews/mobilephones/accessories/0,39057084,39017700p,00.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 12, 2008|title=Nokia Fun Camera PT-3 - Mobile Phone Review - CNET Asia|date=January 12, 2008}}</ref> In 2013-2014, Sony and other manufacturers announced add-on camera modules for [[smartphone]]s called lens-style cameras. They have larger sensors and lenses than those in a camera phone but lack a viewfinder, display, and most controls. They can be mounted to an [[Android (operating system)|Android]] or [[iOS]] phone or tablet and use its display and controls. Lens-style cameras include: * Sony SmartShot QX series, announced and released in mid-2013. They include the DSC-QX100/B,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://store.sony.com/smartphone-attachable-lens-style-camera-zid27-DSCQX100/B/cat-27-catid-All-Attachable-lens-style-cameras-cases|title=Smartphone Attachable Lens-style Camera - DSCQX100/B Review - Sony US|author=photobug22|date=4 October 2013|work=Sony US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004220516/http://store.sony.com/smartphone-attachable-lens-style-camera-zid27-DSCQX100/B/cat-27-catid-All-Attachable-lens-style-cameras-cases|archive-date=4 October 2014}}</ref> the large [[Sony ILCE-QX1]], and the small [[Sony DSC-QX30]]. * [[Kodak]] [[PixPro]] smart lens camera series, announced in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gizmag.com/kodak-smart-lens-sl10-sl25/30509/ |title=Kodak smart lens cameras try to take on Sony |first=Simon |last=Crisp |date=January 18, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006092816/http://www.gizmag.com/kodak-smart-lens-sl10-sl25/30509/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014 }}</ref> * The [[DxO ONE]] is a small camera that attaches to an Apple iPhone or iPad using the Lightning connector port.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Analysis: DxO ONE - the World's 'First Truly Connected Camera'|url = http://www.dpreview.com/articles/5778413776/dxo-one-the-world-s-first-truly-connected-camera|accessdate = 2015-09-18|archive-date = 2015-09-09|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150909132448/http://www.dpreview.com/articles/5778413776/dxo-one-the-world-s-first-truly-connected-camera|url-status = live}}</ref> * [[Vivicam]] smart lens camera series from Vivitar/Sakar, announced in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dpreview.com/news/2014/01/14/vivitar?ref=title_9 |title=Sakar shows QX-style, Vivitar-branded modular smart camera |date=January 14, 2014 |access-date=June 6, 2017 |archive-date=December 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212231049/http://www.dpreview.com/news/2014/01/14/vivitar?ref=title_9 |url-status=live }}</ref> * [[HTC RE]] HTC also announced an external camera module for smartphones, which can capture 16 MP still shots and Full HD videos. The RE Module is also waterproof and dustproof, so it can be used in a variety of conditions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thenewcamera.com/new-arrival-htc-re-camera/ |title=NEW ARRIVAL: HTC RE Camera |date=March 20, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329092457/http://thenewcamera.com/new-arrival-htc-re-camera/ |archive-date=March 29, 2016 }}</ref> External cameras for [[thermal imaging]] also became available in late 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/smartphone-add-ons-offer-thermal-imaging-1408396425|title=Add-on thermal imaging|first=Don|last=Clark|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=August 18, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113074718/http://www.wsj.com/articles/smartphone-add-ons-offer-thermal-imaging-1408396425|archive-date=January 13, 2017}}</ref> Microscope attachments were available from several manufacturers in 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Linder|first=Courtney|date=2019-11-22|title=If You've Ever Wanted a Smartphone Microscope, Now's Your Chance|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gear/a29873640/smartphone-microscope-diple/|access-date=2020-11-03|website=Popular Mechanics|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-10-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031070819/https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gear/a29873640/smartphone-microscope-diple/|url-status=live}}</ref> as were adapters for connecting an astronomical telescope.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Equipment reviews|url=http://www.waltonastrogroup.co.uk/equipment-reviews.html|access-date=2020-11-26|website=Walton Astronomy Group|language=en|archive-date=2020-12-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206012938/http://www.waltonastrogroup.co.uk/equipment-reviews.html|url-status=live}}</ref> === Limitations === * [[Mobile phone form factor]]s are small. They lack space for a large [[image sensor]] and dedicated knobs and buttons for easier [[ergonomy]]. * There is no space for an optical zoom lens, with the exception of hybrid camera smartphones such as the [[Samsung Galaxy K Zoom]] and [[Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom|S4 Zoom]]. Some smartphones are equipped with additional lenses to simulate optical zooming. * Controls work by a touchscreen menu system. The photographer must look at the menu instead of looking at the target. * Dedicated cameras have a compartment housing the memory card and battery. For most it is easily accessible by hand, allowing uninterrupted operation when storage or energy is exhausted ([[hot swapping]]). Meanwhile, the battery can be charged externally. Most mobile phones have a non-replaceable battery and many lack a memory card slot entirely. Others have a memory card slot inside a tray, requiring a tool for access. * Mobile phone [[operating system]]s are not able to [[booting|boot]] immediately like the [[firmware]]s of dedicated digital cameras/[[camcorder]]s,<ref>{{cite web |title=Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 Review |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz1000 |website=PCMAG |language=en |access-date=2020-12-03 |archive-date=2020-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029230812/https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz1000 |url-status=live }}</ref> and are prone to interference from [[process (computing)|process]]es running in the background. * Dedicated digital cameras, even low-budget ones, are typically equipped with a [[photoflash capacitor]]-discharging [[Xenon flash]], larger and by far more powerful than [[LED]] lamps found on mobile phones.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Angove|first=Alex|date=2013-08-15|title=Xenon vs LED Flash: what's best for a phone photographers?|url=https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/Xenon-vs-LED-Flash-whats-best-for-a-phone-photographers|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-16|website=www.whistleout.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817204021/http://www.whistleout.com:80/CellPhones/Guides/Xenon-vs-LED-Flash-whats-best-for-a-phone-photographers |archive-date=2013-08-17 }}</ref> * Due to the default orientation of mobile phones being vertical, inexperienced users might intuitively be encouraged to [[vertical video|film vertically]], making a [[portrait mode]] poorly suited to the usual horizontal screens used at home. * Due to their comparatively thin form factor, smartphones are typically unable to stand upright on their own and must be leaned, whereas dedicated digital cameras and camcorders typically have a flat bottom that lets them stand upright. * Smartphones lack dedicated, stable [[Tripod (photography)|tripod mount]]s and can only be mounted through a less stable device that grips the unit's edges.
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