Editing Camera phone (section)

=== 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>