From year to year, the smartphone camera is getting closer
to perfection; portability, responsiveness and images quality that can compete
with pocket camera’s images. However, at the same time, a number of consumers
still want something more from their smartphone cameras.
For this reason, mini lens products such as Olloclip and
Moment are created. They are separate mini lenses that can be tethered to a
smartphone - iPhone in this case - to improve the capabilities of default
cameras.
However, mini lens is not enough, the tiny image sensor of
iPhone also needs power booster, and therefore the products such as Sony QX and
Olympus Air are born. Simply put, these two products are functional cameras
which are not equipped with viewfinder. Utilizing the Bluetooth connection,
your smartphone will become the viewfinder of these additional cameras.
A famous image-processing software company from French, DxO
Labs, has just introduced DxO ONE. The concept that's carried by DxO ONE is
actually not much different from the Sony QX or Olympus Air, but its
application is slightly different.
Rather than using a Bluetooth connection, DxO ONE is
connected to iPhone via the Lightning port. Thus, its position can be rotated
up to 60 degrees. DxO ONE is equipped with its own 200 shot battery, so you
don't have to worry if this accessory will steal power from your iPhone 6.
Behind the tiny size of DxO ONE (68 x 49 x 26 mm, weighs 108
grams) there is 1-inch CMOS sensor, the same size as that used by premium
compact cameras, such as Sony RX100. The resolution reaches 20.2 megapixels,
and you can also shoot in RAW format.
In front, there is aspheric lens with a maximum aperture of
f/1.8. Combined with its big sensors, the DxO ONE seems still powerful enough
to use in low lighting conditions - its ISO settings range from 100 - 51200.
For video, it can record in resolution of 1080p 30 fps , or 720p 120 fps for
slo-mo.
Of course, the DxO ONE comes with a companion application.
This application brings a simple display, but you can fully control the DxO ONE
just like using DSLR or mirrorless cameras. Some features such as the shutter
speed, aperture, ISO levels, and also exposure compensation can be set easily
from the application.
DxO ONE comes with a microSD slot for storing all your
photos and videos. But you can also save them directly on the iPhone's storage.
About compatibility, DxO ONE is also compatible with the iPad, with note that
the embedded port is Lightning port, instead of 30-pin.
The DxO ONE pre-order has been opened on the official
website (dxo.com/us/dxo-one), with the price of $ 599.