At Future Lens 2023 in Shanghai, Android smartphone maker TECNO introduced two new technologies: variable physical aperture and liquid telephoto lens.
While not all new announcements made by smartphone companies make it to actual smartphones on the market, there is no doubt that some of these promising technologies confirm that most development is now happening on small smart devices. We may still be waiting for things like Oppo's 85-200mm continuous zoom promised for 2021, but there's no doubt that research investment is moving forward when it comes to smartphone cameras. TECNO may not be familiar to most people, but the company brings its fair share of innovation and some of its offerings and promises have already been introduced before.
We recently introduced TECNO's ProVideo Coalition Universal Tone here on ProVideo Coalition, which promises to deliver a more complete smartphone photography experience... regardless of skin tone, beating Google's Real Tone when it comes to skin tone reproduction. Now the company has shared the same technology at Future Lens 2023 in Shanghai, where it showcased two other cutting-edge technologies aimed at solving some of the problems with small cameras used in smartphones.
During the event, TECNO showcased and introduced three of the latest imaging technologies coming next year: the revolutionary W-shaped adjustable physical aperture; Industry's first liquid zoom lens; The AI-powered multi-surface rendering solution described earlier in this document in PVC. Future Lens 2023 also featured interesting talks and discussions from leading representatives from TECNO, Sony and amateur photographers, highlighting the event's value as a platform for the exchange of views and experiences from across the world of photography.
Troubleshooting smartphone photography
With three new technologies, TECNO addresses, as the company says, "the most critical imaging challenges of smartphones: using electronic vision to optimize light and shadow, using technological innovation to integrate different camera formats and the beauty of mobile lenses." propose a comprehensive multi-layer imaging technology that could lead to a revolution in smartphone photography in the future.
Smartphone lenses have a fixed aperture, and with a few exceptions (recent Sony, Xiaomi and Huawei smartphones) contrast is limited to f/1.4 or smaller to f/4. Sometimes this feels more like marketing than anything useful, especially if you're using a traditional camera and lens that can range from f/1.2 to f/32 or beyond.
However, TECNO's approach is different as it uses... a "W-shaped adjustable physical diaphragm" which is used to create harmony against intense backgrounds. The company states that “the industry has continually prioritized addressing the challenges associated with backlit scenarios. TECNO has developed a solution that uses electronic vision to solve the problems associated with strong backlighting of traditional aperture smartphone cameras. Corrected".
According to TECNO: “The new W-shaped physical aperture technology means users no longer have to compromise or choose between detailed objects and beautiful backgrounds. This patented technology allows users to manually adjust the camera's aperture, precisely controlling light and eliminating reflections. “This groundbreaking innovation ensures that TECNO smartphone cameras can easily cope with challenging lighting conditions and produce beautiful images in any environment.
Liquid macro telephoto lens for smartphones
If this is true, we can expect to see "TECNO smartphone cameras" coming to market soon, which "can easily handle challenging lighting conditions and deliver stunning images no matter the conditions." If, as TECNO said at the Future Lens 2023 event, its three latest imaging technologies will launch next year, can we expect to see them on future smartphones? If so, sign up to get your review copy and try it out...
The second technology unveiled at the event was an industry first of its kind: a “liquid macro telephoto lens” for smartphones. Liquid lenses are nothing new, although to my knowledge they have never appeared in the lenses we carry in our camera bags. In 2011, Olympus, along with companies such as Sony and Samsung, announced that it was working on a "liquid lens", but none of these companies' products have entered the photography market. For those who have forgotten, in 2011 Samsung was a camera manufacturer that signed an agreement with Pentax in 2005 to produce DSLR cameras, thus gaining a lucrative and fast-growing market...
Liquid lenses are already used in demanding industrial environments where reliable, precise, fast and durable lenses are required. An example of this is Corning Varioptic lenses, which are based on the principle of electrowetting, in which the interface between two fluids changes when an electrical voltage is applied. It eliminates moving parts, providing a unique competitive advantage in the market and allowing you to focus quickly.
Corning, a name you may know from the Corning Gorilla Glass on your smartphone, is the company behind some industry innovations. Although not related to photography, the company published an interesting article in May 2023 entitled “Liquid Lenses Open New Frontiers for Microscopy,” which describes how the use of liquid lenses can significantly improve imaging capabilities. images of microscopy instruments when they exceed dimensions. restrictions. Cost and durability of traditional systems.
Sony, TECNO and the joy of smartphone photography
Coming back to TECNO and its new Liquid Telephoto Lens, the company says, “Liquid lens technology in smartphone cameras brings benefits to photographers such as improved focusing speed and faster zoom.” However, TECNO's revolutionary new Liquid Telephoto Macro Lens is the first application of this technology in a periscope telephoto lens for a smartphone.
According to TECNO, to achieve full focusing of a traditional 5cm periscope telephoto lens, the motor drive must be increased, meaning the overall length of the device also increases, making it difficult to create a thin and light lens designed to achieve everything. body. device. . These conventional lenses are divided into two sections, and a common solution is to motorize the 5 cm diameter near section. However, this approach has low yield and is expensive. Another alternative for long focal length macro shots is an internal focusing solution. TECNO's Liquid Macro Telephoto Lens takes a different approach by using voltage to adjust the curvature of the lens. This innovative approach allows the TECNO smartphone camera to maintain a compact form factor by dynamically adjusting the lens curvature in real time. As a result, it accurately captures even the smallest details thanks to the integration of a large sensor.
TECNO Future Lens 2023 provided a valuable platform for participation, third-party industry experience, media interaction and more. In addition to introducing TECNO's three new cutting-edge technologies, three expert speakers also took part in an engaging panel discussion, exchanging ideas from a consumer perspective and a forward-looking perspective on the ongoing evolution of mobile photography.
Jun Zhang, director of Sony Semiconductor Solutions (Shanghai), spoke about Sony's ongoing progress in image sensor technology and the value of collaborating with smartphone manufacturers. “To achieve the best results, our image sensors must be closely coordinated with the smartphone manufacturer,” he said. Only by communicating with cell phone manufacturers' engineers will Sony be able to develop more advanced image sensors. Therefore, we look forward to further cooperation with TECNO in the future and work together to bring mobile photography fun to more and more consumers around the world.
Nigel Atherton, editor-in-chief of The Amateur Photographer, a popular UK photography platform, talks about the challenges smartphone users face when taking photos and how the growing capabilities of smartphone camera technology, particularly TECNO's latest innovations, are evolving. . Value for photography.
Kinematic tools
Filmmakers is the perfect place for pre-production and post-production teams!
Buy now
Post a Comment