Xiaomi 12 s Ultra concept Camera: Top Features

We Review the Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept: A High-End Smartphone for Photography Enthusiasts.

Smartphones have had the greatest impact on the photographic business in recent years. Their ever-improving cameras, along with more powerful computers for better computational photography and videography, have effectively eliminated the whole entry-level point-and-shoot camera category. More camera parts are coming ahead, whether we like it or not.

On the reverse hand, while the quality of images and movies recorded on smartphones has improved significantly, you still can't completely beat the physics, as the size of the image sensor remains an important factor. When comparing any smartphone shot to a photo from a current big sensor camera (MFT and above) on a large monitor, it's evident that phones still can't compete. It's much more noticeable in low-light images.Smartphones, it turns out, may also feature bigger picture sensors. A few days ago, an intriguing video became viral on the internet. It includes a new concept gadget from the Chinese technology firm Xiaomi. It depicts a new smartphone they are developing dubbed the 12S Ultra Concept.

Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept

The next Xiaomi 12S Ultra smartphone will be available in two variants, according to Xiaomi. The first will be a regular smartphone with numerous cameras, including a 1-inch type primary camera. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept, on the other hand, will include a "exposed" sensor.This method of utilizing a big image sensor in a smartphone is intriguing. The 12S Ultra idea will also include a second 1-inch type sensor without a lens in addition to the common 1-inch type camera (sensor with a lens). According to Xiaomi, it will only be concealed and visible beneath a thin sapphire glass layer that should be scratch-resistant. The 12S Ultra design will include a tiny lens attachment surrounding the exposed sensor in the center that will allow installing regular camera lenses.

Furthermore, according to Xiaomi, the phone's camera software will have aids like focus peaking, zebra lines, a histogram, and more. Shooting 10-bit raw images will be possible with the 12S Ultra idea. And that completes the specifications we currently have.

Leica M lenses

Xiaomi and Leica collaborated on the device's engineering, therefore the 12S Ultra will initially support Leica M glass. There isn't a lot of information available now, but it seems to me that the phone and the connected lens won't be able to communicate. At least for this first notion, there is actually no requirement for lens-phone connection because Leica M lenses include complete manual controls with iris and focus rings. Xiaomi will offer an adapter to make up for the 27.8mm flange focal distance in order to mount a Leica M lens on the smartphone. I believe the adapter will only be mechanical once again.It may be seen of as a lost chance to use a lens that can cover a full-frame sensor on a 1-inch type sensor. Yes, there will be a significant crop and the majority of the lens image circle will be wasted, but it's still a neat idea.

 What other lens mounts are there?

I can appreciate the decision to go with the Leica M because Xiaomi is proud of its association with the venerable German company. I also have nothing against Leica M because they make some wonderful, albeit pricey, lenses. But I'm really anticipating the day when the 12S Ultra Concept will support adapters for different lens mounts. There shouldn't be an issue for third-party firms to start providing adapters for, say, Micro Four Thirds, small C-mount lenses, or any other old lens mount as the connection appears to be merely mechanical. The options are essentially limitless.

What about bigger sensors?

The barrier of installing a bigger sensor in cellphones is due to physics once again. While it is possible to fit a full-frame sensor in a smartphone (without considering cooling), it is not possible to fit a suitable lens within the tiny smartphone chassis to cover the sensor area. But, with Xiaomi's method, this constraint would be almost eliminated.

If the initial 12S Ultra idea proves useful, I'd want to see future generations with bigger sensors, including full-frame. Because all recent mirrorless lens mount systems have a substantially lower flange focus distance than Leica M, the required adapter would be even smaller than the present one for Leica M.After the lens-phone communication issue is resolved, it will be possible to use contemporary AF-equipped lenses. Doesn't having a great 50mm f/1.8 pancake lens on a full-frame sensor on a smartphone seem extremely good?