In today's era, with the rapid development of smartphones, mobile photography has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the many mobile phone photography functions, periscope optical zoom and variable zoom macro are two technologies that have attracted much attention in recent years.
Of course, both technologies have a certain threshold, and entry-level models are unlikely to be equipped with them, generally only available in high-end flagship phones, and the zoom macro is also devolved to some mid-range models.
Telephoto and macro technologies provide more specialized solutions for long-range and close-up shots, respectively, but in practice, they have their own advantages.
Hit the birds and take pictures of the flowers at a distance", because the mobile phones are all fixed focal length lenses, it is more difficult to have both a machine and both, such as Xiaomi's flagship model, Xiaomi 12ultra is equipped with a 5x optical telephoto lens, but there is no telephoto macro. The Xiaomi 12 Pro, a relatively inexpensive high-end model, has a telephoto macro.
So, what should be the trade-off for users?Which feature is more practical?
1. Periscope optical zoom
Periscope optical zoom is a common camera technology on flagship mobile phones in recent years, which adopts a structural design similar to a periscope, and realizes the turning of the optical path through the combination of mirrors and lenses, so as to achieve the effect of optical zoom. This design allows the phone to shoot at a longer distance while remaining thin and light.
Pros:
Telephoto Shooting Capability:Periscope optical zoom can generally provide users with 3 to 5 times the optical zoom ability, making distant scenes more visible. Among them, the strongest camera phone at present, the telephoto end of Samsung's flagship phone, can achieve 10 times light change, to achieve some telescope effects.
Picture quality maintained:Compared to traditional digital zoom, optical zoom can zoom in on distant objects without losing image quality. The digital zoom is achieved by putting **, and the image quality will become very poor.
Stability:Due to the combination of mirrors and lenses, most of the periscope optical zoom lenses have optical image stabilization, which is relatively stable when shooting and is not easily affected by factors such as hand shake.
Cons:
The cost is higher:Periscope optical zoom technology is relatively complex, so it is expensive to manufacture, and is usually only found on high-end flagship phones.
Footprint:While the periscope design is relatively space-saving, it still requires a certain amount of space inside the phone to accommodate components such as mirrors and lenses. The space of the mobile phone is extremely limited, but the periscope telephoto lens generally occupies a large area, which exceeds the space required by the main camera.
Focusing speed:In some cases, the periscope optical zoom may focus slightly slower than a normal camera. After all, the light path is too long, and it will be greatly affected by the external environment.
2. Variable zoom macro
Variable zoom macro, also known as telephoto macro, is another technology that has attracted attention in the field of mobile phone photography, and it is mainly aimed at close-up shooting needs.
While traditional mobile phone macro lenses usually only have a fixed focusing distance, the variable zoom macro can adjust the focusing distance within a certain range to capture more detailed and clear close-up shots**.
Pros:
Flexibility:The zoom macro lens can adjust the focusing distance within a certain range, allowing users to flexibly adjust according to their shooting needs.
HD close-up:Compared to traditional fixed-focus distance macro lenses, varifocal macro can capture sharper, more detailed close-up shots**. Coupled with the software's focus tracking technology, such as Xiaomi's Everything Focus Tracking, it makes it possible to quickly focus on small objects to achieve excellent results.
Creative Shooting:The zoom macro gives photographers more creative space to capture unique perspectives and creative effects**. Photograph flowers, plants, insects, etc., and you can discover more of the microscopic world.
Cons:
Limited focus range:While a zoom macro lens can adjust the focusing distance within a certain range, this range is usually relatively small.
Loss of image quality:In some cases, some image quality may be sacrificed in order to achieve closer focusing.
Cost considerations:Similar to periscope optical zoom, variable focus macro technology may also increase the manufacturing cost of mobile phones. However, the variable focus macro lens generally does not use a periscope lens, and the cost is lower than that of a telephoto periscope.
3. Purchase guide
When choosing to buy a mobile phone, consumers can weigh the pros and cons of periscope optical zoom and variable zoom macro according to their photographic needs and budget. Here are some suggestions:
Clarify the requirements:First of all, clarify your photography needs, whether you prefer to shoot from a distance or up close. If you often need to shoot distant scenes, then a periscope optical zoom may be more suitable for you;And if you're more interested in close-up photography, then a zoom macro might be a better fit for your needs.
Budget Considerations:Considering that both technologies can increase the manufacturing cost of a mobile phone, consumers need to weigh their budget when making a purchase. If you have the budget, you can choose an ultra-flagship phone with both technologies;If you have a limited budget, you can choose one of these technologies based on your main needs.
Learn about other features:In addition to periscope optical zoom and zoom macro, other photographic features of the phone are also important. For example, the pixels of the main camera, the aperture size, the image processing algorithm, etc., all affect the final imaging effect. Therefore, there are other factors that need to be considered when buying a mobile phone.
View samples and reviews:Before purchasing, you can check the phone's samples and user reviews to get an idea of the actual imaging effect and user experience. This can help you get a more complete picture of how your phone's camera is performing.
Consider the brand and the system:There may be differences in camera performance, image processing algorithms, etc. between different brands and systems of mobile phones. Therefore, you can also consider your preferred brand and system when making a purchase.
In conclusion, when choosing to buy a phone with periscope optical zoom or variable zoom macro technology, consumers need to be clear about their needs, budget, and other relevant factors to make an informed decision. Hopefully, the analysis and suggestions in this article can provide you with some help in the purchase process.