Almost all flagship smartphones nowadays come with multiple cameras and most of them integrate those cameras in a way that gives them a unique look. The cameras on the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are placed in such a way that they get lost in the unique black horizontal pixel strip. While other smartphones like iPhone 13 Pro, Galaxy S21 Ultra, and Nokia 9 PureView also look good with triple, quadruple, and quintuple camera systems respectively.
Although the camera bumps are well designed in most cases, the number of camera holes scares away those with trypophobia who are afraid to see them properly. Even though we don’t consider aesthetics aside, many camera systems enable photographic flexibility, there are other limitations that cannot be completely ignored.
However, it doesn’t look like single camera phones won’t be back for a while and even if they manage to make a comeback, there will be pros and cons. Let us go “backwards” and discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of using a single camera in a smartphone.
Early Single-camera Smartphone
Before 2021, the last mainstream flagship smartphone with a single camera on the rear was launched in 2018. The Pixel 3 was looking weak at a time when phones like Huawei Mate 20 Pro, P30 Pro, Apple’s iPhone XS and iPhone 11 series were ruling. Camera segment smartphone. Users complained that the Pixel 3 lacks an ultra-wide-angle camera and doesn’t offer any optical zoom.
However, Google’s Pixel 3 and 3XL managed to produce some pretty compelling point-and-shoot images with the single and slightly older camera sensor. However, triple cameras were starting to become a standard standard for flagship phones at the time and the 2018 Pixel’s flat design and disappointing battery life didn’t make it a huge hit. Google has not used a single camera in any phone that has come out since then.
Single Camera Flagship of 2021
Japanese tech giant Sharp decided to introduce a single camera smartphone called Sharp Aquos R6 in May 2021. It was an Asia-exclusive device and its single-rear camera was futuristic as it came with a 1-inch sensor.
Its availability was limited to a handful of countries such as Japan and Indonesia, yet this smartphone was a ray of hope for smartphones with single cameras that were making a comeback. While multi-camera systems aren’t always bad as there are some advantages that three or more cameras bring in a fold, there are some disadvantages to having more than one good camera on a phone.
Drawbacks of Multi-Camera Systems
Some features of multi-camera systems make smartphones work and feel unfamiliar with a “real camera”. Lens-switching is one of the major problems with multi-camera systems. The tri-camera system in the iPhone has proven successful in overcoming some of the challenges of switching between multiple lenses. Switching seems to work seamlessly and it keeps the color profile somewhat consistent across the lens.
However, there are reports that the photos taken by the different lenses of the iPhone are not of consistent quality. The primary sensor seems to have the upper hand in most cases, while the ultra-wide-angle lens and zoom lens fall apart in mid-low light conditions.
The ultra-wide-angle shooter on the Pixel 6 Pro is also criticized by many for its low-light performance. The 4X zoom lens on the Pixel 6 Pro claims to be the biggest and best zoom lens ever available on a smartphone, but reports suggest that it also starts collecting noise and grain when the light is dim. Therefore, most flagships often move back from main cameras to crop when shooting conditions become difficult.
One of the major issues with Android flagship cameras is the sudden lens switching. Also, the exposure and color scheme of the different lenses are pretty inconsistent between most Android phones. It’s also able to collect less light whenever you try to close it with a zoom lens, but a larger sensor has better chances of regaining some of the lost light.
Low light conditions affect almost everything in a photo including – sharpness, color, dynamic range, noise control, etc. You begin to see the effect of this on the final output when the same grainy elements of a picture are varied.
Importance of multi-camera system
Ultra-wide-angle cameras
Nowadays, almost all mid-range and even budget devices come with ultra-wide-angle lenses. The quality of these lenses isn’t always up to par with a phone’s primary lens, but an ultra-wide shooter offers a unique perspective.
zoom cameras
Another feature that modern multi-camera phones made possible was being able to get close to the subject. The telephoto lens typically adds a “real camera-like” perspective to anything from street photography to portraits (without using “Portrait Mode”).
portrait mode
Apple has managed to find the perfect solution for its Portrait mode and this would not have been possible without its 2-3x telephoto lens available on the modern iPhone. Some users prefer the natural bokeh that is attainable by using the primary camera with larger sensors that provide a lot of depth. The Pixel 6 Pro uses its 4x zoom shooter to create portraits using natural subject separation, compression and sharpness.
Removing the Ultra-Wide Angle Lens
Some users think that removing the ultra-wide-angle camera may be the first step in giving a smartphone a “real camera” feel. To solve this problem phone manufacturers can make the primary camera a little wider than usual which will allow you to zoom in and out digitally. The Sharp Aquos R6 uses this mechanism and is also capable of maintaining a consistent exposure and color profile. While it won’t be as wide as 120-degrees, users can take a few steps back and capture more subject in most regular situations.
convertible smartphone zoom
Sony has already proved that optical zoom is something that can be achieved with a single camera, as the Sony Xperia 1 III can achieve 2.9x to 4.4x optical zoom with a single lens. However it is important to note that this is not a continuous zoom as the two lenses are fixed where the zoom values are between 2.9x and 4.4x. Sony was able to fit two focal lengths into one without using an additional camera.
Oppo also unveiled the first concept of smartphone optical zoom in August 2021 during its “Future Imaging” event. The Chinese company also teased a phone with a retractable camera that was unveiled during the Inno Day event. Oppo is expected to release a phone with that technology in 2022, but the current version of the retractable lens doesn’t offer variable focal length.
Oppo claims that this allows the camera to capture more and clearer details than a normal telephoto lens. Retractable cameras will also be able to produce better bokeh, with natural subject separation and without any software-enhanced portrait mode.
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