Fashion trend - 4 cameras on a smartphone

A smartphone in the hands of a modern user has long ceased to be just a means of communication. One of the most important parameters by which people choose their mobile phone is the camera. And demand, as you know, gives rise to supply, forcing them to create devices with dual and even integrated camera modules. More recently, the question arose whether the limit is three rear photo lenses, or is it worth waiting for a smartphone with 4 cameras. The wait was short-lived; in October 2018, the Samsung Galaxy A9 appeared with 4 main camera lenses. We'll talk about cameras with 4 or more lenses below.

More than one camera, why?

The camera is one of those parts of a smartphone that is not easy to improve. Broader functionality implies an increase in size, which cannot be realized within the boundaries and dimensions of a mobile device.

An increase in the number of built-in lenses made it possible to achieve the goal of improving the photo unit. It is important to understand that the module that provides the photographing function, in any case, remains alone, but there are more sensors that capture the picture, and their tasks are different.

So, in dual cameras, the main sensor is designed to shoot a color image in the highest possible quality. And the second will capture everything that the first is not capable of. It is worth noting that different manufacturers put different tasks in the functionality of the second photo scanner. It can be a constant zoom function, like in the iPhone 7 Plus, or expanding the space in the frame, like in smartphones from LG. And Huawei made a duplicate sensor on some flagship models exclusively for shooting monochrome images.

Following smartphones with a dual camera on the market, there were also those, on the back of which three photo lenses flaunt. This is, for example, Samsung's Galaxy A7 2018 version. Here, in addition to the 24MP main lens, there is an auxiliary one for measuring the depth of space and a third one for a wide-angle one. The flagship from Huawei P20 Pro can also boast of three cameras.

4 cameras - a fashion trend?

In fact, the models noted above with a triple rear module are already among those who have 4 cameras, because the fourth is on the front side and is most often used for high-quality selfies.

Among the current carriers there are 4 cameras and those that place modules according to the "2 + 2" scheme, that is, two are on the rear side, and the other two sensors are united by the "front camera". Among such devices is the Nova 2i smartphone from the already mentioned Huawei brand. In this case, auxiliary sensors help to achieve the bokeh effect so popular today.

Phones with 4 cameras

We propose to get a little closer to the photo-module of those smartphones that already have 4 photo lenses on their bodies.

Huawei P20 Pro

The smartphone was announced in March 2018 and immediately entrenched in the mind of the consumer as revolutionizing mobile photography. The fact is that three lenses adorn the back of the body. This device has already given way to the following devices, placing cameras in a 3 + 1 scheme.

In addition to the camera, the smartphone pleases the consumer with the main characteristics, which make the gadget quite fast and easy to use.Here and the 8-core Kirin 970 processor, and 6 GB of RAM along with the built-in 128 GB, and a capacious battery - 4 mAh. For all characteristics, a separate overview.

Video review and feedback on using a smartphone:

So the camera. The optics are created in tandem with the renowned Leica brand. The lenses of the main module have parameters: 40, 20 and 8 MP.

• The main 40-megapixel lens is responsible for creating high-quality color photos, f / 1.8 aperture. Wide angle.
• The second, 20-megapixel sensor is monochrome, aperture f / 1.6. It is interesting that this lens can work both in conjunction with the main and third sensors, or be switched on separately in the settings using the "Monochrome" command. The latter will allow you to obtain black and white images with a resolution of 20 and 10 MP.
• The third lens is more often used in portrait mode.

An obvious advantage of the camera is full zooming. There is a choice of shooting scale (1x, 3x, 5x) and the corresponding focal length: 27, 83, 135 mm. The first is the standard one used in most photo modes. But the distance of 83 mm can be considered a classic for portrait photography. Five times the magnification is usually achieved with the simultaneous use of 40 and 8 megapixel cameras.

The camera has an artificial intelligence system that allows you to accurately identify the subject. It is possible to enable HDR. There are many filters available when working with portrait photos.

They are not satisfied with the parameters and settings of AI, then you can select the "Pro" mode and take all the photos, as they say, with your hands, choosing the settings yourself. By the way, for those who are picky about photos, there is a shooting mode in RAW format.

As for the front camera, the 24-megapixel lens will provide high-quality and clear selfies.

The average cost of the Huawei P20 Pro is 50,000 rubles.

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018)

One of the leaders of the global smartphone industry, the South Korean company Samsung, in the fall of 2018 brought to the Russian market the updated Galaxy A7, which, with other decent parameters, received three lenses on the back of the case. In addition to the photomodule, the consumer is attracted by good memory parameters, there are variations for 4/64 GB and 6/128 GB, an 8-core processor, an excellent 6-inch Super AMOLED display.

A detailed video review of the smartphone Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018):

So, about the camera. The main photomodule has lenses of 24 Mp (f / 1.7) + 8 Mp (f / 2.4) + 5 Mp (f / 2.2).

The main sensor is equipped with a "live focus" function, which evenly smooths the background in portrait shots, there is also the possibility of pixel binning in low light conditions. It is this factor that guarantees good photo quality at dusk and at night.

Additional lenses give a wider viewing angle (8MP sensor) and measure depth (5MP), the latter allows you to highlight minor details in the photo.

As for the front camera, there is one lens, 24 megapixels, f / 2.0 aperture, there is a system for optimizing the image in low light.

Both modules are equipped with artificial intelligence designed to bring the image quality to perfection. There is LED backlighting, the property of optimizing the shooting scene.

Flash LED, equipped in both modules.

The average cost of a 4/64 GB variation is 25,500 rubles.

Huawei Nova 2i

The smartphone has been pleasing consumers since 2017. I must say that Huawei Nova 2i does not claim to be a flagship, while demonstrating decent performance indicators. Memory capacity 4 and 64 GB, battery with a capacity of 3340 mAh, speed in operation is provided by the 8-core Kirin 659.

The real highlight of the device is its camera, or rather four cameras. Layout: 2 + 2.

The main photomodule has a leading lens (16 MP, aperture f / 2.2), which is responsible for the shooting itself and is capable of producing images with an extension of 4608x3456. An additional sensor sharpens the image, emphasizes the central subject against a smoothed background. Its parameter is 2 Mp.

The front camera works in general on the same principles. The main lens has 13 MP and aperture of f / 2.2, the background can be blurred by a secondary sensor of 2 MP.

Both cameras are equipped with a flash, which guarantees decent photo quality, not only in good lighting conditions, but also in low light.

To get acquainted with these and other characteristics, a separate overview.

Smartphone video review:

The average cost of Huawei Nova 2i is 17,000 rubles.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro

At the time of this writing, this smartphone has not yet appeared on the market of mobile gadgets, its presentation is scheduled for the end of 2018. According to its parameters, the device claims to be a flagship place among other smartphones from Huawei. So, for example, the RAM of the smartphone has 8 GB, and the built-in memory is 256 GB, high performance is guaranteed by the Kirin 980 processor, 8 cores of which operate according to the scheme 2 Big Cortex-A76 (2.6 GHz) + 2 Middle Cortex-A76 (1.92 GHz) + 4 Little Cortex-A55 (1.8 GHz). Battery capacity - 4200 mAh. Similar leadership parameters are reflected in the photomodule of the device.

The optics are represented by the renowned Leica brand. The system by which 4 cameras were placed in a smartphone is 3 + 1.

Three lenses of the main camera are enclosed in a square, the bottom row is two lenses, the top one is the flash LED and the lens. The sensors have distributed functionality among themselves. The main one is a wide-angle lens, 40 MP (f / 1.8), laser autofocus. The second is a monochrome sensor, 20 megapixels (f / 1.6). The third one gives out 8 MP (f / 2.4) and 3x optical zoom, telephoto lens.

The choice of shooting modes is wide; the Master AI system has been introduced to improve the result. The smartphone itself recognizes the object, conducts autofocus, selects the best parameters. The unmistakable choice of macro, portrait or any other mode is guaranteed. There is also a standard set of enhancement functions and effects: the popular blurred background, panorama, etc.

"Front camera" has one lens, its parameters: 24 megapixels (f / 2.0), 3D technology, artificial intelligence. There is a system of various filters and effects, for example, you can cut out a subject and place it on a different background, or make a face highlight from a more favorable angle. This capability ensures that you get the perfect selfie.

All parameters of the flagship Huawei Mate 20 Pro can be viewed in a separate review.

The estimated cost of Huawei Mate 20 Pro is about 60,000 rubles.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro

The novelty of 2018 pleases the user not only with a significant screen size (6.26 inches), an impressive battery capacity (4 mAh) and excellent performance test results (117,500 - according to An Tutu). The camera in the smartphone is equipped according to the 2 + 2 system, i.e. 2 lenses are located in the monobrow and 2 on the back of the device.

When it comes to the rear camera, the performance of each individual lens is not very impressive. So the main sensor is represented by equipment from Samsung and produces 12 megapixels (f / 1.9 aperture), the secondary - 5 megapixels (f / 2.0 aperture). There is a dual pixel hybrid autofocus system. Flash - LED, powerful. The module is equipped with an artificial intelligence (AI) system, which significantly improves the quality of the resulting images. In general, the addition of all very common characteristics at the output gives decent photos.

In contrast to the main photomodule, the parameters of the "front camera" amaze just at the stage of acquaintance. The double module on the front side is a new phenomenon in 2018 and is not found everywhere. The main lens has a 20 Megapixel sensor (aperture 2.0). These characteristics alone guarantee great selfies. However, the secondary sensor, which has 2 megapixels in its arsenal, is called upon to further improve the resulting image.

These and other parameters of Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro can be read in a separate review.

Smartphone video review:

Cost - from 13,000 rubles.

Four main cameras of the smartphone

As noted above, the limited dimensions of mobile devices do not allow the sensor to fit with a lens that could be adjusted. The ability to change the aperture at the time of this writing can boast, perhaps, only of the Galaxy S9 from the leader from South Korea Samsung. But even here the steps are not very impressive: F / 1.5 and F / 2.4.

The addition of the main sensor with three additional ones allows you to expand the capabilities of the photo module of mobile devices.

For a long time, users and experts wondered what the triple "satellites" would add to the main lens. After all, as with one additional sensor, each manufacturer has the right to lay its own functionality.

Among the most realistic options for the functionality of 4 cameras were named:

• The first scanner is the main one, the second one gives an approximation with a telephoto lens; the third is widescreen; the fourth - filled with a matrix with an increased number of pixels and high-aperture optics, suitable for shooting in the dark;
• Another option is to divide the zoom size, set one of four to 3x zoom, and the other to 4x,
• The 4th lens can have an infrared matrix and take thermal photos.

The configurations of the listed options may be different. For example, a thermal imager can complement the main camera along with a 2x zoom high aperture lens.

For those variations where a monochrome lens is used as a 2 scanner, with the introduction of the third and fourth, we can assume a telephoto lens with a zoom and a matrix for creating videos with a high FPS level.

Samsung Galaxy A9

In October 2018, at a presentation in Malaysia, among other new products, the Samsung Galaxy A9 smartphone was presented. It was he who became the first mobile phone in history, the rear camera of which received 4 lenses. The vertically positioned 4 sensors are aesthetically pleasing and do not protrude from the device body.

Among themselves, the lenses distributed functionality as follows:

• The main lens has 24 megapixels, optical stabilization, but it cannot boast of an adjustable aperture, it guarantees bright photos taken even in low light;
• The second sensor is a tele / photo lens, 10 MP, 2x optical zoom;
• The third lens is an 8MP wide-angle lens;
• The fourth lens is designed to take perfect portraits, has 5 megapixels, a "live focus" function, which means the ability to shift the focus point both during and after shooting.

Smartphone video review:

Samsung Galaxy A9 can be safely called a smartphone with 6 cameras!

Indeed, in addition to the 4 lenses of the rear camera, the front panel is decorated with 2 front-facing sensors, the main lens of which has 24 megapixels, it is possible to make personal animated selfies, changing the image according to the mood of the owner.

All this "photo-madness" is supported by a decent filling:

• Processor: 8-core Snapdragon 660;
• Memory: 6 GB - operational, 128 GB - built-in, expandable - up to 512 MB using a memory card, for which there is a separate slot;
• 3800 mAh battery with fast and wireless charging;
• The display has a diagonal of 6.3 inches, a Super Amoled matrix;
• Support for two SIM cards "nano"

A stylish and productive smartphone with 4 rear cameras will cost about 40,000 rubles.

We can safely say that 4 cameras are a new trend, which is implemented not only in the block version (3 + 1 or 2 + 2), but also on one side of the smartphone. It cannot be argued that the too content that the Samsung Galaxy A9 camera received will be applied to its followers. After all, each manufacturer strives to be better than its competitors. One thing is certain - the photo quality in such devices of the future will invariably win.