14 DAY TRIAL // Smartphone photography is really popular these days and most iconic camera makers are well aware of this aspect. Even as they hope to convince customers that compact cameras bring more benefits to the table, some of them have taken different approaches too.
For example, Sony has developed the QX series, which is a family of small cameras that look like lenses you attach to your smartphone in the hopes of capturing better photos.
Nikon to target smartphone users
But Sony might soon be joined in its quest to capture the attention of smartphone fans, by another important player in the photo industry that is Nikon.
A recently leaked patent reveals the Nippon device maker could be in the process of building something that looks like Sony’s QX series, although taking a slightly different approach.
It appears that Nikon has taken inspiration from products like the Ricoh GXR camera, which is a device that supports alternate sensor, lenses and even image processors.
The Japanese maker could have also taken a peek at Polish designer’s Donnie Rei who imagined the Samsung NX-S1 camera as a photographic case of sorts which can hold up a smartphone.
In this vein, the Nikon patent shows a camera body which can accommodate a handset companion. This way photographers will be able to easily control what happens with the camera by virtue of an Android interface (we assume it will be Android).
As the documents revealed, even if the smartphone is not inserted into its spot, the camera can be still controlled remotely via Wi-Fi.
For the time being, we can’t really say whether this camera is meant to be a mirrorless or a compact product, but time will tell.
However, do note that not every device showing in a patent actually makes it out on the mass market, so it could just be the company is experimenting here.
Nikon also patented a bunch of lenses
Apart from the smartphone camera, Nikon has also been granted a patent for a new wide-angle prime lens for 1-system mirrorless or camera taking advantage of an APS-C sensor. It appears the optic is a 28mm lens (35mm focal length equivalent) with maximum aperture of f/2.8.
Last but not least, Nikon has also patented a 9-135mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens for 1-series mirrorless cameras, which provide a 35mm focal length equivalent or approximately 24-365mm.
Despite launching multiple optics in 2014, users’ taste for Nikon lenses doesn’t seem to have been alleviated. But these new patents seem like a good indication the company is gearing up to respond to customer demand.
