What is the periscope zoom of Android phones

Zoom has become an increasingly important element in the cameras of the telephones. These is something that has been seen in phones like the realme X3 SuperZoom, or the OPPO Reno 10x Zoom that arrived in Spain last summer. More and more brands seek to differentiate their phones with this zoom. In addition, there are several types, such as periscope zoom.

To better understand the operation of the zoom in the camera you have to know that there are different types, which we already talked about. In addition, we we also find the periscope zoom, which has more and more prominence on telephones. Next we will tell you everything about this guy.

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What is and how does periscope zoom work

This concept began to gain prominence with the launch of the Huawei P30 Pro, where we find an 8 megapixel sensor with periscope zoom 5x optical, which can go up to 10x using the hybrid mode on it. Although many of you may be wondering what exactly this type of zoom is.

The reason why periscope is used on this sensor refers to the imager does not sit just behind the outer lens. In this case it is placed to one side, in a perpendicular position. This allows a system of prisms to be created, which is what conducts the light towards the collector through said lenses. Thanks to this, a greater distance between the lens and said sensor is obtained, without it being necessary to increase the thickness of the phone.

Why use it on smartphones

In the case of a camera, the body of the lens sticks out from the rest of the camera, as well as having the ability to extend or expand when necessary. By doing this, the lens and internal matrix are pushed forward, allowing for optical zoom without loss of quality. In the case of a phone, its small size and the limited space for the camera sensors prevents this from happening.

Using a periscope architecture allows you to have the lens and sensor in such a way that said lens have more room to move, which will allow to obtain a greater optical zoom. To make this possible, an L-shaped tunnel is used. The upper end has a rectangular opening to collect the light that then falls on a prism. This prism bends the light 90 degrees, which then passes through the lens elements and finally reaches the sensor where it is to be processed.

Get a longer tunnel increase the space between the lens and the sensor. Thanks to this, the range of movement is greater, which translates into a greater zoom. When the user adjusts the zoom level of the camera, the internal elements of the lens move away from the sensor, to obtain the desired or necessary zoom effect in that case.

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What advantages does it offer

Using periscope zoom on the phone gives the device certain advantages over others that do not have this architecture. As the maximum achievable zoom range is greater, without also losing quality. This allows you to increase the optical zoom of the camera up to 5 or 10 times, without any loss of quality. Something that phones that don’t use this architecture can’t get.

In addition, manufacturers they can lengthen the periscope tunnel if they want, allowing you to increase the capacity of the optical zoom. At the same time, the hybrid zoom range is increased, which will give us better results than digital zoom. This is something that will allow the manufacturer to play with said tunnel and thus obtain a greater zoom.

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Presence on Android

The Huawei P30 Pro was the phone that gave great prominence to the periscope zoom or periscope camera on the market. Since then, more brands have been added to this type of architecture, although possibly the most prominent so far has been the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, presented earlier this year.

Although we must not forget devices such as the realme X3 SuperZoom or the OPPO Reno 10x Zoom, which have also bet on this periscope zoom, with good results in both cases, being a differentiating element in telephones. As you can see, it is something that is limited for now to the high-end on Android.

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