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Canon Patents ‘Clip-On’ Smartphone Camera with Magnetic Lenses

Canon has filed a patent for a new "image pickup-up device and adjustment mechanism" that appears to be a high-powered clip-on-style telephoto camera accessory for smartphones. It has a modular lens design that can allows multiple compact lenses to be swapped, and the lenses appear to be held together magnetically meaning there may even be the opportunity to mix, match, and add different combinations of lenses for varying effects including super-wide-angle lenses and macro.

The design for the patent were initially discovered by Canon News back in October of 2020, but the official publication of the patent application (JP,2019-235097) filed in Japan was published on July 15.

The patent overview describes an imaging device with a base capable of holding a smartphone and a lens barrel that can be rotated up to 270 degrees, with a gap in the base portion to accommodate (hide) the lens barrel when collapsed for travel. The camera unit is described as being able to be operated remotely (possibly by Bluetooth, WiFi, or a USB cable connection).

According to this proposed design, the purpose of this device is to provide a system that can operate on its own or enhance an existing smartphone's camera capabilities while making it easy to transport when not in use. The document states the camera would leverage a CMOS sensor and a processor capable of adjusting the color space conversion, gamma conversion, white balance, AE, and flash correction, and photograph an image or video in 4:2:2 format. The camera would also be able to automatically re-orient the image based on the position of the camera and lenses to ensure images will always be upright.

The system would also have its own built-in storage for JPEG images and video files. As for how much storage and what focal lengths will be available, the patent does not specify. While external devices like this that can sync to your smartphone are not new, ones that have multiple focal lengths (lenses) that are compact and easy to carry are uncommon.

It seems that despite the odd design, Canon is attempting to make a new system that can significantly expand the functionality of smartphone cameras, making it easier to leave bulkier DSLR or mirrorless camera kits behind while traveling and location scouting. If such a device sounds exciting, temper expectations: even though a patent is filed, it can still take years for it to arrive in a finished capacity if it ever arrives at all.

If Canon were to develop this device, it would likely fall into Canon's experimental, fringe camera line and join the likes of the PowerShot Zoom and the PowerShot Pick.

The full patent documentation can be read on J-PlatPat.

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Insta360 Announces Major Feature Update for the ONE R Camera

Insta360 has announced what it dubs a "significant update" for its flagship interchangeable lens camera, the Insta360 ONE R. The update brings several new features, image quality improvements, AI-powered editing options, a new remote, and more.

Insta360's firmware update adds horizon leveling to its 4K mod and 1-inch Mod, which the company says is particularly useful for capturing action scenes in situations where it is difficult to hold the camera steady. Horizon Lock keeps the footage upright and level when shooting in Pro video mode (FlowState Stabilization) at 30fps. Additionally, 360-degree Horizon Lock allows for leveling of full rotations along a single axis of the camera.

The company has also enabled loop recording, which is a new function that allows for continuous video recording which deletes old footage automatically to allow it to record without stopping with a maximum video length of 30 minutes. This addition allows the ONE R to be used as a dash cam or as a "set it and forget it" camera that can be placed in a location and simply wait for the action to happen.

"Just set the camera up in advance, wait for them to arrive and then stop recording once you’ve got the shot. Only the preceding minutes of footage will be saved, freeing up vital space on the memory card," Insta360 says.

The firmware update now allows for the 4K at 50 frames per second frame rate option, adds a new "Vivid" color profile, and four different image sharpness options for all ONE R mods.

The update also introduces two new Shot Lab templates, which Insta360 says adds to the "continually growing list" of smart editing templates in the Insta360 app.

The company has integrated the AquaVision 2.0, which is an underwater color correction algorithm that the company says has been improved to make colors more vivid and realistic. AquaVision 2.0 is available for all ONE R mods, including the 360 Mod.

Car MultiView has also been added, which the company describes as a "fun editing feature" that displays a split-screen of the road ahead and the car’s interior.

"With the ONE R 360 Mod mounted to the windshield or the dash, the camera captures a complete, wide-angle view in both directions," the company writes.

Insta360 also made a few quality of life improvements to the camera: TimeShift videos are now automatically sped up to 6x before being saved so they take up far less memory on the SD card, audio recorded with external mics with ONE R has been improved, and a new Roadie Remote accessory is now available, a wireless Bluetooth remote that attaches to the car steering wheel for safe control of the camera while driving.

The update is available now through the ONE R firmware, Insta360 app (iOS and Android), and Studio desktop software (Windows and Mac).

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