Xiaomi Modular Optical System camera before mass production
Last year at MWC, Xiaomi showcased an interesting prototype – the Xiaomi Modular Optical System. Xiaomi described it as a research project, which is why its future was uncertain. According to a recent leak from Digital Chat Station the device is finally going into mass production and will soon be available in stores, although the exact date is not yet known.
The Xiaomi Modular Optical System is a detachable camera module with a 100-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor, a 35mm lens (f/1.4–f/11), and a manual focus ring. The sensor offers native 2x zoom with pixel binning. In the video above, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun demonstrates the Micro Four Thirds module.
What distinguishes the so-called Xiaomi Modular Optical System from previous models like Sony’s lens-based cameras is its high-speed connection called LaserLink. Thanks to its low latency and high data rates of up to 10 Gbit/s, this camera utilizes the smartphone’s powerful image processing processor (ISP) for image processing.
Xiaomi Modular Optical System camera charges via Qi2
The prototype was developed last year and unveiled with a modified Xiaomi 15. However, there are rumors that the upcoming flagship Xiaomi Mix 5 will be the first to have the necessary LaserLink connection. Only smartphones that not only have Qi2-compatible magnets on the back, but also a data port, can use the detachable Micro Four Thirds module.
On the plus side, the module has a minimalist design – it doesn’t have its own battery but draws its power from the smartphone. It also lacks its own processor. Despite this, the prototype weighed around 100g. Furthermore, the camera switches off when not in use and takes a few seconds to boot up.
