In the realm of smartphone photography and filmmaking, third-party apps, additional lenses, lens filter systems, and a variety of other accessories are commonplace. These tools typically leverage the built-in image sensors and lenses of your smartphone, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Sneaki Design, however, has charted a new course with the introduction of SwitchLens, a device that boasts a larger image sensor and a proper lens mount, enabling the use of any Micro Four Thirds lens with your smartphone.
The SwitchLens Approach
The SwitchLens, now live on Kickstarter, is a compact Micro Four Thirds camera module for smartphones, developed by Sneaki Design. This innovative device, compatible with iOS and Android smartphones, is a MagSafe/Qi2-compatible magnetic module that features a 1-inch CMOS image sensor, capable of capturing 21MP RAW/JPG pictures and up to 4K videos at 60P.
Features of the SwitchLens
The SwitchLens is a standalone camera system that can be magnetically attached to your smartphone via a MagSafe/Qi2 ring. It connects to your smartphone via WiFi, and a free photo/video app lets you tweak your camera settings and capture images or footage.
The device is powered by a single 3.7V 14500-type replaceable battery. It measures 14 x 6.7 x 1.2cm/5.5 x 2.62 x 0.5″ and weighs 170g/6oz. The unit houses a USB-C port for charging and a microSD slot that accepts memory cards up to 1.5TB. It also features a lens release button on the side and a single shutter button on the top.
The Advantage of the SwitchLens
The primary advantage of the SwitchLens is its 1-inch CMOS sensor. According to Sneaki Design, it can capture 21MP pictures in RAW or JPG and videos in “MOV” format at up to 4K60P. The app gives users complete control over their camera settings. This includes adjusting the white balance from 2600K to 8600K, the shutter speed from 10s to 1/8000th, and the ISO range from 100 to 12,800 (expandable to 50 – 25,600).
Lens Compatibility and Bundles
The SwitchLens allows any Micro Four Thirds lens to be attached to the back of the camera. At launch, the SwitchLens only featured a Focus Peaking mode in the app and lacked Autofocus capabilities. However, with the crowdfunding campaign’s stretch goal being reached, Autofocus capabilities should be added.
Pricing and Availability
The SwitchLens crowdfunding campaign is live until July 26th. Several rewards and bundles are available, starting at $199 for the body only, $346 for the 3-lens kit, and $649 for the 6-lens kit. All products are expected to start shipping by November 2024.
As with any crowdfunding-related article, it’s important to be aware of the risks when backing a project on a crowdfunding platform. Significant delays can occur when delivering the product, and some projects may not be delivered at all.
For more information, please visit the SwitchLens crowdfunding campaign.
