CMDC

Focal length (35mm)

The focal length is a measure of how a lens converges light. It can be used to know the magnification factor of the lens and given the size of the sensor, calculate the angle of view. A standard reference used for comparisons is the 35 mm format, which is a sensor of size 36×24 mm. A standard wide angle lens would have around 28 to 35 millimeters based on the 35 mm format.

The smaller the number, the wider the lens is.

Focal length

The focal length is a measure of how a lens converges light. It can be used to know the magnification factor of the lens and given the size of the sensor, calculate the angle of view. The native focal length of the sensor cannot be used for comparisons between different cameras unless they have the same size. Therefore, the focal length in 35 mm terms is a better reference.

For the same sensor, the smaller the number, the wider the lens is.

Aperture

The aperture of a lens, expressed as the f-number, is the ratio of the lens focal length and the diameter of the front lens element. Being all other factors equal, the smaller the number, the more light the sensor is able to capture. More information on Wikipedia.

Stabilization

Indicates the type of image stabilization this lens has:

• OIS: the optical image stabilization is the best stabilization, as either the sensor or the lens is being activiely moved to compensate for camera shake, and is the most effective in correcting it.
• EIS: the electronic image stabilization is a good alternative for video that does not require any moving parts in the camera module. It uses a cropped portion of the sensor to provide the actual image, and the rest is used as buffer to try to keep the image as stable as possible. A larger buffer region can compensate larger movement, but also reduces the size of the output. This stabilization does not help for pictures.

Horizontal field of view

The horizontal field of view in degrees this lens is able to capture, when using the maximum resolution of the sensor (that is, matching the sensor aspect ratio, and not using sensor cropping).

Vertical field of view

The vertical field of view in degrees this lens is able to capture, when using the maximum resolution of the sensor (that is, matching the sensor aspect ratio, and not using sensor cropping).

Magnification factor

Shows the magnification factor of this lens compared to the primary lens of the device (calculated by dividing the focal length of the current lens by the focal length of the primary lens). A magnification factor of 1 is shown for the primary camera, ultra-wide cameras have magnification factors less than 1, and telephoto cameras have magnification factors greater than 1.

Physical sensor size

Physical size of the sensor behind the lens in millimeters. All other factors being equal (specially resolution), the larger the sensor the more light it can capture, as each physical pixel is bigger.

Sensor type

The fractional denomination of the sensor. More information on Wikipedia.

Pitch size

The size (side) of an individual physical pixel of the sensor in micrometers. All other factors being equal, the larger the pixel size, the better the image quality is. In this case, each photoreceptor can capture more light and potencially can better differential the signal from the noise, yielding better image quality, specially in low-light.

Sensor area

Displays the physical sensor area in square millimeters.

Maximum picture resolution

The maximum picture resolution this sensor outputs images in JPEG format. Sometimes, if the sensor can also provide images in RAW (DNG) format, they can be slightly larger because of an additional area used for calibration purposes (among others). Unfortunately, firmware restrictions for third-party apps also mean that the maximum picture resolution exposed to third-party apps might be considerably lower than the actual resolution of the sensor, therefore the resolution shown here is the maximum resolution third-party apps can access from this sensor.

Megapixels

The number of megapixels calculated from the maximum picture resolution.

Picture format

The available output picture formats this camera is able to deliver:

• JPEG only: the camera can only produce images in JPEG format. There is no DNG/RAW support for this specific camera (other camera modules on the device may support DNG/RAW).
• JPEG/DNG: the camera can produce images in JPEG and in DNG/RAW format (either JPEG or DNG, or both simulatneously).

Focusing type

The focusing capabilities of this camera:

• Auto/Manual: this camera supports all usual focus modes, specifically automatic and manual (being able to set the focus distance manually).
• Auto: only automatic focus modes are supported (automatic, macro, continuous focus, etc.). Specifically manual focus is not supported.
• Fixed: this camera module does not support focusing in any way (the focus is set at a fixed position, usually infinity, and it cannot be changed neither in software nor in hardware, as the lens is constructed in that way).

Focus at infinity

It displays whether this lens can be set to focus at infinity or not. Even if the camera supports autofocus and manual focus, it might happen that the focus range the lens is able to adjust to does not include the infinity position. This property is important for astrophotography, as in such low-light scenarios the automatic focus does not work reliably.

Minimum focusing distance

The closest distance this lens is able to bring objects in focus. This is specially useful for macro photography.

The distance from which objects that are further away from the camera always appear in focus. Therefore, if the camera is set to focus at infinity, any object further away from this distance will appear in focus.

Manual exposure range

The range of supported manual exposure in seconds (minimum or shortest to maximum or longest). This camera might support exposures outside this range, but only in automatic mode and not in manual exposure mode. Also, note that this range is the one third-party apps have access to, as often the first-party app preinstalled on the phone by the manufacturer might have privileged access to the hardware and offer longer or shorter exposures times.

ISO range

The range of supported manual sensitivity (ISO). This camera might support ISO sensitivities outside this range in automatic mode. Also, note that this range is the one third-party apps have access to, as often the first-party app preinstalled on the phone by the manufacturer might have privileged access to the hardware and offer an extended manual sensitivity range.

Maximum analog ISO

The maximum ISO sensitivity possible in manual mode is usually reached by using digital amplification of the signal from the maximum supported analog sensitivity. This information, if available, will let you know what is the maximum analog sensitivity of the sensor.