Periscope cameras have a long and fascinating history, dating back to the 17th century. These optical devices were widely utilized during the World Wars and are now experiencing a resurgence in popularity. One company that is at the forefront of this trend is Apple, with its upcoming iPhone 15 Pro Max featuring a periscope camera.

But what exactly is a periscope camera and why is it such a game changer? Put simply, a periscope lens system allows for greater optical zoom capabilities compared to digital zoom. While the iPhone 15 Pro boasts a 3x telephoto camera, the Pro Max takes it even further with a 5x optical zoom, perfect for capturing detailed close-ups or distant subjects such as wildlife or sports events.

Apple refers to the periscope design in the Pro Max as an “innovative tetraprism design.” This unique structure reflects light four times through a glass structure, creating the necessary separation between the lens and sensor to achieve the zoom effect. The device also features combined optical image stabilization and autofocus 3D sensor-shift module, making it Apple’s most advanced stabilization system to date.

Moving on to the technical specifications, the periscope lens in the iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a 25% larger sensor compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It also includes 100% focus pixels and a bright f/2.8 aperture, making it perfect for portrait photography.

Now, let’s delve into the basics of a periscope camera. Originally used in submarines, a periscope is essentially a special lens system that provides additional optical zoom capabilities. Traditional optical zoom involves physically moving a lens element away from the image sensor, which can lead to a bulky camera module. However, a periscope system solves this issue by using sideways lens alignment, allowing for real optical zoom without protruding from the device’s body.

To put it simply, digital zoom relies on cropping and enlarging the image, resulting in a loss of quality and the appearance of artifacts. On the other hand, optical zoom alters the lens itself to achieve magnification, resulting in much higher image quality. The periscope camera takes this optical zoom concept and implements it in a compact and efficient manner.

So, how does a periscope camera actually work? It uses a prism or mirror to reflect light 90 degrees and directs it through lens elements onto the sensor, providing magnification capabilities. In the case of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can easily spot the rectangular front element of the periscope camera unit, a distinguishing feature compared to the circular front elements of other cameras.

While periscope cameras offer numerous benefits, there are also downsides to consider. These cameras require additional space, leading to potential compromises in terms of device thickness. Additionally, there may be issues such as image blurring and darkening due to the optical scheme of the periscope. However, technology is constantly advancing to mitigate these problems.

It’s worth mentioning some notable smartphones that have already embraced periscope camera systems. Huawei’s P30 Pro, released in 2019, was one of the first mainstream devices to feature a periscope camera, offering impressive zoom capabilities. There have been earlier attempts to integrate optical zoom in smartphones, such as the Sharp 902 with 2x optical zoom back in 2004, but these were less successful in terms of sales and popularity.

In conclusion, periscope cameras are revolutionizing smartphone photography by providing users with enhanced optical zoom capabilities. Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15 Pro Max is set to showcase the full potential of this technology, allowing for stunning close-ups and distant shots. With continuous advancements in camera technology, we can expect even more exciting developments in the future.