Smartphone with 4G Android!? Camera with 1.3 inch sensor & Micro Four Thirds mount "YN455"

Yongnuo, a Chinese camera-related manufacturer that develops a large number of compatible lenses such as EF mount, will release the digital camera "YN455" that can use interchangeable lenses of Micro Four Thirds mount became. Equipped with a 5-inch display, the battery has a large capacity of 4400mAh. Since it is equipped with Android OS and supports 4G, it looks like a smartphone itself when viewed from the back. While smartphones with greatly enhanced cameras such as the "AQUOS R6" and "Leitz Phone 1" are appearing, the YN455, which can use interchangeable lenses and a sensor size that exceeds them, is a product of interest.

The YN455 is the third “smartphone built-in camera” after the “YN450” released in 2019 and the “YN450M” that underwent minor changes in 2021. YN450 was an experimental product for Yongnuo, according to sources, who weren't planning to launch it at first. The YN455 is a major update to the YN450, and Yongnuo seems to have put it on the market with a strong desire to sell.

The YN455 has a 20MP camera and a Micro Four Thirds = 4/3, or about 1.33 inch sensor. While AQUOS R6 is making noise with a 1-inch sensor, it is equipped with a sensor that easily surpasses it. Well, instead, the body design and size of the YN455 is the camera itself. It's not as thin as a smartphone and small enough to easily fit in your pocket. It would be unrealistic to use the YN455 as a smartphone on a regular basis.

On the other hand, Sony's "Xperia 1 III" is equipped with the world's first 75mm and 105mm variable telephoto lenses, and OPPO's "Find X3 Pro" is equipped with both wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle cameras. Equipped with a 50-megapixel sensor, it is possible to take pictures under the same conditions even if the angle of view is changed. You can see the evolution that allows you to change and shoot.

And like the Leitz Phone 1, it's time for camera makers to release smartphones under their own brands. The Leitz Phone 1 may have many unsatisfactory parts for camera users, but the 1-inch sensor is attractive for smartphone users.

Looking at the YN455, it has a large sensor over 1 inch, and the lens can be freely exchanged. And 4G communication is possible by itself, and you can also install applications. In addition to that, it also has a function to connect to a PC with a USB cable and become a web camera.

In other words, the YN455 eliminates all of the dissatisfaction points of digital single-lens cameras, such as "use of apps (photo processing, etc.) inside the main unit", "direct upload of photos after shooting (cloud or SNS)", and "single communication". In addition, smartphones equipped with high-performance cameras have limitations in sensor size, lenses (cameras) cannot be replaced later, ultra-high-magnification telephoto shooting is not yet practical, and the screen does not tilt, making it difficult to shoot depending on the angle. It is a product that clears the demerit of ".

Of course, there are disadvantages such as "It's not a shape and size that can be used as a smartphone" and "You can't use the high performance and abundant lens assets of a full-size camera", but it is suitable for people who are dissatisfied with the digital cameras and smartphones they usually use. It can be said that it is a perfect product.

Furthermore, it is a terminal suitable for enthusiasts who want a smartphone that is different from others. There are second-hand Micro Four Thirds lenses that are cheap, so it might be a good idea to use the YN455 for super-telephoto shooting such as 200mm, which is not possible with a smartphone.

Y455 is priced at 3888 yuan, about 66,000 yen. The chipset is a Snapdragon octa-core and the model number is not disclosed, probably in the 600s. The memory is 6 GB, the storage is 64 GB, and it supports a micro SD card. The external terminals are USB Type-C, headphones, and a microphone. It has a 5-inch 1920x1080 pixel display and a 4400mAh battery that supports 18W charging. Body size is 85x162x56mm, 670g. 4G supports LTE B1 / B3 / B5 / B8 / B34 / B39 / B40 / B41. As you can see from the corresponding band, it is a product conscious of China, and the schedule for global expansion is unknown.

Because it is equipped with Android OS, it is necessary to support updates, and it is necessary to guarantee the compatibility of the application to some extent. Therefore, it may be difficult to release overseas models equipped with Google services (GMS).

Yongnuo currently sells compatible lenses under its own brand, and does not seem to be doing ODM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Since the YN455 has the advantages of both a smartphone and a digital camera, I wonder if some company that is expanding globally would sell the YN455 as its own brand product with GMS installed.