Mobile Technology

Ztylus smartphone case packs 4-in-1 lens system

Ztylus smartphone case packs 4-in-1 lens system
Ztylus iPhone 5/5S protective case with Revolver RV-2 lens kit installed
Ztylus iPhone 5/5S protective case with Revolver RV-2 lens kit installed
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The RV-1 lens kit includes a macro lens for extreme close ups
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The RV-1 lens kit includes a macro lens for extreme close ups
The Galaxy S4 Ztylus case has a triped mounting screw
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The Galaxy S4 Ztylus case has a triped mounting screw
The integrated kickstand can support the S4 in landscape or portrait viewing mode
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The integrated kickstand can support the S4 in landscape or portrait viewing mode
The Ztylus Galaxy S4 case with RV-1 lens kit
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The Ztylus Galaxy S4 case with RV-1 lens kit
The rear of the RV-1 4-in-1 lens
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The rear of the RV-1 4-in-1 lens
The RV-1 includes a circular polarizer lens, a fisheye lens, ans a 2-in-1 wide angle/macro lens
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The RV-1 includes a circular polarizer lens, a fisheye lens, ans a 2-in-1 wide angle/macro lens
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 sporting its Ztylus case and RV-1 lens kit
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The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 sporting its Ztylus case and RV-1 lens kit
Even with the lens kit in place, the Zstylus case is reported to be slim enough to fit comfortably in a pocket
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Even with the lens kit in place, the Zstylus case is reported to be slim enough to fit comfortably in a pocket
The Ztylus Galaxy Note 3 case with RV-1 lens kit
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The Ztylus Galaxy Note 3 case with RV-1 lens kit
The Ztylus Galaxy Note 3 kickstand supports viewing in landscape mode
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The Ztylus Galaxy Note 3 kickstand supports viewing in landscape mode
The Ztylus iPhone case includes a two position aluminum kickstand
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The Ztylus iPhone case includes a two position aluminum kickstand
The circular cover that houses the two position aluminum kickstand can be removed to install the RV-2 Revolver lens kit
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The circular cover that houses the two position aluminum kickstand can be removed to install the RV-2 Revolver lens kit
Each Z-Optics lens twists and locks into position and pops out from within the housing before being pushed and locked in front of the iPhone's own lens
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Each Z-Optics lens twists and locks into position and pops out from within the housing before being pushed and locked in front of the iPhone's own lens
The Ztylus iPhone case on show at CE Week in New York
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The Ztylus iPhone case on show at CE Week in New York
The RV-2 lens kit offers four lens options
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The RV-2 lens kit offers four lens options
Ztylus iPhone 5/5S protective case with Revolver RV-2 lens kit installed
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Ztylus iPhone 5/5S protective case with Revolver RV-2 lens kit installed
The downside is that the case and lens system need to be purchased separately
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The downside is that the case and lens system need to be purchased separately
View gallery - 17 images

If you like the idea of Sony's QX lens system, but don't warm to the extra weight and bulk (not to mention the rather high price tag) it adds to your smartphone, Ztylus has something that may be of interest. The company has produced a stylish case to protect your iPhone, Note 3 or S4 from life's bumps and scrapes that's also home to a circular mount onto which a multiple lens system is attached. This gives mobile snappers four additional lens options to play with. The downside is that the case and lens system need to be purchased separately, but it's still a nifty way to expand the photographic capability of your smartphone.

Each case is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and polycarbonate, sports an integrated kickstand and comes ready to receive the Revolver interchangeable lens systems. The company currently supports the Samsung Galaxy S4, the Galaxy Note 3 and the iPhone 5/5S. There's currently one lens kit for the Galaxy models, and another for Apple's communicator.

The Ztylus Galaxy S4 case with RV-1 lens kit
The Ztylus Galaxy S4 case with RV-1 lens kit

The Ztylus cases for the S4 and Note 3 come in either black or white in a "leather style" finish, and are priced at $34.99 each. The S4 flavor includes an ergonomic, real-camera-like grip and a triped mounting screw. The Revolver RV-1 lens kit costs an additional $64.99 and mounts to the slightly raised circular disc that surrounds the built-in lens of the camera.

The 4-in-1 kit sports multi-coated optics and a hand-polished metal frame. Users can bring a circular polarizer lens over the top of smart device's own lens, for richer colors and reduced glare. They can opt for a fisheye lens or head straight for the 2-in-1 wide angle/macro lens, where the top part can be unscrewed to use the macro below and enjoy roughly 10x magnification. This looks like a great option for those occasions when the smartphone's camera just isn't able to focus on something close to the lens.

The RV-2 lens kit offers four lens options
The RV-2 lens kit offers four lens options

The Ztylus case for iPhone 5/5S that caught our eye at CE Week in New York is $39.99, has a rubberized finish and comes in black or white. The door to the bottom offers protection for the charging port and redirects the audio coming from the speakers upward. The circular cover that houses the two position aluminum kickstand can be removed to install the RV-2 Revolver lens kit, which is available for $69.99.

Once in place, the RV-2 offers the same four lens options as the Samsung unit, but each Z-Optics lens twists and clicks into position and pops out from within the housing before being pushed and locked in front of the iPhone's own lens.

The Ztylus for iPhone 5/5S is introduced in the video below.

Source: Ztylus

Introducing Ztylus for iPhone 5/5S

View gallery - 17 images
1 comment
1 comment
Mel Tisdale
Is there a better advertisement for purchasing a proper camera? Not only will one get a better photo, it will be possible to hold it properly, which is not the case with a smart 'phone that, because of its battery, has to have the lens in just about the most impractical location possible.