Even though smartphone cameras are getting better every year, you could argue that they’re not anywhere near dedicated lenses. Time to consider the Olympus Air A01 Smartphone Camera then, which is designed to work in concert with your phone. The Olympus Air A01 is a new concept that provides intuitive controls for shooting, image manipulation, and uploads to social networking services through a linked smartphone. Instead of the user having to be knowledgeable about complex shooting techniques, smartphone apps and controls now take care of difficult shooting situations.

By using a Micro Four Thirds mount on the Olympus Air A01, the high-performance M.Zuiko digital lens lineup developed for the OM-D and PEN Compact System Cameras can be used to its full extent with this camera. This camera is also equipped with the same 16 megapixel Live MOS image sensor and TruePicVII image processor as the latest OM-D and PEN models. This model also employs the FAST AF system for high-speed, high-precision autofocusing.

The compact and lightweight body can be taken anywhere, and the symmetrical design makes it easy to shoot with either the right or left hand. The design also gives you complete freedom of shooting angles, from normal smartphone shooting, to high and low angles, selfies, night scene shooting, remote shooting, and shots that were difficult on conventional cameras. Your phone or tablet can be used for precise framing and exposure control during macro shooting as well.

Scheduled to go on sale from March 6, 2015 at the Olympus online shop.