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#1 in France: Hands-on with DxO ONE

Published Jun 18, 2015 | Barney Britton

Buy on Amazon.com From $599.00

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#1 in France: Hands-on with DxO ONE

Quelle Surprise!* DxO has made a camera. And not just any camera. The DxO ONE features a 20MP 1"-type sensor and 32mm equivalent F1.8 lens, but it is designed to be used in combination with an Apple iPhone (or iPad). The idea is that the ONE takes care of the camera and image storage part of the equation, while the phone donates its powerful onboard computer and touchscreen. In combination, the ONE and your phone should comprise a more powerful capture device than you'll find built in to any current smartphone or tablet.

We can't help but think that in terms of nomenclature, DxO might have painted itself into a corner when it comes to the eventual successor to the ONE (think about it for a minute), mais revenons à nos moutons**...

* A common expression of surprise and / or delight. Here we're using it to express both emotions.

** Literally - to get back to our sheep. I.e., to return to the matter in hand.

Tags: dxo, first-impressions, hands-on

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DxO One

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DxO ONE 20.2MP Digital Connected Camera

for iPhone and iPad

$599.00

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Comments

Total comments: 254

I bought and used it. It was very easy to use, the raw images and processed DXO images were good. I just couldn't justify the price for what it is, although they do give you software with it. I had to send it back. If it drops a couple of hundred dollars I'll reconsider.

0 upvotes

i see its not available for android..although the biggest phone market is android ..i guess they think iphone users are more likely to fall for it ...............iv got my coat

1 upvote

Maybe it because Apple users can afford the device.

0 upvotes

yes you are probably correct..i say it tongue in cheek

0 upvotes

interesting idea but looks terribly awkward to hold. can potentially damage apple's fragile iPhone connectors.

option for wireless connection would be better.

0 upvotes

Looks awkward to me. Look at image #1. So, how are the woman supposed to change any settings or even take any image if she holds it like that? And, how are you supposed to hold it to make it comfortable?

And what is the point? Today's smart phones have decent cameras. And, if you want more than a decent camera, this is not it.

0 upvotes

actually, it is awkward to hold. The biggest problem is that just about any iPhone case prevents attachment and without a case the iPhone is like a hair triggered pistol. However, with a dock extender it's better. Also, with a lightning extension it's fun. Future expectations are FW update to wiFi...we'll see.

All in all, you're correct though It is awkward to hold, but, it's tiny. I carry mine in a little velvet bag in the bottom of my jeans pocket and hardly notice it's there at all. That alone is an achievement.
re your last sentence you're incorrect...IQ wise, it is a quite decent camera

2 upvotes

Typo : "Il y a une couille dans le potage", rather than "Il y une couille dans le potage".
You forgot the verb.
On a side note, "couille" is slang for testicle. You could have used, "Il y a un hic" or "Tout n'est pas rose".

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 10 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Such an awkward looking contraption.

0 upvotes

I read that it REQUIRES two hands at all times because the connection point is the Lightning port. I saw one demo where the user was holding the camera in one hand and the iPhone plummeted to the floor...oops!

0 upvotes

I saw that also and it concerned me. Then 2 days later mine arrived and I found that I never dangle the phone from the camera but I do dangle the camera from the phone and it works just fine.

0 upvotes

Here is the review for those who want to see it:

https://luminous-landscape.com/dxo-one-hands-on-review/

0 upvotes

These artificial fingernails are a joke.

0 upvotes

Interesting Physical Dimensions VS. RX100 M3:

DXO ONE:
Dimensions (WxHxD) 2.7 x 1.9 x 1.0" / 67.5 x 48.9 x 26.3 mm
Weight 3.81 oz / 108 g

RX100 M3:
Dimensions (WxHxD) 4.0 x 2.3 x 1.6" / 101.6 x 58.1 x 41.0 mm
Weight 10.23 oz / 290 g with battery and memory card

The Width difference is material. Not enough to switch from RX100, but enough to consider DXO One if you don't have either and are very pocket-space consious.

Would love to see a comparison between the two.

Personally, I won't switch from my Sony, but I prefer being able to shoot at 50mm-70mm and the Sony video is solid.

0 upvotes

*Assuming the image quality holds up. In particular with regards to sharpness as even DXO don't measure either camera/lens on this metric.

Comparisons will be key.

0 upvotes

Degueulasse objet du desir, c'est un mystere.. Comment est-il possible de se faire arnaquer a ce niveau-la? plus qu'un brique la combinaison. J'acheterais un occas D800, moi. SI! bon conseil. Laisse les tranquilles, c'est pas leur faute

0 upvotes

well. I just ordered one. Let's see how it compares to the new iPhone 6s which will be announced next week.
I just think the missing optical zoom might be an issue for me. Still, I hope they have a 30-day return policy just in case. :)
.

0 upvotes

This is an interesting concept but with a MSRP of 599.99 it seems a bit steep, You can purchase a new Sony RX100 III for just two hundred more and get a lot more camera with zoom. Either way you are carrying around two devices.

1 upvote

I like the idea, and I do wish them the best of luck with their product, but in today's market I really fail to see the place for such a device; Most casual photographers are more than happy with their smartphone's camera (which are getting better every year), those who want better photos go for a P&S and the rest of us who want very high IQ/low noise will always go for a larger sensor anyway (can't beat physics)...
So who is DXo making this for, I wonder?

4 upvotes

If it lives up to its billing, the DxO One combined with the iPhone 6 may be an easy way to get better quality pictures in those situations where carrying a DSLR is not practical. One important issue is going to be ease of handling.

0 upvotes

Why do we need another camera in a smart phone?

2 upvotes

Good work with the translation! Enjoyed the preservation and explanations of the french idioms. Well done!

2 upvotes

The claim is DSLR image quality. If this is true, it would top other compact choices. Bab

1 upvote

The claim is bs unless they have broken the laws of physics.

6 upvotes

I prefer to reserve judgement until I see what kind of image quality this camera can bring. I use a Canon 100D when I want to go light. If this little camera could bring similar image quality with my iPhone, I would have to consider using it. I compare compact cameras image quality here & I haven't seen one that does as well or better without a large investment in new lenses. The idea of something so small taking really nice images with my iPhone peaks my interest. Bab

0 upvotes

Wow, a lot of haters on this thread. I definitely want one! Why? Because I already have my phone in my pocket always. And now all I need is this tiny thing in my pocket and I have a rather decent quality camera that's going to take pretty good low light indoor pics. I see this as the perfect camera to take out partying, or just to have with you all day long, every day. So no, it is not the same as an RX100 etc, because then I have to somehow fit my phone, my wallet, keys, AND an RX100 in my pockets. Not possible. But with this little thing, Possible!!!

3 upvotes

want to point out that
1. primary function of iPhone for regular people is Phone or Internet. 2-in-1 idea is good, but you cannot do two things at once on same device. what happen if you are talking on the phone while taking the picture?

2. Battery life issue. as you know, if your iPhone battery is dead, it is dead. Unlike Samsung/LG that you can put a new one in, and continue. using phone while taking picture, will make your phone dead quicker. Now, if you have an emergency, you cannot use DoX One to call 911/110/120

3.you forget about zoom function, other than image quality, one main reason ordinary people still use cameras is to have the ZOOM.

4. DxOMark rated their own 1 inch camera sensor Sports (Low-Light ISO): 1657 ISO, and they rated Nikon D5500 APS-C sensor Sports (Low-Light ISO): 1438 ISO. They are claiming their 1 inch sensor is better than APS-C sensor which collect more light. Do you believe them?

3 upvotes

1. And you talk on your phone whilst simultaneously taking pics with your camera? Ridiculous argument.

2. There's this thing called a charger. For me, it's just not an issue. Anyway, I'm not seeing this as a camera to use all day every day, it's a brilliant, I've got it in my pocket just like my phone so I can use it anytime I want to. I'm not seeing it as a replacement for my main camera, my main camera will kick it's butt for quality and performance, but I don't carry my main camera around all the time, it's too big and heavy and doesn't fit in my pocket. I'm seeing it as a replacement for when I'd use my iPhone camera, but with a step up in quality and low light performance.

3. I primarily use primes. And the 32mm equivalent is a great size for what I would use it for. But maybe you're right, ordinary people might not like this camera ;)

4. You could be right, I'm not actually sure how this performs indoors, and that will be the deal breaker for me.

1 upvote

agreed
1. "regular people" whoever they may be may in fact do many things at once. I for one have enough difficulty doing one thing at a time.

2. I shot iPhone as primary camera for 3 years. "Airplane Mode" stops phone from interfering with the camera. If it's important they'll call back. Battery life? Really? Do you suppose that in 6 generations of iPhones it's users haven't figured out how to deal with the dreaded non replaceable battery yet?
3. I don't care for or use replaceable lenses. 32mm is quite fine.
4. In a way this hints at my only concern. Nikon sold a 1" camera for a very dear price. Later they went on "fire sale" destroying any resale or trade-in value for the early adopters. I hope this isn't what happens with this camera. That Nikon V1 (bought on fire sale) taught me that the "noise" is actually quite manageable, particularly if any film emulation software is used. I don't expect low light problems.

1 upvote

The device looks like it will fit in a pocket and its certainly bigger than most of their marketing photo's lead you to believe. So that puts it in the same category as a pocket-able rx100III and I would be very surprised it compares well against such a camera.

Now if Apple made the One it would be snapped up, but DXo aren't Apple.

0 upvotes

As a long time Mac user I find it strangely satisfying when I read, "When is it available for android?"

4 upvotes

Why would they put a microUSB port on the camera body while it's designed for apple product only? It make more sense to use lightning port.

1 upvote

When is it going to be available for Androids?

1 upvote

JohnK 's comment is stupid and disrespectfull of all the fabulous work Dpreview does to keep us more than 100% informed.
To all readers : think of one day, or even one minute without DPreview ................................ !!!!!!!!!!!!

0 upvotes

Put a cable or a Bluetooth link between the two, maybe it might become another GoPro?

0 upvotes

It'd be funny if it had humdrum dynamic range.

0 upvotes

For the difference in size, I can't see why anyone would choose this over a RX100 II or III. Either can connect via wifi to your iPhone (or Android phone), and although not the best ergonomically, they are streets ahead of this combo, have decent optical zooms and a host of other features.

Very odd.

Comment edited 55 seconds after posting

4 upvotes

The Fone rings, you whip it up to your ear, and the camera flies off into the sunset trailing the connector port. Awesome!

2 upvotes

IMO a manicure should precede photos such as this. Also the product is dirty.

5 upvotes

Somehow in your own little mind, you think your comment was at all helpful?

Her hands are clean, nails are manicured to my look, and I don't see a dirty product at all.

You are a Troll.

7 upvotes

Yea... especially if just yesterday, you could globally buy a Coolpix A or a GR for half the price on Amazon.

1 upvote

lolz. For $100 more, you can have a Ricoh GRII with wifi if you want a compact wide angle camera.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 1 minute after posting

2 upvotes

You have to be kidding me. How long will that connector last? This is an ergomatic nightmare. Hmm, I see it will connect to my ipad; how in the ... will I hold that?

JAW

7 upvotes

The connector bothers me too. I would prefer something that could take some stress. Even a soft plastic covered wire might have been safer. With one move you could screw up a $900 phone and a $600 camera.

3 upvotes

The kind of people who would buy this likely would end up doing just that. 'Oops! Oh no, look at my phone... and hey..."

1 upvote

Concept is nice, but it looks like an ergonomic nightmare....

1 upvote

Perfect on a headmount.

0 upvotes

Looks just like a Sharp Viewcam. I have one of those.

1 upvote

For $100.00 maybe for $600.00 they can stick it .

2 upvotes

A lot of opinions and skepticism are being shared but there's one big thing that's being missed. The iPhone is a magnificent photography device. Images from more traditional cameras are often processed on the iPhone. I have used an Apple created SD card reader for years to bring images to my iPhone or iPad.

Camera manufacturers are recognizing this and offering (still rudimentary) wifi connections. I have a Fuji X-100 without wifi capability, and an X-M1 with wifi. The JPG's each create are incredible but the wifi is truthfully not worth using.

I've pre ordered this camera and have hopes for quality JPG's which will transfer effortlessly to my iPhone for processing. Would I rather have wifi connection? Yes I would, but not this generation's connections and likely not the next gen's connections either.

I'm also hopeful that a lightning connection "extension cord" can be fabricated. I would think it could.

1 upvote

Wow I can't see how iPhone users are gonna get this, an iPhone ain't suppose to be so clunky/fragile looking, I'd rather rather spend an extra 200-250$ for a second hand 5d ii or an new rx 100 iv :-)

1 upvote

I'd pay $200-250 for a secondhand 5d2 gladly, considering that the average sale price on Ebay for this 7 year old model is about $1000.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

I am giving any user maybe 2 months before they destroy telephone port and have telephone in need for servicing.

5 upvotes

This is ODD Couple.

2 upvotes

It seems like a good way to upgrade your camera phone without having to upgrade to a new phone, as well as alternative to carrying a camera with a screen <i>and</i> a phone. Surely someone will make extension lenses for the ONE, a la Photojojo.

1 upvote

As I own a number of cameras and have been shooting near sixty years, I seldom carry any of these marvelous lumps around all the time. I will buy the DXO One because of the old saying, "The best camera, is the one you have on you"
Lets face it, the iPhone is a marvel in itself however, where are the pixels?

0 upvotes

Hope the phone has enough juice left when I badly want to use it as the MOBILE PHONE.

Oh, you talk about spare batteries? OMG .. now the combination is as large and heavy as the old dSLR.

3 upvotes

seriously? Keeping a charge on a photographically used iPhone has always been a challenge. Even I figured out how to do it, I'm sure you can too.

0 upvotes

The correct French is "Il y a une couille dans le potage", you missed the "a".

0 upvotes

I want one on my Canon.

0 upvotes

I want one for android!

1 upvote

Looks like a hit to me. Some sample photos quelquepart?

0 upvotes

#1 if France...remember the Citroen.

If you think about it, this looks like a camcorder with a large flip out screen. Sony a long time ago made something that looked like this

Comment edited 6 minutes after posting

2 upvotes

I would have liked to know more about the selfie capabilities of this camera. A picture of it being used for taking a selfie? And how does it work with a selfie stick? (You might lough, I'm not taking it very serious either, but marketing- wise, such capabilities are not to be ignored).

0 upvotes

so you can't hold it with one hand? How can you operate using the phone? So you won't be using your phone's advance touch screen? What's so bad with wi-fi that you need to have this?

1 upvote

This is the same as holding together my point and shoot camera and my iPhone, using the wifi enabled remote app and taking pictures. Who's the genius that designed this?

5 upvotes

Total comments: 254

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