As onboard smartphone cameras continue to improve, more and more consumers are using their phones as an easy way to snap photos on-the-go. Several brands have jumped into the market with easily attachable lenses designed with cell phone cameras in mind. These top lenses for mobile phones can not only enhance your mobile photography, but elevate the possibilities of the phone’s internal camera.
How Does a Mobile Phone Lens Work?
Most camera lenses clip or screw onto your cell phone with a proprietary mount or phone case. For this reason, it’s generally more convenient to purchase multiple lenses from the same manufacturer. You’ll have better interchangeability and fewer accessories to buy and carry.
The lenses themselves mount in front of the phone’s native lens, so you are in essence using two lenses: the original phone lens, and a second lens that will adapt the image output. You can purchase wide angle and zoom lenses. Of course, a zoom lens will magnify the image already produced by your phone’s native lens.
Best Add-On Lenses for Mobile Phone Photography:
1. Moment Wide Angle 18mm Lens
Moment has been a key player in the add-on lens scene for a few years, so they’ve had time to create a truly robust line of products. The Moment Wide Angle 18mm lens is compatible with the latest Apple, Google, Samsung, and OnePlus phones, allowing you to photograph a wider portion of any scene.
Useful for landscapes, portraits, sports, and more, this lens is great because it is extremely sharp. And even though it is quite wide, it is free from frustrating fisheye distortion found on other wide-angle lenses. To use this lens, you’ll need to also purchase a Moment case for your cell phone, but then you’ll be set to use this and any other lens in the Moment line.
Why We Chose This Lens
This Moment phone-camera lens stands apart from the competition thanks to its high-quality, hand-finished glass and special coatings for the best possible images.
2. Moment Fisheye 14mm Lens
This ultrawide fisheye lens boasts an incredible 170-degree field of view, making it perfect for real estate photography, stylized landscapes, and many other applications. The Moment Fisheye 14mm lens is vignette-free and utilizes the full image sensor of the phone, so you can expect crisp details edge to edge.
Because the lens allows in 15% more light than previous models, you can use it easily in Night mode, unlike the iPhone 11 Pro and Max’s native wide-angle lenses. You can use this lens with the phone’s native camera app or use Moment’s own camera app for the ability to reduce or completely remove horizon curvature quickly and easily.
Just like the 18mm Wide Angle lens by Moment, you will need to purchase a phone case to use this.
Why We Chose This Lens
This 14mm Fisheye lens will add a new, unique perspective to your cell-phone lens kit. It works beautifully in low light so you can keep shooting video and stills no matter the environment.
3. Movo Photo SPL-FE 238-Degree Super Fisheye Clip-On Smartphone Lens
Clip-on lenses provide a helpful alternative to a phone case if you’re using a less common or older Android smartphone, yet you still want to practice smartphone photography. The Movo Photo SPL-FE has a 238-degree field of view ideal for landscapes, interiors, unique portraits, and action shots.
This lens comes with a clip mount and a lens cap that you can use with just about any Apple or Android phone. Plus, setup is as easy as it gets, so you can start shooting in no time.
Why We Chose This Lens
The Movo SPL-FE 238 Degree Super Fisheye makes it much easier to capture fisheye lens footage without needing to invest in a new lens-mount case or adapter.
4. Pictar Smart 18mm Wide Angle Lens
Expand your scene with this 18mm wide angle lens from Pictar. As one of the top lenses for iPhones, Samsung, and others, it features a universal clip-on connector for any smartphone. From landscape to portrait — and even selfies — this lens will enhance your subjects and the setting.
This lens’ 160-degree coverage angle amplifies the power of your phone’s built-in camera. It’s created with five elements in four groups, and features seven coatings to ensure low flare and reflection, no matter where you’re photographing.
Why We Chose This Lens
Lens coatings are as important for a smartphone lens as they are for your DSLR lenses. You can avoid aberration, flare, reflecting, and ghosting with a coated lens like the Pictar Smart 18mm.
5. Moment Tele 58mm Lens
Go long with the Moment Tele 58mm lens — it’s one of the best lenses for mobile photography. With a 58mm lens, you’ll be able to get closer to far-away objects or people. Use this lens to capture tighter shots, without having to rely on your smartphone’s digital zoom.
Reach up to 4x optical zoom when pairing this lens with your iPhone’s built-in telephoto lens. Soon, you’ll be getting close to the action.
Why We Chose This Lens
When you want more focal length for your mobile phone camera, Moment’s Tele 58mm is among the best. The microfiber carrying case also doubles as a lens cleaning cloth.
6. Moment 1.33x Anamorphic Lens
Cell phone videographers hoping to achieve a cinematic look will love the 1.33X Pro Anamorphic Lens by Moment. This lens offers the ability to shoot in a 2.4:1 ratio for true Hollywood style.
This special effect lens features premium glass and turns your regular footage into a 16:9 wide screen movie. Capture Hollywood-ready cinematic shots with horizontal flares, gorgeous bokeh, and all the classic looks of made-for-screen films.
Why We Chose This Lens
The Moment Anamorphic Lens lets you keep a cinema camera in your pocket for spontaneous filmmaking complete with Hollywood lens flare. The oval bokeh is a nice bonus.
7. Moment Macro 10x Lens
The Moment Macro 10x Lens packs plenty of benefits into a tiny package. The ultra-close focusing distance lets you photograph small objects from only one inch away. Whether you’re shooting insects, flowers, or other tiny objects, that close distance means extreme enlargement. Plus, the machined aluminum case provides added strength and durability.
Why We Chose This Lens
In macro photography, lighting is everything. The unique diffuser hood on this macro lens helps ensure your subject is evenly and softly lit for the best image quality.
8. FLIR ONE Pro Pro-Grade Thermal Camera
Compatible with Androids and iPhone X’s, the FLIR One is a pro-grade thermal camera for smartphones. Thanks to the built-in FLIR VividIR image processing and 19,200 pixel resolution, you’ll be able to capture thermal images throughout your space.
Built to take on any jobsite, this heavy-duty camera isn’t your regular smartphone lens. It’s truly a workhorse meant for capturing a range of electrical or mechanical work.
Why We Chose This Lens
This small but powerful thermal camera is a breeze to learn to use. Once you get it up and running, you’ll enjoy exploring a previously unseen side of your surroundings.
Getting Started with Mobile Phone Photography
Even if you enjoy using a full-size DSLR or mirrorless camera for your photography, you can also have plenty of fun shooting with your smartphone. As long as you have a collection of mobile lenses to go with your phone, you basically have a fully functional camera on you at all times.
Getting started with mobile photography is as easy as investing in a lens or two, and exploring your own backyard. For the most creative control, make sure to optimize your phone camera settings for maximum resolution and adjustable exposure and settings.
Feature photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash
