8 reasons not to buy external camera lenses for smartphones

External lenses may offer more flexibility when shooting on a smartphone, but many people still don't use them. From their bulky design to their mediocre results, there are plenty of reasons why they're not for everyone.

1. Smartphones now have better zoom capabilities than ever before

Smartphone cameras have much better zoom capabilities than they used to, and they're generally fine when using it. You can also move closer instead of zooming for most shots, so you don't need an external lens. For anything further away, use a mirrorless camera.

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Tip : Before you buy an external lens, think about what you really want from your phone camera. A built-in optical zoom is often a better solution than fiddling with add-ons.

2. Built-in focus adjustments

Aside from image quality, versatility is one of the biggest reasons people buy lenses for their mirrorless cameras. Versatility is going to be a top priority for any smartphone lens, but unlike a professional camera, you already have built-in options for adjusting focus.

For example, with a simple tap, the iPhone lets you switch between 0.5 and 1x on the main camera screen. The Photos app also lets you crop parts of the photo that might not need to appear in the main photo (16:9 is the default, so you don't necessarily see everything when you take a photo).

3. You can add filters to your smartphone

Another reason people buy smartphone camera lenses is to get new filters. There are some ND filters; in many cases, you have to clip them onto your external lens. But while these filters can help you get more unique results, they are not necessary.

You can add a variety of filters to your smartphone photos without downloading a third-party app. Some popular iPhone camera filters include Vivid and Dramatic Warm. There are also a few black-and-white options.

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If you want more, you can download a camera app to take better photos.

4. The external lens is annoying

Some external lenses, especially larger ones like the 50mm zoom, are annoying. They aren't pocket-friendly and you have to remove them before you put your phone away.

Most of all, many people want to avoid drawing unnecessary attention when taking photos in public. Keeping things simple will make you more likely to enjoy taking photos.

5. External lenses may cause image distortion

If you've ever taken a photo with any lens, you've probably encountered distortion at least once. It happens with even the best mirrorless lenses that cost thousands of dollars. However, it's more common with external smartphone lenses.

Because many smartphone camera lenses are third-party, distortion is worse than when shooting with the stock camera. These issues can be easily fixed with tools like Lightroom, but you may have trouble without third-party editing software.

These distortions aren't always a big deal, but they're something to consider if you're thinking about purchasing an external lens.

6. Many people don't like lens settings

Many people prefer to shoot street photography with a smartphone rather than a DSLR because it's much easier to carry around. All you have to do is pull your smartphone out of your pocket, open the Camera app, and start shooting. Sometimes, getting the right settings can be a hassle, even if you're not changing lenses on your mirrorless camera.

If you use an external lens instead, you'll have to spend more time setting up the phone. Smaller lenses just clip on, but larger lenses may require more complicated setup. Since the phone is much smaller, you may also need to set up a tripod.

The extra setup time isn't worth it. Use a mirrorless camera for more complex shots and a smartphone for more casual shots.

7. The app offers the flexibility you need

One argument against smartphone cameras is that they are not as flexible as professional cameras. You can zoom, but it is not comparable to a professional camera lens. In most cases, you can't even change the shutter speed and ISO.

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Granted, smartphones are more limited than dedicated cameras, but you can customize settings more than you might think. Like other camera lenses, you can change the aperture in some situations (like Apple's Portrait Mode).

If you need more flexibility, you can easily download third-party apps. For example, the ProCamera iOS app has good low-light performance and anti-shake technology.

8. No one wants to carry extra gear

Adding lenses is a hassle, and no one wants to carry more gear than they need. Having to juggle multiple lenses in a bag is frustrating, and constantly worrying about them takes the fun out of photography.

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Another problem is that it makes it easier to forget about your device. Having your smartphone camera ready—and knowing you won't miss anything important at home—allows you to take more photos. This naturally improves your skills.

It's probably better to not have a camera lens on your smartphone for a number of reasons. No one likes carrying more stuff than they need, and it's easier to take photos without having to set up external equipment. In many cases, the zoom on your smartphone is sufficient to get a decent shot.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 16 January 2025