REVIEW – The best camera is the one that you have with you. We’ve all heard that saying a thousand times and it’s true. But sometimes the camera that you have with you is your phone and even though many of today’s phones have excellent optics, they can always be improved. That’s where 3rd party add-ons like SV Assets smartphone lenses can really improve your shots. Let’s check them out.
What is it?
SV Assets is a Swedish company that makes specially designed lenses for smartphones. They offer telephoto, wide-angle, macro, and fish-eye lenses that are compatible with iPhones and other smartphones like Samsung Galaxy phones. SV Assets offers the following lenses:
Wide Angle Lens (18mm) – PRO series (V1) – Up to 2x greater field of view (~110 degree field of view)
Fisheye Lens – Pro Series (V1) – Up to 3x greater field of view (~160 degree field of view)
Telephoto Lens (60mm)- Pro Series (V1) – 2x magnification – Natural Bokeh effect (Background blur)
Macro Lens (25mm) – Pro Series (V1) – 10x Zoom Factor
What’s in the box?
- Lens
- Zippered hard shell carrying case
- Instructions
- Polishing cloth
- Carabiner
- They also include a specially designed phone case
Design and features
First, let’s take a look at their special case that has been designed for iPhones series 6 and up, Samsung 8+ and up, and even some Huawei phones like the Huawei P30 Pro. They sent me one for the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The case looks nice with the wood panel on the back and the matte black aluminum section at the top that features threaded slots that the lenses can screw into.
The actual case is a semi-flexible black plastic that has cutouts for the lightning port, mute button, and speakers. The power button and volume buttons are molded into the case.
The case is attractive but it does add some noticeable weight to an already heavy smartphone. I’m also not a huge fan of molded buttons that are built into the cases. I’d rather have cutouts so I can access the phone’s built-in buttons.
But when it comes down to it, a case like this makes using the SV Assets lenses much easier than using a clip – which is also included with each lens.
The lenses themselves are very well made with a matte black coated metal body and both top and bottom protective caps.
The bottom of each lens is threaded to fit into the SV Assets case or the included universal clip.
SV Assets are premium lenses that use high-quality optical glass anti-reflective coating.
The lens caps are easier to remove than other smartphone lenses that I’ve reviewed in the past.
Using the SV Assets lenses
To use these lenses, you’ll have to design how you want to mount them to your phone. If you have an iPhone series 6 and up, Samsung Galaxy 8+ and up, or some Huawei phones, you can get a case with the lense. I think this is the easiest way to use the lenses.
If you don’t have one of the phones that are compatible with their cases, you can use the universal clip which is included with each lens. The lens screws into a threaded brass socket in the clip and then you have to position the clip over the phone’s camera lens.
There’s even a different type of mounting bracket that is included with the wide-angle lens – this metal bracket didn’t fit my iPhone so I wasn’t able to test it.
SV Assets lens photo examples
Telephoto Lens (60mm)- Pro Series (V1) – 2x magnification
The telephoto lens is the chunkiest of the four lenses that SV Assets sent me to try. Here are some before and after samples that show images from my iPhone 12 Pro Max with and without using the SV Assets telephoto lens.
Wide Angle Lens (18mm) – PRO series (V1) – Up to 2x greater field of view (~110 degree field of view). Useful for taking pictures inside buildings.
Fisheye Lens – Pro Series (V1) – Up to 3x greater field of view (~160 degree field of view)
Macro Lens (25mm) – Pro Series (V1) – 10x Zoom Factor. Comes with a semi-clear hood that gets the lens at the perfect distance from the subject. With this lens, you have to move the camera back and forth to get the perfect focus. It takes some practice and it takes a LOT of light to capture good images.
Photo examples
The most notable image is the fisheye image due to the sides being warped. This isn’t a defect of the lens, it’s by design.
Same as above with the fisheye lens but not quite as noticeable.
And again we see warped edges.
Notice how the edges of the image with the side of my Mini Cooper are blurry with the SV Assets fisheye lens.
What I like
- Well made
- Special phone case makes it easy to mount the lenses
- Adds additional versatility to your phone’s camera
What I’d change
- Offer bundles at discounted pricing
Final thoughts
All of the SV Assets Pro Series V1 lenses are well made and give your iPhone or other smartphone cameras some extra optic help that can translate into better photos. Since I have an iPhone 12 Pro Max which already has a good wide angle and telephoto lens built into the phone, the SV Assets macro lense is my favorite of the series.
Price: 49.90 – 73.90 EUR ($59.27 – $87.77)
Where to buy: SV Assets
Source: The sample for this review was provided by SV Assets.
