ASUS could be back in the spotlight with its unveiling of the ZenFone Zoom at CES 2015. In a clear pitch to those with more than a passing interest in mobile photography, the ZenFone Zoom looks a lot like the Nokia Lumia 1020, and perhaps for good reason: it features an optical zoom camera on the rear, like what you’d find in a proper camera.
The ZenFone Zoom has a 13MP camera with a lens comprised of 10 individual elements, allowing a three-times optical zoom, with optical image stabilisation to boot. Despite this power, the ZenFone Zoom its a mere 12mm thick; the thinnest phone with such a camera on the market.
On top of the optical zoom is a 12X digital zoom, laser-guided auto focus, a claimed zero shutter lag, and a manual mode that ASUS claims offers photographers ‘professional grade manual control of ISO settings, shutter speed and more’.
We don’t know too much else about the hardware, beyond the ‘Zoom including a 5.5″ full HD display, up to 128GB of storage (depending on market) and a 5MP front-facing camera with wide angle lens for creative selfie taking. LTE support is a given, and it will launch with Android 5.0 Lollipop in the box.
There’s nothing on Australian availability yet, but that might come later.
Update:
Asus Australia have advised :
The ZenFone 2 and ZenFone Zoom will likely be launched in Australia later in 2015, however we have no information at this time on pricing or availability.
