A new era in on-the-go image editing just arrived. On October 7, AI startup Camera Intelligence officially unveiled Caira, a groundbreaking mirrorless camera accessory for iPhones that integrates Google’s viral Nano Banana AI model directly into the device. Caira is designed for creators who crave the flexibility of professional optics—think interchangeable Micro Four Thirds lenses—without sacrificing the instant, AI-powered editing that’s taken social media by storm.
Pre-orders for Caira begin October 30 on Kickstarter, but eager photographers should note: pricing details are still under wraps. The device attaches to your iPhone via MagSafe, making your phone the viewfinder and control hub, while Caira takes charge of the optics and AI processing. It boasts a sensor four times larger than typical smartphone cameras, promising a huge leap in image quality. With an optional battery grip, you can keep shooting long past your phone’s typical limits.
AI Editing Without the Cloud
What sets Caira apart is its ability to run Google’s Nano Banana model locally—no cloud connection, no lag, and no need to open extra apps. Nano Banana, previously popular for generating 3D figurines and retro portraits via the Gemini 2.5 Flash engine, can now handle real-time edits right after you snap a photo. Want to change lighting, colors, or remove an object? Just prompt the Caira app with a request like “add a necklace,” and the AI gets to work instantly, preserving both the original optical quality and character details.
CEO Vishal Kumar explained the company’s rationale: “We chose Google’s Nano Banana because it’s the best model we’ve seen for maintaining consistent character details and seamlessly blending new edits whilst preserving the original image’s optical quality.” Kumar says the goal is to “collapse traditional content creation workflows” and fundamentally shift how creators capture, edit, and share their world.
Pro-Grade Optics Meet Viral AI
Caira is the first mirrorless camera to offer direct integration between professional-grade interchangeable lenses and on-device AI processing. Users can swap out Micro Four Thirds lenses, capturing high-quality images that outshine any smartphone—then instantly apply viral AI edits without relying on cloud servers like Google Gemini. The setup works entirely through your iPhone, which acts as both viewfinder and control panel, while Caira manages the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
Camera Intelligence’s move comes as demand for AI-driven creative tools continues to skyrocket. With pre-orders starting October 30 and a promise of pro-level optics, instant local AI editing, and seamless iPhone integration, Caira is poised to shake up both the camera and mobile photography markets. Pricing and shipping dates will be the next big details to watch.
