Exemplary embodiments provide a tracking optics system for mobile devices. The tracking optics system may comprise a telescope longitudinally disposed in a case of the mobile device, wherein a length of the telescope is greater than a depth of the mobile device; an illuminator that emits a light source and low-power mode through the telescope towards a target of image capture; a two-axis gimbal mirror that is adjusted to steer the light source towards the target until the target is within a field of view of the telescope; and an image sensor that captures an image of the target in response to the illuminator emitting the light source in high power mode to flash the target.