http://www.dpreview.com/news/0705/07051401panasonicrobustsensor.asp
Looks like Panny has just thrown a new sensor type in the mix!
Quote:
"The cutting-edge semiconductor process technology can realize the pattering of an array of digital-microlenses made of an inorganic material in subwavelength dimensions. A digital-microlens can be formed by patterning digitally the inorganic material in concentric rings, which works out as a conventional onchip microlens to gather more light onto the photo diode area. The light path of each digital-microlens can therefore readily be designed according to its relative position on the image area. As a result, a uniform sensitivity can be achieved across the image area in any camera module in use."
Potential Applications:
This new sensor type could possibly improve LiveView - higher fps, lower power consumption etc.
At the same time, it could potentially improve signal-to-noise ratio (ISO 12,800 at ISO 400 noise levels anyone?? :bsmilie
Now if the microlenses can be manoeuvred, the next-generation IS systems won't involve sensor-shift I suspect.
Disclaimer:
This is PURE SPECULATION on my part!
Looks like Panny has just thrown a new sensor type in the mix!
Quote:
"The cutting-edge semiconductor process technology can realize the pattering of an array of digital-microlenses made of an inorganic material in subwavelength dimensions. A digital-microlens can be formed by patterning digitally the inorganic material in concentric rings, which works out as a conventional onchip microlens to gather more light onto the photo diode area. The light path of each digital-microlens can therefore readily be designed according to its relative position on the image area. As a result, a uniform sensitivity can be achieved across the image area in any camera module in use."
Potential Applications:
This new sensor type could possibly improve LiveView - higher fps, lower power consumption etc.
At the same time, it could potentially improve signal-to-noise ratio (ISO 12,800 at ISO 400 noise levels anyone?? :bsmilie
Now if the microlenses can be manoeuvred, the next-generation IS systems won't involve sensor-shift I suspect.
Disclaimer:
This is PURE SPECULATION on my part!