Tag Archives: SmartphoneCamera

The Pixel 3 has 2018’s best smartphone camera

Posted on by
Let's be honest. We're a generation obsessed with taking and sharing photos. In recent years, our phone cameras have become so capable they've essentially killed point-and-shoots. This year, Huawei released a phone with four cameras on its rear, forc...

Samsung ISOCELL smartphone camera sensors promise better colors in low-light

Posted on by

Samsung introduces its new ISOCELL smartphone imaging sensor, will hit production in Q4 2013

Samsung's offering up spoilers at what we can expect from future Galaxy smartphones -- already. They will likely feature ISOCELL, the company's new CMOS imaging sensor. It adds "advanced pixel technology" that polices the absorption of electrons for improved color fidelity, even when lighting isn't ideal. The new sensor will head to new "premium" smartphones and tablets, with mass production scheduled to start in Q4 2013. Samsung's ISOCELL tech improves on current BSI (back-side illuminated) sensors by adding a "physical barrier between neighboring pixel". The science behind it means that more photons can be collected and that's what will improve image quality. This between-pixel crosstalk is apparently reduced by 30 percent, and increases the dynamic range of photos by up to 30 percent -- as you'll note from the washed-out petal tips in the sample above.

Samsung explains that "market pressure" has meant it had to increase camera resolution and image quality, without increasing the size of the camera unit. This meant that pixels had to shrink, "while improving their performance at the same time". Interestingly, this sensor is specifically for 8-megapixel units, which could mean a drop down from the 13-megapixel camera seen in the Galaxy S 4. A full camera unit housing ISOCELL would also take up less space inside devices compared to previous imaging sensors, with a reduced height that sounds like it could be ideal for the company's future high-powered, even thinner smartphones.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Source: Samsung Tomorrow

Nikon feels the pressure from smartphones, says it needs to ‘change the concept of cameras’

Posted on by

Nikon feeling heat from smartphones, says it needs to 'change the concept of cameras'

With slumping point-and-shoot camera sales and falling earnings, even a conservative company like Nikon can see the writing on the wall. President Makoto Kimura told Bloomberg that the number of people dropping compact shooters in favor of smartphones is "exploding" and that his company has created a new imaging business team to address the problem. He said that its task is "to create a product that will change the concept of cameras," adding that such a device will come to market in less than five years. Kimura didn't respond when asked if Nikon might build its own smartphone, though he said "(a new device) could be a non-camera consumer product." Whatever it turns out to be, given the current trend in smartphone sales and the fact that its imaging division nets 84 percent of Nikon's revenue, a little more diversification surely couldn't hurt.

Filed under: ,

Comments

Source: Bloomberg

New Toshiba camera sensor lets you refocus after the shot, plans 2013 launch in smartphones and tablets

Posted on by

New Toshiba camera sensor lets you refocus after you take the shot, plans to launch in smartphones and tablets next year

Hoping for some after-the-fact focusing in your next smartphone camera? Well, you'll have to wait around a year, but Toshiba's planning exactly that with a new module that houses an array of 500,000 tiny lenses. Within a 1cm-thick unit, these lenses are layered in front of the camera sensor, which can capture slightly different images from each lens arrangement. Those picture can then be combined in a "complete" picture using Toshiba's own software. Apparently, the camera will also be able to measure the distance between objects in the shot -- similar to how 3D images are captured -- with the user then able to shift focus between close and distant detail, or even create images that are in-focus throughout. Toshiba says the module will also be able to capture video with a similar degree of focus management -- something that Lytro hasn't got around to just yet. The sensor is still a work in progress, but the manufacturer plans to commercialize the module before the end of 2013. Toshiba is looking to ally itself with multiple smartphone (and tablet) makers -- and here's hoping that it finds its way into a device outside of Japan.

[Thanks Franck]

Filed under: ,

Comments

Source: Asahi Shinbun (Japanese), (English)

Sony announces new Exmor RS cameraphone sensor: upgraded signal processing, HDR video recording

Posted on by

Sony announces new Exmor RS sensor, wants it small enough for smartphones and tablet

That camera sensor in your smartphone is very likely to be a Sony-made module which means it's worth keeping an eye on the company's latest sensor developments. Your next phone could be packing one of its latest Exmor RS camera modules, a stacked CMOS image sensor that's currently being readied for future smartphones and tablets. At the moment, three components fall under the new RS label, with two eight-megapixel sensors (one with new camera signal processing tech) and a top-drawer 13-megapixel module. Alongside the new sensors, Sony's crafted new f/2.2 lenses alongside a refreshed auto-focus module and all of them will be capable of HDR video recording. The company's now working on improving sensor behavior, image quality and keeping it all tiny enough for that next pricey phone contract. The first products are expected to arrive in October, so we may not see it in Sony's very next tablet, but development could be done in time for next year's effort -- and help validate the manufacturer's imaging investment.

Continue reading Sony announces new Exmor RS cameraphone sensor: upgraded signal processing, HDR video recording

Filed under: , ,

Sony announces new Exmor RS cameraphone sensor: upgraded signal processing, HDR video recording originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 04:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceSony Japan (translated)  | Email this | Comments

Insert Coin: Cardboard Robot brings craning, plucking and learning with a dash of whimsey (video)

Posted on by

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

Insert Coin Cardboard Robot brings craning, plucking plus a good dose of whimsey and learning

Cardboard Robot has lowered it's crane claw boom on all the Kickstarter money business, and said "Hey, let's have a little fun here, too." It's a robotic arm kit consisting of four stepper motors, a controller, USB computer connection, and a structure made from corrugated cardboard with a claw or smartphone camera mount. While able to pick up small objects like socks and stuffed animals or crane a smartphone around, the fanciful bot's main function seems to be the fun of piecing it together, with its pliable surface also safer for working with kids. To that end, the mech's maker said that not only would it be easy to build, but the source code would be included for tweaking and with every $3k raised, one of the kits would be donated to a US school. So, if you want your own carton-y bot arm kit for learning and light plush toy duty (assembly required), the minimum pledge is $175 -- check the Kickstarter source to see how to pony up, or the video after the break.

Continue reading Insert Coin: Cardboard Robot brings craning, plucking and learning with a dash of whimsey (video)

Filed under:

Insert Coin: Cardboard Robot brings craning, plucking and learning with a dash of whimsey (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 19:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceKickstarter  | Email this | Comments

Does BlackBerry 10’s camera app get by with a little help from Scalado Rewind?

Posted on by

Does BlackBerry 10's camera app get by with a little help from Scalado Rewind?

Impressed by the new camera tech on display in BB10? You're not alone. But did the folks at RIM have some help with the new "timeline lens" feature? Well, grab your salt shaker. If you recall, software that allows you to change the faces of those pictured via additional pre- and post-shot frames popped up in Scalado's Rewind last year. The ring UI that allows the user to navigate the extra frames from its border is quite similar to the functionality of BB10's editing feature. We've reached out to Scalado for further details on the matter and we're eager to hear its response. But until that happens, hit the video just past the break for a closer look at Rewind in action.

Continue reading Does BlackBerry 10's camera app get by with a little help from Scalado Rewind?

Does BlackBerry 10's camera app get by with a little help from Scalado Rewind? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 15:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink GreenLimeShake (Tumblr)  |  sourceScalado Rewind  | Email this | Comments