Let's start with Sony - patent application 20090303371 is for a new Sony CMOS sensor based on the Foveon approach - each pixel capture RG&B:
"Accordingly, in order to utilize the incident light amount efficiently as well as to prevent occurrence of false colors, a method of separating colors by forming plural photodiodes in a pixel in the depth direction of a substrate has been developed."
Sony is definitely pushing hard in sensor design - as a reference they have ~50 applications in "solid state imaging device" so far this year.
There is a new Panasonic patent application, which has a detailed drawings of a new camera that looks like a Four Thirds DSLR. Brief summary of the main features:
"Live-View, Optical Viewfinder, mirror and prism, of course interchangeable FourThirds lens mount, CMOS sensor, supersonic vibration generator, No Video recording, No in body stabilization."
More patent details:
- “The present invention relates to a digital camera. In particular, the present invention relates to a digital camera having a movable mirror, which enables a subject image to be observed through an electronic viewfinder.”
- “A digital single-lens reflex camera has an electronic viewfinder and an optical viewfinder, so that a subject image formed by an image pickup optical system is switched with a movable mirror, and can be observed through the optical viewfinder.”
- “The OVF is configured in an optimum shape for displaying an image having a composition with an aspect ratio of 4:3. It should be noted that the optical viewfinder may be configured in an optimum shape for displaying an image having a composition with another aspect ratio. For example, the optical viewfinder may have an optimum shape for displaying an image having a composition with an aspect ratio of 16:9, or an optimum shape for displaying an image having a composition with an aspect ratio of 3:2.”
A reminder that patent application are not aways an indication of future products.
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6 Comments
“/~50 applications in “solid state imaging device” so far this year.”\
does that mean it will be out this coming year? I have waited for other camera makers to get this tec (namely nikon) just hope now they dont lose all ties with sony…. And I will need a new camera b4 2011 so nikon better make something with this by then.
This is a good day!
It makes sense that Foveon type chips are going be the way to go in future sensors. Already current CCD/CMOS sensors are pushing the limits of resolution (18mp and APS-C is already pushing lenses), so the only way to squeeze more resolution out of a chip short of increasing its surface area is to ditch the Bayer mask and AA filter
Sony is devoting massive resources to 2010 and 2011 in digital imaging. I’m looking forward to their new product. Things should get quite interesting as they start flexing their R&D muscle a bit more aggressively.
wooo hooo. I’m pretty sure if these sensors are going to be released within these 2 years, we will see it in the D4, D400 and D800. Rock on!
That Panasonic patent doesn’t seems to be anything interesting.
Yet Sony could make a sensor like Foveon wanted and never did. This has potential, only I hope that it won’t be another 4MPx camera with image interpolated up to 10MPx, lol.
why they patent still same things all over again, do they really believe that they can use it in case somebody tries to copy their camera?
I guess they have nothing better to spend moneys on