Sony and Panasonic patents
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.