Rumor: Apple's next-gen iPhone to boast 12-megapixel camera with improved sensitivity, HDR
According to a fresh report out of the Far East, Apple's next-generation "iPhone 5S" could employ a rear-facing camera with an improved 12MP sensor capable of producing high dynamic range images and better nighttime photos.
Lens elements in Apple's iPhone 4S camera system.
The rumor, from Vietnamese blog Tinhte.vn (via MacRumors), claims the new information originated from an inside source at iPhone camera module maker Wonderful Saigon Electrics.
A higher quality imager has been a much-rumored feature for the forthcoming iPhone, dubbed "iPhone 5S" by many, as the current iPhone 5 carried over the 8-megapixel unit from the iPhone 4S. That package boasted a large f/2.4 aperture and a backside illuminated sensor, and offered performance improvements over previous models when taking pictures in dark environments.
The camera module in the iPhone 5 went largely unchanged besides the addition of sapphire glass to the lens assembly, which served to protect against scratches.
With the upcoming iPhone 5S said to be launching later this year, a new camera module could likely be one of the handset's major spec bumps as a redesign is not expected. Apple may also institute a revamped optics/sensor system to minimize "purple fringing" seen in some instances with the current module, a byproduct of compact camera systems with short focal lengths.
Tinhte has been accurate in previous reports, and was the first to leak a video of Apple's EarPods design.
Lens elements in Apple's iPhone 4S camera system.
The rumor, from Vietnamese blog Tinhte.vn (via MacRumors), claims the new information originated from an inside source at iPhone camera module maker Wonderful Saigon Electrics.
A higher quality imager has been a much-rumored feature for the forthcoming iPhone, dubbed "iPhone 5S" by many, as the current iPhone 5 carried over the 8-megapixel unit from the iPhone 4S. That package boasted a large f/2.4 aperture and a backside illuminated sensor, and offered performance improvements over previous models when taking pictures in dark environments.
The camera module in the iPhone 5 went largely unchanged besides the addition of sapphire glass to the lens assembly, which served to protect against scratches.
With the upcoming iPhone 5S said to be launching later this year, a new camera module could likely be one of the handset's major spec bumps as a redesign is not expected. Apple may also institute a revamped optics/sensor system to minimize "purple fringing" seen in some instances with the current module, a byproduct of compact camera systems with short focal lengths.
Tinhte has been accurate in previous reports, and was the first to leak a video of Apple's EarPods design.
Comments
Keep it 8 MP and update the rest.
2) I had completely forgotten about the purple fringes when photographing light. It's almost like that was blown out of proportion.
As for 12mp, Apple is playing catch up still, I hope they exceed expectations with screen size and features.
Why 12 and not 8?
Please, let's not try to use samsung strategy. Make a 440 ppi screen (lie about the fact that it is oversaturated pentile screen (330ppi), so crap, much inferior to iphone 5 ) to fool costumers, a 13mp camera that is just as crappy as they get (to fool costumers), etc.
More pixels = more noise and colour fringing. A bigger sensor would be nice.
Technology progresses... I know megapixels aren't everything but a better camera is still a better camera. I'm sure apple will update the camera on top of adding megapixels... as for the htc one 4 ultra pixel drivel... check out the comparison vs. the S4
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_vs_htc_one-review-913p8.php
GSMArena is pretty trustworthy no?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lerxt
As for 12mp, Apple is playing catch up still...
Playing catch up how? People understand that there is more to a quality photograph than megapixels. The megapixel race is over, just as the megahertz race is.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chabig
Playing catch up how? People understand that there is more to a quality photograph than megapixels. The megapixel race is over, just as the megahertz race is.
Most people still haven't understood the futility of the pizel or hertz or no of cores comparison.
Absolutely, I think 12 mp is probably the highest. I don't see the need for anything bigger... lol but I said that before with 8.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pedromartins
Why 12 and not 8?
Please, let's not try to use samsung strategy. Make a 440 ppi screen (lie about the fact that it is oversaturated pentile screen (330ppi), so crap, much inferior to iphone 5 ) to fool costumers, a 13mp camera that is just as crappy as they get (to fool costumers), etc.
I don't know how you got the 330 ppi figure. I would say 440*2/3 = 293ppi. Anyways even 293 ppi is high enough that one wouldn't easily be able to tell it apart from a "retina display". So no one would feel fooled because of the resolution. And although I prefer the iPhone 5 display's color accuracy being an avid photographer, people in general like the oversaturated displays.
More pixels will allow larger photo printing and much larger cropping, as you can crop the image much harder and keep a higher resolution the higher the pixels.
However, the pixel race is much like the Mhz race where people think bigger is better and we learned that is not true, nor is it with pixels. Better quality pixels and better sensor and processing, and better glass should be the focus.
As a photographer with both an 8MP and 12MP Canon DSLR, I can say with experience, the quality of glass and the sensor is a much bigger factor.
Other items Apple can improve in addition to the ones mentioned above, are:
Focus points
Image stabilizing
Shutter speed
Multi exposure / better metering
agree with the above
i still will use camera+ to optimize the images to spare file space
i'd just like to have a flash that works, all my flash photos at night are bluish
larger sensor, better low light same 8mp or even 6mp
i use the camera with email, shutter fly i don't need huge files to clog up my email and memory
pre order camera+ for iphone 6 anyone???
Quote:
Originally Posted by NOFEER
agree with the above
i still will use camera+ to optimize the images to spare file space
The problem is, you should not have to use camera+ nor photoshop if your camera takes a good exposure in the first place.
Originally Posted by Lerxt
…Apple is playing catch up still…
Stop embarrassing yourself.
…screen size…
Screw that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
Keep it 8 MP and update the rest.
They may be choosing from a selection of parts that are available. It's also possible to process out smaller smaller than it is actually captured. You might end up with better detail in saturated primaries, given the way they're distributed. In a square shape you would have 2 green pixels, 1 red, and one blue. It's not as bad as it used to be, but the bayer array never seemed terribly ideal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Getz
More pixels will allow larger photo printing and much larger cropping, as you can crop the image much harder and keep a higher resolution the higher the pixels.
However, the pixel race is much like the Mhz race where people think bigger is better and we learned that is not true, nor is it with pixels. Better quality pixels and better sensor and processing, and better glass should be the focus.
As a photographer with both an 8MP and 12MP Canon DSLR, I can say with experience, the quality of glass and the sensor is a much bigger factor.
Other items Apple can improve in addition to the ones mentioned above, are:
Focus points
Image stabilizing
Shutter speed
Multi exposure / better metering
A number of years ago I worked with the first 2 generations of the 1Ds as well as the Phase One P30 and P45s. Megapixels can make a difference in detail resolved. 8 to 12 isn't a very big difference at all. Some of the 645 sensors with no anti aliasing filters resolve considerably more detail even compared to dslrs with similar pixel counts, although in most cases the dslrs hit the point of good enough several years ago. Even the software that does the debayering and rasterization is a huge factor. You can get a much more pleasing result with some of the modern software revisions today (Lightroom, Phocus, Capture One, etc) even on older dslr cameras. What's interesting is that the tiny cameras that go into phones have certain design limitations yet lack others. There's no mirror so achieving wide angle views doesn't require a retrofocus (reverse mounted telephoto) lens design.
Exmor RSModel Shipment date
(planned) Sample price
(incl. tax)
Type 1/3.06
13.13 effective megapixels(*3) Stacked CMOS image sensor
'IMX135' January, 2013 1,500 JPY
Imaging module
'IU135F3-Z' March, 2013 8,000 JPY
Type 1/4
8.08 effective megapixels(*3) Stacked CMOS image sensor
'IMX134' March, 2013 1,000 JPY
Imaging module
'IU134F9-Z' May, 2013 5,000 JPY
Type 1/4
8.08 effective megapixels(*3) Stacked CMOS image sensor
'ISX014' October, 2012 1,200 JPY
Imaging module
'IUS014F-Z' November, 2012 6,000 JPY
*3: Based on the method for specifying effective pixels in image sensors
Why the heck can't the iPhone be the best of the best it is a luxury priced item with some very outdated and cheap components other manufactures can beat apple out with new models much quicker.
More than 3 or 4 MP on a phone camera is redundant. An SLR or good compact shooting at 3 MP produces a far better picture that a phone camera at 8 or 12 or whatever million pixels. They could reduce the count to 5 million bigger pixels to improve low light noise. Indoor phone shots under artificial lights are still quite horrible (digital noise being the butt ugliest artefact of the modern picture taking).