Apple's 'iPad 5' and 'iPad mini 2' to sport iPhone-quality 8MP cameras, Sony to supply sensors

Posted:
in iPad edited January 2014
According to a report from KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's iPad and iPad mini will both sport 8 megapixel rear cameras with new lens elements from Genius and Largan, and AppleInsider has independently learned the sensor modules will be provided solely by Sony.

iPad Camera


In his note to investors, Kuo predicts Apple will launch the so-called "iPad 5" and "iPad mini 2" later in quarter four, with upgraded 8MP shooters and enhanced lens elements. Separately, an inside source tells AppleInsider that Sony nabbed all sensor orders bound for the next-generation tablets.

With the new Sony sensors, Apple will bump resolution to 8MP, up from 5MP in the fourth-generation iPad and iPad mini. The boosted specs will be a first for Apple, which traditionally fields tablets with cameras comparatively lower in resolution than the flagship iPhone.

The source did not specify what type of module will be used, but it can be speculated that Apple will employ a backside illuminated component, possibly with larger 1.5-micron pixels, as seen in the iPhone 5s.

As for Kuo's report, the analyst believes Apple will rely on camera upgrades to further differentiate the iPad from competitors in a tablet market becoming increasingly crowded with high-spec Android devices.

Apple's previous ace in the hole, the Retina display, has been effectively implemented by a number of other manufacturers. Most recently, Amazon's 7-inch and 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDX tablets boast pixel densities of 323 ppi and 339 ppi, respectively, much higher than the 264 ppi found in Apple's fourth-generation iPad.

Along with the sensor buff, Kuo notes the iPad 5 will sport an updated five-element lens module with larger aperture manufactured by Genius Optics and Largan. The two firms are responsible for the optics used in Apple's iPhone 5s and 5c.

Finally, Kuo forecasts shipments of the iPad 5 at 1.2 million units and 10.5 million units for the third and fourth quarter, respectively. The iPad mini 2 stands at zero units in quarter three and 2.1 million units in quarter four. This last metric aligns with a report earlier today that claimed the mini would see severe supply constraints if launched this year.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 39
    CAUTION: RUMOR ONLY. Pay no mind to the wording of the headline.
  • Reply 2 of 39
    What almost everyone is holding out for is a Retina iPad mini.
  • Reply 3 of 39
    philboogiephilboogie Posts: 7,675member
    People taking photos with an iPad should be shot...with a proper camera and put on some Hall of Shame site!
  • Reply 4 of 39
    andysolandysol Posts: 2,506member
    Look forward to it. Never use it- but I guess it's alright.

    Selling the iPad and iPad mini this weekend in prep for the new ones.
  • Reply 5 of 39
    I will buy one because of the cameras. The iPad is very valuable for photography and film. There are outstanding Apps that make everything into an inspirationsl journey.
  • Reply 6 of 39
    Sorry, I meant inspirational...
  • Reply 7 of 39
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    Hmm....if Apple is looking to improve the iPad compared to competitors is 8MP camera what consumers are really looking for? I guess if they implement some of the technology from the iPhone 5S, but iPads don't have flash so...

    As I've said before I'll be bummed if Apple updates the mini but still no retina display. I think if you asked people the #1 thing they'd like to see with the 2nd gen mini it would be retina display.
  • Reply 8 of 39
    jimh81jimh81 Posts: 14member
    Why update the camera and not add a flash? I never use mine for taking photos, but many folks do. And if you update the camera they should definitely add a flash for better photos.

    Any rumors on adding the finger print sensor in the new iPads? Seems like a no brainer, but I've not seen any rumors.
  • Reply 9 of 39
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by JimH81 View Post



    Why update the camera and not add a flash? I never use mine for taking photos, but many folks do. And if you update the camera they should definitely add a flash for better photos.



    Any rumors on adding the finger print sensor in the new iPads? Seems like a no brainer, but I've not seen any rumors.

     

    http://www.macrumors.com/2013/10/02/new-video-explores-possibility-of-touch-id-in-fifth-generation-ipad/

  • Reply 10 of 39
    According to a report from KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's iPad and iPad mini will both sport 8 megapixel rear cameras with new lens elements from Genius and Largan, and AppleInsider has independently learned the sensor modules will be provided solely by Sony.

    <div align="center"><img src="http://photos.appleinsidercdn.com/13.10.02-iPad_Camera.jpg" alt="iPad Camera" width="660" height="396" border="0"></div>


    Finally, Kuo forecasts shipments of the iPad 5 at 1.2 million units and 10.5 million units for the third and fourth quarter, respectively. The iPad mini 2 stands at zero units in quarter three and 2.1 million units in quarter four. This last metric aligns with a report earlier today that claimed the mini would see severe <a href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/10/02/reuters-retina-ipad-mini-may-not-launch-in-2013-due-to-supply-constraints">supply constraints</a> if launched this year.

    Ummm didn't quarter 3 (fiscal quarter 4 for Apple) just end. How is Apple supposed to ship 1.2 million units of an unreleased product in a quarter that's already over??
  • Reply 11 of 39
    smarkysmarky Posts: 75member
    Who cares about the camera in an iPad? You don't carry this thing around with you, the people taking photos with it look like complete tools
  • Reply 12 of 39
    allenbfallenbf Posts: 993member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by PhilBoogie View Post



    People taking photos with an iPad should be shot...with a proper camera and put on some Hall of Shame site!

     

     

    Agree.  I'd prefer a higher res camera on the front, none on the back.  There's no way in hell I'd take a picture with an ipad.  Never have

  • Reply 13 of 39

    Don't most people carrying an iPad usually have an iPhone on them? Just get rid of that iPad 2 already and give me a Retina iPad mini, Tim.

     

    iPad mini: $299

    iPad mini 2-Retina: $399

     

    Would I like a Retina mini cheaper? Of course, but look at that iPhone 5c pricing.

  • Reply 14 of 39
    quinneyquinney Posts: 2,528member

    Ummm didn't quarter 3 (fiscal quarter 4 for Apple) just end. How is Apple supposed to ship 1.2 million units of an unreleased product in a quarter that's already over??

    The analyst probably meant calendar quarter, rather than fiscal quarter. This confusion happens a lot and it would be helpful if articles would specify which type of quarter they are referencing.
  • Reply 15 of 39
    I cannot believe this will be Apple's big upgrade for the year, especially in the mini. If it is, I'm afraid for the future. No none is waiting with baited breathe for a better camera. This will be a (relative) flop IF that's it.
  • Reply 16 of 39
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member
    Originally Posted by Captain J View Post

    I cannot believe this will be Apple's big upgrade for the year, especially in the mini.

     

    Good, because it obviously won’t be. Enough FUD.

  • Reply 17 of 39
    allenbfallenbf Posts: 993member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Captain J View Post



    I cannot believe this will be Apple's big upgrade for the year, especially in the mini. If it is, I'm afraid for the future. No none is waiting with baited breathe for a better camera. This will be a (relative) flop IF that's it.

     

    I bet baited breath stinks.

  • Reply 18 of 39
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by PhilBoogie View Post



    People taking photos with an iPad should be shot...with a proper camera and put on some Hall of Shame site!

    The best camera in the world is the one you have with you at the time...

     

    "Hey look, a UFO !!!"

     

    "Dang it dude, all I have with me is the new iPad 5 with slomo and 8 meg of big-assed pixels, too bad I don't have a proper camera so I could take a picture..."

  • Reply 19 of 39
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by allenbf View Post

     

     

    I bet baited breath stinks.


     

    Yeah it does, but how else can you keep your worms warm??

  • Reply 20 of 39
    And if they don't it is because of supply chain issues.
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