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iPhone 6 Camera May Feature Electronic Image Stabilization, Bigger Pixel Size

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Apple may be planning to use electronic image stabilization instead of optical image stabilization in the iPhone 6, according to new details shared on Weibo [Google Translate] by ESM China analyst Sun Chang Xu (via GforGames). Xu suggests that the iPhone 6's camera will also boast a larger pixel size of 1.75 um compared to the 1.5 um pixel size of the iPhone 5s' camera, which would result in a higher picture quality as more light can be taken in.

While previous reports have indicated that Apple is looking to integrate optical image stabilization into the iPhone 6, adding an electronic image stabilization system would allow for the device to have a slimmer camera that does not protrude out of its body. To this point, a number of alleged iPhone 6 images, including renders posted by Japanese magazine MacFan last month, have depicted the iPhone 6 with a protruding camera.

Xu also previously reported on her Weibo account that the iPhone 6 will add pressure, temperature, and humidity sensors, and that the iWatch will utilize optical sensors to measure heart rate and oxygen levels.

Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 6 this fall in two different sizes of 4.7-inches and 5.5-inches. The smaller 4.7-inch version of the iPhone 6 will likely ship first, while the larger 5.5-inch version is estimated to ship later due to challenges with the device's display technology and battery life.

In addition to a larger display and an improved camera, both models of the iPhone 6 are expected to include a thinner, bezel-free design, faster A8 processor, and Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The device will also likely debut with Apple's iOS 8 mobile operating system, which will feature improvements to Maps, Siri, and iCloud in addition to a new "Healthbook" app. Apple is also said to be negotiating with carriers to increase the price of the iPhone 6 by $100.

Article Link: iPhone 6 Camera May Feature Electronic Image Stabilization, Bigger Pixel Size
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/04/29/iphone6-camera-eis-bigger-pixels/
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DamoTheBrave

macrumors regular
Apr 20, 2011
212
334
Challenge

Quite a challenge I would have thought if the phone is even thinner than now. Larger pixels means a larger sensor which requires a greater distance between the sensor and the lens.
Better camera would be welcome but hard to see how they can achieve it if they're focussing on thinness.
 
Wuiffi

Wuiffi

macrumors 6502a
Oct 6, 2011
686
78
if they keep 8-9MP and move to 1.75um pixels this means (if my quick math is right) that they move to a 1/2.3" sensor. If they can pull this off (the last rumors said something about a 6.5mm thin iPhone) it would be extremely impressive and probably near the limits of physics
 
Wuiffi

Wuiffi

macrumors 6502a
Oct 6, 2011
686
78
Steve121178 said:
How about better low-light performance?
Click to expand...

bigger pixels MEANS better low-light performance. that's why a Nikon D4 or Canon 1Dx have a huge sensor and a low MP number --> big pixels can take a lot of light.

The Apple "middle"approach with around 8MP seems perfect. HTC has rly good low-light performance with the 4MP cameras but suck in "normal" conditions and the 16MP samsung ones suck in low light
 
zonk44

zonk44

macrumors member
Oct 15, 2013
46
44
Switzerland
Increasing the pixel size is exactly the right thing to do! While all the marketing gurus are counting their megapixels, which lead to increasingly worse images with more noise, scaling up the pixels adds a lot to the image quality. More light, less noise.
Also read this website, which suggests that 6 megapixels are enough for most photographers and more megapixels only worsens the image: http://6mpixel.org/en/
 
alohamade

alohamade

macrumors regular
Sep 13, 2012
143
13
zonk44 said:
Increasing the pixel size is exactly the right thing to do! While all the marketing gurus are counting their megapixels, which lead to increasingly worse images with more noise, scaling up the pixels adds a lot to the image quality. More light, less noise.
Also read this website, which suggests that 6 megapixels are enough for most photographers and more megapixels only worsens the image: http://6mpixel.org/en/
Click to expand...

^ That's a very cool thing to read, I agree with what you're saying. I feel like a lot of people are still stuck in the megapixel trap, not realizing that a lot of pixels that are small and take in less light are definitely nowhere near as efficient as less pixels that are bigger and take in more light. When we can hit an equilibrium between a good sized sensor with big pixels and just enough megapixels, we'll have a real winner. :)
 
nerdAFK

nerdAFK

macrumors 6502
Apr 24, 2014
343
901
I might be kidding when I say I wish for Optical ZOOOOOM.
But no OIS? DAMN!
 
Rogifan

Rogifan

macrumors Penryn
Nov 14, 2011
24,124
31,156
Who is ESM China analyst Sun Chang Xu and what is their track record regarding Applw rumors?
 
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Jsameds

Suspended
Apr 22, 2008
3,525
7,987
Yes the camera is going to get better, we all know that.

The big question mark for me hangs over the matter of how they are going to make the 5S camera look poor in comparison during the iPhone 6 keynote, that's the bit I always look forward to ;)
 
SMIDG3T

SMIDG3T

Suspended
Apr 29, 2012
3,859
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England
DamoTheBrave said:
Quite a challenge I would have thought if the phone is even thinner than now. Larger pixels means a larger sensor which requires a greater distance between the sensor and the lens.
Better camera would be welcome but hard to see how they can achieve it if they're focussing on thinness.
Click to expand...

Apple love challenges though, they'll pull it off alright.
 
SMIDG3T

SMIDG3T

Suspended
Apr 29, 2012
3,859
2,316
England
Jsameds said:
Yes the camera is going to get better, we all know that.

The big question mark for me hangs over the matter of how they are going to make the 5S camera look poor in comparison during the iPhone 6 keynote, that's the bit I always look forward to ;)
Click to expand...

Well, the camera on the iPhone 6 will be better. So when comparing side-by-side, the camera on the 5s will look poor anyway.
 
maflynn

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,447
43,363
One thing is for sure, its seems the camera is the component that most phone makers are focusing on (pun intended :p), so its natural that Apple ups its came.

I would love to see a better camera, but also controls that match the better performance, i.e., ISO, shutter speed, WB, f-stop. I doubt it, because Apple's ethos is not about giving controls to the user but making it easier (but less flexible)
 
HiRez

HiRez

macrumors 603
Jan 6, 2004
6,250
2,576
Western US
I would love some kind of RAW format (optional, naturally). Especially since we now have Lightroom available on iOS. Even 10-bit would make a big difference. Or optionally, higher-bpp JPG. People are using a lot more stacked filters with phone images these days and 8-bit JPGs can't handle much manipulation without degrading.
 
Dades

Dades

macrumors member
May 24, 2010
82
2
Dublin, Ireland
CFreymarc said:
How about more APIs for manual control of the camera such as f-stop?
Click to expand...
Not likely, imo. They'll try and compensate digitally for a slow lens in low light, and probably add some feature to add bokah after so people will believe they can shoot whole weddings with an iPhone.
 
2

2457282

Suspended
Dec 6, 2012
3,327
3,015
The photographer that took the pictures at my wedding had a cannon with either 5 or 6 MP. I was surprised and asked him about it, and he said that the quality was fantastic because the CMOS chip was large enough to pull in the light and provide great depth. Adding more pixels without increasing the chip size would actually make it worse. The pictures turned out fantastic.

I understand that Apple also uses a CMOS chip and their focus (no pun intended) is on increasing quality through increasing pixel size. Unfortunately, quality can only be significantly improved if they increase the size. So although they will continue to tweak, I think they are reaching the limits of what they can do given the obsession with thinness. They can't grow the chip because then they woud need to move the lens out which woud require a thicker phone. So beyond this pixel size increase, it looks like they are hoping to use the software to clean the picture up and provide additional quality improvements.

Looking Forward to seeing what they come up with, but I am skeptical that they can do anything amazing at this point given the physical constraints. I am thinking mostly minor tweaks and improvements, nothing major.
 
B

benedictm

macrumors newbie
Jul 27, 2011
14
4
London, uk
Camera

You know I think a dual lens camera would open up a lot of interesting possibilities which could make it a new addition that would add a lot of avenues especially once app makers get a handle on it

along those lines the 3D mapping hardware built into Google's project Tango are fascinating and the technology its based on is an Apple owned company so maybe we will see that (i suspect thats a bit further away though)

Dual Lens HTC - http://www.engadget.com/2014/03/05/htc-dual-lens-camera/
Tango - https://www.google.com/atap/projecttango/

Sensors - they might add a few new ones in but i'm thinking they might create a 'sensor ball' as an optional extra a bit like the old Nike pebble. This would free up space in the iphone as well

Health stuff looks like a cert. Some home automation would be fun too - i'd like tos ee them get in on this space and Apple-ise it.
 
E

ElZeus

macrumors regular
May 26, 2008
239
128
So we lose a bigger battery and optical image stabilization because some people have an obsession with razor thin metal....ffs stop making the phone thinner and start adding QoL features.
 
A

apolloa

Suspended
Oct 21, 2008
12,318
7,802
Time, because it rules EVERYTHING!
Surely electronic stabilisation won't ever be as good as optical stabilisation? What do SLR cameras use?
Are Apple willing to lower its camera quality and lag behind the competition in the name of thin? Utterly pointless if you ask me.
 
mazz0

mazz0

macrumors 68040
Mar 23, 2011
3,130
3,576
Leeds, UK
Protruding cameras look pants, if you need a certain thickness for the camera then make the whole phone that thick
 
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