iPhone 15 to Use 'State-of-the-Art' Image Sensor From Sony for Better Low-Light Performance

[Jumpthesnark]

Also they need to add a special coating to reduce lens flare

The lenses are already coated. Flare doesn't come from a lack of coating, it comes from a bright source of light that strikes the surface of the lens and then scatters into interior surfaces on lens elements. This can either be a very strong light source that the camera is pointed at (such as the sun) that overpowers the rest of the image-forming elements, or it could be that the bright source is not seen in the image, but it is striking the front element of the lens at an angle, which then sends non-image-forming light down the lens and to the sensor, adding an image of lens elements on the way.

So generally if you don't want flare, get a lens hood or don't point the camera directly at a point source of light.

Flare comes from photographers who overpower the coating by their photographic technique, whether intentionally (hello, JJ Abrams!) or not.

 

[caribbeanblue]

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[caribbeanblue]

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[JustSomebody12]

Excellent news, especially if you're into photography!

If you are into photography, buy a camera.

 

[jaceapoc]

Lol a lot of people in here don't understand what "state-of-the-art" means in this case. It's not just like the other sensors that Sony have been developing for Apple's iPhone.

It's a similar technology that Sony developed for their latest flagship mirrorless cameras, such as their A1, A7 series and FX series. These sensors and cameras are making it possible for mid-level and amateur videographers to shoot in very low-light environments with great dynamic range and little noise ratios.

If this turns out to be true, the iPhone 15 will have a significant camera upgrade. Couple it with Apple software and you have a phone that can shoot images from really far away or shoot at night and still have great quality.

This is super exciting honestly.

 

[newyorksole]

I feel like the low-light photos are hit or miss on my 14PM.

does anyone else have an issue where you take a photo that’s blurry / not clear on the outer edges? I don’t understand why the whole photo can’t be clear even in low light.

I swear my 13PM didn’t have this issue. I tried taking some nice Thanksgiving photos and was very disappointed with the quality without flash.

with flash I’m sure it would’ve been fine.

 

[4odomi]

Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 models will be equipped with Sony's newest "state of the art" image sensors, according to a report from Nikkei.

Compared to standard sensors, Sony's image sensor doubles the saturation signal in each pixel, allowing it to capture more light to cut down on underexposure and overexposure. Nikkei says that it is able to better photograph a person's face even with strong backlighting, as an example.

Sony is using semiconductor architecture that puts photodiodes and transistors in separate layers, allowing for more photodiodes. It is not clear if all of the iPhone 15 models will use the new sensor technology, or if Apple will limit it to the higher-end "Pro" iPhone 15 models.

At the current time, rumors suggest that the iPhone 15 Pro will have several exclusive features that will not be available in the standard iPhone 15 models, including an updated A17 chip, a faster USB-C port, more RAM, and most notably, updated zoom camera technology.

Apple is working on a periscope telephoto lens that will improve the iPhone 15 Pro's optical zoom capabilities, allowing for up to 10x optical zoom to match some Android smartphones that are on the market.

The Sony image sensor technology described here would likely be used for the Wide camera that Apple considers the iPhone's "main" camera as Apple typically uses different technology for each lens.

Article Link: iPhone 15 to Use 'State-of-the-Art' Image Sensor From Sony for Better Low-Light Performance

A welcomed addition if it happens, however the biggest problem are the flares in night time photography, which Apple has done nothing about

 

[phill85]

I am a bit tired of unreal feel of nightshots in my 12PM. Pictures are beautiful but look entirely different than in reality. So, happy to hear that a better low light sensor is on it's way.View attachment 2120427

It’s already here. I’ve owned my 14 Pro since day 1, and literally never used night mode. The sensor picks up easily enough light to make a fantastic picture… see this one of New Orleans the week before last:

 

[4odomi]

I feel like the low-light photos are hit or miss on my 14PM.

does anyone else have an issue where you take a photo that’s blurry / not clear on the outer edges? I don’t understand why the whole photo can’t be clear even in low light.

I swear my 13PM didn’t have this issue. I tried taking some nice Thanksgiving photos and was very disappointed with the quality without flash.

with flash I’m sure it would’ve been fine.

It's the 1 sec default night mode exposure, you need to set it manually for 3 sec at least, that will resolve the hit and miss and photos will be a lot sharper

 

[citysnaps]

If you are into photography, buy a camera.

You are probably not aware that an iPhone is a camera. Photography, and making photographs that move a viewer and conjure narrative have little to do with the the kind of camera or gear used. Photography is not about camera ownership.

As an aside that's not particularly important, and with respect to cameras in general, I have a range of cameras... an Arca-Swiss 4x5, a few dSLRs and mirrorless cams, and others. Including iPhones that I've been shooting with exclusively for the last five years.

So...tell me about your photography.

 

[DeepIn2U]

i disagree, canon 5d mark iv is the best in that price segment.

I don't think @Bawstun stated any particular price segment or Sony camera model tho?

 

[darngooddesign]

That 1” sensor is a joke. Even in a point and shoot camera it’s a tight fit. Technology has come a long ways. Sensor shifting with AI to handle things is a massive leap in capability. Go with lower megapixels so each pixel is larger and handles light/detail better. Instead of one pic the sensor shifts taking several at once then the AI merges everything. We no longer need to go with the “no replacement for displacement” theory.

Comparing a new phone with cp to an old camera without cp is a red herring.

When comparing two phones, with similar lens quality, that use the same computational photography tricks 1" sensor photos will have more dynamic range, less noise reduction, and overall bokeh will be more authentic because less has to be faked and small openings that the camera doesn't recognize as background will naturally be more blurred.

 

[spinedoc77]

Periscope camera may pull me back from the Z Fold 5, come on Apple.

 

[rileyes]

Awesome! It's about to get better and better. The periscope telephoto lens would be a game changer

If Apple thinks people are going to keep shelling out $1k per year on phone upgrades for camera enhancements on what is already more camera than 95% of people need, then they are delusional. Oh, but it will also have a new chip?? Thrilling.

 

[falkon-engine]

You have to give it to Apple, they add just enough features each year to incent those in the know to upgrade. Most other people, hold on to their phones for longer though.

 

[I7guy]

You have to give it to Apple, they add just enough features each year to incent those in the know to upgrade. Most other people, hold on to their phones for longer though.

Who are “most other people”? Android customers?

 

[arch1t3cton]

Don't all iPhones use the latest "state of the art" sensors from Sony?

 

[darngooddesign]

If Apple thinks people are going to keep shelling out $1k per year on phone upgrades for camera enhancements on what is already more camera than 95% of people need, then they are delusional. Oh, but it will also have a new chip?? Thrilling.

Yeah, I don't think apple thinks that. While there are people who use the "free upgrade" Next plans, Apple knows most people upgrade every couple of years.

 

[TKSX]

Phones haven't used CCDs for years, they're all CMOS sensors these days. The iPhone has been CMOS since at least the iPhone 4.

Sorry. Brain fart. CCD = CMOS (while it means different to the pros, they are typically referred (and treated) as the same thing).

 

[newton4000]

I would agree, and even the bump gets 'hate' on this forum. It's amaz

Comparing a new phone with cp to an old camera without cp is a red herring.

When comparing two phones, with similar lens quality, that use the same computational photography tricks 1" sensor photos will have more dynamic range, less noise reduction, and overall bokeh will be more authentic because less has to be faked and small openings that the camera doesn't recognize as background will naturally be more blurred.

While I agree, it's amazing how much computational photography can do, and we still haven't seen the limits. A 1" sensor with CP though would take it to the next level.

 

[BorisDG]

Don't all iPhones use the latest "state of the art" sensors from Sony?

Yeah like most phones. There are few exceptions where Samsung phones are using their own ISOCELL for some of the cameras.

 

[darngooddesign]

I would agree, and even the bump gets 'hate' on this forum. It's amaz

While I agree, it's amazing how much computational photography can do, and we still haven't seen the limits. A 1" sensor with CP though would take it to the next level.

Yeah but larger the sensor the faster its readout needs to be. Sony put their RX100-7's 1" stacked sensor in a phone last year, but that thing is $1800 because stacked sensors are expensive.

 

[rymc02]

Maybe a large type 1" sensor? Either that or a curved sensor?

Very excited to see curved sensors come especially to smart phones.

 

[Tagbert]

If Apple thinks people are going to keep shelling out $1k per year on phone upgrades for camera enhancements on what is already more camera than 95% of people need, then they are delusional. Oh, but it will also have a new chip?? Thrilling.

Once again, why do you think people should be shelling out money for a new phone every year? When your existing phone no longer meets your needs, buy a new phone. If you wait a few years between phones, the new one will have significant improvements. Otherwise you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[mjoecups]

100% accurate. Apple is garbage today. Corporate heads run the company now, not design. When that happens you start to get the downfall of a company, and we are seeing it in Apple now.

They used to just make ‘the best product period’. Now they make so many different products of varying qualities it’s insane

I disagree. Apple is a consumer products company, so yes, they offer products at different price points.

Their Quality and Quality control is still the BEST. Compare the cheapest iPad to any comparably priced Android tablet. Compare Apple's low end laptops (lol) to comparably priced windows laptops.

Not every one wants to spend the $ for the top of the line.