I came across this rumor the other day on SonyAlphaRumors. I've been looking into buying my first mirrorless camera, so I check there often. Basically the rumor says that Sony is working on a new small sensor, probably for the iPhone. But what's interesting is that the sensor is curved. This is important because:
However, there are two problems I have with the story. The first is relatively easily dismissed, talking about a lens designed to work with it that has an f/2.8 aperture. Apple wouldn't use that as the iPhone 6 is brighter at f/2.2, but I also believe that Apple designs their own lenses for the iPhone. The second, bigger problem is that the sensor is sized for 1/3.2" which was last used on the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5S and newer have a slightly larger 1/3" sensor, which has lower noise and greater low-light capability.
Sony has been making some pretty amazing sensors lately for larger cameras. So perhaps they've made a 1/3.2" sensor that is lower in noise than the older 1/3" sensor, and being slightly smaller and curved allows them to get rid of the much-hated camera bump? The curved sensor would also necessitate a lens redesign, so perhaps they could bump it to f/2.0 or larger to account for the smaller sensor—but that might also add the bump back in. Apple doesn't typically do design changes on "S" models, but from time to time they've done small tweaks such as moving the side buttons on the 4S, adding Touch ID on the 5S, etc. However, if they end up moving to a slightly smaller sensor (or even an unknown 1/3" curved Sony design), the sensor resolution will probably stay near 8mp, and they could potentially make larger resolution images using software and multiple exposures.
Here is a link to the story: www.sonyalpharumors.com/konica-mino...lenses-for-sony-curved-sensor-for-the-iphone/
However, there are two problems I have with the story. The first is relatively easily dismissed, talking about a lens designed to work with it that has an f/2.8 aperture. Apple wouldn't use that as the iPhone 6 is brighter at f/2.2, but I also believe that Apple designs their own lenses for the iPhone. The second, bigger problem is that the sensor is sized for 1/3.2" which was last used on the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5S and newer have a slightly larger 1/3" sensor, which has lower noise and greater low-light capability.
Sony has been making some pretty amazing sensors lately for larger cameras. So perhaps they've made a 1/3.2" sensor that is lower in noise than the older 1/3" sensor, and being slightly smaller and curved allows them to get rid of the much-hated camera bump? The curved sensor would also necessitate a lens redesign, so perhaps they could bump it to f/2.0 or larger to account for the smaller sensor—but that might also add the bump back in. Apple doesn't typically do design changes on "S" models, but from time to time they've done small tweaks such as moving the side buttons on the 4S, adding Touch ID on the 5S, etc. However, if they end up moving to a slightly smaller sensor (or even an unknown 1/3" curved Sony design), the sensor resolution will probably stay near 8mp, and they could potentially make larger resolution images using software and multiple exposures.
Here is a link to the story: www.sonyalpharumors.com/konica-mino...lenses-for-sony-curved-sensor-for-the-iphone/