Sensor-Shift Technology Could Bring Image Stabilization to Ultra-Wide Lens on 2020 iPhones

[MacRumors]

Apple's high-end 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch iPhones in 2020 will adopt sensor-shift image stabilization technology, according to a paywalled report today from hit-or-miss Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes.

While details are slim, sensor-shift technology could bring image stabilization to the ultra-wide lens on high-end 2020 iPhones.

iPhone 11 Pro models feature optical image stabilization for both photo and video, but only when using the wide-angle or telephoto lenses. Sensor-shift technology could change this, as the stabilization would apply to the camera sensor itself and not be dependant on any specific lens.

Sensor-shifting image stabilization could also result in better shots with attachable lens accessories like the OlloClip.

The report backs rumors that the high-end 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch iPhones will each sport a triple-lens rear camera system with time-of-flight 3D sensing. Largan Precision is said to be the primary supplier of the lenses, fulfilling 80 percent of orders, with Genius Electric Optical picking up the remaining 20 percent.

Taiwan-based ALPS will supply motors for the sensor-shifting stabilization, and Sony will offer CMOS image sensors, the report adds.

Article Link: Sensor-Shift Technology Could Bring Image Stabilization to Ultra-Wide Lens on 2020 iPhones

 

[jav6454]

I thought the Ultra Wide was already optical stabilized

 

[BootsWalking]

There's another benefit to implementing sensor-shift - ultra-high resolution imaging by taking multiple exposures with the sensor shifted a pixel or 1/2 pixel between exposures. It's only feasible in good light, so that the burst can be done quickly and at fast shutter speeds, unless the users mounts the camera/phone on a tripod.

 

[chfilm]

I thought the Ultra Wide was already optical stabilized

I don’t think so, otherwise the images wouldn’t look so incredibly bad in poor lighting conditions..

 

[Joe Rossignol]

I thought the Ultra Wide was already optical stabilized

Just the Wide and Telephoto on iPhone 11 Pro. And just the Wide on iPhone 11.

 

[recoil80]

I thought the Ultra Wide was already optical stabilized

It is not. OIS is more important on the telephoto lens but it would be a nice addition to the ultra wide for low light shots

 

[farewelwilliams]

digitimes is always making up bs

ultrawide doesn't need stabilization.

 

[ruka.snow]

Ultra wide tends not to need IS as camera shake doesn’t impact the final image like it does when you are dealing with a telephoto. IS in general is good in the 70mm + range or their equivalent phone camera range.

 

[Mousse]

You guys claiming ultra wide not needing IS probably don't drink 50 cups of coffee before a photo shoot.

 

[JPack]

Ultra wide tends not to need IS as camera shake doesn’t impact the final image like it does when you are dealing with a telephoto. IS in general is good in the 70mm + range or their equivalent phone camera range.

IS greatly imrpoves panoramas, for both the wide and ultra wide lenses.

 

[ruka.snow]

IS greatly imrpoves panoramas, for both the wide and ultra wide lenses.

So does cropping

 

[alexandr]

seems like the 2020 model is going to be everything that the 2019 model should've been!

 

[JPack]

So does cropping

Cropping a panorama does nothing to improve the image quality.

There is where image stabilization comes in handy.

 

[anthogag]

Even better image stabilization is welcomed. Zooming a picture should be clearer.

iOS should get rid of the pinch-zoom limit in the photos app. Let me zoom-in as much as I want. Right down to the pixel.

 

[cocky jeremy]

Forget OIS. I want night mode for it!

 

[tridley68]

If this all plays out the 2020 phone is going to be great in my opinion.

 

[recoil80]

If this all plays out the 2020 phone is going to be great in my opinion.

I think they'll postpone some features.
2020 is the year of 5G and there may be a new design. They need to have something for the S version of the phone in 2021, it may be a new powerful chip but also camera and who knows, maybe some new tech like under the screen TouchID.

 

[The Game 161]

2020 could be a stunning device

 

[44267547]

seems like the 2020 model is going to be everything that the 2019 model should've been!

Why? The 2019 iPhone was the first to introduce the ‘triple lens camera’, wouldn’t you expect Apple to build off of that for the 2020 year? That seems feasible. Considering that they ration their features annually, there’s zero reason the 2019 iPhone _should_ be the 2020 iPhone, when it’s an incremental building process.

 

[alexandr]

Why? The 2019 iPhone was the first to introduce the ‘triple lens camera’, wouldn’t you expect Apple to build off of that for the 2020 year? That seems feasible. Considering that they ration their features annually, there’s zero reason the 2019 iPhone _should_ be the 2020 iPhone, when it’s an incremental building process.

yes, which is one of the only significant differences from the x/xs models. better battery and the lack of 3d touch, which is quite a significant, yet negative difference, especially given the "pro display" statement. with that said - the notch is the same as two years before, no significant improvement to face id, no reverse charging and so on.

 

[cmaier]

None of this makes much sense to me. Stabilization is not all that useful for wide focal lengths. And the idea in many of the articles discussing this rumor, that you can stabilize the sensor and therefore not have to stabilize “all three lenses,” seems to based on the weird misunderstanding that there is one sensor with three lenses and not three sensors, each with its own lens.

 

[Strokee]

I think they'll postpone some features.
2020 is the year of 5G and there may be a new design. They need to have something for the S version of the phone in 2021, it may be a new powerful chip but also camera and who knows, maybe some new tech like under the screen TouchID.

This ^
Those of you thinking that they’re putting everything in these rumors into the 2020 iPhones will be disappointed.

 

[coolfactor]

yes, which is one of the only significant differences from the x/xs models. better battery and the lack of 3d touch, which is quite a significant, yet negative difference, especially given the "pro display" statement. with that said - the notch is the same as two years before, no significant improvement to face id, no reverse charging and so on.

Seems like you want change for change's sake. The notch is a non-issue. Face ID _is_ improved... it works at a broader angle. Reverse charging is brand new technology that can't be good for battery life. We'll likely see it simply because the competition has it, but don't expect it to be nice to your battery.

 

[alexandr]

Seems like you want change for change's sake. The notch is a non-issue. Face ID _is_ improved... it works at a broader angle. Reverse charging is brand new technology that can't be good for battery life. We'll likely see it simply because the competition has it, but don't expect it to be nice to your battery.

no, i don't want change for the sake of change, but if there is a new model being released imho it should have enough improvements in order to cost as much as iphones "pro".
sure, it's improved, but it still doesn't work in landscape mode, which would've been an actual improvement worth mentioning. i wouldn't use reverse charging unless it was the last resort, but samsung has had it for over a year now. just saying.

 

[brucemr]

no, i don't want change for the sake of change, but if there is a new model being released imho it should have enough improvements in order to cost as much as iphones "pro".

Phone price is for the phone, not for the incremental improvements vs. last years model.