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Posts Tagged ‘Smartphone’

OmniVision launches the OV64B, a 64MP smartphone sensor with 0.7 micron pixels

28 Apr

Mobile sensor manufacturer OmniVision has announced the OV64B, a 1/2” sensor it claims is the ‘world’s first 0.7-micron 64-megapixel image sensor’ that’s destined for ultra-thin flagship smartphones.

The 1/2” sensor is built on OmniVision’s PureCel Plus-S stacked die technology and a four-cell color filter array (CFA) with on-chip hardware for re-mosaic. In addition to 64MP (9248 x 6944 pixel) stills, the sensor can also output 16MP images with what OmniVision claims is 4x the sensitivity thanks to near-pixel binning that yields images with a sensitivity equivalent to sensors with 1.4-micron pixels. Omnivision also notes 2X digital crop zoom modes are also supported at 16MP.

In terms of video, the OV64B is capable of recording 8K video at up to 30 frames per second (fps) 4K video at up to 60 fps and 4K video with electronic image stabilization (EIS) at up to 30 fps. It can achieve slow-mo capture at up to 240 fps at 1080p and 480 fps at 720p as well, with other output options including 64MP still capture at up to 15 fps and 16MP still capture at up to 30 fps with four-cell pixel binning.

The last notable feature is the sensor’s 2×2 microlens phase detection autofocus (ML-PDAF) that OmniVision claims improves autofocus accuracy, particularly in low-light situations.

No specific information is given in regards to what smartphone manufacturers may use this sensor in their devices, but OmniVision says the first smaple units should ship out to prospective clients in May 2020. It’s also no coincidence that the OV64B has specifications that align almost perfectly with the capabilities of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 chipset, which is being used in flagship Android devices around the world.

You can find out more information on the OV64B on OmniVision’s website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Huawei caught using DSLR images to promote smartphone cameras (again)

21 Apr

Huawei has once again been caught using an image captured with a DSLR to promote its mobile cameras. This issue was discovered on Chinese social media website Weibo, where Huawei published a video that contained multiple images allegedly snapped using its smartphones. According to the South China Morning Post, some of the images were traced back to a 500px user.

The issue was first spotted by photographer Huapeng Zhao, who recognized some of the images and traced them back to a 500px user named Su Tie. Rather than having been captured with a Huawei smartphone as the company’s promotional video claimed, Su Tie’s 500px account indicates the images were captured with a Nikon D850.

In a post on the matter published on Weibo, Huawei said that a ‘negligent editor’ had ‘incorrectly marked that [the DSLR images] were taken with a Huawei smartphone.’ The company thanked Huapeng for spotting the issue and apologized to the community. An updated version of the video without the DSLR images has been posted on Weibo.

This is not, however, the first time Huawei has been caught passing DSLR content off as images captured with its mobile phones.

In early 2019, for example, Huawei used stock images of a volcano captured with a DSLR to promote the zoom lens capabilities of its P30 Pro smartphone. Before that in 2018, the company was caught using an image captured with a DSLR to promote its Nova 3 smartphone. Sadly, this practice isn’t limited to Huawei — Samsung has also been caught passing off DSLR images as mobile images.

In 2018, Samsung Malaysia was caught using an image captured with a DSLR on the website for its Galaxy A8 Star handset, failing to state on the page that the image was not captured using its mobile camera and software. Before that, Samsung Brazil was caught using selfies captured with a DSLR to promote its Galaxy A8 model.

At this point in time, it’s unclear whether Huawei had received permission from Su Tie to use the images in its promotional video. The discovery highlights the importance of taking manufacturer promotional images with a grain of salt, particularly ones that look too good to be true. Though mobile camera technology, including both hardware and software, have improved considerably over recent years, they’re still no match for expensive professional camera systems.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Some Galaxy S20 Ultra smartphone reviewers report multiple camera issues

02 Mar

The Galaxy S20 Ultra, the highest-end model in Samsung’s newly unveiled S20 smartphone family, features multiple cameras, including a 108MP sensor, forming what the company refers to as a ‘groundbreaking’ mobile camera system. The phone is only available for preorder at this time, but a number of units have been shipped to tech reviewers, some of whom are reporting various camera issues ranging from autofocus problems to excessive skin smoothing.

The Verge and PC Mag are among the reviewers to describe some issues with the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s camera system, including times where it hunts for autofocus, sometimes failing to lock on to the subject. As well, the camera is said to excessively soften skin and faces, producing a heavily processed appearance. PC Mag in particular reports that the Ultra’s 100x zoom ‘isn’t that usable’ due to producing a tight and shaky picture with focus issues.

Android Central‘s Hayato Huseman shared a video recorded with the Ultra, which shows it struggling to focus for around the first five seconds of the recording:

In response to complaints, Samsung told The Verge that as part of its effort to ‘optimize performance to deliver the best experience,’ it is ‘working on a future update to improve the camera experience’ offered by the S20 Ultra. That statement is quite vague, however, raising questions over whether these problems will be fixed before the phone arrives for consumers.

Michael Fisher of Mr. Mobile argued in a recent tweet thread that S20 Ultra reviews should proceed despite the promised update because, among other things, Samsung didn’t specify what its update will fix and when it will be made available. He also points out that the S20 Ultra is quite expensive (it costs $ 1400) and that ‘consumers deserve to know whether it’s worth that premium.’

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Omnivision launches high-end 1/1.7″ 64MP smartphone image sensor

21 Feb

OmniVision might not be the most well-known image sensor maker, but the company is among the sector’s big players and its imagers can be found in a wide range of smartphone cameras.

Now Omnivision has launched a new image sensor that is set to compete with some high-end models from Sony and Samsung. The OV64C is Omnivision’s first 1/1.7? 64MP sensor with a 0.8-micron pixel size and is built on the company’s PureCel Plus stacked die technology.

It features 4K video recording with electronic image stabilization as well as an on-chip 4-cell color filter array and hardware re-mosaic, which allows for full-resolution 64MP Bayer output. In low light, the sensor can use pixel binning methods to output 16MP images with lower noise levels and better dynamic range. It also offers a 2x digital zoom crop at 16MP resolution and fast mode switch.

Other features include type-2 2×2 microlens phase detection autofocus, 8K video at 30 fps and 3-exposure, staggered HDR timing for up to 16MP video modes. Omnivision says the OV64C is designed for use in smartphone main cameras. Samples are available to industry customers now, so we should be able to see what the new chip can do when implemented in a smartphone within the next few months.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Samsung details the 108MP camera sensor tech packed in the Galaxy S20 Ultra smartphone

15 Feb

Samsung has published technical details on the 108MP ISOCELL Bright HM1 ‘Nonacell’ image sensor found in its newly launched Galaxy S20 Ultra smartphone. The image sensor features 108-million 0.8?m pixels and a 1/1.33in size, as well as Smart-ISO and Nonacell technologies to produce what Samsung claims are ‘crystal-clear’ and ‘vivid’ 8K videos and high-resolution images.

Nonacell builds upon the Tetracell technology Samsung unveiled in 2017; rather than featuring a 2×2 array like the older tech, the Nonacell features a 3×3 arrays of the same color filter. This allows chunks of nine 0.8?m pixels to be merged into what is essentially a single 2.4?m pixel. This results in more than double the light absorption offered by the Tetracell tech, according to the company.

The downside is that there is a larger gap between pixels recording different colors, meaning that the ‘re-mosaic’ algorithm, that tries to reconstruct what a conventional 1×1 Bayer sensor would have captured, faces a more difficult challenge. So you won’t ever get the lever of color resolution that a conventional 108MP sensor would give.

Other ‘advanced pixel technologies’ like Smart-ISO help produce what Samsung calls ‘ultimate results under any lighting condition,’ including particularly challenging mixed-light environments. The camera’s HDR tech involves assigning exposure lengths to each and every pixel for multiple simultaneous exposures, enabling real-time HDR previews.

Rather than using a mobile processor, Samsung says its sensor directly converts pixels via ‘an embedded hardware IP.’ Other features include electronic image stabilization that uses gyroscope hardware, Super-PD phase-detection tech and up to 3x lossless 12MP zoom that doesn’t require upscaling.

The use of ISOCELL Plus tech, meanwhile, deals with the color interference that would otherwise arise from the Nonacell system, according to Samsung:

As the number of adjoined cells increase, so does color interference, making pixel-binning technologies more challenging, While such difficulties had limited Nonacell to a theory, the HM1 was able to realize the method by adopting Samsung’s ISOCELL Plus technology, which dramatically reduces crosstalk and minimizes optical loss as well as light reflection.

In addition to the 108MP sensor, the Galaxy S20 Ultra model features a 12MP wide-angle camera and a 48MP telephoto camera, 10x Hybrid Optic Zoom and ‘Super Resolution Zoom’ that uses AI for up to 100x zoom. The model’s ‘selfie’ camera, meanwhile, features a 40MP sensor with the ability to ‘shift’ to 10MP with larger pixels for higher quality images captured in low-light settings.

The S20 and S20+ models feature lesser specs with 12MP wide-angle and telephoto cameras, as well as a 64MP telephoto camera. A full breakdown of the camera hardware found in these three smartphone models is available on Samsung’s website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Coronavirus shuts down World Mobile Conference smartphone exhibition

13 Feb

Fears around the global spread of the Coronavirus have led organizers of the world’s largest smartphone exhibition to pull the plug on the show just days before it was due to open. The Mobile World Congress was due to run from the 24th -27th February in Barcelona, Spain, but after a number of exhibitors pulled out of the show a statement was released to say that going ahead with the event was ‘impossible.’

With a large part of the smartphone industry based in the Far East close to where the virus was first detected and where the most infections have been reported, fears had grown in the industry that the coming together of so many people could become a health hazard. Only a few days ago the GSMA, the owners of the show, issued a statement that said MWC would be going ahead and listed all the precautions organizers would be taking to minimize risk to exhibitors and visitors alike. Precautions included a ban on people from the Chinese Hubei province and anyone having visited China in the previous two weeks. In the end though, the risks were seen as too great to those attending and to the population of Barcelona itself.

A truncated section of the full statement currently visible on the MWC homepage.

The show had expected to attract more than 109,000 visitors for its 2400 exhibitors, including businesses, the public and international press. The next GSMA Mobile World Congress is due to be held at the end of June in Shanghai, with a further show in Los Angeles in October. Whether these events go ahead remains to be seen, but there must be a great deal of doubt over the Shanghai exhibition as it is only four months away and movement within China is extremely restricted at the moment.

Doubt must also be cast over the CP+ photography equipment exhibition that is due to be held in Yokohama, Japan, from the 27th February. This is also now an international show that attracts exhibitors from all nations that manufacturer camera equipment. According to the CP+ website, last year’s show brought in exhibitors from 120 countries and almost 70,000 visitors. Currently, the exhibition’s website has no obvious mention of the coronavirus and doesn’t list precautions organizers will be taking to secure the health of those attending. The Diamond Princess cruiseship, quarantined with 3600 passengers and crew still aboard after the infection spread to 175 people, is docked in Yokohama harbour close by.

To find out more about the Barcelona World Mobile Conference and the 2021 exhibition see the GSMA MWC website.

Press release:

GSMA Statement on MWC Barcelona 2020 from John Hoffman, CEO GSMA Limited

12 February 2020, Barcelona: Since the first edition of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in 2006, the GSMA has convened the industry, governments, ministers, policymakers, operators and industry leaders across the broader ecosystem.

With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event.

The Host City Parties respect and understand this decision.

The GSMA and the Host City Parties will continue to be working in unison and supporting each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions.

Our sympathies at this time are with those affected in China, and all around the world.

Further updates from the GSMA, are on our website and can be found on www.mwcbarcelona.com.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Moondog Labs launches a 52mm filter holder for smartphone cameras

06 Feb

If you’d like to use your collection of lens filters not only with your DSLR or mirrorless lenses but also your smartphone camera, Moondog Labs’ latest product might be worth a closer look: the company’s new Multi-Camera Filter Mount lets you attach photo filters, for example neutral density or polarizing filters, with a standard 52mm diameter to your smartphone.

The holder works with any phone for which bayonet mount cases from manufacturers such as Moment, Rhinoshield or Sirui are available. The Moondog filter holder then clips onto the bayonet mount and, with a filter attached, covers all lenses in a multi-lens array, allowing for use with smartphone ultra-wide, standard-wide and tele lenses. Larger filters can be attached using a step-up ring.

The Moondog Labs Multi-Camera Filter Mount is available now for $ 35 on the Moondog Labs website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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ShutterGrip 2 wireless smartphone grip aims to offer camera-like ergonomics

09 Jan

The team behind smartphone accessory ShutterGrip is back with an updated version of the product called ShutterGrip 2. The new iteration of ShutterGrip has been refined to offer improved ergonomics and appearance, adding a metallic finish and a non-slip grip.

In addition to its built-in selfie stick, the ShutterGrip 2 features a threaded 1/4-inch tripod mount, integrated hex wrench for tightening the hinge, a cold shoe for mounting accessories, support for both right- and left-hand usage, as well as vertical and landscape modes for different shooting styles.

ShutterGrip 2 is compatible with Android smartphones and iPhones using Bluetooth 4.0. With an assumed average of 500 button presses per day, the ShutterGrip 2’s battery will last for six months of continuous use or 18 months in standby mode using a CR2032 button battery. Despite its various features, the device is compact at 190mm x 76mm (7.49in x 2.99in).

The ShutterGrip 2 is compatible with the iPhone 5 and newer models, as well as the Samsung A6+ through the flagship Galaxy S10 and Note 10 handsets. Eary bird units are being offered to Kickstarter backers who pledge at least $ 35; shipping is estimated to start in February 2020.

Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Oppo patent shows camera module that pops out of the side of a smartphone

04 Jan

Smartphone manufacturers have come up with a variety of solutions to maximize the screen surface to size ration on smartphones, including hole-punch front cameras, camera notches and pop-up mechanisms of various kinds.

In a patent filing found in the CNIPA (China National Intellectual Property Administration) database Oppo is now adding a new variant: the sideways pop-out front camera.

In the reference images, we can see a motorized camera module placed on the right-hand side of the phone on roughly the same height as the rear camera. The power button is located on the same side of the phone while volume rockers and SIM-tray can be found on the left. The speaker and USB-C connectors are at the bottom.

As usual, there is no way of knowing if this idea ever makes it into an actual production device but it’s good to see manufacturers are looking into new ways of optimizing space in the thin bodies of modern smartphones.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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OnePlus teases prototype smartphone with disappearing rear camera

03 Jan

OnePlus is expected to display its Concept One prototype smartphone at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next week. At this point there are no plans to put the Concept One into production, instead, the device is meant to showcase OnePlus innovation in mobile device tech.

Ahead of the show the company has already posted a teaser video on Twitter, showing an ‘invisible’ rear camera that can be hidden under the glass rear panel. According to OnePlus ‘color-shifting glass technology’ is used to achieve the effect.

The team at Wired already had the chance to have a closer look at the technology and reports OnePlus is using the same technology found in sunroofs to control the transparency of the glass panel. When inactive the camera is hidden under tinted glass. When the camera is in use, the tint can be adjusted via an electrical signal and the camera and lenses become visible behind the panel.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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