Some 2020 iPhones will feature special sensor-shift stabilization technology for their cameras, according to Digitimes.
This technology, used in many high-end cameras, would further reduce camera shake on the next-gen iPhone. It differs from the optical image stabilization currently used in iPhones.
Optical image stabilization arrived on the iPhone with 2014’s iPhone 6 Plus. It has since made its way onto other iPhone models. On the triple lens iPhone 11 Pro, two of the three lenses have optical image stabilization. Both the telephoto and wide angle cameras use this tool, although the ultra-wide lens does not.
Sensor-shift stabilization differs from optical image stabilization. It works by moving the camera sensor around the image plane with electrical actuators. Any shake motion that’s detected by the on-board camera accelerometer is offset by the sensor so that it remains stationary in relation to the image recorded by the lens.
Pro-grade cameras such as those made by Olympus and Pentax cameras, alongside certain Sony and Panasonic models, already use sensor-shift image stabilization.
Digitimes’ report does not say why Apple made the change. (Or whether both types of camera stabilization could work together.)
However, it seems likely that it is just a further step to keep iPhone photography at the cutting edge of smartphone snappers. It is also not clear which of next year’s handsets will feature the tech. If it’s anything like optical image stabilization, it will debut in the premium iPhone model(s) first, then later “trickle down” to cheaper models.
Beyond cameras: iPhone 2020
With around nine months to go until 2020 iPhones arrive, we don’t yet know too much about what to expect. The biggest feature is likely to be 5G capabilities for at least some of the new devices. A redesign is also likely to be in the cards, alongside the addition of other features such as a time-of-flight 3D scanner.
If all of this comes to pass, next year’s iPhone sounds like it’ll be a must-have. Add in some improved camera capabilities, and it sounds even more tantalizing!
Source: Digitimes (paywall)
