The Sony Alpha 1 may have many impressive specifications, but one that stands out as having greater implications for image-making is the sensor readout speed: it's so fast it may be able to achieve the computational photography we see in smartphones in a full-size camera.
While the idea of a curved CMOS sensor is not new, all companies to this point have only developed them as an in-house proposal project and not as a finished, commercially-ready finished product. That has changed thanks to startup, Curve-One.
German semiconductor manufacturer Infineon Technologies believes that Time of Flight, or ToF, sensors will become a standard in high-end smartphones. The company says the technology will overcome low-light focusing issues that currently plague the devices.
Sony recently published multiple promotional videos for its latest sensors aimed at the industrial space, and while it's unlikely all of the features shown have consumer applications, some might find their way to consumer cameras.
Samsung Electronics is reportedly in a position to challenge Sony's imaging sensor dominance. Sony had prioritized the supply of image sensors to Huawei, a strategy that has backfired; Samsung is apparently ready to take advantage.
As Sony's mirrorless cameras continue to grow in stature and market share in the photo industry, Sony's dominance in the imaging sensor market gives it a big advantage. At least, that's what major imaging sensor competitor TowerJazz believes.
Light and Sony have announced a new partnership to advance a future of smartphones with four or more cameras on the back.
Here's a peek of what's to come in the camera industry: Sony is reportedly getting ready to announce two new full-frame sensors, one of which will be capable of 60 megapixel photos, 16 channels, and 8K video recording.