Lens firm promises shake-free cameraphones
Optical stabilisation to replace digital in 2011?
Cameraphones will sport much improved image stabilisation within a year, lens manufacturer Varioptic has promised.
The company has designed its first lens to feature optical image stabilisation (OIS) and yet is also small enough to fit inside a cameraphone.
Varioptic expects phone firms to launch handsets featuring the lens, the A316S, from “early 2011”, though it's keeping mum about which manufacturers are interested – if any.
The A316S will allow users to snap stable pictures and focused videos with their cameraphone, Varioptic promised, the resulting images being on a par with those produced by compact cameras – many of which already feature OIS.
Some cameraphones currently use digital image stabilisation (DIS), but the technology isn’t as effective as OIS, Varioptic said.
DIS is usually achieved by boosting ISO sensitivity and shutter speed, both of which impact other areas of the photograph. OIS relies on a built-in sensor to detect camera shake as it occurs. The lens is moved to compensate and keep the image in focus.
Varioptic will officially unveil the technology behind its A316S lens at Mobile World Congress in Spain next month. ®
COMMENTS
hmm
can't get that excited about this. It will still be a crap lens.
Even on a £400 camera the image stabilisation doesn't exactly turn me into David Bailey!
If you want sharp pics you need to have a stable hand.
