Toshiba Corporation seems to have some big things in store for camera technology.
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The Small Camera Module with Post-Focusing Technology (Takashi Kamiguri)[/caption]
Anyone who has used a camera knows the lament of misfocusing, but what if there was a way to go back? No, time travel isn't really all that practical...yet. Toshiba has conceived a harmless looking cube that could change the way we use camera phones. The tiny module contains 500,000 .03mm microlenses in front of a 5x7mm sensor and acts similar to an insect's eye. Each lens collects a slightly different image and then compiles them into one image. The camera's software measures the distance between each image, allowing you to choose what is in focus and what is not after you've taken the picture. This type of technology sounds a lot like the Lytro camera which went on sale last year and has received mixed reviews. The obvious difference is that it's in a much smaller package with the potential to fit in a smartphone. Toshiba plans to start implementing the camera in devices by the end of 2013.
The Toshiba train doesn't stop there!
It might be a little counterproductive after creating something that will further trump point and shoots, but Toshiba is attempting to level the playing field by creating a more powerful sensor for compact cameras. The TCM5115CL will be a typical 1/2.3-inch, backside-illuminated CMOS sensor with a not so typical 20MP resolution. While many of us are probably saying that pixel cramming to this extent is kind of useless when it will just start yielding weak signal to noise ratio, Toshiba's new sensor will feature pixels that collect up to 15% more light than normal. It has the potential to even shoot 1080P at 60 and 30fps. Don't ask how, it's probably some sort of photo witchcraft. The new sensor is planned to be included in point and shoots by mid 2013.
20MP, backside-lit sensor for point-and-shoot cameras