Phone camera technology

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turb

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#172145 13-May-2015 06:45

Phone cameras can do so much nowadays, but where will they go in the future?
It seems a bit pointless to keep jamming pixels into them, and lenses can only get so small or nicely shaped.

I'd like to see a phone camera that moved out of the visible spectrum.

I can think of many uses for an infra red capability, and a couple for a UV capable sensor.

Sure, these cameras are expensive and specialised right now, but then GPS was the same a few years ago.

What are your thoughts?
Is anyone moving this way already?

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Batman

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#1303262 13-May-2015 06:56

Optical zoom. Bigger sensor. Less megapixels.

turb

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#1303275 13-May-2015 07:29

joker97: Optical zoom. Bigger sensor. Less megapixels.

It's still just tinkering - I want something really new!

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gzt

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#1303286 13-May-2015 08:09

http://www.wired.com/2014/10/seek-thermal-infrared-camera-iphone-android/?

Agree.

Edit: adding review

http://www.cnet.com/products/seek-thermal-camera/

Batman

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#1303287 13-May-2015 08:16

turb:
joker97: Optical zoom. Bigger sensor. Less megapixels.

It's still just tinkering - I want something really new!

if that is called tinkering then so is yours, they're not really "new" either

toyonut

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#1303316 13-May-2015 09:08

A feature needs to be useful though. Look at the 3d camera and screen fad a few years ago. LG made a phone with 3d camera and screen. I remember one guy on here bought one, but he was probably the only sale in the world. 3d got dropped.
GPS is useful on a phone, infrared and UV capture, I don't really see what benefit they bring to the average person.
I liked where HTC were going with the dual camera's for capturing depth of field etc, but it looks like that is going the way of the dinosaur too seeing as the M9 doesn't have it any more. I would have liked to see that pushed more.
I really want phones to come out with pelican imaging cameras that can do depth of field but also capture 3d images which can be turned into 3d models.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

Kopkiwi

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#1303352 13-May-2015 10:06

I'd be happy to sacrifice thinness on a phone if it meant getting some seriously good optics in there to give us fantastic zoom, enhanced night shoot. In terms of new and features? Night vision and thermal vision would be pretty awesome.

timmmay

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#1303376 13-May-2015 10:24

I have my eye on that Seek thermal camera. I might even buy it then rent it out or something, since I would only need it occasionally.

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Jaxson

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#1303450 13-May-2015 11:44

The thermal camera is a nice idea, and much cheaper now. I considered getting one for work as it's much more portable than a traditional one.

I'm pleased to see Sony opting for a high ISO ability camera, bucking the trend and opting for a low MP but very functional camera there. A computer screen is roughly 2MP in size afterall, so high MP in a cell phone with a tiny sensor makes no sense to me at all.

Sensor wise though, not a lot has happened in the last 5 years or so really, with most of the addons being software related.
What's coming is most likely 360degree photography and video, that you can look around in whilst the video is playing.

surfisup1000

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#1304416 13-May-2015 12:05

turb: Phone cameras can do so much nowadays, but where will they go in the future?
It seems a bit pointless to keep jamming pixels into them, and lenses can only get so small or nicely shaped.

I'd like to see a phone camera that moved out of the visible spectrum.

I can think of many uses for an infra red capability, and a couple for a UV capable sensor.

Sure, these cameras are expensive and specialised right now, but then GPS was the same a few years ago.

What are your thoughts?
Is anyone moving this way already?

Gimmicks on their own.

But, perhaps a combined IR/UV/Visible light camera could be used to generate better scene metadata allowing software to do some cool things (the xbox camera thingy comes to mind).