14 DAY TRIAL // With all the fuss around this year's first important electronics show, CES 2014, manufacturers like Toshiba are also working around the clock to introduce their new imaging sensors to potential buyers.
In a recent press release, the Nippon electronics maker announced that the company had already started shipping the first Dual Camera Module samples (TCM9518MD). These are industry's first dual camera modules capable of capturing both image and depth data.
This means that future smartphones, tablets, or any other mobile devices that will incorporate this module will allow you to easily change the image focal point after the photo has been taken. Similar technology can be found in the Lytro camera, which captures the entire light field, giving you the possibility to manipulate focus any way you see fit.
The TCM9518MD integrates twin 5-megapixel CMOS camera modules in 1/4-inch optical format that are capable to output recorded images and depth data at the same time.
When used in combination with various applications, the module allows you to focus and defocus the image as you like, and even enables you to extract and erase objects from your photos with the utmost ease.
In addition to that, the module also allows users to adjust the point of focus without the need of a lens moving mechanism thanks to the digital focus function support. Moreover, the image processing IC can upscale images taken with the twin 5MP camera and generate 13MP photos.
TCM9518MD has a lower height than conventional 13MP camera modules, measuring only 18mm x 12mm x 4.65mm (0.7inch x 0.5inch x 0.2inch). Furthermore, the CMOS sensors have a pixel size of 1.4 micrometers.
Recently, Sony has also announced that the company now holds 50% market share for digital camera and camcorder image sensors. Stay tuned, as quite a few more announcements are about to be revealed at CES 2014.