New sensor technology to double light sensitivity

Richard

According to Cnet News, Kodak today announced the development of an alternative to the Bayer pattern filter that will increase light sensitivity of existing sensors two to four times. The article is here. Basically, it uses half the cells on a sensor for color and half for luminosity. Since the method involves both hardware and firmware, it is unlikely that it can be retrofitted to existing cameras. Expect commercial implementations in 2008. In addition to using it in its own products, Kodak may license the technology to other companies.

Sounds pretty interesting to me. What do you think?

Rhuarc

Sounds very interesting. Who knows, maybe "fast glass" will become less important for the "average" SLR user. Maybe in the future my 70-300 3.5-5.6 IS will be able to get shutter speeds as though it were a 2.8.

I know this is probably wishful thinking, but it definitely makes you start to think.

Ann McRae

Kodak new low light sensor
MOD EDIT: Threads merged.

HERE. Discuss? My first thoughts - just what we all need, better cell phone cameras NOT!!!!!

quark

Adding the kodak press release.

This will be great. The sooner the better.

Nikolai

rsinmadrid wrote:

According to Cnet News, Kodak today announced the development of an alternative to the Bayer pattern filter that will increase light sensitivity of existing sensors two to four times. The article is here. Basically, it uses half the cells on a sensor for color and half for luminosity. Since the method involves both hardware and firmware, it is unlikely that it can be retrofitted to existing cameras. Expect commercial implementations in 2008. In addition to using it in its own products, Kodak may license the technology to other companies.

Sounds pretty interesting to me. What do you think?

I think the major step here is an introduction of a "pan" (omni color, i.e. luminence only) sensels. Whatever the pattern is makes not that much of a difference.
However, tne new approach essentially dampens the resolution 4 times. In essense, it suggests the replacement of the original Bayer sensel matrix
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with the same (or similar) matrix, whose each element (super sensel) is now constructed of four original sensels, where original single color sensitivity is substituted by a combination of that color AND "pan" (lightness only) sensel.
IOW, your 12MP ISO 800 image will now become 3MP ISO 200 one.

I hope the camera manufacturers will try it first, though... Looks like a lot of hardware/firmware changes for what can be certainly done in post now.