MacStories reports on rumors that OmniVision, manufacturers of electronics components, has produced a 5MP camera module capable of shooting 30FPS 1080P video that just might be destined for the upcoming iPhone models.
There have been a lot of rumors surrounding possible camera modules for the “iPhone 5,’ including a (now largely debunked) rumor of a Sony 8MP module, as well as a possible OmniVision 8MP module – while the Sony rumor was likely fabricated, it’s quite likely that Omnivision will be the supplier for the camera module in question, and the only module with confirmed 1080P is the 5MP one, making it (in my opinion) the most likely candidate.
The sensor in question, the OV5690, was developed to produce the “best-in-class image quality” whilst being an effective solution for slimmer mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers by reducing the size of the camera module. With contradicting reports on whether the next iPhone will contain a 5 MP camera or an 8 MP camera, this new product certainly lends weight to the suggestion that it could have a 5 MP camera. In recent times Apple has been ferocious in crafting its devices to be as thin and light as possible, and this latest component by OmniVision could enable Apple to deliver on that goal with improved image quality (and 1080p video recording at 30 fps) whilst fitting into a smaller package.
From DigiTimes:
With industry sources placing 5-megapixel CMOS image sensors at more than 15 percent of the overall sensor market today, we view 5-megapixel sensors as occupying as a sweet spot in the market. (Emphasis Added)
From MacStories:
The iPhone 4 currently sports an older OmniVision camera component that is also 5 MP but only records video in 720p. Apple may well choose to stick with OmniVision and deliver a slightly improved camera in its next iPhone – which may be in line with reports of just small, evolutionary, improvements for the next iPhone. Although interestingly, OmniVision also revealed in early January that it had introduced a 10MP camera sensor that would similarly enable 1080p video recording at 30fps.
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Image: GizmoWatch