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Apple patent hints at massive leap in camera sensor tech, nearing human eye dynamic range
Apple is investigating new image sensor technology that promises up to 20 stops of dynamic range. Here’s what that actually means.
For reference, while there is no official dynamic range specification published for the iPhone 16 Pro Max sensor, here’s CineD’s compreheNsive estimation of the iPhone 15 Pro Max 24mm camera, which they measured using three different techniques: waveform test (“how many stops can be identified above the noise floor”), IMATEST (“signal to noise ratio for each stop”) and latitude test (“the capability of a camera to retain colors and detail when over- or underexposed”). As this Reddit discussion helps understand, by stacking the sensor on top of a chip, Apple basically adds a discrete shutter for each pixel, and processes the image for noise reduction before it even leaves the die. Cinematic HDR on mobile devices Real-time noise-free video capture Professional-quality imaging in ultra-thin form factors with a very high DR (20-stops of Dynamic Range)
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