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Instead of a single lens, the camera uses 100 small lenses and CCDs packed into an array. It uses cheap mass produced plastic lenses (the type used in disposable cameras) and cheap, low spec CCDs
When you take a picture, some clever piece of software combines the 100 low quality images to produce
a single high quality image. Defects in the lenses and CCDs are subtracted out of the underlying image by comparison of the large number of pictures.
The advantages:
* Can potentially take very high quality images, but is cheaper to manufacture than a professional camera. a) The relationship between CCD price and CCD size is non-linear b) Does not need a high spec lens.
*The light-capturing cross-section is what fundamentally limits image quality for short exposures. This camera has a high cross-section but does not require large and heavy lenses.
*Flatter than a comparable camera with a single lens.
Scientific paper on same
http://www.suss-mic.../MOC-04_Duparre.pdf
[DrCurry, Jul 18 2006]
Shoot first, focus later
http://www.newscien...d=online-news_rss20
Using 90,000 lenses [fridge duck, Jul 18 2006]
Ah, just how to make a compound eye
http://underdone.mu...com/journal/item/63
...not a camera. [DrCurry, Jul 18 2006]
[link]
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There was an article in the NY Times not too long ago about using the compound eye approach for cameras. Not sure I'll be able to find it. |
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Not only does this allow the benefits that you stated, but it also allows depth of field to be adjusted as a post-process by simply choosing which feature you wish to be in focus, and aligning the multiple images to match. Also, since each image is captured from a slightly different point, it can be used to generate a depth map (3-d imaging). |
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If it weren't for the fact that this technique was already in the oven with the burners lit, I'd bun it. |
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I don't know what kind of quality will be possible if the image is going to be made by low quality optics - but on the subject of post-exposure focussing, have a looksee at the link. |
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//I don't know what kind of quality will be possible if the image is going to be made by low quality optics// |
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If each lens is slightly different, in theory the defects of the lenses should cancel out. I am assuming that low quality lenses are capable of producing high quality images within a narrow range of parameters. |
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I could imagine, for example, using only one colour channel per lens, and placing red/green/blue filters in front of a third of the lenses respectively. That way, chromatic abberration is eliminated and there is no need to use exotic materials. |
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