iPhone Camera

Evidence is mounting that Apple is working on several projects related to light field photography, for possible inclusion on future devices. While specs on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 cameras are not currently known, Apple patent activity and a recent acquisition revolve around advanced imaging technologies. Light field images were first made widely available with the launch of the Lytro camera, which makes it possible to capture an image and refocus afterwards.

Apple is continually improving the iPhone camera, and it comes as no surprise the company has been awarded another patent in this area. The latest, simply titled Digital Camera with Light Splitter illustrates a possible camera upgrade for future iPhones.

According to AppleInsider, the design would further improve low-light performance and color accuracy. The camera works by splitting incoming light into red, green and blue wavelengths. This would allow three independent imaging sensors to capture the scene.

Reading a QR code can be as easy as opening the iOS Camera app. The jailbreak tweak QR Mode adds a Scanner function directly to the stock camera, right between the Photo and Square options. Reading a QR code is acheived by opening the scanner and aiming the camera at the code.

The code is automatically read by QR Mode as soon as possible, then the real fun begins. Not only is information stored in the code displayed, appropriate actions related to the type of QR code appear. This means following links, dialing phone numbers, searching Google, or seeing locations on a map are just a touch away.

With over 10 billion photos uploaded in 2014, Flickr has plenty of data to crunch on popular cameras. Each year the company takes a look at the ongoing trends in camera use amongst its 100 million users. Smartphone ownership continued to grow last year, with Apple and Samsung making significant gains on Flickr.

According to the Flickr blog, Apple has now overtaken Nikon in the race for second place ranking. Canon retains the top spot with 13.4 percent ownership, with Apple and Nikon following at 9.6 and 9.3 percent respectively. For its part, Samsung surpassed Sony in 2014, taking fourth place with 5.6 percent. This leaves Sony in fifth place at Flickr with 4.2 percent ownership.

With every generation of iPhone comes camera improvements, as Apple continues its tradition of high-quality imaging and display. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, while not changing the game completely, feature substantial improvements over the iPhone 5s camera. The raw number of megapixels has not increased past the 8MP seen in the 5s. However, Apple has improved the image sensor and added several still and video capabilities.

Rumors that Apple would increase the number of megapixels on the iPhone 6 did not pan out. Specific components were even cited, however the 13 megapixel Sony Exmor IMX220 image sensor did not make the cut in the production iPhone 6. Improved Face Detection, a protruding lens ring, and a redesigned circular True Tone flash are all new to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. But what else has been changed in the latest iSight cameras?