Chinese smartphone giant Oppo has announced multiple new camera innovation technologies at its event today. The upgrades are primarily around smartphone camera sensors, modules and algorithms. Oppo stated that it has been focusing on self-development and optimisation of underlying imaging technologies in order to enable users to “capture the beauty in life with ease”. Among the newly-announced camera innovation are Oppo’s new RGBW sensor, 5-200mm Continuous Optical Zoom, Five-axis OIS technology, and next-generation under-screen camera with a series of proprietary AI algorithms. Let’s take a look at the new camera innovation tech announced at the Oppo event.
Oppo introduces new RGBW sensor
Oppo has announced a new RGBW sensor at its camera innovation event. The new sensor is said to enhance light sensitivity with improved colour performance. The sensor does so by introducing additional white sub-pixels, DTI technology, and Oppo’s self-developed 4-in-1 pixel algorithm. As a result, the new sensor allows for 60% more light to be captured than previous sensors while achieving an up to 35% reduction in noise to deliver much clearer and brighter images in low-light conditions. The next-generation RGBW sensor is also able to make portraits more expressive in both photo and video with enhancements to skin, texture, and contrast. The new sensor will be commercially released in Oppo products from Q4 2021.
New 85-200mm continuous optical zoom
At the camera innovation event, Oppo unveiled its new 85-200mm Continuous Optical Zoom module, which adopts the glass + plastic (G + P) technology. It uses two ultra-thin, high-precision aspheric glass lenses to significantly boost optical effects, such as minimising stray light. There is also a tunnel magnetoresistance sensor (TMR sensor) that allows the lenses within the camera module to move with more stability and precision. Lastly, there is an upgraded guiding shaft motor, which increases the dynamic tilt at which the lens system can be moved. This helps in easily supporting continuous optical zoom at higher magnifications between 85mm and 200mm.
Oppo claims that its new optical zoom tech avoids common problems like jumping, white balance inaccuracy, or colour bias that conventional multi-camera zoom systems may experience.
Five-axis optical image stabilisation (OIS)
Oppo has introduced its new Five-axis OIS, which allows the system processor to receive movement data from the gyroscope, analyse and break it down into its respective components through algorithms. The data is then passed to the two moveable components: the lens and the image sensor, which are driven by ball-bearing motors and shape memory alloys, respectively.
When the movement is relatively small, images are stabilised mainly through lens-shift OIS – covering horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) shifting. When the amplitude of the movement is relatively large, however, sensor-shift OIS will also be utilised – including horizontal shifting (x), vertical shifting (y), and rolling – together with algorithm compensation, to achieve stabilisation in five-axis of space.
Oppo claims that its five-axis OIS offers three times better stabilisation than traditional tech on mobile phones. It can help significantly improve stability, clarity, and colour performance; increasing the vibration compensation performance by up to 65% in night and motion shots, the company added.
Oppo under-screen camera tech and algorithm
Lastly, the company also introduced its new under-screen camera tech. It uses transparent wiring and a new design to offer a much finer display quality with a smoother visual experience. Oppo claims that the new algorithmic compensation tech precisely controls the chromaticity and brightness of the entire screen, with a deviation of only about 2% and an improved screen lifespan of up to 50%.
In addition to this, the company’s research team has also developed a series of imaging AI algorithms. These include diffraction reduction, anti-condensation, HDR, and Automatic White Balance (AWB). The algorithms claim to optimise the imaging quality of the under-screen camera.
