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Sony's first 'curved sensor' photo may herald better images, cheaper lenses
We've seen plenty of curved screens, but Sony has just revealed the first picture taken with a curved image sensor that may one day bring cheaper, smaller lenses and higher photo quality. Regular, flat camera sensors have a rather large problem called "Petzval field curvature." That occurs when light rays passing through the edge of a lens fall in front of the sensor's focal plane, rather than on it. As a result, optical designers must add costly elements to lenses, which also makes them heavier and more complex. The shot above flaunted by Sony is just a test and there are no high-resolution samples available yet; in fact Sony has indicated that high-megapixel sensors may be a ways off. However, it does mark the first image shown from Sony's curved CMOS sensor and a possible new direction for its digital camera division.
