Light, the company behind the L16 multi-sensor camera, has just announced a tie-up with Sony “to jointly work on development and marketing of multi-image sensor solutions.” The agreement requires Light to recommend to its partners’ solutions using its technology, along with Sony sensors.
In a nutshell, these agreements allow Light and Sony to offer device manufacturers solutions that use the two brands’ IPs (image sensor and computational imaging solutions) in a reference design. Rather than debating which device manufacturer can integrate the design into their own smartphones.
“Smartphone manufacturers are looking to differentiate with camera expertise,” suggests Aric Marshall, head of product, Light. “Light and Sony working together can bring that expertise.”
This partnership looks to be an extension to an earlier report in July last year. Back then, Light was reported to be creating a device this year featuring five to nine lenses for the mass market.
Two companies come to mind with this announcement – Nokia and Sony. In Nokia’s case, the brand is already prepping to release the Nokia 9 PureView, which will reportedly features five sensors for its main camera. Unsurprisingly, Nokia may be the first company to actually utilise Sony and Light’s reference design.
Sony, on the other hand, could be on the path of releasing more multi-sensor devices this year, as it banks on its own high-res camera sensor. More details should come out from MWC 2019, so stay tuned.
(Source: DPReview, Digital Trend)
