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Two lens makers tapped by Apple to supply 8MP cameras for iPhone 5

Apple has secured deals with two suppliers to build 8-megapixel camera lenses for the company's forthcoming next-generation handset, a new report claims.

Both Largan Precision and Genius Electronic Optical are said to be supplying smartphone lenses for the iPhone, Taiwan Economic News reported on Monday. Specifically, both are said to be providing 8-megapixel cameras for "Apple's newest iPhone 5."

The report notes that both companies were previously responsible for 5-megapixel lens modules found in the current-generation iPhone 4. Both Largan and Genius are expected to keep ahead of competition as their shipments are boosted by a massive amount of orders from Apple.

Orders from Genius and Largan reportedly pushed both companies to a combined 27.5 percent global market share last year. As sales of the iPhone continue to grow, with a record setting 20.34 million sales by Apple last quarter, both companies' shares could move even higher.

While rumors about the size, shape and even functionality of Apple's so-called "iPhone 5" have varied, one relatively consistent element in rumors leading up to the device's debut has been the camera. For months now, repots have claimed that the new handset will sport an 8-megapixel camera.

Largan was rumored as far back as May to provide the 8-megapixel camera for Apple's next iPhone. Since then, both Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal have reported that Apple's fifth-generation iPhone will have an 8-megapixel camera.

While Largan and Genius are expected to provided lenses for the 8-megapixel camera, sensors in the shooter were said in June to be ordered from OmniVision. Nearly all of the 8-megapixel sensor orders — 90 percent — were expected to be placed with the company.



72 Comments

bageljoey 19 Years · 1997 comments

Wait--there is a new iPhone coming??? Why didn't AI inform us before???

cvaldes1831 16 Years · 1832 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider

While Largan and Genius are expected to provided lenses for the 8-megapixel camera, sensors in the shooter were said in June to be ordered from OmniVision. Nearly all of the 8-megapixel sensor orders -- 90 percent -- were expected to be placed with the company.

No.

OmniVision has given very weak guidance for this quarter, which is a strong indication that they have lost a big customer.

Source: Forbes article from August 25

sheff 16 Years · 1407 comments

I got a question. Could apple do some sort of mechanism where we have optical zoom? Like keep the thing that usually goes out inside the enclosure but have it do the same zooming in magic that regular cameras do.

Before you start bashing, I know if i want a real camera I should buy a real camera, but how awesome would it be if apple figured out zoom.

matrix07 15 Years · 1993 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by sheff

I got a question. Could apple do some sort of mechanism where we have optical zoom? Like keep the thing that usually goes out inside the enclosure but have it do the same zooming in magic that regular cameras do.

Before you start bashing, I know if i want a real camera I should buy a real camera, but how awesome would it be if apple figured out zoom.

Optical zoom will degrade picture quality.

matrix07 15 Years · 1993 comments

I hope Apple do something about camera on iPhone in addition to more megapixel & a button on the lock screen. I hope they use their hardware expertise to make camera app launch instantly wheter you access it on a homescreen or a lock screen. For snapshot, sometimes a few seconds delay is already too late.