Light camera startup wants to revolutionize smartphone photos

MANILA, Philippines – Light, one of the newest startups in Silicon Valley, is generating buzz with their technology that aims to put 52-megapixel cameras into smartphones. They also expect it to be done by next year.

In an exclusive look by MIT Tech Review, the company revealed their plan on putting several small cameras, each with its own sensor, and digitally combining the images via software in order to create a high-resolution photo. The software would also allow users to choose the focus of the image later, after the photo has been shot.

Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Rajiv Laroia explained further that the camera takes a picture from slightly different perspectives, depending on the zoom level the user has chosen.

The zoom level determines which camera will fire and how the mirror of each module would move to generate the intended result. In theory, this would allow for better zoomed-in images, though that would still depend largely on the quality of the sensor and the lens.

Light is said to be pushing for the project now because of the significant decline in the cost of manufacturing materials for small cameras, thanks to the sudden boom of smartphone photography.

It’s worth noting, however, that Light technology will add to the physical size of a smartphone, expected to be similar to a current phone with a case.

CEO Dave Grannan also said that a Light camera will add $50-$60 dollars to the cost of a phone, which is significantly higher than that of a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, whose two cameras cost a total of $21.50.

Light is expected to reveal next week a deal with Foxconn about its investment in the project and will license the technology for use in mobile devices. – Rappler.com