Samsung Electro-Mechanics employees are holding a new folded camera module. Provided by Samsung Electro-Mechanics
Samsung Electro-Mechanics has launched a new camera module (photo) that has enhanced the’optical zoom’ function while minimizing the’Katuktu’ (camera protrusion) of the smartphone.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced on the 1st that “We are developing an optical 10x zoom folded camera module and supplying it to global smartphone makers.” The new camera module is known to be installed on Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S21 smartphone.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics is the first to implement optical 10x zoom through a’folded’ type camera module in a smartphone camera. The folded module refers to a component that secures a focal length by refracting light in the form of a periscope.
Optical zoom is a function that pulls a distant subject closer without deteriorating the image quality to take a picture. Higher magnification optical zoom can be implemented as the’focal distance’, which means the distance between the image sensor and the lens, increases. The camera module has no choice but to thicken.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics developed a folded camera module in 2019, and succeeded in implementing a 5x optical zoom while minimizing’Katuktu’. However, even if the folded method is applied, the size of the camera module increases if the optical zoom magnification is enlarged from 5 times to 10 times. To solve this problem, Samsung Electro-Mechanics developed a’Dual Folded Camera Module’, which refracts light twice to double the focal length and increases the camera module length by only 25%. Also, to lower the height of the camera module, a lens cut off the top and bottom of the lens was applied. This lens is difficult to manufacture because it is difficult to adjust the flatness that affects the light transmittance.
In addition, the loss that can occur in the process of refraction of light is minimized with a low-loss surface coating technology. By applying a high-sensitivity sensor ball guide actuator, it is possible to obtain a clear picture with precise image stabilization even at a long lens working distance.
Ik-chan Shim, head of the module development team at Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Executive Vice President) said, “As camera modules are used as a major differentiating point for smartphones, the market demand for ultra-small and high-magnification optical zoom is growing.” We are supplying differentiated products that customers want with our own technology to design and manufacture.”
Camera modules are used in various fields such as smartphones and automobiles. High-level technology such as high definition, compact size, slimming and low power consumption, and high rigidity is required. Samsung Electro-Mechanics is supplying camera modules to major smartphone makers based on core technologies required for camera modules, such as lens design and mold technology, and internalization of high-performance actuator manufacturing. Based on the technology accumulated in mobile, it is also expanding transactions with global automakers.
Reporter Hwang Jeong-soo [email protected]
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