Shooting in low light situations can be a source of frustration. Eastman Kodak aims to change that with its new image sensor technology, expected to be available in products in 2008. The company describes the technology as a “groundbreaking achievement,” and if it works as described, that might not be hyperbole: The new technology makes CCD and CMOS image sensors more sensitive to light. That means sharp pictures, even in low-light environments. The newly introduced technology could transform digital photography for both professional and casual shooters alike. “We have a new technology for how to manufacture image sensors in a way that increases the sensitivity of the device to light by two to four times what’s available today,” says Mike DeLuca, Eastman Kodak market segment manager for professional and applied imaging. This basically means that you can expect better performance and reduced motion blur when taking pictures in low lighting.

Kodak’s new approach builds on the image sensor technology widely in use today, which is based on the “Bayer Pattern,” an arrangement of red, green, and blue pixels introduced by Kodak scientist Dr. Bryce Bayer in 1976. The pixels work together with the image sensor to collect light. Enter Kodak’s new high-sensitivity image sensor. “We’re introducing a fourth pixel in addition to red, green, and blue,” DeLuca says. “This one is clear–panchromatic–so all wavelengths of light go through and are detected by the pixel. Those panchromatic pixels are more sensitive, because they do not filter out any light [striking the sensor]. We can then use those panchromatic pixels to increase the sensitivity of the sensor, and use the color pixels to collect the color information that ends up in the final image.” I think I’m not the only one who faced various difficulties taking pictures in dark and this new technology could be really useful for all of us.

Source: PC World 

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