The future of the Foveon X3 sensor
Will the Foveon 10 megapixel X3 Pro CMOS sensor ever take off? On paper the sensor does sound very impressive with the following information from its specification sheet.
"The Foveon X3® Pro 10M is a 1.7 FLM (focal length multiplier)* high-resolution CMOS direct image sensor that incorporates breakthrough Foveon X3 technology. Newly enhanced, the latest version Pro 10M sensor achieves significantly longer exposure times, broader ISO selection, and improved dynamic range over its F7X3-B91 predecessor. Foveon X3 direct image sensors capture full-measured color images through a unique stacked pixel sensor design. By capturing full-measured color images, the need for indirect color interpolation and artifact-reducing blur filters is eliminated. As a result, the Foveon X3 Pro 10M delivers the highest effective resolution possible without color artifacts for the 1.7 FLM optical format. The Foveon X3 Pro 10M features the powerful VPS (Variable Pixel Size) capability. VPS provides the on-chip capability of grouping neighboring pixels together to form larger pixels that are optimal for high frame rate, reduced noise, or dual mode still/video applications. Other advanced features include: low fixed pattern noise and ultra-low power consumption."
So far the only digital SLR camera to have this sensor is the Sigma SD10.
Phil Askey from dpreview.com with his in depth review of the Sigma SD10 mentions the excellent sharpness of the sensor and says "Just like the SD9 the SD10 delivers extremely sharp and detailed images, the X3 sensors ability to capture the distinct color of a single pixel without being influenced by neighboring pixels means that we see levels of detail not achieved by any other sensor."
On the other hand as for the future of this sensor he concludes with "..Looking back at my SD9 review I stand by much of what I said about the X3 sensor being 'the first step in what must be seen as a revolution in digital photography'. Unfortunately the stranglehold the Bayer sensor and those mega-corporations who make them have on the market has ensured that we haven't yet seen the X3 sensor in another digital SLR"
Although I would like to see more development of this sensor in other cameras from other manufacturers, I have to agree with Phil that the likelihood is very small.
Click here for the Foveon X3 spec sheet
"The Foveon X3® Pro 10M is a 1.7 FLM (focal length multiplier)* high-resolution CMOS direct image sensor that incorporates breakthrough Foveon X3 technology. Newly enhanced, the latest version Pro 10M sensor achieves significantly longer exposure times, broader ISO selection, and improved dynamic range over its F7X3-B91 predecessor. Foveon X3 direct image sensors capture full-measured color images through a unique stacked pixel sensor design. By capturing full-measured color images, the need for indirect color interpolation and artifact-reducing blur filters is eliminated. As a result, the Foveon X3 Pro 10M delivers the highest effective resolution possible without color artifacts for the 1.7 FLM optical format. The Foveon X3 Pro 10M features the powerful VPS (Variable Pixel Size) capability. VPS provides the on-chip capability of grouping neighboring pixels together to form larger pixels that are optimal for high frame rate, reduced noise, or dual mode still/video applications. Other advanced features include: low fixed pattern noise and ultra-low power consumption."
So far the only digital SLR camera to have this sensor is the Sigma SD10.
Phil Askey from dpreview.com with his in depth review of the Sigma SD10 mentions the excellent sharpness of the sensor and says "Just like the SD9 the SD10 delivers extremely sharp and detailed images, the X3 sensors ability to capture the distinct color of a single pixel without being influenced by neighboring pixels means that we see levels of detail not achieved by any other sensor."
On the other hand as for the future of this sensor he concludes with "..Looking back at my SD9 review I stand by much of what I said about the X3 sensor being 'the first step in what must be seen as a revolution in digital photography'. Unfortunately the stranglehold the Bayer sensor and those mega-corporations who make them have on the market has ensured that we haven't yet seen the X3 sensor in another digital SLR"
Although I would like to see more development of this sensor in other cameras from other manufacturers, I have to agree with Phil that the likelihood is very small.
Click here for the Foveon X3 spec sheet
posted by vdaswong at 5:28 AM
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