Samsung Patent Reveals New Camera Technology with Sensor-Shift OIS

Samsung may be working on a new camera technology that offers optical image stabilisation (OIS) using a different process. A patent application filed by Samsung Electro-Mechanics at the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) has revealed an actuator that enables the movement of the sensor base plate, believed to be a sensor-shift technology similar to what Apple uses in recent iPhone models.

The patent, titled "Actuator for optical image stabilization and camera module including the same," describes an actuator that converts energy into mechanical motion for "shaking correction." A movable part is added to the sensor base plate, likely referring to the Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. This actuator moves the base plate on a moving frame, supporting the movement as claimed in the patent.

The application claims that this movement allows the camera system to offer stabilisation despite being moved around. Multiple bridges are fixed across the circumference of the movable part, supporting the entire system. This technology is expected to provide greater stabilisation in a smaller form factor, reducing the risk of lens distortion and aberration.

Typically, OIS reduces image blur caused by camera shake in smartphones. It functions by using a small gyroscope powered by a motor within the camera system, which moves and adjusts the lens in the opposite direction to the motion to keep the image feed stable. With sensor-shift technology, the image sensor moves instead of the lens, providing stabilisation.

Sensor-shift OIS technology is seen in iPhone 12 and later models. This technology offers greater stabilisation in a smaller form factor, reducing the risk of lens distortion and aberration. It also reduces blur in low-light conditions, where lens movement might reduce the amount of light that goes into the CMOS. This results in sharper videos in such conditions.

Samsung has yet to include any form of sensor-shift OIS in its smartphones. If this new technology is implemented, it could potentially improve the camera performance of Samsung devices.