Sony takes 3D challenge with single-lens camera

Exhibiting at IBC, a prototype was shown for the first time at the CEATEC Japan 2009 exhibition, and highlighted the technology used, which combines an optical system for single lens 3D camera, capturing the left and right images simultaneously to deliver 3D images with no accommodation-vergence conflict. The camera eliminates the need for lens synchronisation, and allows accurate control of 3D zoom and focus functions.

When polarised glasses are not used, viewers will still be able to see 2D images, as the disparity of the images for left and right eyes are within the range that human eyes can recognise as a blur.

The camera measures 240 x 200 x 480mm, and the main body weighs 18kg. It has a 3.5in view finder and uses a CMOS image sensor.

Optical tests have shown that a frame rate of 240fps represents the limit of human visual perception, and beyond that it becomes difficult to detect differences in terms of blur and ‘jerkiness’ of moving images.