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Poll result: 70% of 9to5Mac readers very excited by dual-camera possibilities, want Apple to go further

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We asked you yesterday to tell us how exciting you found the possibilities opened up by Apple’s patent for twin rear-facing cameras, and the results were very clear: 70.4% of you selected either ‘very exciting’ or ‘take my money.’

In addition to the possible applications I outlined in the piece, some of you had additional ideas that might be made possible by the dual-camera tech which has been rumored for the iPhone 7

One thought was to take two photos at different exposures, giving the user the chance to choose between them afterwards – or even allowing HDR video, where you can ensure that both bright and dark parts of video footage are properly exposed in the same way as the iPhone does with HDR stills.

Others wondered whether the approach might allow simulated shallow depth of field, emulating photos taken by large-sensor cameras like DSLRs and high-end compact cameras with APS-C sensors.

3D photography was another suggestion, perhaps creating images which could be used as iPhone wallpaper in a similar way to the existing parallax wallpaper images.

If you have other thoughts on how the technology could be used, do keep them coming.

Image: fiftyfootshadows.net

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Comments

  1. PMZanetti - 8 years ago

    The great thing about Live Photos is that you always some have video footage of that moment you captured. Two cameras could take to the next level, so that you could always have both fully quality stills and fully quality video of Moments.

  2. Bangali - 8 years ago

    would be great if u could shift focus after the fact like how Lytro cameras do!

    • Avieshek (@avieshek) - 8 years ago

      Kemon?

      • Bangali - 8 years ago

        Each camera would take photos with different focus points, then the software would allow the user to scroll from 1 image to the other, stopping wherever they find the best focus..at least thats how I think it works..!

    • modeyabsolom - 8 years ago

      I think with dual sensors and appropriate software that’s possible. Aren’t there some Android smartphone models that offer this facility?

      • Bangali - 8 years ago

        ye, some of the latest models do, but in my (limited) experience, they don’t seem very good. The Lytro was like magic..

    • Avieshek (@avieshek) - 8 years ago

      Apple was ab’t to take Lytro, don’t know wh’t happened. Sir Steve Jobs death delayed the deal and than forever diminished

  3. Avieshek (@avieshek) - 8 years ago

    Thank you (HDR video)

  4. 4nntt - 8 years ago

    Or the opposite of depth of field. Take two sharp photos and either combine them or allow the user to pick one or the other.

    • Ben Lovejoy - 8 years ago

      Other than close-up shots (a few feet max), the small sensor means there is virtually infinite depth of field with iPhone photos.

  5. Avieshek (@avieshek) - 8 years ago

    Qiku – Q Terra has an interesting take on dual-camera setup, better check out..

  6. uniszuurmond - 8 years ago

    As long as it’s flush, which I believe is more achievable with two cameras than one.

  7. o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

    I’ve read the technology can be used to measure distances between objects. It also enhances low light and makes the camera module much slimmer, which would mean no more camera protrusion.

  8. nightskysurfer - 8 years ago

    It’s becoming too complicated. Just make the phone thicker with greater battery life, real optical zoom, and enough with complicated gimmicks that require users to do too much!

    • Soluble Apps - 8 years ago

      Apple tend to hide the technologies they use, so as not to overwhelm.

      This would simply present a “focus” or “HDR” slider to the user.

  9. Graham J - 8 years ago

    The future is spherical photos/video. Put fisheyes on the front and back.

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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