Qualcomm introduces new Clear Sight dual camera system

Qualcomm introduces new Clear Sight dual camera system

Qualcomm is taking the wraps off their latest imaging product today, and the new Clear Sight system promises "astonishing results that mimic human vision."

We've seen dual-camera setups on phones before, and Qualcomm has been at the front of the pack with phones like the LG G5 and its excellent dual camera configuration. Today's news promises to improve the next generation to make things even better. Clear Sight will use two camera lenses — one color and one black and white — along with new software to allow the Spectra image signal processor to grab both images simultaneously and merge them instantly. The camera sensors are identical, outside of one important difference — a color filter. By doing this, you'll be able to take great pictures with even less available light than we can today.

One lens and its corresponding sensor has been designed to capture full-color image data, while the other takes a black and white version of the same view. Without a color filter, the black and white sensor is able to capture more of the available light. This image data will be sharper, have less noise and faster to focus. Once the two sensors are fired and the Spectra ISP gets to work, data from both cameras is combined to produce a picture that has vibrant color and is also very sharp. The package has both camera sensors and lenses on a single integrated module ready to drop in and get to work.

Clear Sight is available for the Snapdragon 820 and 821, but we have no word on which company will be the first to use it. Google has a couple of phones to show us soon, and CES is right around the corner, so chances are we won't have to wait too long to give Clear Sight a closer look.