64MP Phone Cameras Are Overkill For Smartphones: Zeiss CEO

Cameras on smartphones have gone through a long period since the initial camera handset – Kyocera VP-210 that was unveiled in 1999. Phone makers are seeking their own new ways to make their cameras and device stand out among other rivals.

Accordingly, they began to add more sensors with a big resolution on their devices. And recently, sensors with 48MP resolution have been common in a series of flagship and mid-range devices. And now 64MP camera smartphones seem to be coming over the next several months. This also leads to the concern of the need for such big sensors and their advantages.

As per Michael Kaschke, CEO and President at  Zeiss Group, a sensor with 40MP resolution is more than enough for phones. In a recent interview, he said there are obviously limits in the signals to noise ratio, processing speeds, and costs which put mobile phone cameras already at the tipping point. As per his saying, over 40MP sensors could be complete overkill on devices given their limits.

Kaschke said:

He also added that Zeiss Lens aims to pay attention to devices which cater to “professionals, semi-professionals, and artistic photographers” rather than phones. But he still seeks the cooperation with phone makers and currently, his company has partnered with HMD Global for the Nokia-branded smartphones. To recall, the partnership between Nokia and Zeiss started way back since the Nokia 95 days.

Additionally, he also revealed that using multiple sensors is a way to go for phones since it assists in improving the images and treat phones as a DSLR. But he said that if consumers want to seek for professional photography, they will buy professional cameras instead of phones.