TNC exclusive: We have spotted a Nikon DSLR patent without Phase AF sensor. Although from the patent it’s very clear that the DSLR is using Hybrid AF Sensor and the camera will carry pixels block (AF segments) . These pixel block can be determined by camera CPU or by user itself. We have got hints in past that Nikon is working on Canon 200D II / SL3 / 250D competitor. More or less this patent sure confirm that News.
1. Sensor of the camera
The sensor of the camera isn’t a traditional sensor, but based on patent description it’s a hybrid sensor with dedicated AF zones.
We have added a patent translated description if you want to dig up more details. In the entire description as well as in image the Phase AF sensor part / module is missing.
2. Nikon DSLR Patent Image
So, finally Nikon is moving in into the era of Hybrid DSLR by removing the Phase AF module, however it also indicate the phase AF pixels of the camera sensor will remain always active even in viewfinder mode, display mode as well as video mode.
Translated patent details (Machine translation)
Translated Patent Details
The camera body 600, the lens mount 550 is coupled. The camera body 600 includes a mirror 672 on the side of the third direction than the body mount 660. Mirror 672 is fixed to the shaft so as to be rotatable between the lens unit 500 and obliquely disposed position provided inclined with respect to the subject light flux entering the third direction, and a retracted position retracted from the subject light flux .
If the mirror 672 is in the obliquely disposed position, most of the subject light beam incident through the lens unit 500 is guided is reflected on the mirror 672 in the focusing plate 652. Focusing screen 652 is disposed on the light receiving surface a position conjugate with the image pickup device 200 to visualize an object image optical system of the lens unit 500 has been formed. Formed focusing screen 652 subject image is observed from the finder 650 through a pentagonal prism 654 and the finder optical system 656.
Focusing screen 652, pentaprism 654, the mirror 672 is supported in the mirror box 670 as a structure. Image sensor 200 is attached to the mirror box 670. Mirror 672 is retracted to the retracted position, if the front curtain and rear curtain of the shutter unit 340 is opened, the subject luminous flux transmitted through the lens unit 500 reaches the light receiving surface of the imaging element 200.
The opposite side of the shutter unit 340 to the imaging device 200, the body board 620 and the rear display unit 634 are sequentially disposed. Rear display unit 634 in which the liquid crystal panel or the like is employed, located on the back of the camera body 600.The body board 620, CPU 622, electronic circuits such as the image processing unit 624 are implemented. The output of the image sensor 200 is delivered to the image processing unit 624.
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