Sony is testing three different possible “foveon” alike sensors

Sony published a brand new patent (JP-A-2017-174936) which describes three different “Foveon” alike sensors. This kind of sensor doesn’t use the classic RGB pixel layout.

Embodiment 1: It shows the Green layer on top (made of organic material), the blue layer below and the red at the bottom (both made of silicon)
Embodiment 4: It shows the Green layer on top (made of organic material), the blue layer below (also organic) and the red at the bottom (made of silicon)
Embodiment 6: This has a way more complex design. Yellow and Cyan are on top. Green below (made of organic material) and the Red and Magellan layer at the bottom (made of silicon).

What do we learn from that patent?

1) Sony is still experimenting with various options. This probably means we will not see such a sensor any time soon
2) Sony believes the mix of organic and silicon made pixels can improve the poor ISO performance of current Sigma developed Foveon sensors.

I really can’t wait to see this kind of sensor on a Sony Alpha camera. It would bring a quantum leap quality jump with superb sharpness and color accuracy.

via Hi Lows Note