The image sensors that have powered digital cameras for several years are about to undergo a 3D makeover.
The next generation of image sensors not only measures the light that strikes them through lenses, but they also will determine the distance of items from the camera, essentially allowing them to "see" in 3D.
I wrote about Fujifilm's 3D digital camera system that the company is researching several weeks ago. Fujifilm's system uses two image sensors to create a 3D result. The next generation of 3D sensors would use just one sensor.
Look for the 3D sensors to initially appear in gaming platforms. For example, Microsoft recently announced Project Natal, which is a gaming interface that will use a 3D video camera to read and respond to the natural movements of the game player. (Microsoft's announcement did not include any projected release dates.)
3D sensors eventually could appear in and improve the performance of video cameras and still cameras. With still digital cameras, the 3D sensors could improve the speed of auto-focus features, for example.
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