One of the biggest problems that we’ve consistently reported on has to do with the autofocus on cameras of all sorts. In several cases, they can’t focus on dark subjects in very low light. Specifically, we’re talking about humans. Yet at the same time, cameras can focus on tiny birds and find them in trees amongst branches and such. But there’s a technology long used by Polaroid that could help manufacturers with this problem: it’s Sonar.
Sonar would be an absolutely incredible alternative or assistive aid to phase detection and contrast detection for many reasons. First off, no one wants to use the LED or infrared lamp when they’re autofocusing with their cameras in the dark. It’s quite a distraction similar to someone turning the lights on in a movie theater. On top of that, sonar is literally used in nature to find things. Bats use echolocation to find prey in the dark and sometimes also to navigate. Sonar even works underwater — look at what dolphins and whales do! Sonar is even used by humans with little to no eyesight.
If it works for nature, why couldn’t it work for cameras?
It’s already been proven that LiDAR doesn’t always work — and sonar these days can be made into something almost imperceptible to humans.
Units like this one are very affordable and a manufacturer could probably buy them with a bulk discount of some sort. What’s more, weather resistant sonar units exist.
Sonar isn’t perfect though — and that’s why I say that it should be used in accompaniment to phase detection and contract detection. Sonar runs into issues with glass and other clear surfaces in front of it. But it doesn’t run into problems in a dark club with loud music playing. That also means that it surely won’t miss your subjects on the dancefloor at a wedding.
In fact, I challenge the manufacturers to come up with a better system or to incorporate this into their cameras instead of just recycling the same parts and units from Sony, Panasonic, and Tamron. The camera industry needs real innovation and something like a Canon R5 II with sonar would mean it wouldn’t have much of an issue with autofocus. The sonar units could replace the infrared lamp that no one uses anyway.
Did you know that consumer-grade underwater sonar cameras exist? Additionally, they use sonar to find fish.
The truth is that we live in a world where humans with darker skin tones can’t be found as easily as little birds using modern cameras and in low light. Lots of folks don’t even understand how to photograph people with darker skin. And we’ve all shared problems that we’ve had in the industry.
On top of all this, consider the fact that human eyesight is getting worse because we stare at screens all the time. Shouldn’t we make it so that cameras can actually make autofocus that much better in the first place?
I truly hope that the camera manufacturers take this to heart.