Epson develops new Ultimicron panel for electronic viewfinders

Seiko Epson Corporation has developed a new high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) TFT color panel for electronic viewfinders used in mid- to high-end digital interchangeable lens system cameras. The new panel will be revealed for the first time at Epson's booth (Hall 2.2, booth B13) at Photokina 2012 in Cologne, Germany, from September 18 to 23.

Epson's latest Ultimicron panel offers the resolution and fidelity needed to focus the image while providing the ability to recreate smooth gradations and a natural softness. In addition, the use of a color filter prevents the color break-up that tends to occur with other color systems when shooting fast-moving subjects and while panning.

Measuring just 0.48 of an inch diagonally, the new panel offers XGA (1024 x 768) resolution in red, green and blue for a total of 2.36 megapixels. It is the latest addition to Epson's renowned ULTIMICRON series, which already includes a 0.47-inch SVGA panel and a 0.52-inch QHD panel.

"We are delighted to increase our Ultimicron series offering to the market," said Nobuyuki Shimotome deputy chief operating officer of Epson's Visual Products Operations Division. "With superbly sharp images that are faithful to the original, electronic viewfinders have become an important element of light, compact digital single lens reflex cameras. Epson's new panel is ideal for the growing number of customers who are seeking ever higher resolutions and an ever better experience from their cameras."

Electronic viewfinders are employed mainly as the finders - the small windows used to view the subject of a photo - in digital single-lens reflex cameras and camcorders using LCD screens. Epson's Ultimicron electronic viewfinders have the advantages of both high resolution and of being highly compact. This makes it easy for manufacturers to make the camera compact, and for users to focus the camera when taking pictures.