Olympus patents 25mm f/2.8 and 24-41mm f/4.5-5.6 3D lens

Olympus has filed for a patent which describes a 3D lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras, allowing photographers to capture the same frame from different angles, thus creating a 3D photo.

The next big thing in technology was supposed to be 3D. However, it did not take off as companies would have expected and this trend is actually fading away.

As 3D is no longer something big, the next important step is 4K video resolution. Anyway, this does not mean that manufacturers have completely abandoned 3D technologies, as it has been discovered that Olympus has patented a 3D lens aimed at Micro Four Thirds cameras.

Olympus has received the approval for a 25mm f/2.8 and 24-41mm f/4.5-5.6 3D lens patent designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras.

Olympus files patent for 3D lens designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras in Japan

Digital imaging companies thought that they had hit the jackpot when the whole world was conquered by the 3D mirage. Products compatible with 3D technology were cool and expensive. Moreover, people wanted them, but this trend is mostly dead and gone.

Still, this does not mean that Olympus and others cannot continue to work on 3D products. Panasonic has released a 12.5mm f/12 3D lens for Micro Four Thirds shooters in the past and it seems like a new 3D lens is in the works. However, Olympus is the one which might release it.

Olympus integrates zoom and single focus using 25mm f/2.8 and 24-41mm f/4.5-5.6 3D lens system

The patent discovered in Japan describes a 25mm f/2.8 and 24-41mm f/4.5-5.6 3D lens. It has been designed to work with Micro Four Thirds cameras and it shows that Olympus has managed to find a way to integrate zooming with single focusing.

The full technical details are unknown, but it is certain that the lens will allow photographers to hit the shutter button and capture two views of a single frame. The camera will then combine the photos, creating a 3D view.

Panasonic 12.5mm f/12 3D lens may soon become a powerful competitor

Olympus has not confirmed this technology, but the patent describes a 25mm lens made out of five elements divided into four groups with one aspherical element. Moreover, the 24-41mm f/4.5-5.6 model consists of seven lenses separated into seven groups with two aspherical elements.

For the time being, this is the full information. 3D may be revived soon, but it remains to be seen whether Olympus will provide competition to Panasonic’s 12.5mm f/12 3D lens, which is available at Amazon for a price of $78.26.