This is NOT surprise. While Konika-Minolta stopped to make their own lenses they still are in the business to design lenses for others! And a brand new Japanese patent spotted by Egami shows how they are working on a 20mm f/2.8 lens designed for a small-sized curved 1/3.2 inch sensor. I guess that kind of sensor will find his way in future iPhones as first. Just recently Sony also patented a 35mm f/1.8 lens for a Full Frame sensor. I guess we are now really close to see such kind of sensors used on smartphones and high-end cameras.
The advantages of having a curved sensor is that lenses do not have to correct for corner issues. It means lenses can be smaller and/or brighter compared to classic lenses designed for flat sensors.
from sonyalpharumors
