Panomorph Lenses

Panomorph optics - Uniquely designed to improve panoramic viewing

The concept of panomorph optics, pioneered and patented by ImmerVision, consists of generating and controlling targeted and significant optical distortions to increase the number of pixels in the target zones of interest (augmented angular and variable resolution).



This design strategy is very innovative and particularly well-suited to panoramic imaging. Of course, it is important to be able to capture an entire 360° scene, but it is often equally necessary to pay attention to the elements of the scene which are the farthest from the centre. For example, in the case of video surveillance, information on the perimeter of a scene is more pertinent than information at the nadir. Thanks to our exclusive controlled-distortion optics, ImmerVision can offer 2–4 times more angular resolution in the peripheral zone of interest, representing an increased area coverage that is 4-16 times greater than conventional fisheye solutions.

Panomorph Design Examples

Panomorph optics with simple anamorphosis

In order to obtain the maximum amount of information from a rectangular sensor, the anamorphic lens displays a minimum of 30% more pixels depending on sensor aspect ratio than a fisheye lens (55% more pixel coverage with a 16:9 sensor ratio), while maintaining a constant angular resolution of more than 180°.

ImmerVision +30% (left) - fisheye (right) 

Panomorph optics with horizontal magnification

Adding a barrel effect makes it possible to increase the resolution 2-4 times around the horizontal axis. It is possible to detect a presence from 2-4 times farther away, providing an area coverage that is 4-16 times greater than with standard optics. (Note the relative size of the people in the above example.)

An additional advantage of horizontal magnification is that it allows you to decrease the size of the sensors, thereby allowing an increase in the number of surveillance cameras without using up all available bandwidth. A fisheye system, on the other hand, requires a sensor with a minimum resolution of 2M pixels to allow face recognition (30x30 pixels) at a distance of only 2.5 meters -- a standard 310K pixel camera can get the same result with a panomorph lens.

This solution, using standard video equipment, requires 6-8 times less bandwidth, resulting in substantial economies of scale.

Panomorph horizon x3 (left) - fisheye (right) 

Panomorph optics with central magnification

Panomorph optics with central magnification give the best central performance available, with up to 6 times more resolution.

As an example, central magnification provides high quality videoconferencing images for mobile phones (optical magnification of objects) and allows photos to be taken in traditional or panoramic formats.

Panomorph center 6x (left) - fish-eye (right) 

Panomorph optics with peripheral magnification

Panomorph optics with peripheral magnification provide optimized performance from the horizontal axis.

As an example, this type of resolution pattern is used for panoramic surveillance of large areas where it is important to see objects situated further away on the periphery of the image.

Panomorph periphery 2x (left) - fish-eye (right) 

Want to know more about enabling your product with panoramic functionality?

To get more technical insights on 360° panomorph lenses and immersive software technology, feel free to download any of our white paper or contact us