Fujifilm Announces X-Trans CMOS Sensor

Fujifilm announced X-Pro1 interchangeable lens camera featuring 16MP APS-C size X-Trans CMOS sensor. The sensor's color filter array "paves the way for an ideal sensor that does not need an optical low-pass filter. While the optical low-pass filter is indispensable for the reduction of moiré and false color generated by conventional sensors, it also degrades resolution.

Fujifilm has developed a new color filter array that is inspired by the random arrangement of fine film grain, removing the need for an optical low-pass filter to solve moiré and false color issues. In the array, RGB pixels are arranged in 6 × 6 pixel sets with high aperiodicity (randomness). Increasing the degree of randomness eliminates the fundamental cause of moiré and false colors — a problem that occurs in conventional arrays when shooting stripes and other repeating patterns. The presence of an R, G and B pixel in every vertical and horizontal pixel series minimizes the generation of false colors and delivers higher color reproduction".

Bayer patter repeats itself
in 2 x 2 pixel units.

Higher degree of randomness with
an array of 6 x 6 pixel units. Without
using an optical low-pass filter, moire
and false colors are eliminated while
 realizing high resolution.

"Moire is tackled at its root cause by the revolutionary X-Trans CMOS sensor's color filter array. By enhancing aperiodicity (randomness) in the array arrangement, the color filter minimizes generation of both moire and false colors, eliminating the necessity for an optical low-pass filter in the lens and enabling X-Trans CMOS sensor to capture full “unfiltered” lens performance."

To process the new color filter data, Fujifilm also developed EXR Processor Pro image processor.