What is an OLED display?

An OLED display uses a relatively new technology called OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes). OLED displays are brighter, more efficient, thinner and feature better refresh rates and contrast than other display technologies.

OLEDs are made by placing thin films of organic (carbon based) materials between two electrodes. When an electrical current is applied, a bright light is emitted. Since the OLED materials emit light, a backlight is not required (unlike LCDs).

OLEDs for digital cameras

OLED-equipped cameras are offered by some of the biggest names in the industry. OLEDs’ major advantages seem to be especially beneficial for digital cameras - a wide color scheme, superior contrast, high refresh rates and more.

OLEDs are mostly used in electronic viewfinders (EVF) - where tiny OLED microdisplays are used as near-eye displays. In the past camera makers also adopted OLEDs as the larger (around 3-inch) main display for the camera, but in recent years most camera makers reverted back to LCD displays as OLED displays in this size range are not in standard production.

OLED cameras on the market

Click here to view our list of digital cameras with OLED displays

Latest OLED digital camera news

eMagin reports a record first quarter with $8.5 million in revenues

eMagin reported their financial results for Q1 2013 - revenues rose 39% (compared to Q1 2012) to $8.5 million (the company reports record display sales). Net income was $205,000 (compared to a net loss of $452,000 in Q1 20122).

An eMagin OLED microdisplay

The company has around $14.4 in cash or equivalents (they paid a dividend on December 2012). eMagin affirmed their 2013 revenue guidance range of $34 million to $39 million. eMagin quotes insight media with their forecast of the microdisplay market - that is set to grow to almost 24 million units by 2017 (double the expected 12 million units in 2013).

Read the full story Posted: May 10,2013

Sony's new A58 DSLR uses an SVGA OLED viewfinder, maker unknown

Sony announced a new DLSR, the A58. This new mid-range camera sports a newly-developed 20mp sensor, new lock-on focus mode and auto-object framing mode. The EVF uses an SVGA (800x600) OLED microdisplay. The back display uses Sony's new Triluminos Quantum-Dots enhanced LCD (the first time this display is used in a consumer product, expect Sony's newest TVs). We just spotted the A58 on Amazon.co.uk - and it will launch on April 19 2013 in the UK for £500.

That SVGA OLED microdisplay is interesting. Sony themselves released 0.5" XGA (1024x768) and 0.7" 1280x720 OLED microdisplays back in August 2011 (they are using the XGA ones in several DSLRs, such as the A99 and the A65), and they never mentioned an SVGA one. We do know that both eMagin and Olightek are making SVGA microdisplays however.

Read the full story Posted: Feb 25,2013

Nikon announces two new cameras with AMOLED displays

Nikon announced several new digital cameras, two of which sport 3" AMOLED displays. First up is the S9500, an ultra-slim 22x optical zoom compact camera with a 18.1 mp sensor, Full-HD videos and built-in GPS and Wi-Fi.

The AW110 is a rugged shockproof, waterproof and freeze-proof compact camera that features a 16 mp sensor, Full-HD videos and built-in Wi-Fi and GPS.

Read the full story Posted: Jan 29,2013

eMagin announced Q3 2012 results - $7.5 million in revenues, $340,000 net income

eMagin reported their Q3 2012 financial results today. Revenues were $7.5 million (Q3 2011 revenues were $8.3, the decrease is because of lower R&D contract revenue). Net income was $340,000. eMagin has $16.6 million in cash and the company maintains their 2012 revenue guidance of $30-$34 million.

Regarding the camera electronic viewfinder project, eMagin says that they shipped some first prototypes, and are implementing further improvements - mainly a 67% increase in color gamut. This means that the current crop of digital cameras with OLED XGA viewfinders (the Fujifilm X-E1, the panasonic GH3 and Sony's A99, NEX-6 and the RX-1.) do not use eMagin's microdisplays (we actually assumed thus back when the cameras were announced). In fact eMagin says that they hope to ship the microdisplays during Q1 2013, and the product will probably ship in Q2. This is a high-end camera, but eMagin says these kinds of cameras can sell about 100,000 units a year.

Read the full story Posted: Nov 06,2012

Sony's A99, RX1 and NEX-6 now available to order on Amazon

A few days ago Sony announced new cameras with OLED EVFs, and today they are available to buy on Amazon.com: The A99 for $2,798 (body only, will ship in October) and the NEX-6 for $848 (body only, will ship in November). The RX1 costs $2,798 (will ship in December, we do not know about the optional OLED EVF yet).

The A99 is Sony's flagship full-frame DLSR with a 24.7 mp sensor with on-sensor phase detection, dual AF system and Full-HD (1080p@60). The NEX-6 is a 16 mp mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that features Wi-Fi, in-camera apps and on-sensor phase detection.

Read the full story Posted: Sep 14,2012

Sony announces new cameras with OLED EVFs

Sony announced several new digital cameras and camcorders today, all with the same XGA (1024x768) OLED EVFs (made by Sony). First up is the A99, Sony's flagship full-frame DLSR with a 24.7 mp sensor with on-sesor phase detection, dual AF system and Full-HD (1080p@60). The A99 will ship on October 2012 for about $2,800 (body only).

The NEX-6 is a 16 mp mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that features Wi-Fi, in-camera apps and on-sensor phase detection. The NEX-6 will ship in November 2012 for $850 (body only).

Read the full story Posted: Sep 12,2012

Samsung's MV900F and EX2F AMOLED cameras are now shipping

Two of Samsung's new AMOLED cameras have started shipping yesterday. The MV900F is now shipping for $350 (with an 8GB memory card, tripod, case and a spare battery). The MV900F is a digital camera that sports a display that can flip to face forward and enable self portrait photos. The camera features an 4/2.5-6.3 5X zoom lens, Wi-Fi, 16.3mp sensor, 1080p video and a 3.3" WVGA AMOLED.


The second camera to ship is the EX2F - for $499 The EX2F is a high-end compact digital camera sporting bright f/1.4-2.7 lens (24-79mm, or 3.3X), 12.4mp camera, Wi-Fi, a full-size hot shoe, dual image stabilization, top ISO of 12,800 and a 3" swivel VGA AMOLED display. The camera has full manual controls, RAW image option and Full-HD (1080p @30fp) video.

Read the full story Posted: Sep 07,2012

eMagin Q2 2012 results - record revenues of $8.6 million

eMagin reported their Q2 2012 results with record revenues of $8.6 million (a 15.3% increase over Q2 2011). Net income was $577,000. eMagin has about $13.3 million in cash. During Q2 the company bought back 125,000 shares (average price $2.95).

New deposition machine

Andrew Sculley (eMagin's CEO) says that eMagin have finally started to produce microdisplays on their new deposition machine. The machine isn't yet fully optimized, and they are also producing on their older Satella machine. eMagin says that once the new machine is fully optimized (they need to automate a certain process still), capacity will grow 10-fold, and the displays will have better uniformity - which will increase quality and yields.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 10,2012