According to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's fifth-generation iPad and second-generation iPad mini could feature an improved 8 Megapixel camera.
The current iPad and iPad Mini both sport a 5MP camera with an f/2.4 aperture, so an 8PM camera upgrade like the one found in the iPhone 5s would be a welcomed addition. The camera on the iPad has not been updated since the third-generation was launched back in March of 2012, so an upgrade is likely.
We predict Apple (US) will launch new iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 (so called retina iPad mini) in 4Q13. As the tablet market becomes increasingly competitive, Apple could upgrade the camera as a selling point for the new iPad in a bid to increase competitiveness. We expect the upgrade will include 8MP rear camera, up from 5MP, and larger aperture. Lens module ASP will rise 10-20% on this optics spec upgrade.
The iPhone 5s came with other camera enhancements as well, such as a larger 2.2 aperture and bigger 1.5 micron pixels. However, It is not clear if we will see all the 5s improvements and features such as slow motion video in the next iPads.
Both the fifth-generation iPad and second-generation iPad Mini are expected to be released before the end of the year. Reports are already claiming that a Retina iPad Mini would be in extremely short supply if launched this year -- but an unveiling is rumored to happen this month.
