Physics vs. Learned Priors: Rethinking Camera and Algorithm Design for Task-Specific Imaging
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Abstract (arXiv)
Cameras were originally designed using physics-based heuristics to capture aesthetic images. In recent years, there has been a transformation in camera design from being purely physics-driven to increasingly data-driven and task-specific. In this paper, we present a framework to understand the building blocks of this nascent field of end-to-end design of camera hardware and algorithms. As part of this framework, we show how methods that exploit both physics and data have become prevalent in imaging and computer vision, underscoring a key trend that will continue to dominate the future of task-specific camera design. Finally, we share current barriers to progress in end-to-end design, and hypothesize how these barriers can be overcome.
Key facts. Cited by 6 papers in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Builds on 47 of its 149 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 21 Apr 2022.
Builds on
47 of 149 references.
References · 47
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35 more
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Built on by
Citing papers per year: 2023: 4; 2024: 0; 2025: 1; 2026: 1.
6 papers.
- 2023Diffusion in the Dark: A Diffusion Model for Low-Light Text Recognitioncited by 20
- 2023Spatially Varying Exposure with 2-by-2 Multiplexing: Optimality and Universalitycited by 6
- 2023DISeR: Designing Imaging Systems with Reinforcement Learningcited by 6
- 2023Sensitivity analysis of AI-based algorithms for autonomous driving on optical wavefront aberrations induced by the windshieldcited by 2
- 2025γ-Quant: Towards Learnable Quantization for Low-bit Pattern Recognitioncited by 2
- 2026RAWDet-7: A Multi-Scenario Benchmark for Object Detection and Description on Quantized RAW Imagescited by 1
- 2026RAWDet-7: A Multi-Scenario Benchmark for Object Detection and Description on Quantized RAW Images3 Feb 2026
- 2025γ-Quant: Towards Learnable Quantization for Low-bit Pattern Recognition26 Sep 2025
- 2023DISeR: Designing Imaging Systems with Reinforcement Learning25 Sep 2023
- 2023Sensitivity analysis of AI-based algorithms for autonomous driving on optical wavefront aberrations induced by the windshield19 Aug 2023
- 2023Spatially Varying Exposure with 2-by-2 Multiplexing: Optimality and Universality30 Jun 2023
- 2023Diffusion in the Dark: A Diffusion Model for Low-Light Text Recognition7 Mar 2023