US Firm Metalenz Acquires Israeli Startup PxE Imaging for Low-Light Camera Tech

Boston-based Metalenz has announced the acquisition of PxE Imaging, a small Israeli startup from Rehovot specializing in low-light photography technology. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. PxE Imaging, founded in 2018 by Yoav Berlatzky and Yinir Khainik, had previously raised $6.5 million across two funding rounds from investors including Merck's M Ventures and KDT, as well as a grant from the Israel Innovation Authority.

PxE developed a component called HoloCoder, an optical layer designed to replace the traditional Bayer color filter found on digital image sensors. The Bayer filter causes light loss, whereas PxE's layer, applied directly to the image sensor, manipulates light waves to create a pattern from which color and depth information can be extracted using algorithms. This technology is expected to allow up to 2.5 times more light to be captured, potentially enhancing low-light performance in smartphone cameras.

In addition to improved low-light capabilities, the HoloCoder can also capture depth information, which could lead to better portrait mode photos. However, the technology has not yet been launched, with Metalenz anticipating a market release between 2027 and 2028.

Metalenz, a Boston-based technology company established in 2021, focuses on optical and sensing components for cameras and has supplied 300 million optical components for consumer devices. Metalenz CEO Rob Devlin commented to Wired that while major companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google invest heavily in software to improve cameras, significant light loss cannot be fully recovered by software alone.