Photo: Gabriele B./Flickr

The upcoming iPhone 5 is looking to be a powerhouse product, rumored to be packed with 4G LTE, HD, and other assorted complimentary features, in which Apple hopes to push back on its competitors’ strides. But there's one part of the rumored iPhone 5 which wasn't addressed. And that is the camera.

The iPhone line of products pushed the boundaries when the "camera" was taken seriously and was catered to by the engineers at Apple. That philosophy revolutionized what we can and cannot do on a mobile smart phone. The camera on the iPhone has helped many memorialize their daily and special times- on the go.

Currently, the iPhone 4S (the latest of the iPhones) provides 8 mega pixels of clarity. In practice, the iPhone is as powerful as some main stream cameras, out in the marketplace- perfect for everyday documentation.

So, what can be the next step for the iPhone camera? Simple. As consistent as Apple has been with its design focus, the camera had to get smaller, thinner, and more powerful.

Here's where Sony comes in, and helps in the cause.

The Sony Corporation announced, recently, a new next generation back-illuminated CMOS image sensor. It works by "layering the pixel section containing formations of back-illuminated structure pixels onto the chips containing the circuit section for signal processing". The new process promises better image quality, better functionalities and in a more compact size.

This would, in line with logic and probability, the new iPhone 5 would be crammed in with this new technology. And ultimately, the smaller the "guts" of a device, the total design shrinks to compensate for such luxuries. Who doesn’t need more space, correct?

• Stacked CMOS image sensor

• Large-scale signal processing circuits required for higher image quality and better functionality are built-in

• More compact image sensor chip size

• Even higher image quality of the pixel section by adopting manufacturing processes specialized for superior image quality

• Faster speeds and lower power consumption by adopting the leading process for the circuit section

Coupling with a rumored re-working of the LTE battery size, and complimenting that with the new size and power of the Sony camera, it all points to a more slender and more luxurious iPhone to date.

After all, Steve Jobs wouldn’t have had it any other way. Form factor and design is key to product introductions, especially in a hyper competitive market as the hand held mobile category. The new iPhone 5 should be another step fast forward for Apple.

The new iPhone launch announcement is rumored now to be in Fall of 2012.

Jason Kim for DailyHarrison.com | Contact Jason @jasonsjkim