Zoom lens design for 10.2-megapixel APS-C digital SLR cameras

A zoom lens design for a 10.2-megapixel digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera with an advanced photo system type-C (APS-C) CCD image sensor is presented. The proposed zoom lens design consists of four groups of 3x zoom lenses with a focal length range of 17-51 mm. In the optimization process, 107 kinds of Schott glass combined with 26 kinds of plastic materials, as listed in Code V, are used. The best combination of glass and plastic materials is found based on the n_d - V_d diagram. The modulation transfer function (MTF) was greater than 0.509 at 42 lp/mm, the lateral chromatic aberration was less than 5 μm, the optical distortion was less than 1.97%, and the relative illumination was greater than 80.05%. We also performed the tolerance analysis with the 2σ (97.7%) position selected and given tolerance tables and results for three zooming positions, which made the design more practical for manufacturing.