Panasonic working on a similar Canon 70D phase detection sensor

The recently announced Canon 70D ($1199 DSLR) is the first camera having an on sensor usable phase detection AF area that  covers 80% of the frame. On paper this sounds like a sort of holy grail solution for mirrorless cameras. There are many advantages like:

• AF works at apertures down to F11
• AF covers 80% of the frame
• AF works in light levels as low as 0 EV
• Can work with face detection to keep moving subjects in focus

But Panasonic engineers came up with a similar solution described in US patent 8482657 (Click here). The patent contains plenty of images and description for the more advanced tech friendly readers. I don’t think that sensor will be used for the soon to be announced GX7. But I am sure the next GH may feature exactly that kind of on sensor phase detection feature.