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The curved portion of an ordinary spherical lens resembles a section cut from a sphere. However, these lenses have always been subject to spherical aberration, i.e., where light rays passing through the center of the lens and those passing through the edge of the lens have different focal points. The aspherical lens was developed to correct this and other types of aberration. In addition to being small in size, aspherical lenses dramatically reduce both spherical and curvilinear aberration.

With spherical lenses, spherical aberration causes light rays passing through the center of the lens and those passing through the edge of the lens to have different focal points.

Aspherical lenses can optimally correct aberration, resulting in light rays being focused on a single, ideal point.

Initially, aspherical lenses were expensive because they required the use of high-precision grinding and polishing technology. However, Panasonic has successfully mass produced these lenses using molds with metal dies. Of course, the high level of design and quality control required to create these special lenses remains unchanged.