We know that Apple is working doubly-hard to put out a sexier and beastly iPad 5 this year but the sleeker design aside, the new iOS 7 slate, according to a new report, is the recipient of a more powerful cam shooter.

This is true, at least, when compared to the fourth-generation iPad, which toted a 5MP rear camera lens. For the iPad 5, the megapixel is bumped up to 8MP, based on the research note by Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities.

"Apple could upgrade the camera as a selling point for the new iPad in a bid to increase competitiveness. We expect the upgrade will include 8MP rear camera, up from 5MP, and larger aperture," MacRumors reported Mr Kuo as saying.

Implied in the same MacRumors report is the likelihood that most of the new camera features debuted via the iPhone 5S will be deployed too with the iPad 5 such as the stunning ability of recording 120fps clips in slow motion.

Parts and components of the upgraded iPad package will be manufactured by three major suppliers, according to Apple Insider. Sony will be responsible for the sensor modules while Genius and Largan were tapped by Apple to work on the lens department.

"Apple will employ a backside illuminated component, possibly with larger 1.5-micron pixels, as seen in the iPhone 5S," the same report said.

It is understood too that starting off with the 2013 iPad line up, Sony will be part of the tech giant's tablet supply chain, specifically providing the camera sensor requirements of the iOS slates.

Mr Kuo issued his note as new reports hinted that it would be a lone iPad 5 rollout this year with the iPad Mini 2 release likely to be pushed back for early 2014. Production issues related to Retina is being blamed for the possible delay.

The news is in line with KGI's earlier declaration that Apple is facing serious challenges in the volume production of the Mini 2. Mr Kuo stated that consumers would need to wait until March 2014 before they can get their hands on the updated device.

While Retina is already available, forcing its arrival this year could lead to a major supply debacle. In his new estimates, Mr Kuo placed the total Q4 2013 iPad Mini 2 shipment that Apple could only afford to push out at two million units, at the maximum.

On the other hand, the iPad 5 will be adequately supplied and tablet shoppers around the world are assured of steady stocks with the ship outs to reach more than 10 million units in fourth quarter of the year.

And while the iPad Mini 2 market entry for this year remains in question, the iPad 5 release date is virtually a done deal with analysts setting the D-Day between late October and early November 2013.