We present the design of a non-conventional optical system that uses cylindrical micro-doublets (CMD), integrated in an artificial apposition compound eye configuration (AACE). We show some designs of an ultra-thin objective inspired in fly eyes. These designs can give options to create new technologies that will process information in a different and effective way as usual. This process will be carried out by means of sampling the object with an array of multiple micro lenses using a certain value of the acceptance angle, and processing the optical signal to obtain partial images that will be part of a global one. The objective has the advantage of having a smaller size, a wider field of view, and an acceptable image quality compared with some conventional systems. Design parameters of the AACE and optical performance of the CMD are reported. ©2011 The Japan Society of Applied Physics