Sony Corp commercialized the IMX060PQ, a 12.25-Mpixel CMOS image sensor with an optical size of 1/2.5-inch, for use in mobile phone cameras.
The new image sensor has a pixel pitch of 1.4μm. Sample shipments will start in March 2009 at a price of ¥2,500 (approx US$25.75).
Sony enhanced the condensing efficiency by adopting a Cu process and improving the pixel structure. As a result, the IMX060PQ has a sensitivity of 90mV, which is equivalent to that of the company's 1.75μm pitch product.
In addition, Sony employed the "column-parallel A/D conversion method" to arrange A/D converters in parallel in the vertical direction of the pixels. This method minimizes image quality degradation caused by noise generated during analog transmission and enables to read out video signals at 10fps, the company said.
Sony will also commercialize the IMX046PQ, a 8.11-Mpixel image sensor with an optical size of 1/3.2-inch, and the IMX045PQ, a 5.15-Mpixel sensor with an optical size of 1/4-inch. The company plans to start shipping samples of the 8.11-Mpixel model in November 2008 at a price of ¥1,500 and the 5.15-Mpixel model in March 2009 for ¥1,000.
Furthermore, Sony will commercialize two types of camera modules, the IU060F and the IU046F, which are equipped with a built-in lens and an auto focus function. The IU060F and the IU046F are based on the 12.25-Mpixel and the 8.11-Mpixel CMOS cameras, respectively. Samples of the IU060F are slated for shipment in September 2009 at a price of ¥9,000 and samples of the IU046F will be shipped in February 2009 for ¥5,000.
Nikkei Electronics Asia magazine is available each month free of charge to engineers, managers and other qualified readers.
Nikkei Electronics |
Nikkei Monozukuri |
Nikkei Automotive Technology |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
| The magazine for electronics designers and managers. | Design You Won't Regret - How to Reduce the Risk of Accidents | The comprehensive automotive technology magazine. |
Copyright © 1995-2010 Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
All editorial content and graphics on this Web site may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the copyright owner.
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009