Samsung announced yesterday it has completed the development of a 5MP CMOS image sensor (CIS), dubbed S5K2E1FX, which is ideal for mobile phones, digital cameras and camcorders.

Samsung's sensor delivers the same performances as a CCD, the only differences being that the CCD has higher power consumption rates and production costs.

S5K2E1FX has a QSXGA resolution of 2,608 x 1,952 pixels, 1/2.5-inch lens aperture with a pixel measurement of 2.2 by 2.2 microns. Using 0.13-micron process technology, Samsung has increased the fill factor (the image sensor's measurement of light sensitivity) by over 50 percent, ensuring extremely sharp images.

Samsung's 5M-pixel CIS has a 1/2.5-inch lens aperture with a pixel measurement of 2.2 by 2.2 microns. Using 0.13-micron process technology, Samsung has increased the fill factor (the image sensor's measurement of light sensitivity) by over 50 percent, ensuring extremely sharp images.

The 5M-pixel CIS has a footprint at least 30 percent smaller than other models of the same resolution. This allows the camera module to be designed into ever-smaller camera phones.

A sub-sampling function that shoots VGA quality moving pictures at 30 frames per second with no deterioration of picture quality has also been incorporated to shoot faster high-resolution images. Power consumption has been minimized as well to prolong battery life.

Market analyst firm Gartner Dataquest predicts that the global CIS market will increase from US$2.4 billion in 2004 to US$3.2 billion this year and surge to US$5.6 billion by 2008.