Oct 7, 2010 09:05 GMT  ·  By
Sony announces new camera sensors for mobile phones, 16.41MP and 8.13MP solutions
   Sony announces new camera sensors for mobile phones, 16.41MP and 8.13MP solutions

The world of digital cameras and that of mobile phones have just got closer, with Sony unveiling camera sensors that can provide enhanced photo snapping capabilities on handsets.

One of these sensors would be the 16.41-megapixel IMX081PQ Exmor R-based CMOS sensor, the first of the kind that Sony pushes out for mobile phones.

The solution was designed with back-illuminated sensor that can enhance the image quality through reducing noise.

Moreover, the company is said to have managed to achieve high image quality even with photo cells 1.13 micrometers small, courtesy of a unique photo diode positioning.

It appears that the new sensor would be able to record 1080p video at 30 frames per second.

Moreover, it comes with a very thin lens system that should result in it being packed inside mobile phones without increasing their thickness too much.

In addition to this sensor, Sony also brought to display a smaller 8.13-megapixel design, the IMX105PQ, which should fit inside handsets with thin form factors.

While the 16.4-megapixel option would be 7.9mm (0.31in) thin, the 8.13-megapixel sensors could fit perfectly inside phones that have only 5.67mm of available space.

Moreover, the second solution comes with most of the capabilities of the higher-quality sensor, including the Exmor R design and high light sensitivity.

Currently, Sony is said to be sampling the two sensors, with the first samples expected to ship sometime in January next year.

According to the news, the individual sensors will cost $30 and $18 without a lens, for the 16.41-megapixel and 8.13-megapixel solutions, respectively.

When optics are included into the equation, the price tag for these solutions should hit $145 and $97, though the cost would be reduced as soon as devices featuring them hit mass production.

For the time being, no specific info on the handset vendors that might pack the new sensors inside their devices emerged, but Sony Ericsson might be among the first companies to do so.

Additional info on the matter should emerge in the near future, so stay tuned.