OmniVision unveils 5Mpixel CMOS image sensor
OmniVision Technologies claims a world first with a 5Mpixel CMOS image sensor, promising lower costs for high-end products. The company says that its OV5610 device gives image quality on a par with more expensive charge coupled devices (CCD). The hope is to reduce 5+ Mpixel digital still cameras (DSC) to consumer level prices.
The device architecture is based on OnmiVision's recently launched OmniPixe technology, which uses a 2.775micron pixel size, a decrease of more than 25% over existing pixel technologies, it is claimed. This allowed OmniVision to design its 5Mpixel device within a smaller optical format (footprint) of just 1x1.8inches.
More expensive CCD devices currently dominate the high-end DSC market because CMOS sensors have so far been unable to match image quality. CMOS sensors lead the lower-end segment of the DSC market because of cost effectiveness.
OmniVision's proprietary new pixel structure reduces dark currents to unnoticeable levels, key to bringing image quality to CCD levels.
