Samsung Unveils 8MP and 12MP Backlit CMOS Sensors for Mobile Phones

Samsung Electronics has unveiled two new sensors for mobile phones - a 1/3.2-inch back side illuminated sensor packing either 8 megapixel or 12 megapixel. The new sensors are reported to give camera phones ability to shoot images with quality as good as point and shoot cameras'. The new sensors will not only improve low light imaging but also enable fullHD (1080p) video recording.

The new 1/3.2-inch 8 megapixel sensor, S5K3H2 uses Samsung's advanced 1.4 micron backside illuminated (BSI) technology and the sensor will enable mobile phones cameras to shoot superior low-light images which as Samsung reported will be as good as those point and shoot cameras'. The sensors will also enable camera phones to shoot 15fps at full resolution which is very impressive for a mobile phone camera.  The new sensor has a slim form factor which fits in an 8.5mm x 8.5mm auto focus camera module, further, the sensor is able to operate on 1.2 voltage levels for better battery life. For video recording, the sensor can capture 1080p full HD video up to 30 fps and 720p at 60fps. For faster shooting mode, VGA (640 x 480 pixel) videos can be recorded at 120fps for slow motion playback.

The 12 megapixel sensor is based around the same 1/3.2-inch backside illuminated CMOS sensor and the mode. Samsung said it has developed the smallest 1.12 micron pixel imager and it called the 12MP model as S5K3L1. With this sensor, camera phones can shoot 12 megapixel images at 30fps and 1080p fullHD video at 60fps.  VGA videos at 120 fps and 720p video at 90fps are also possible. The sensor also includes an on-chip pixel correction feature, compensating color and luminance response variations to address image distortion.

The 8MP S5K3H2 is scheduled for mass production in Q2 this year while the 12MP S5K3L1 is scheduled for Q3.