Samsung Electronics announced that is has completed development of a CMOS image sensor -- the S5K2E1FX -- with 5 megapixel (2,608 x 1,952 pixels) QSXGA resolution.

According to Samsung, the new CIS performs at the same level as its charge-coupled device (CCD) counterpart, yet it operates on less power and is more price competitive. These advantages make the 5M-pixel CIS an attractive solution for image devices now being used on mobile phones as well as on digital cameras and digital camcorders.

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.

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.

Samsung has also completed development of a 3.2M-pixel CIS -- the S5K3C1FX -- for camera phones. Pixels measure 2.25 by 2.25 microns in a 1/3-inch lens aperture with serial interface applied for accelerated data processing speeds.

Availability
Samsung plans to begin mass-production of the 5M-pixel CIS in the fourth quarter of 2005 and the 3.2M-pixel CIS with an embedded image signal processor (ISP) by the first half of 2006. Both at its 300mm System LSI dedicated mass production line.