Nine megapixel camera phone module announced

These days in-built cameras are very much a standard accessory for mobile phones, and it's an area where the bar just keeps on getting higher. In the latest news, Digital Imaging Systems has launched the first ever 9 megapixel camera module for mobile phones. Designed so that handset manufacturers can upgrade without hardware change, the DIS6931 is an all in one still camera module that includes auto-focus, high quality lenses, mechanical shutter and a neutral density filter.

The CMOS sensor provides a maximum resolution of 3488 x 2616 pixels through either a parallel interface or optional MIPI interface and also supports a variety of different view finder and HDTV sizes with frame rates up to 30fps (e.g.720p).

The autofocus functionality offers a response time of less than 300ms and a fast click-to-capture time (which is the key problem with many phone cameras) of less than 200ms.

"We wanted to maintain our leadership in digital still camera (DSC) quality modules for mobile phones to create new market opportunities for handset manufacturers. With our ultra fast AF (auto-focus), the fastest mobile click-to-capture time and excellent picture quality, we are in a strong position to drive the convergence of mid-range DSC’s into mobile devices,” said Roland Pudelko, CEO of Digital Imaging Systems.

DIS is exhibiting at this week’s Photokina fair in Cologne, Germany and pre-production samples are available now with volume production is planned for end of Q4 2008.