CMOS sensor

Smaller camera phones are on the horizon thanks to the development of a new backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, from mobile device imaging sensor manufacturer OmniVision. The OV8850 is said to be 20 percent thinner than any other 8 megapixel module currently on the market, and promises better quality images while also making improvements in power efficiency. The company's announcement has also added even more fuel to the iPhone 5 rumor mill. Read More

Fujifilm has announced the upcoming release of a new 16 megapixel compact with a multi-touch display, a new sensor and the ability to shoot full high definition video. Taking over from the FinePix Z800EXR, features include more dynamic range, improved battery life and full resolution continuous shooting of three frames per second. Read More

There are many factors other than the megapixel count that affect the quality of images a digital camera will produce – sensor size, lens quality, organization of the pixels, etc. However, consumers often use the number of pixels each dollar buys as a basic measure of value for a digital camera and there has been a steady increase in the “pixels per dollar” for new cameras that roughly follows Moore’s Law. Depending on its cost and when it will hit the market, a new APS-H-size CMOS image sensor developed by Canon could put a bit of a dent in that line with its image resolution of approximately 120-megapixels. Read More

As the rumor mill hit fever pitch, Nikon chose to announce the successor to its popular D3000 entry-level digital SLR. The new D3100 is Nikon's first digital SLR to record full 1080p high definition video and also features full time autofocus. Its sensor has been increased to 14.2 megapixels, the sensitivity range given a huge boost and users can now frame shots via the LCD display as well as the viewfinder. Read More

OmniVision has developed a 1/6-inch, native HD, 2 megapixel CMOS sensor capable of delivering full 1080p high definition video at 30 frames per second. Likely headed for webcams, notebooks and video conferencing technology later in the year, the tiny OV2720 sensor is also claimed to provide best-in-class low light sensitivity and is capable of removing image contamination. Read More

Sony is developing a new type of AVCHD high definition camcorder with an interchangeable lens similar to DSLR cameras. Still at prototype stage, the camcorder will be equipped with the same Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor used in the new NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras and will be able to share E-mount interchangeable lenses. Read More

Japanese manufacturer Green House has just released one of the most compact cameras you're ever likely to see. But you'll have to get in really close because the Mini Digi is so tiny that you might just miss it! Amazingly, it measures 2.5 x 1.8 x 1.2 inches, and weighs just under an ounce. So, for photographers who don't want to take their hefty DSLRs with them all the time, attaching a Mini Digi to your keychain could be a fun alternative. Read More

Fujifilm has announced a host of upcoming digital camera releases, the most notable among them being the FinePix HS10 which packs 30X optical zoom and HD 1080p video at 30fps. The sophisticated bridge camera features a 10MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor with Triple Image Stabilization, can capture up to 10fps at full resolution and offers an impressive choice of shooting modes. Read More

Canon has turned up the heat in the "somewhere between entry level and professional photographer" market with the announcement of its new addition to the EOS family, the Rebel T2i. As well as a new 18 megapixel sensor, the feature and function heavy T2i also includes improved ISO control and better metering, the facility to shoot full HD movies, a brighter 3:2 aspect LCD display and support for SDXC cards. Read More