Samsung Electronics announced that it has developed a 7.2 Megapixel CMOS image sensor (CIS). It is the world's first 7.2M-pixel CIS for compact cameras with the smallest pixel size. Higher resolution CIS chips reflect industry-wide attention on CIS technology as a promising new imaging technology as well as a feasible replacement of charge-coupled device (CCD), especially in mobile applications such as camera phones, digital still cameras and digital camcorders.

This announcement was made at a press conference hosted by Samsung Electronics' semiconductor business president and CEO, Dr. Chang-Gyu Hwang in Seoul.

Samsung's 7.2M-pixel CIS has a 1/2-inch lens aperture and a 2.25um pixel size. The proprietary pixel structure enhances the fill factor over 55 percent and delivers high signal to noise ratio. Copper technology has been used for interconnects, and the resulting reduced pixel height gives high focusing efficiency and sensitivity. The overall performance is comparable to, or even exceeds, CCD quality.

The CMOS image sensors are achieving broader presence in today's mobile applications as the industry acknowledges the benefits and advances of the CMOS-based technology. After announcing the 5M-pixel CIS last June, Samsung's 7.2M-pixel underscores the high potential and value CIS technology can deliver for future high resolution and quality imaging.

Supporting the low power requirement in mobile or portable applications, the new CIS chip performs at the same level and operates at a power level that is a mere 10 percent of its charge-coupled device (CCD) counterpart. The lower power consumption and price competitiveness makes the CIS an attractive solution for image devices now being used on mobile phones and other portable digital appliances such as cameras and camcorders.

Industry research firm Gartner Dataquest predicts that the global CIS market will increase from US$2.4 billion in 2004 to US$3.2 billion this year and surge to US$5.6 billion by 2008.