Kodak Revolutionizes Camera Sensor for Mobile Devices; Introduces Industry's First 1.4 Micron, 5 Megapixel, High-ISO Sensor

"Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) is enabling a new level of performance in consumer imaging devices by redesigning the basic building blocks used to collect light and is incorporating that technology into a brand-new sensor. The company has combined its recently announced Color Filter Pattern technology with a new CMOS pixel to create the KODAK KAC-05020 Image Sensor, the world’s first 1.4 micron, 5 megapixel device. Designed for mass-consumer camera applications such as mobile phones, Kodak’s new sensor enables a new level of resolution in small optical formats, using significantly smaller pixels. But unlike other small-pixel sensors which can produce poor images, especially under low light conditions, the 1.4 micron pixel used in the KAC-05020 Image Sensor changes this convention, providing image quality that can equal or surpass what is available from current devices using larger, 1.75 micron pixel CMOS designs."

I never used to like the idea of having a camera on the cell phone, especially a smart phone. The blurry-noisy photos taken by the camera seemed to degrade the smartness of the smart phone. But after playing with a Nokia N95 and its 5 megapixel camera, it made me realize the merits of having a "functional" camera in your pocket. Innovations in the sensor technology like the one being announced by Kodak will go a long way in making the camera phones useful as a camera. In fact, I would like to see some of their High-ISO technology make its way into the regular cameras as well.