Micron 5 Megapixel HD Image Sensor

Micron Press Release

At Photokina, Micron Technology unleashes the power and the potential of digital photgraphy - Micron Previews New Imaging Innovations for Digital Photography Applications; Demonstrates Reference Designs for Digital Still and Video Cameras

BOISE, Idaho, September 20, 2006 – Next week at Photokina, the photography industry will experience a whole new world of imaging from Micron Technology, Inc., the world’s market share leader in imaging solutions. On the heels of its prototype 8-megapixel image sensor announcement earlier this summer, Micron will preview its latest imaging innovations for the digital photography market. Leveraging its heritage in high-speed, high-performance imaging, Micron will unveil a new 5-megapixel high-definition (HD) image sensor for mainstream digital cameras. The new sensor is capable of capturing video at 60 frames per second (fps) in 720p (progressive) format and 30 fps in 1080p format. Micron will begin sampling this sensor in the fall of 2006. 

Designed specifically for digital video camcorder applications, Micron will also introduce a new HD video sensor that captures 60 fps in 720p format. Designed to work with long-range zoom lenses, the sensor was built using Micron’s stunning 2.2-micron pixel technology. Additionally, the sensor has additional pixel area for image stabilization, which reduces the effect of shaky and blurred images typically caused by jittery hands or camera-shake. This sensor is expected to begin sampling in the first quarter of 2007.

“There is a paradigm shift happening in the digital camera market and we are driving this change with our imaging innovations,” said Bob Gove, vice president of Micron’s imaging group. “We have experienced significant success with our CMOS imaging innovations. It’s no longer just about increasing the megapixels, but rather adding more functionality such as high-definition and high speed.”

Bringing High-Speed Imaging to the Mainstream
Micron has a portfolio of high-performance, high-definition CMOS sensors that capture images at speeds up to 5000 fps and will demonstrate these capabilities in its booth at Photokina (B31-C38A). With its work on the ultra high-definition video camera and its 300 fps, 4-megapixel sensor used for slow-motion video, Micron continues to innovate with its CMOS imaging chips enabling digital still and video cameras to go to new frontiers. Also at its booth, Micron will have reference designs available for its 5- and 8-megapixel image sensors, built specifically for DSC and DVC applications.

Micron is making a larger footprint in the world of digital photography. With its focus on bringing new experiences to digital still and video cameras, to its CMOS market share leadership in camera phones, to its recent acquisition of Lexar, Micron is at the forefront of innovation for today’s digital photography enthusiasts. More information on Micron’s photography revolution will be available in its booth at Photokina and can be found on its website at http://www.micron.com/products/imaging.

About Micron
Micron Technology, Inc., is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. Through its worldwide operations, Micron manufactures and markets DRAMs, NAND flash memory, CMOS image sensors, other semiconductor components, and memory modules for use in leading-edge computing, consumer, networking, and mobile products. Micron’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the MU symbol. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc., visit http://www.micron.com.

Published: Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Reader Comments

1. Could this start the demise of many areas of commercial photography such as sports. A video camera like this, capable of capturing high definition/high resolution/high speed images would mean "photographers" could for example take a quick burst of video at a sporting event and pull the perfect images from it every time?
   
   I don´t think it will kill the creativity and need to understand composition and lighting from traditional photography, but I think it will make a lot of photographers re-think how they work in the future.....exciting and scary technology.
   
   Nick

   Nick Stubbs at 05:50am on Thursday, September 21, 2006