Sony 2012 Annual Report Download - page 30

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Achieving Dominance in the CMOS Image
Sensor Market
CMOS image sensors are used in a wide range of
Sony products, including Sony Handycam® digital
camcorders, α series interchangeable lens DSLR
cameras and Android™-based Xperia™ arc
smartphones, as well as in digital cameras, camera-
equipped mobile phones and other products
manufactured by third parties. In recent years, the
rapid growth in smartphone use and other devices
has diversified the way camera functions are used.
This, in turn, is driving demand for advanced
cameras that cater to a wide variety of shooting
scenarios. With the aim of realizing an image sensor
that can respond to such market needs, Sony has
focused on key traditional parameters such as
increased pixel counts, improved resolution and
higher speed, in addition to developing the stacked
CMOS image sensor which facilitates greater
functionality and compactness, thereby pushing
forward the evolution of cameras. Owing to these
advanced features, Sony’s new stacked CMOS image
sensor is expected not only to deliver unprecedented
photographic experiences, but also to play an
important role as the core technology for digital
products in fields such as security and medical
science. Sony’s new image sensor also promises to
open the way for adoption of image sensors for a
wider range of applications with sensing and
authentication functions.
Sony began developing image sensors in-house
almost 40 years ago, building up extensive know-
how and technical capabilities in the continuous
pursuit of high image quality. This has enabled it to
maintain the top revenue share in the global image
sensor market. Going forward, Sony will strive to
remain the leader in innovative technology by
further accelerating research and development.
Sony also plans to expand manufacturing capacity
at Sony Semiconductor Corporation’s Nagasaki
Technology Center (Nagasaki TEC) and Kumamoto
Technology Center (Kumamoto TEC), with the aim
of establishing dominance in the CMOS image
sensor market, thus complementing its leading
position in CCD image sensors.
28
CCD image sensor
Exmor™
Exmor R™
Stacked CMOS image sensor