Eastman Kodak claims that it has developed an image sensor that greatly improves the quality of pictures and video captured by camera phones.
The KAC-05020 Image Sensor, world’s first 1.4-micron, 5-megapixel chip, is at least doubly sensitive to light than the current technologies. It produces crisper images even when light conditions are not ideal - such as at a candlelit birthday party - or when shooting a moving target, Mosleh said.

“Most camera phones - ever though there’s 700 million or so produced every year - unfortunately still behave like toy cameras,” said Fas Mosleh, a marketing director in Kodak’s image sensor business. “The pictures usually come out dark and fuzzy, and video clips are full of unwanted noise and blurriness.”

Kodak plans to provide samples of its new sensors to camera manufacturers this spring. It expects the chips will begin appearing in upgraded cameras in about a year’s time without adding to manufacturers’ development costs. They will be sold for around $US5 each in quantities of 1 million or more, Mosleh said.

Of course, this innovation is a crucial part of Kodak’s effort to cash in from the mobile devices’ market. Imagine if top mobile phone makers use this technology. Now that’s what I call a real payday.

Popularity: 17% [?]