• Better shooting performance
• Environmentally friendly

Photo: Sony

Sony is a consumer electronics company which has become synonymous with being a leader in world class new technologies. They will be bringing us the 2010 World Cup in 3D, which is a world first, and now they have also developed the ICX681SQW 14 megapixel sensor 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, offering the industry’s smallest pixel size thanks to its dual-layer micro lens technology.

Better shooting performance

According to Sony the consumer’s need for higher resolution, better and higher ISO sensitivity coupled together with broader dynamic range is why they have chosen to ‘develop unique fine pixel fabrication technologies’. The ICX681SQW sensor has had its pixel size reduced to 1.43 µm, allowing for a higher pixel count for the new Sony camera sensor. In order to achieve the industry’s smallest pixel size Sony have used double-layered micro lenses by adding convex lenses underneath the main micro lens. The added effect of the extra convex lenses also brings more light in the sensor’s photodiode which condenses light. A thin film preventing the Sony camera sensor from smearing has been added, ensuring optimal sensor performance.

The new Sony camera sensor also doesn’t provide not only smaller pixels, but ‘a 1/4 resolution still imaging mode’. This allows the new sensor to capture better at higher ISO sensitivity and also perform better with a higher frame rate for when capturing video in HD.

Environmentally friendly

Photo: Stock.Xchng

Sony have also made the ICX681SQW sensor with the environment in mind as the new camera sensor saves up to as much as 12 per cent in power usage meaning not only will photographers be able to take better looking images, but they’ll also be able to shoot more images for longer. The 12 per cent reduction in power is from the voltage being decreased from -7.5 to -6.5.

The ICX681SQW sensor is definitely setting a new standard for camera sensors in the industry, and we can’t wait to see which camera it will be fitted to first.