Samsung announced at MWC that they have developed two new CMOS image sensors – the S5K4E2 and the S5K5CA for the mobile phone market. The S5K4E2 sensor uses Samsung’s proprietary pixel technology SEES (Samsung Enhanced Energy Steering) resulting in an ultra sensitive 1/4-inch, 1.4 micron, 5-megapixel chip with an integrated extended depth of field (EDoF) IP for crisp, sharp images. The new chip can capture clear video in full HD at 15 frames per second and 720p video at 30 fps. The sensor can fit into 6.5mm x 6.5mm module and is less than 4.5mm thick ideal for use in ultra-slim smartphones.

Samsung S5K5CA is a 1/5-inch, 1.4 micron, 3Mpixel imager that combines both the image signal processor (ISP) with the CMOS image sensor into a single system-on-chip (SOC) solution. In doing so, Samsung is able to reduce the overall module size by 25 percent over its preceding 3Mpixel SOC imager, the quarter-inch 1.75-micron 3Mpixel solution. The imager can also record 720p video. This SOC is ideal for 6.5mm x 6.5mm fixed focus camera modules; the current small form factor requirement for slim mobile handsets.

Samsung’s new S5K4E2 is currently sampling and will be in mass production by the end of the first quarter 2010. Samsung’s S5K5CA is in volume production for many of the world’s top handset manufacturers today with products on the market expected later in 2010.