Sep 30 2010
Aptina launches a new APS-C formatted 16 MP image sensors namely the MT9H004 Image Sensor with multiple features and superior performance. Crafted to fulfill the taxing demands of professional photographers, this sensor provides high sensitivity, low read out noise and low levels of dark current, and also allows capture of still images at 10fps.
Utilizing the company’s latest Aptina DR-Pix technology, this sensor furnishes a significant 5 dB enhancement in SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) functioning under low lighting conditions, performing the same way as it does in high light surroundings, achieving a SNR of 47 dB. More features such as line view video support and HD video recording are also offered by this sensor.
Most standard CMOS image sensors cannot be used for DSLR camera applications because of their inferior image quality and performance, but Aptina’s MT9H004 is a viable device with its unique pixel technology. As the market for CMOS image sensors seems to be increasing from 4 million in 2007 to an estimated 12.5 million in 2013, this sensor would be of great use.
According to Junichi Nakamura, Aptina’s Director of Japan Design Center, this sensor has been developed in the company’s design center in Japan. The sensor has been easily accepted by the DSLR camera manufacturers, on account of its high SNR and performance levels. Sandor Barna, General Manager of Aptina’s Camera Business Unit, revealed that the possibilities are limitless for their sensor, and that this was only the beginning.
The Aptina DR-Pix technology used in this sensor is a blend of low conversion gains used in bulky charge handling capacity in bright light situations, and high conversion gain modes with added sensitivity and less read noise for low light scenarios, resulting in a sensor offering the best performance under any ISO Speed conditions.