Aptina producing cellphone image sensor that shoots HD video

It sounds like your camera phone's video capabilities may get exponentially more awesome in the near future. Aptina -- a division of Micron that manufactures one out of every three sensors for mobile phone cameras -- has announced the high resolution 5 megapixel MT9P013. There are better sensors out there already, but this one will also be able to record 720p HD video at 60 frames per second, and 5-megapixel video at 15fps. The sensor is going into production in January of 2009, according to Aptina, so it shouldn't be too long before we start seeing much better quality amateur films out there in the world.

[Via SlashGear]

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2008 2:35AM]

Keep in mind the number of megapixels don't matter -- it is the quality of the lens. The problem with cellphones is that they have tiny, crappy lenses. So the hope that there will be some big breakthrough because of a higher-resolution sensor is misguided.

[HUKI365 Posted Nov 22nd 2008 2:55AM]

Partly it is the lens.

But it is also the size and type of sensor (not related to megapixels necessarily). A larger sensor *usually* means better pictures (or at least better DOF) because more light is let in and the larger sensor is of better build quality.

So you can whack a sick lens on a small sensor and still get crappy pictures. Or have a wicked sensor with either: too high MP, or bad glass and end up with rubbish as well.

[derX Posted Nov 22nd 2008 3:23AM]

Yeah, okay, this is getting really old. We get it, in determining the quality of photos from camera phones, the lens makes a bigger difference than MP alone.

It's trite.

The dead horse has been beaten, burnt, and decomposed.

Not that I'm being a bitch, but, yeah, trite.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2008 2:35AM]

epic, im getting sick of those crummy quality videos on americas funniest home videos

[derX Posted Nov 22nd 2008 3:26AM]

On a tangent:

...yeah, why hasn't it been canceled?


Meh, it's an American staple. Where else can you see such classics as "dog plays ball," "dancing toddler," and "man with football to groin"?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2008 5:52AM]

Jobs is pathetic trying to squeeze few cents on cheapo power supply.
For that price he should offer two power supplies.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2008 10:07AM]

@ derX

youtube

[RAGE Posted Nov 22nd 2008 2:37AM]

Better amateur porn here I come.

[ROFL Posted Nov 22nd 2008 2:47AM]

As Grammarcop always says, "commas are your friends."

[derX Posted Nov 22nd 2008 3:18AM]

Not that I'm judging anyone, but off all the things in RAGE's post, you choose to comment on the lack of commas?

Okay. That's cool.

[RAGE Posted Nov 22nd 2008 3:30AM]

I'd have to agree. Just so you know I am personally boycotting commas. See what I did there.

[derX Posted Nov 22nd 2008 4:08AM]

RAGE you're most certainly my hero.

[ribo Posted Nov 22nd 2008 11:48AM]

Actually, that would be a colon.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2008 5:51PM]

Colon?
Wreckedum - darn near killed 'em.

[Shinigami Posted Nov 22nd 2008 2:40AM]

What about Sony's new line of sensors? 5mp with 1080p 30fps video + 720p 60 fps video.

[derX Posted Nov 22nd 2008 4:09AM]

It's been said by a shinigami. We've gotta trust his word.

[Shinigami Posted Nov 22nd 2008 5:45AM]

"IMX045PQ, a 5.15mp sensor capable of true 720p HD at 60fps"
http://www.mobilecomputermag.co.uk/200811131061/12mp-cameraphones-and-hd-video-mobiles-on-the-way-from-sony.html

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2008 3:13AM]

Am I the only one thinking of that bit from a Flight of the Conchords episode?

Mugger: What is this? Why does this phone have a camera glued to it?
Bret: It's a camera phone. Jemaine wanted one for his birthday.
Mugger: (To other mugger) Look at this. (To Bret) Oh yeah? Where'd you get it?
Bret: I made it. It's homemade.
Mugger: Yeah, it's a piece of shit.
Bret: Well, how come Jemaine likes it so much?
Jemaine: You can have it.

And then later on:
Jemaine: In fact I kinda think you ruined my phone when you made me that cameraphone. And my camera.

Maybe I just miss seeing phanbuoy's avatar :(

[groggit Posted Nov 22nd 2008 4:37AM]

What happened to phanbuoy and his wonderful Murray avatar?

I must know

[krunal126 Posted Nov 22nd 2008 4:16AM]

This means finally maybe a clear shot of new gadgets in the wild(no more mr. blurry cam) and maybe a clean un-boxing video

[Shinigami Posted Nov 22nd 2008 5:47AM]

Mr. Blurrycam attacks when you're taking the shot. It won't matter how good camera phones are, Mr. Blurryshot is invincible!

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2008 6:17AM]

Mr. blurrycam will always strike because more often then not it's intentionally done by a manufacturer to generate buzz about a new product.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2008 9:13AM]

hello everyone

[Ross McLean Posted Nov 22nd 2008 9:59AM]

Hey! :)

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2008 10:01AM]

What is that picture with the article? It has some sort of sick noise reduction... how is that done? Or is that the way they are going to be making up for bad quality pictures? ... But still.. how is this done? I like it! Anyone?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2008 12:31PM]

I just bought a cheap ($200) Camera. Kodack z1012 10Mp 12x zoom - it does 720P h.264 Video/AAC Audio - much to my surprise most computers cannot play it back..... So why is this news? This is a still camera with an extra HD video thrown in.... not advertised. What benefit is 60 frames, and how "revolutionary" is this?

[looselycoupled Posted Nov 23rd 2008 1:32AM]

Hopefully Micron is still in business by the release date...