Sony develops "world's smallest" HD camera module
By Nilay Patel 
posted May 12th 2009 2:55PM
posted May 12th 2009 2:55PM
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Oh!
Tie-clip camera!
It's impressive, but how noisy will the video be? Yet another cramming of megapixels in tiny sensors?
8.3 megapixels isn't what I would called cramped for a P&S size sensor.
My thoughts exactly..
Sure the sensor won't be smaller than the one of a P&S? I thought camera sensors usually are smaller... so 8.3 MP is quite cramped.
Most P&S sensors are range 1/3"~1/1.7" (Cellphone cams can go down to as small as 1/4"-almost 10x crop factor). Given the that even cellphone cameras are hitting 12MPs; 8.3MP isn't that cramped. In fact, compared tot he IMX046PQ sensor released last year Sony seems to be actually reducing pixel density.
It should be noted Sony sensors usually find their way into non-Sony cameras (even Canon used Sony CCD for their P&S), so we should start seeing more compact P&S' with 120fps slow-mo 720P video modes, etc.
Don't they use sony sensors for DSLR's too? I mean third party manufacturers like nikon/canon/etcetera, I was given to understand they did.
Nikon uses Sony sensors in all their dSLRs except the D700/D3.
yay...HD goodness for smaller devices!
"Not bad for a piece smaller than a quarter "
Hmpht. You would have had me if it was smaller then a dime.
how long to someone on here will moan about the lens not being being big enough and will produce blurry pictures
Yawn..the lens is not big enough and will produce blurry pictures...
That's what your mamma said about something other than a lens...
well played
^^ not funny. and apple sucks.
omg zed... that was for apple. i'm the asshole now.
But you are look at the smallest HD camera module,
do you expect APS size?
This + Remote Control Spider = Endless Possibilities.
until someone screams, "ekk! spider," and squishes it. then the possibilities will be ended.
Unless you somehow trigger the spider to release poison gas or some kind of viral agent... Then the possibility has just begun!
But if the crusher of the spider is wearing a gas mask or an environmental suite then the possibilities end.
I hope it costs about a quarter too :D
unfortunately, you can only retrieve data from the device using on of Sony's proprietary storage mediums.
Just slam this together with a TB drive and I would be happy.
Sweet! Another component for the SE/// PSP LTE Phone!
Interesting...
And the difference between this module and the one in the samsung omnia hd/i8910 HD is????
it's probably smaller?
haha true.. but I don't see the point in going smaller.. the module is already small enough as it is :|
Many people will argue that making them smaller adds to the consumer appeal as it allows for thinner / lighter handsets.
Although the smaller the sensor the more noise on the image, as showed with the Nokia 5800, there just isn't enough room for enough photons to get to the small sensor.
the Omnia HD shoots 720p @ 24 fps only, but i don't know about any other aspects
*Waits for the obligatory voyeur pornography comments*
Great now even pirated cam releases can be in HD!
They already seem to be... and judging from screenshots of Star Trek XI they really suck.
Hopefully within the next decade Apple will find this and make an iPhone with this chip in it. Apple's iPhone has its strengths, but its camera isn't one of them. It's better than what you can get on a free phone, but its getting to be behind the times compared to other smartphones.
hmm... pretty sure apple never partners with sony...
Ye, I know. Apple wouldn't follow the crowd that much though Ashwin. They will be original and probably invent the camera-less phone.
Is that a metric or imperial ruler?
If it was an inch long, it really wouldn't be the world's smallest, now would it?
Did Sony just steal the blueprint from Samsung and improved on it?
haha: very funny. *sarcasm
Sony and Samsung are both in the sensor business. Along a coule of other companies such as Sharp, Fuji, Omnivision, etc. Don't all sensors look the same ;)
I fly model planes via Wireless video (it's called FPV for First Person View) and I have been waiting for a camera module like this for ages, currently the best is only PAL Res.
Here's a video of what standard def looks like:
http://www.ev.com.au/video/MindtheGap.html
I'd prefer to strap two of them (for stereoscopic vision) to an RC heli, but that video is great.
"The “MCB1172″ from Sony Europe’s Image Sensing Solutions Division"
It's interesting that it's from sony europe's imaging, since you'd expect sensors to come from asia first, and the US second, but this then would be european developed, let's see how well it competes with other sensors because now I'm curious.
It is also interesting that engadget's Nilay Patel decided to remove that bit of info from his writeup.
I'll remember this article fondly when I'm carrying around a 25-30 pound Sony HDW-f900 camera :) for Saturnalia Productions - http://www.saturnaliaproductions.com