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There was in interesting annoucement today from Cypress, a 9MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor
which they project will sell for around $90 and which should be available in quantity in
early 2006. I don't know what the current cost of APS-C sensors used by Canon, Nikon,
Minolta and Pentax are, but I'd be willing to bet that they aren't less than $90 !
Will this mean we're going to see a bunch of APS-C sized sensor digicams? We'll, maybe
some but I doubt we'll see "a bunch". A larger sensor means a larger camera and
a larger lens. One of the things people seem to like most about digicams is that they are
small. APS-C sized sensor cameras would probably be about the same size as 35mm P&S
cameras and that's quite a bit bigger than most digicams. The 35mm P&S lenses are also
much slower than current digicam lenses. You can't stick a 35-105 f2.8 zoom on a 35mm
P&S because it would be larger than the camera is, but you can easily put an f2.8
35-105/2.8 (equivalent) lens on a 1/1.7" sensor sized digicam and keep the whole
thing small.
These sensors could certainly give rise to more APS-C sensor "bridegcams",
SLR like cameras with SLR like lenses, but with a non removable zoom. There size isn't so
much of an issue. It could also give rise to the digital equaivalent of the Olympus Stylus
Epic or Yashica T4 - a fairly small camera with a high quality, fast, fixed focal length
lens like a 35/2.8 or maybe even a 28/2.8. The trick there will be convincing camera
makers that such a camera would sell in enough volume to make it worth producing. It
certainly would be a specialist item.
Maybe the more interesting question (or at leat an "at least as interesting"
question) is if they can make an APS-C sized chip with 9MP for $90, how much would a full
frame chip cost? Based only on area, it would be around $200. However cost doesn't scale
with area since yield drops on larger chips. Still, a $1000 full frame sensor would seem
possible, maybe even a $500 sensor. Time will tell.
Cypress sensors were used in the ill-fated 14MP full frame Kodak DSLRs which were not
known for their high speed, low noise/high ISO performance and which didn't sell well
despite their relatively low cost. What the noise/speed ratio will be for these new
sensors remains to be seen.
Cypress Samples Low-Cost, 9-Megapixel APS CMOS Image Sensors With Superior
Image Quality for High-End Digital Still Camera Market
First Cypress-Manufactured Sensor Features Low Dark Current and Low Noise to Deliver
Picture Quality On Par With More Expensive CCD Devices
SAN JOSE, Calif., November 7, 2005 - Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: CY) today
announced commercial sampling of its new 9.0-megapixel CMOS image sensors for high-end
digital still cameras (DSCs). The cost-effective new image sensors offer low dark current
and low noise, on par with that of more expensive charge coupled devices (CCDs). These
features deliver outstanding image quality, enabling camera makers to meet the increasing
demand for high-performance, economically priced single-lens reflex (SLR) DSCs.
The CYIHDSC9000AA (color) and CYIHDSM9000AA (monochrome) are the first image sensors
manufactured on Cypress's high-volume, low-cost 0.13-micron CMOS process optimized for
image sensors. The image sensors take advantage of Cypress's proprietary, high fill-factor
pixel architecture, eliminating the need for microlenses. With a maximum resolution
of 3710 x 2434 pixels, the sensors are capable of delivering superior image quality, color
rendition and dynamic range. They are ideally suited for camera-makers targeting advanced
amateurs, photo enthusiasts and professional photographers.
"Low dark current and low noise are essential for today's high-end DSC
market," said Cliff Drowley, vice president and general manager of Cypress's image
sensor business unit. "Our patented pixel architecture, proven in Kodak's DCS Pro SLR
line of cameras, is the only CMOS architecture capable of achieving the noise and dark
current targets demanded by high-end DSC manufacturers. What is equally attractive to
camera makers is this high-end solution does not come with a high-end price."
The new devices are Cypress's first non-proprietary image sensor targeted at high-end
DSCs and build on a foundation established by the 13.85-megapixel image sensor developed
for Kodak. The sensors also complement a stable of other Cypress products targeted
at the DSC market, including timing solutions and USB controllers.
The image sensors feature a pixel pitch of 6.4-micron and an image array of 3710 x 2434
pixels. The array format is 23.3-mm x 15.5-mm2 with a diagonal dimension of 28-mm,
resulting in an effective focal length multiplier of 1.5 compared to a full frame 35-mm
camera. The aspect ratio is 3:2. The devices are capable of delivering five
frames-per-second (fps) at full resolution and 20 fps at VGA resolution.
Price and Availability
Cypress is currently sampling the CYIHDSC9000AA and CYIHDSM9000AA with production volumes
expected to be available in February of 2006. Pricing is expected to be approximately
$90.00 each, depending on quantities. A high-resolution photo is available at www.cypress.com/9-megapixelAPS.
Cypress Image Sensors
Cypress's broad CMOS image sensor portfolio spans both the high-end and consumer mass
markets. Cypress delivers high-performance sensors for custom and high-end digital
photography; ultra high-speed imaging solutions for automotive safety, machine vision and
motion analysis; and consumer-oriented solutions for ultra-slim digital still cameras,
single-use cameras and camera-enabled mobile devices." CMOS image sensors complement
Cypress's technology and market strengths. The sensors expand Cypress's existing presence
in digital still cameras, where it sells a broad array of timing solutions; in the
automotive sector, where it sells configurable microcontrollers and memories; and in
mobile phones where it is a leader in low-power memories.
About Cypress Cypress solutions are at the heart of any system that is built to perform:
consumer, computation, data communications, automotive, industrial, and solar power.
Leveraging a strong commitment to customer service and performance-based process and
manufacturing expertise, Cypress's product portfolio includes a broad selection of wired
and wireless USB devices, CMOS image sensors, timing solutions, network search engines,
specialty memories, high-bandwidth synchronous and micropower memory products, optical
solutions, and reconfigurable mixed-signal arrays. Cypress stock is traded on the New York
Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CY. More information about the company is available
online at www.cypress.com.
