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Camera Phones, Embedded PC Cameras Propel Image Sensor Market
Continued uptake of cameras in mobile phones and notebook PCs is driving growth in the area-array image sensor market, reports In-Stat. Worldwide unit shipments of image sensors in camera phones continue to rise, mostly as a result of the continuing penetration of dual-camera phones in Asian markets. These phones utilize both a traditional point-and-shoot camera, as well as a second, inward-facing camera for two-way video communication or videoconferencing.
A promising new image sensor application is also taking hold. "Currently a small segment of the market, embedded PC cameras will surpass digital still cameras to become the second-largest application for image sensors by 2011," says Brian O'Rourke, In-Stat analyst. "A few years ago, only Apple incorporated cameras into desktop and laptop computers; in 2008, nearly all major PC manufacturers offered embedded PC cameras in mobile PCs."
Recent research by In-Stat found the following:
- Camera phones comprised nearly 81% of area-array image sensor shipments in 2008, a share that is expected to shrink only slightly through 2013.
- Other key applications include: Digital Still Cameras, Camcorders, Security Cameras, Web Cameras, Consumer IP Cameras, Embedded PC Cameras, Embedded LCD Monitor Cameras, Toys, Automotive.
- CMOS sensors dominated image sensor shipments in 2008, with more than an 87% share.
- CMOS will make up 62% of security camera image sensors by 2013.
- While CMOS is gaining in digital still cameras, it will not surpass CCDs until 2013.
- Among the many competitors in this market are Aptina, MagnaChip, OmniVision Technologies, Sharp, Sony, and Panasonic.
Posted to the site on 6th April 2009