Toshiba Expands CMOS Image Sensors for Smartphones and Tablets

Posted  by GoPhotonics Toshiba Corporation

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Toshiba Corporation announced details of their new series of high performance BSI CMOS image sensors equipped with Phase Detection Auto-Focus (PDAF). Closely following the recently announced 16-megapixel (MP) T4KC3-121, the company unveiled their 8MP (T4KA3-121), 13MP (T4KB3-121) and 20MP (T4KA7-121) sensors.

Originally developed for SLR cameras, PDAF locks in focus at speeds much faster than the auto-focus systems used in smartphones and tablets, a driving demand for PDAF on those platforms.

In addition to securing high-speed focus of still and moving objects, for needle-sharp, natural images and movies, the CMOS image sensors has made it possible to create thinner smartphones and mobile devices. Toshiba’s PDAF does not require a space for an AF sensor in the camera module, as they are embedded in the CMOS image sensor itself.

Toshiba’s main goal with its new line-up of CMOS image sensors was for users to capture beautiful images and movies. All their models support Toshiba’s Bright Mode that captures images with high speed and HDR. They have low power consumption and have smallest class of chip size.

Main Specifications

Part Number T4KA3-121 T4KB3-121 T4KC3-121 T4KA7-121
Output Pixels 8 megapixel 13 megapixel 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Optical Size 1/4 inch 1/3.07 inch 1/2.78 inch 1/2.4 inch
Pixel Pitch BSI 1.12micro-meter BSI 1.12micro-meter BSI 1.12micro-meter BSI 1.12micro-meter
PDAF O O O O

Maximum

Output

Frame

(fps)

Normal Mode

30fps @8M
60fps @Full-HD
120fps @HD
200fps @WVGA

Bright Mode

240fps @HD

Normal Mode

30fps @13M
30fps @4K2K
60fps @Full-HD
120fps @HD

Bright Mode

120fps @Full-HD

Normal Mode

30fps @16M
30fps @4K2K
60fps @Full-HD
120fps @HD

Bright Mode

120fps @Full-HD

Normal Mode

22fps @20M
24fps @18.8M
28fps @16.3M

Bright Mode

Power Consumption 140 mW 170 mW 240 mW 440mW
Reference Camera Module Size 8.5 mm x 8.5 mm
(Auto-focus type)
6.5 mm x 6.5 mm
(Fixed focus type)

8.5 mm x 8.5 mm
(Auto-focus type)
6.7 mm x 6.7 mm
(Fixed focus type)

8.5 mm x 8.5 mm
(Auto-focus type)
10.5 mm x 12.0 mm
(Auto-focus type)
Sample Price 1,500 yen 1,600 yen 1,700 yen 2,500 yen
Mass Production Schedule December, 2015 November, 2015 December, 2015 March, 2016
Mass Production volume

6 million units

a month

4 million units

a month

2 million units

a month

500,000 units

a month

Toshiba Corporation

  • Country: Japan