OmniVision Technologies Inc., a developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, announced the OV8856, a new 1/4-inch 8‑megapixel PureCel sensor designed for mainstream mobile devices.
Built on OmniVision’s 1.12-micron pixel architecture, the OV8856 offers higher image quality and improved performance when compared with previous generation 8-megapixel image sensors. Together with a compact form factor, the OV8856 is an ideal solution for front- and rear-facing cameras in mainstream smartphones.
“The global market for 8-megapixel sensors is booming, with analysts expecting over one billion in annual unit sales by 2017. A vast number of mainstream mobile handsets are already using 8-megapixel cameras for their rear-facing cameras. Looking forward, industry observers expect a strong trend toward an ever-increasing number of mobile handsets with their former 1/4-inch 5-megapixel cameras upgraded to 1/4-inch 8-megapixel cameras,” said Arun Jayaseelan, product marketing manager at OmniVision. “The capabilities and compactness of the OV8856 address the increasing consumer demand for higher resolution and more advanced features in mobile front- and rear-facing cameras.”
The 1/4-inch OV8856 leverages OmniVision’s PureCel pixel architecture to capture full-resolution 8-megapixel images and video at 30 frames per second (FPS), and 1080p high definition (HD) video at 60 FPS. This power-efficient sensor also supports interlaced HDR (iHDR) for high dynamic range video. The sensor uses a high-speed four-lane MIPI interface and can output full-resolution, 8-megapixel 30 FPS video over two MIPI lanes without requiring any data compression. The OV8856 is one of the smallest 8-megapixel sensors in the market today, and is approximately 15 percent smaller than OmniVision’s previous generation OV8858 image sensor. The OV8856 can fit into a 6.5 mm x 6.5 mm fixed focus module with a z-height of approximately 4 mm.
OmniVision also announced the OV8855, a variation of the OV8856 that supports phase detection autofocus (PDAF) for faster and more accurate focusing. Both sensors are currently available for sampling, and are expected to enter volume production in the fourth quarter of 2015.
