Toshiba expands range of CMOS image sensors

Toshiba Electronics Europe has expanded its range of high performance backside illumination CMOS image sensors equipped with Phase Detection Auto-Focus (PDAF). Designed for use in smartphones and tablets the sensors are claimed to achieve high performance image capture and low power consumption. The range expansion features the 8 megapixel (MP) T4KA3-121, the 16 MP T4KC3-121, the 13 MP T4KB3-121 and the 20 MP T4KA7-121.

Originally developed for SLR cameras, PDAF locks in focus at speeds much faster than the auto-focus systems currently used in smartphones and tablets, making it easier for mobile devices to capture not only the still objects, but also fast moving objects.

Image brightness is said to be boosted by up to four times by Toshiba's Bright Mode technology and the sensors also support high dynamic range to capture natural images of scenes with a high contrast ratio.

The T4KA3-121 achieves output speeds of up to 30fps at 8MP-resolution with power consumption figures of 140mW or lower. Full-HD outputs are supported at frame rates of up to 60fps, and HD outputs are supported at 120fps in normal mode and 240fps in Bright Mode.

The T4KB3-121 and T4KC3-121 achieve output speeds of up to 30fps at 4K2K resolutions, Full-HD at frame rates of up to 60fps, and HD outputs at 120fps.

The T4KA7-121 achieves output speeds of up to 22ps at full 20MP-resolution 24fps at 18.8MP and 28fps at 16.3MP, with a power consumption of 440mW.