If you thought the 13MP sensors you’ve seen lately in some Japanese cell phones were enough, think again. Sony today unveiled the 1/2.8-inch back-illuminated Exmor R IMX081PQ CMOS sensor (pictured on the left), which boasts 16.41MP. Needless to say, it’s the first of its kind.
Sony says the first samples will be shipped to yet to be named makers in January next year, costing $30.30.
Look at the comparison shots below to see what the new sensor will mean for us consumers when we get phones with the sensor built in sometime next year:
Sony also announced a 1/3.2-inch sensor with 8.13MP, the IMX105PQ, which will be made available in April 2011 for $18.18. This model is much smaller (height: 5.67mm) and shown on the right in the picture on top of this post.