Sharp Corporation has developed a 110,000-pixel CMOS camera module with an optical system 1/11-inch in size. The model, LZ0P396D, is the industry’s most compact, and is ideal for portable devices such as mobile phones.

Small, high-resolution, cameras are increasingly being adopted for use in compact portable devices such as mobile phones. The proliferation of third-generation (3G) mobile phones is continuing in tandem with the inclusion of videophone functions. For the second camera unit needed for such features, demand for super-compact camera modules that can be embedded in the limited space available in these devices is also increasing.

The new CMOS camera module developed at this time is based on proprietary Sharp high-density design technology. Improved optical system design and greater precision in molding components are combined to reduce the vertical profile of the unit. It results a module size of 0.07 cc (5.5 x 5.5 x 2.43 mm). The output image resolution is 352 (H) x 288 (V) pixels. The LZ0P396D supports full-motion video capture at 30 frames per second (fps).

Mass-production will begin in April, 2006.