Sharp develops 12-megapixel compact CCD sensor
updated 10:40 am EST, Wed November 8, 2006
Sharp 12MP camera sensor
Sharp has announced the creation of a new 12MP CCD sensor, designed to fit inside compact digital cameras. By contrast, today's most powerful compacts (such as Canon's PowerShot G7) are limited to 10MP. Many digital SLR cameras have less than 10MP. Measuring a mere 1/1.7-inches, Sharp's sensor shrinks each photosite down to 1.88 microns. This has caused worry at websites such as Digital Photography Review, which notes that the push for more megapixels may actually decrease sensitivity, increase noise, and put too much demand on the lower-grade lenses used in compacts. Sharp should start mass-producing the sensor in January. No specific camera models have been announced, either by Sharp or third parties.
