Camera Phones Dominate Image Sensor Market

In-Stat of Scottsdale, Ariz., a provider of research on business, product and technology decisions, reported that the 2006 image sensor market saw strong growth, primarily thanks to the camera phone, which comprised more than three-quarters of all image sensors shipped. Because these phones were in demand, CMOS sensors dominated CCDs in units shipped in 2006. CCDs continued to dominate the point-and-shoot camera market, though, while the digital-single-lens reflex market has been transitioning to CMOS sensors, led by Canon, which exclusively uses its own CMOS sensors. In-Stat also found that CMOS sensors held nearly an 80 percent share of image sensor shipments in 2006 and that CCD sensors remained strong in digital still cameras, security cameras and camcorders. It also reported that dual-camera phones are in high demand in Asia and Europe among 3G wireless subscribers. A complete review of the 2006 market for image sensors, as well as an annual forecast through 2011, can be found in “Image Sensors 2007: CMOS is Everywhere.”