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High-Resolution High-Sensitivity Diagonal
9.310 mm (Type 1/1.7) 10.17M-Effective Pixel
Color CCD for Consumer Digital Still Cameras
ICX685CQZ
In addition to the existing needs for even higher resolution in compact consumer digital still cameras, there are
now increasing needs for improved high sensitivity and higher dynamic range.
Sony has now developed the ICX685CQZ diagonal 9.310 mm (Type 1/1.7) 10.17M-effective pixel interline CCD,
which, by taking full advantage of Sony’s unique fine pixel fabrication technologies,
achieves the industry's top class of sensitivity characteristics while maintaining a high pixel count.
This device is also capable of high-sensitivity consecutive still image capture of images with about 2.54M pixels
by adding four pixels, two horizontally and two vertically, in frame readout mode (1/4 still image). |
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ICX685CQZ |
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■ Diagonal 9.310 mm (Type 1/1.7)
10.17M effective pixels
■ Pixel size: 2.030 μm unit pixel
■ Eight-field readout
■ Horizontal divided into fourths
output
■ Horizontal 3-phase drive
The ICX685CQZ is a diagonal 9.310 mm
(Type 1/1.7) 10.17M-effective pixel square
pixel array interline CCD that was developed
for compact consumer digital still cameras.
By adopting a new allocation structure
between the horizontal and vertical registers
and a horizontal divided into fourths readout
structure, the ICX685CQZ is capable of high-speed
output with the pixel count divided
by four. (See table 2.) Compared to the
existing Sony ICX665/675 series diagonal
7.705 mm (Type 1/2.3) 10.17M-effective pixel
CCDs, the ICX685CQZ achieves significant
improvements in device characteristics.
It is optimal for the high-sensitivity high-resolution
digital still camera area.
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 The Industry’s Top Class
for Picture Quality |
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TThe ICX685CQZ achieves the industry's
top class for picture quality as a CCD for
consumer compact digital still cameras. (See
photograph 1.) In the luminance signal, it
features a signal-to-noise ratio improved by
about one f stop over current devices. (See
figure 1.) It achieves the industry’s top class
with its high sensitivity and wide dynamic
range, with a sensitivity improved by 2× (+6
dB) and a saturation signal improved by 1.7×
(+4.7 dB). Furthermore, Sony increased the
ratio of the area occupied by the sensor within
the unit pixel by structural optimizations,
improved the condensing efficiency with
a new condensing structure, and adopted
the latest noise reduction technology. As
a result, not only were the sensitivity and
saturation characteristics improved, but
smear characteristics even better than those
in current products were achieved as well.
(See table 2.) |
| High-Sensitivity, High-Speed
Still Imaging |
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To capture the critical moment beautifully
and quickly, Sony included a new high-frame-rate “frame readout mode (1/4 still
image)” in the ICX685CQZ. This new mode
makes it possible to continuously capture still
images with a size of about 2.54M pixels at the high speed of 6.983 frame/s, and with high
sensitivity by using the horizontal 2-pixel
addition function in horizontal divided into
fourths mode and the vertical register 2-pixel
vertical addition function. (See table 2.) |
Readout Modes
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In addition to frame readout mode, which can
acquire the full 10.17M-effective pixel high-sensitivity
still images and the previously
mentioned frame readout mode (1/4 still
image), which is capable of continuous
high-sensitivity imaging at high speed, the
ICX685CQZ also provides a readout mode
(mode 1), which can acquire VGA resolution
images at 30 frame/s, and a readout mode
(mode 2), which can acquire images at the
high frame rate of 60 frame/s. (See table 2.) |
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•••• Mr. Sonoda ••••
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To respond to the market desires for
high sensitivity, we developed a Type
1/1.7 10.17M-effective pixel CCD. As a
result of working together as a team to
take the greatest possible advantage of
Sony’s fine fabrication technology, we
achieved a high sensitivity twice that of
existing products. This CCD achieves
the industry’s highest class of sensitivity
for use in consumer compact digital still
cameras. I strongly recommend that you
look into this product. |
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See
all articles with figures and tables.  |
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Vol.57 |
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