CELL PHONES
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
» TV: Phones
LAPTOPS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
» TV: Laptops
CAMERAS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
» TV: Cameras
» infoSync TV » Review Center
» Special reports » Expert guides
» RSS & Alerts » Ask The Editors
Home / Cell phones
Kodak brings true camera functionality to cell phonesBy Sindre Lia, Monday 4 February 2008
Kodak brings functionality such as image stabilization, red-eye reduction and face recognition to camera handsets.

Kodak's new KAC-05020 image sensor is the world's first 1.4 micron CMOS pixel device, offering up to a 5-megapixel image resolution. After rethinking the design of the CMOS pixel and leveraging the work with high sensitivity color filter patterns and algorithms, Kodak will be ready to deliver the new sensor in large scale to cell phone manufacturers such as Motorola by the end of 2008.

At 5-megapixels, the KAC-05020 enables imagery up to ISO 3200 and support for full 720p video at 30 fps. The sensor is also supported by the TI OMAP and OMAP-DM solutions, enabling a host of Kodak's image processing and enhancement features, including digital image stabilization, rapid auto-focus, red-eye reduction, and face recognition.

Smaller and thinner camera phones, high performance under low light, and superior video performance are the types of features that will enable the next generation of consumer imaging devices, according to Fas Mosleh at Kodak's Image Sensor Solutions.

In a standard 1.75 micron CMOS pixel, signal is measured by detecting electrons, while Kodak's new image sensor detects the absence of electrons. This change has enabled a series of improvements to the design and structure of the pixel that ultimately results in CMOS imaging performance that rivals standard compact cameras using CCD image sensors.

Although 5-megapixel cameras are already available in handsets such as the Nokia N95, improved sensors will be crucial if camera phones should ever replace mainstream usage of standard compact cameras. Kodak's KAC-05020 image is the first true step towards this, and we wouldn't be surprised if Sony is the next sensor maker to announce improvements - perhaps already at next week's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Best Cell phones
Name Score Price Carrier
C
Nokia N95 8GB NAM 85% $650Unlocked
Nokia N95 80% $530Unlocked
AT&T Tilt 77% $400AT&T
Nokia N78 76% $500Unlocked
Apple iPhone 75% $400AT&T
RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 (Sprint) 74% $280Sprint
HTC Mogul 73% $400Sprint
RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8130 (Verizon Wireless) 73% $170Verizon Wireless
Helio Ocean 72% $200Helio
Samsung Instinct 72% $230Sprint
Click here to see full and advanced chart »
 
 
RECOMMENDED
3G BlackBerry Bold hands-on and video
 
Hot new all-touch phones
 
Bold vs. Xperia X1 vs. Glyde vs. Touch Pro
TOP STORIES
Top 10 candybar QWERTY smartphones
 
Top 10 all-touch phones
 
iPhone 3G review (AT&T Wireless)
Top 15 smartphones
 
Top 15 cell phones
 
Blackberry Bold vs. Nokia E71 vs. HP iPAQ 900
CELL PHONE RESOURCE CENTER
Best phones
 
Expert guides
 
Ask the Editors
» Top 15
QWERTY phones
 
All-touch phones
 
Touchscreen phones
Business phones
 
Multimedia phones
 
Concept phones
3+ inch screen phones
 
Wi-Fi phones
 
More...
» Search (New!)
Search by cell phone features
» Manual comparison (New!)
Select up to 4 cell phones side-by-side
» By release
May 2008, June 2008, Q3 2008
» Top 15 by carrier
Unlocked, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Helio, Alltel
» Top 15 by user type
Average Joe, Business users, Calling addicts, Fashion conscious users, Globetrotters, High-res addicts, Internet addicts, Multimedia enthusiasts, Music aficionados, Outdoor enthusiasts, TV addicts, Video lovers, More...
» Top 15 by brand
Apple, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia, BlackBerry, Samsung, Sony Ericsson Other
» Top 15 by platform
Palm OS, Symbian S60, Symbian UIQ, Windows Mobile
» Top 15 by cell phone type
Business smartphones, Multimedia smartphones
Consumer QWERTY phones, Multimedia phones
Concept phones
NOW IN PHONES
iPhone Apps: Reviews of the 6 apps we really use
 
Palm Treo 800w review (Sprint)
 
Palm Treo 800w (Sprint) video review
 
What cell phones work where?
 
Top 10 candybar QWERTY smartphones
Top 10 all-touch phones
Four new phones are now shipping
iPhone 3G: The world is ready for smart mobile solutions
Next 25 stories
MUST READ
CELL PHONES
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
LAPTOPS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
CAMERAS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
MP3 players
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
INTERNET TABLETS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
GPS NAVIGATORS
HDTVs
CAMCORDERS
About us | How to advertise | Feedback | RSS Feeds | | Archive
Copyright 1999-2008 © infoSync World