Image sensors have come a long way since the first introduction of CCD sensor technology in the 1990’s. They made a big jump in the 2000’s with the introduction of CMOS sensor technology which gave birth to the low-cost, high volume camera phone market.

Image sensors are now part of our everyday life: from cell-phone cameras, to notebook webcams, digital cameras, video camcorders to security & surveillance systems. In the future, new markets are also emerging such as sensors for medical applications, automotive security features, but also gaming and home TV webcams … The reason why we are now releasing our first report on the CMOS image sensor industry is that we feel that we are at an historic turning point for this young, but still maturing industry.

Indeed, from 2010 and toward the next decade, the time has come that high-end and low-end markets start converging: digital cameras are on the way to get real HD video camcorder features. Meanwhile, camera cell-phones with auto-focus capability are on the way to get real digital still camera features along with basic video recording functionality… As these markets will progressively converge, key enabling technologies will be developed and are paving the way to the future growth of digital imaging industry:

• To provide market data on CMOS image sensor key market metrics & dynamics:
  • CMOS image sensor unit shipments, revenues and wafer production by application
  • Market shares with detailed breakdown for each player
  • Application focus on key areas of growth for CMOS image sensor (handsets, DSC/SLR, medical, automotive, security & surveillance, etc...)
• To provide key technical insight about future technology trends & challenges: 
  • From BSI (Backside illuminated sensor) and other front-end technologies evolution (Pixel isolation, color filters, micro-lenses…) to WLC (Wafer Level Cameras) realization with wafer level optics, Packaging / Assembly & Test (Wafer Level Packaging and 3D TSV interconnects), WDR (Wide dynamic Range) sensor technologies, Image stabilization & Auto-focus technologies (eDoF, Piezo, other mechanical AF , MEMS based, WL Auto-focus or liquid lenses)
• To provide a deep understanding of CIS value chain, infrastructure & players:
  • Who are the CMOS image sensor players (IDMs, foundries, design houses) and how are they related?
  • What are the key suppliers and emerging infrastructure for BSI, Wafer Level Cameras, and future optical camera module technologies?

Companies cited in the report:
Advasense, AIE, AJI, Altasens, Anafocus, Anteryon, Aptina Imaging, Artificial Muscle, Asahi Glass, Awaiba, AWLP, BC Tech, BEI Kimco magnetic, Bosch, Cambridge Mechatronics, Canesta, Canon, Ceradyne, China WLCSP, CMOSIS, Continental, Crysview, Cypress, DALSA, DBlur, Delphi, Dongbu HiTek, DXO-Lab, e2v, Espon-Toyocom, Forza Silicon, Foveon, Foxconn, Fujinon, Fujitsu, GalaxyCore, Grace Semiconductor, Given Imaging, Hamamatsu, Hella, Heptagon, Himax imaging, HHNEC, Hoya, Hynix, Invensense, Jabil, JCAP, Kantatsu, Kodak, Kolen, Konica Minolta, Kostal, KunShan RuiXin Micro, Largan, LensVector, LG Innotek, Live Technologies, Medigus, Melexis, MGB Endoscopy, Micro-Imaging Solutions, Mitsumi, Murata, NEC / Schott, Nemotek, New Imaging Technologies, New scale technologies, Novatek, Omnivision, Omron, Optotune, OptoPac, Panasonic, PlanOptik, Phillips, Pixart, PixelPlus, Pixim, poLight, PGS Precision Pte, Q-Technology, Qualtre, Rad-icon, Rhevision, Retinal Implant, Saint-Gobain, Samsung, Sarnoff, Schott, Seiko, SEMCO, Senodia, SETi, Sharp, Sightic, Siimpel, SiliconFile, SMIC, SOITEC, Sony, STMicro, SuperPix, Tessera, Texas Instrument, Toshiba, Trioptics,Trixel, TSMC, TowerJazz, UMC, Valeo, Valtronic, Varioptic, Vasstek, VisEra, Vista Point, Viti, X-Fab, XceedImaging, XinTec, Zarlink, Ziptronixand more …