September 26, 2005 - Spurred by digital cameras and the rise in cell phone cameras, sales of imaging sensors and integrated imaging modules should hit $4 billion in 2005, market research firm Strategies Unlimited predicts in a report to be released in October.
Four Japanese companies - Sharp, Sony, Toshiba and Matsushita – have the greatest market share for sensors and modules. The report also notes that two of the companies lead in production of CMOS sensors as well as CCDs, which has traditionally been the more common product.
Some of the large players in image sensors are outsourcing manufacturing processes, according to the report. Kodak, for instance, will hire Asian companies to make, test and assemble modules for its new CMOS chips.
