Sony today announced the commercialization of Exmor RS, the world’s first CMOS image sensor incorporating a unique, newly-developed stacked structure. Sony is introducing three models of the Exmor RS, stacked CMOS image sensor, for use in smartphones and tablets, which combine superior image quality and advanced functionality with compact size. The Exmor RS is a CMOS image sensor that adopts a unique ‘stacked structure.’ This structure layers the pixel section, containing formations of back-illuminated pixels over the chip affixed with mounted circuits for signal processing, in place of conventional supporting substrates used for back-illuminated CMOS image sensors.


In addition to the higher image quality and superior functionality, the use of a ‘stacked structure’ has helped Sony to achieve a more compact size. Sony will also bring to market three compact auto-focus imaging modules equipped with lens units and featuring auto-focus mechanisms that incorporate these image sensors: the ‘IU135F3-Z,’ ‘IU134F9-Z’ and ‘IUS014F-Z’. These three imaging modules adopt a newly-designed lens which has been optimized for the industry’s smallest 1.12μm unit pixel size to achieve higher resolution. Shipments will commence in October.