Kodak announces world’s first 50 Megapixel CCD sensor

Based on a newly designed 6.0 micron pixel, the platform provides increased data throughput for faster frame rate, a reduced “click to capture” time for improved camera response, lower power consumption for improved battery life, and improved color fidelity, while still retaining key performance parameters available from the larger, 6.8 micron pixel used in current products, Kodak said. With an 8176 x 6132 pixel array, the 50 million pixel sensor KAF-50100 provides the highest resolution available in the popular 48 mm x 36 mm optical format used in medium format photography.

At 50 megapixels, the sensor captures digital images with unprecedented resolution and detail, Kodak pointed out in a press release, adding that, for example, in an aerial photo of a field 1-½ miles across, a camera could detect an object about the size of a small notebook computer (1 foot by 1 foot).

Engineering grade devices of the KAF-50100 are currently available, with volume production planned for Q4, 2008.