World’s first. We’ve heard that word fairly often. Here comes another. Sony just announced the world’s first 16.41-Megapixel CMS sensor for mobile phones. The 1/2.8-inch back-illuminated Exmor R model IMX081PQ sensor packs an industry smallest 1.12μm unit cell size and is capable of shooting 1080p at 30fps or 720p at 60fps.

Sony claims to have solved some of the issues related to those incredibly small pixel sizes by implementing a unique formation of photo diodes to achieve a sensor with high resolution, high sensitivity, and low noise. Sampling of the sensors for smartphones is expected to begin in January 2011.

If you’re in any intention of developing prototype phones, then do call up Sony and order few trays of them. They’re priced at ¥2,500 (about $30) per or ¥12,000 (about $145) when packaged with a 10.5 x 10.5 x 7.9 mm IU081F autofocus lens module that ships in March. Prices will come down ‘drastically’ if you do buy them in trays.

SOURCE via Sony