New OmniPixel®3-HS Delivers Best-in-Class Sensitivity
BARCELONA, Spain (Mobile World Congress) — February 12, 2008 — OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), the world’s largest supplier of CMOS image sensors, today launched the world’s smallest VGA CameraChip™ sensor, the OV7690. The new 1/13-inch VGA sensor features the newest generation of OmniVision’s proprietary pixel architecture, OmniPixel®3-HS, which delivers almost double the sensitivity and low-light performance (960mV/Lux-sec) of other low cost sensors.
The OV7690’s new 1.75-micron OmniPixel®3-HS architecture combined with a unique, non-linear micro lens shift technology allows for a significant reduction in distance between the sensor and the lens, and thus enables OmniVision to significantly reduce the module height while maintaining the highest levels of image quality and camera performance. The result is an ultra-thin camera module of just 4.5 x 4.5 x 2.8 mm, a critical characteristic both for slim camera phones and for notebook applications where the camera module can be no thicker than the LCD housing.
“With the VGA camera market still experiencing solid growth and showing even further growth potential, we developed this VGA sensor with our most advanced production pixel technology,” said Bruce Weyer, OmniVision’s Vice President of Marketing. “Emerging markets offer huge potential for entry-level camera phones, while mature markets look to use the OV7690 for secondary cameras in high-end handsets and integrated laptop cameras. The OV7690 is a great camera solution for mobile handsets and laptop computers that want excellent image quality from a very small VGA sensor, and we believe that the OV7690 will help us increase our leadership position in the VGA market segment.”
The OV7690 comes in a newly developed chip scale package (CSP3) which further improves device reliability and reduces system height.
The OV7690 is currently available for sampling, and OmniVision expects to begin volume production in the third calendar quarter of 2008.
Safe-Harbor Language
Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the performance and capabilities of, the anticipated demand for and the expected time frame for volume shipment of the OV7690 CMOS image sensors are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties, which could cause the forward-looking statements and OmniVision’s results to differ materially, include, without limitation: potential errors, design flaws or other problems with the OV7690; customer acceptance, demand, and other risks detailed from time to time in OmniVision’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, OmniVision’s annual report filed on Form 10-K and quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q. OmniVision expressly disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.