OMNIVISION DEBUTS 5-MEGAPIXEL AUTO FOCUS MODULE FOR NEXT GENERATION MOBILE HANDSETS
BARCELONA, Spain – February 12, 2007 – OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), a leading independent supplier of CMOS CameraChip™ solutions for high-volume imaging applications, today announced the details of a 5.17 megapixel auto-focus camera module for mobile handsets based around the OV5623 CameraChip™ sensor. The new 14mm x 14mm x 8.75mm module, which OmniVision is premiering at the 3GSM World Congress (booth 1G13) this week in Barcelona, paves the way for high resolution cameras to enter the mainstream mobile handset market.
The new 5 megapixel camera module provides an affordable, quality-driven solution that builds on the company’s leadership in the CMOS digital imaging market. The introduction of the 5 megapixel camera solution with auto-focus capability, a function previously associated with digital still cameras (DSC) and expensive camera phones, brings high image quality and camera performance closer to the mainstream camera phone market.
“Our handset customers are constantly looking to move up the ‘megapixel curve’ in order to provide DSC-quality imaging on mass market camera phones,” commented Jess Lee, Vice President of Mainstream Products at OmniVision. “With the introduction of this advanced 5 megapixel product, OmniVision is providing handset manufacturers with a truly affordable solution that can differentiate their models in the highly competitive mobile handset market. We expect 5 megapixel cameras to become the norm for high performance mobile handsets as consumers’ expectations of quality and functionality continue to evolve. The module is already in mass production and in development with customers, and we expect to be shipping soon.”
The principal market for the new product is the camera phone market, but OmniVision’s 5 megapixel image sensor is equally well suited to DSC video and hybrid camera applications.
The OV5623 CameraChip™ sensor at the heart of the 5 megapixel module has an optical format of just 1/2.5 inches and a 2592 x 1944 image array with digital image stabilization capability. A 10-bit A/D converter enables the OV5623 to operate at 7.5 frames per second (fps) in full resolution or 60 fps at a 864 x 648 resolution for enhanced video viewing on a TV screen.
The OV5623 is built using OmniVision’s proprietary OmniPixel®2 technology, an innovative pixel design manufactured using 0.13-micron CMOS process technology. OmniPixel®2 is critical to the sensor’s high dynamic range and truer-to-life color reproduction. The OV5623 design incorporates OmniVision’s zero-gap micro-lens structures, improving the overall sensitivity of the device. In addition, the sensor’s improved quantum efficiency optimizes image performance by further increasing full well capacity – the amount of charge an individual pixel can hold before saturating.
Safe-Harbor Language
Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the performance, achievements and capabilities of the 5 megapixel module and the market demand for 5 megapixel cameras, 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 OmniPixel®2, the OV5623 CMOS image sensor or the new 5.17 megapixel module,; risks associated with building customer acceptance of and demand for high performance mobile handsets; the development of the market for CMOS sensors in the camera phone market as well as in markets for other portable applications incorporating image sensors; the rapid changes in technical requirements for camera phone products; competitive risks; as well as other risks detailed from time to time in OmniVision’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, OmniVision’s most recent annual report filed on Form 10-K and quarterly report filed on form 10-Q. OmniVision expressly disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.