Eastman Kodak claims to have developed the world’s first 50-megapixel CCD image sensor for professional medium format photography.

 

July 9, 2008: Eastman Kodak claims to have developed the world’s first 50-megapixel CCD image sensor for professional medium format photography.
With an 8176 x 6132 pixel array, the 50 million pixel sensor provides the highest resolution available in the popular 48 mm x 36 mm optical format used in medium format photography. Featuring a new type of photosite design, the Kodak KAF-50100 Image Sensor has 6.0 micron photosites, which are smaller than those used in current professional image sensors. However, it also offers lower power consumption, shorter ‘click-to-capture’ times and improved colour fidelity. The new sensor is the first to utilise Kodak’s TrueSense 6.0 micron Full Frame CCD Technology Platform, which increases both the resolution and camera performance available to photographers.
The KAF-50100 is the latest addition to Kodak’s family of full-frame CCD image sensors for the professional photography market. Engineering grade devices of the KAF-50100 are currently available, with volume production planned for the last quarter of 2008. For more information on Kodak’s entire portfolio of image sensors, please visit www.kodak.com/go/imagers.
Hasselblad is believed to be the first company to utilise the new KAF-50100. The company has announced it will ship a version of the H3DII containing the new chip. Tp be known as the H3DII-50, the new medium format camera features a standard sensitivity range of ISO 100-400 and a burst capture rate of 1.1 frames/second. It is scheduled for release in October 2008.