History
Sony Semiconductor Solutions was founded in October 2015 and is the entity responsible for designing and manufacturing Exmor sensors. The Exmor series includes notable innovations such as the Intelligent Vision Sensor, announced on May 14, 2020. Sony’s collaboration with Xiaomi resulted in the use of Sony’s first 1-inch smartphone camera sensor, and the Sharp Aquos R7 also adopted this advanced technology.
Versions
Exmor R, introduced on June 11, 2008, is a back-illuminated version of Sony’s CMOS image sensor technology, claiming to be twice as sensitive as normal sensors. It can be found in Sony mobile phones, cameras, and even iPhones, showcasing its versatility. The Sony ILCE-7RM2 camera features an Exmor R sensor, further highlighting its widespread adoption in the industry.
Exmor RS, STARVIS, and Others
Exmor RS, the world’s first stacked CMOS image sensor, was announced on August 20, 2012, with sensors like IMX582, IMX586, and IMX686 widely implemented in smartphones. STARVIS sensors, known for high pixel sensitivity, are used in ambient-light surveillance systems and prosumer webcams with 4K HDR support. Notable introductions include the IMX585 sensor in STARVIS 2, which was incorporated by Razer Inc. in a prosumer webcam. Additionally, Sony introduced Exmor T with the Xperia 1 V smartphone in May 10, 2023, further enriching its portfolio of cutting-edge image sensor technologies.