A new type of CMOS image sensor has been introduced by Toshiba, which has recently announced. And this is a wonderful news for squeezing in high-quality camera sensors in a small area, as is most required these days for mobile phones and other portable devices with a miniaturized camera onboard. Toshiba also claims that it has the smallest level pixel size in the industry, at 1.12 micrometers.

The new super-thin and small CMOS image sensor shown off was 8.08MP in resolution, and measured just 0.25-inches in size. The sensor also comes with backside illumination sensors (BSI), built right onto the silicon substrate, acting as lenses on the rear of the sensor. This enhances the light sensitivity and absorption, imaging performance, and responsiveness of the sensor, making it suitable for capturing fast moving objects and video capture as well.

Everyone can expect to see Toshiba’s new CMOS image sensor with BSI in devices by next year, as they are going to begin sampling it now, and mass produce it in the end of 2011.