Sony has announced a new image sensor “Exmor”  that is to be used in Sony mobile phones to achieve the industry’s smallest unit cell size (1.4µm), and the industry’s highest pixel count*1 (12.25 effective megapixel resolution). This new technology will help meet the demand for better cameras in handsets.

Sony will eventually use the 12.25-megapixel lens with autofocus functions, to enhance the enjoyment of taking high quality photos with a mobile phone. The lens will ship in Mar, 2009 with a suggested price of 2,500 yen. Such technology in phones will eventually create less use for lower end digital cameras. Users will eventually start purchasing these phones as a means to save money rather than purchasing both a mobile phone and a camera.

[Via Sony]