Digital camera incorporates Foveon X3 image-sensor technology

NOVEMBER 7-Foveon Inc. (Santa Clara, CA ; www.Foveon.com) and Sigma Corporation announced that the new Sigma SD9 high-definition digital single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera powered by the Foveon X3 image sensor is now available for sale. The Foveon X3 image sensor in the Sigma SD9 contains more than 10.2 million color photodetectors, which are organized in three layers within the sensor to form 3.54 million full-color pixels.

By dedicating three color photodetectors for each pixel, the SD9 produces images that are sharper, have better color detail, and are more immune to color artifacts than currently available 6-Mpixel digital SLR cameras. The Foveon X3 image sensor first captures red, green, and blue light at every pixel in a single exposure, accomplished by embedding three photodetectors in silicon at each pixel. Foveon X3 image sensors capture the full color of an image without the expense, complexity, and limitations of multi-chip systems such as a 3-CCD camera or a multi-shot system.