Aptina’s DSC-Class Image Quality and HD Video Fuel the Smartphone Race

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Aptina, a leading innovator of CMOS imaging technology, today announced that its CCS8140 imaging solution has been chosen by Pantech for its primary camera in the newly released Vega Racer smartphone. The smartphone is highly advanced with sophisticated features, including Aptina’s CCS8140 imaging solution that enables advanced digital still camera (DSC) high quality images and 1080p HD video. The solution affords mobile handset OEMs and camera module integrators not only shorter design time and improved performance advantages, but also lower development and overall systems costs.

“Pantech’s Vega Racer and Aptina’s CCS8140 are a winning combination.”

Pantech’s imaging design team chose Aptina’s fully-tuned primary camera solution for its ability to speed the new powerful smartphone to market faster, reduce costs and provide the high resolution, superior image quality and DSC features that advanced smartphone users demand.

Leveraging Aptina’s pixel, image processing and packaging innovations, the CCS8140 solution combines the company’s MT9E013 8MP CMOS image sensor with their MT9E311 imaging co-processor. This solution offers best-in-class image quality while requiring only minimal tuning and sensor adjustments to complete the final camera design. The fully tuned sensor and co-processor combination provides flexibility for OEMs looking for superior image and video quality and delivers a platform independent solution.

Superior Image Quality for Low Light and High Definition Video Capture

Aptina’s CCS8140 provides a superior DSC-like experience in a mobile device. The combined sensor and processor ensure great image quality in challenging environments, including low light. Video capture in high definition (HD) is available in 1080p. Still and video capture are supported by a number of features including image stabilization for 1080p video, automatic scene detection, anti-shake for still images, and continuous autofocus.

“We are pleased to have worked with Pantech on this very high performance smartphone. The CCS8140 has a top tier feature set and provides best-in-class results, with the focus on design-in ease, small form factor fit, controlled costs, and getting products to market faster,” said Aptina’s Vice President and General Manager of Mobile and PC Gaming Business Unit, Farshid Sabet. “Pantech’s Vega Racer and Aptina’s CCS8140 are a winning combination.”

About Aptina
Aptina is a global provider of CMOS imaging solutions with a growing portfolio of products that can be found in all leading mobile phone and notebook computer brands as well as a wide range of products for digital and video cameras, surveillance, medical, automotive and industrial applications, video conferencing, barcode scanners, toys, and gaming. Aptina enables Imaging Everywhere™ and continually drives innovation as seen with Aptina’s MT9H004 16MP APS-C format image sensor, a 2010 EDN Innovation Award contest winner. Additionally, Aptina introduced the first 14MP CMOS image sensor for point-and-shoot and hybrid cameras (MT9F001) and the industry’s first 5MP SOC with ¼” format (MT9P111). Privately held, Aptina’s investors include Riverwood Capital, TPG Capital and Micron Technology. For additional information on Aptina visit www.aptina.com or subscribe to the latest news from Aptina by copying the Aptina RSS feed into your favorite RSS reader.

About Pantech
Pantech Group, through its affiliates -- Pantech Co., Ltd., and Pantech C&I Co. -- is one of Korea’s top three mobile handset makers. Pantech has received wide-ranging industry recognition for its innovative handset designs, and has also introduced a significant number of breakthrough technologies in the mobile phone industry. Established in 1991, Pantech collectively has over 3,000 employees and 6 regional sales offices worldwide. For more information on Pantech, please visit www.pantech.com.

©2011 Aptina Imaging Corporation. All rights reserved. Information is subject to change without notice. Aptina, the Aptina logo, and Imaging Everywhere are trademarks of Aptina Imaging Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.