LBCAST

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LBCAST (Lateral Buried Charge Accumulator and Sensing Transistor array) is a type of photo sensor which is simpler and thus smaller and faster than CMOS sensors. It was developed for Nikon in 2003.

From the Nikon Website:

In July 2003, Nikon introduced LBCAST- a completely new type of image sensor, different from CCD and CMOS, that is a high-speed, power-efficient, low-noise device to be installed in Nikon's flagship camera, the D2H.

Compared with conventional sensors, it saves more power and achieves less dark noise (a phenomenon in which randomly-spaced bright pixels appear in images due to the heat from the image device during shooting). Also, LBCAST increases image processing speed and improves sensitivity, contrast and color reproduction

3 Years later, the D2H and the D2Hs are the ONLY Nikons to carry the sensor. Nikon has opted to use CCDs sourced from SONY in most of their low and mid range cameras and uses a CMOS sensor in the flagship D2Xs. The LBCAST sensor in the D2Hs has remained at 4.3MP.

The advent of the Sony Alpha dSLR has led to speculations that Nikon may look to another sensor provider to avoid sharing technology with a potential rival. Nikon fans hope that this may lead to further development of the LBCAST type sensor.