Image Sensor Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Technology (CCD Sensor, CMOS Sensor), By Processing Type (2D, 3D), By Application (Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Healthcare, Surveillance & Security, Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026

The global image sensor market size stood at USD 15.93 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 29.99 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period.

Sensors have become the primary segment contributing to the booming semiconductor industry. Constant evolution in technology and innovative fields of applications are refining the prominence of sensors day by day. Sensors are becoming the backbone of modern vehicles, advanced driver assistant systems (ADAS), innovative medical devices, automated production technologies, smart building technologies, and power supply systems. At the same time, sensors are becoming more robust, specific and precise, often smarter and communicative with an affordable cost which makes them more popular to deploy in the developing smart infrastructure. The charge-coupled device (CCD) technology was initially prevailing because of its superior picture quality and sensitivity. However, numerous enhancements in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) has led CMOS image sensors to overtake CCD image sensors in terms of shipment volume since 2004. Unlike CCD sensors that use high voltage analog circuitry, CMOS consumes less power and is available in compact size compared to CCD. Hence, CMOS is preferred over CCD, and are thus contributing more revenue to the image sensor market growth.

Improved quality of image processing techniques and imaging technologies are expected to result in continuous development of image sensors. The image sensor functions as an electronic device capable of converting photons into an equivalent amount of electronic signal, thus, forming a digital image. Initially, the use of the image sensors was limited to the camera modules and related imaging devices. With continuous developing technological trends such as industrial automation, adoption of advanced driver assistant systems (ADAS) in the automotive sector, and machine vision in robotics fields, the deployment of image sensors in these areas has gained popularity. This is further expected to attract high imaging sensor market revenue in the forecast period.

Consumer electronics is one of the rapidly booming application areas where there is a growing demand for devices such as smartphones, digital cameras, AR/VR systems. The automation process is widely spreading from manufacturing and processing plants to the automotive field. These systems have a major deployment of image sensors in their infrastructure. The factors stated above, in turn, propagates the image sensor market growth diplomatically in the automotive applications. The image sensors applications are rapidly increasing across diverse industries such as automotive and healthcare, and this is likely to create immense image sensor market growth opportunities in the coming years.

MARKET DRIVERS

“Rising Popularity of ADAS System is Boosting Image Sensor Market Demand from Automotive Sector”

The modern automotive sector is booming rapidly by adopting emerging technologies such as machine vision, asset management, artificial intelligence, and related innovative technologies. Advanced driver assistant system having a 360-degree surround camera, and is gaining popularity due to its beneficial features such as 360-degree vision, anti-lock brakes, lane departure warning, electronic stability control, traction control, and adaptive cruise control. ADAS infrastructure shows a major utilization of image sensors for its machine vision technology. ADAS technology has given a push to the concept of driverless cars or automated vehicles. These emerging concepts are expected to deliver a major contribution to increase the adoption of image sensors and drive the demand for image sensors during the forecast period.     

“Ongoing Shift to CMOS technology and improvement in image quality favoring image sensor market development”

Compact size, improved sensitivity, and efficient utilization of power are favoring CMOS image sensor adoption while suppressing CCD image sensor technology. CMOS image sensor technology became more popular since it offers improved image quality and reduces the manufacturing cost. Largely, developing CMOS infrastructure & the emergence of advanced imaging technologies is expected to increase the image sensor market size. For instance, Sony Corporation developed Back Side Illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensors in 2018 and it has been majorly adopted due to its high-resolution image quality. Thus, the adoption of CMOS imaging sensors has augmented the image sensor market revenue.

SEGMENTATION

By Technology Analysis

“CMOS Image Sensor Technology to hold a majority of the Image Sensor Market Share”

Based on technology, the scope of the market study covers CCD and CMOS image sensors. In previous years, CCD image sensors dominated the global image sensors market. Later on, CMOS Image sensors trailed down the CCD technology by offering features such as low power consumption, small size, faster frame rate, ease of integration, and inferior manufacturing cost. The performance of image sensors has progressed due to the development of the CMOS image sensor technology. This has improved the penetration of CMOS technology in consumer electronics. Moreover, boosted performance and lower vending amount further lift the market for CMOS technology.

By Processing Type Analysis

“Rising Popularity of 3D Imaging in Machine Learning likely to Fuel   Image Sensor Market”

Depending on the processing type, the image sensor market is segmented into 2 dimensional (2D) and 3 dimensional (3D) sensors. The existing scenario of the market showcases the major availability and utilization of 2-dimensional technology. However, emerging technologies such as machine vision, and computer vision are indicating 3D image sensors will hold major shares of image sensor market in the coming years. Time-Of-Fight (TOF) technology specifically deals with 3D depth-sensing applications. 3D image processing facilitates more precise and reliable depth sensing in various applications. For instance, Infineon Technologies AG is developing 3D image sensors for applications such as 3D scanning, 3D biometric identification, body tracking, and hand gesture. Omni Vision Technologies Inc. is also developing 3D imaging machine vision in automotive applications to support the performance of emerging technologies. Besides this, incorporation of 3D image sensors in smartphones augmented reality (AR) applications, and 3D computational photography is offering opportunities for the image sensor market to grow.

By Application Analysis

“Consumer Electronics Segment Estimated to Lead Market during Forecast Period”

By application, the image sensor market covers consumer electronics, automotive, healthcare, surveillance & security, and others. With the adoption of disruptive technologies, most of the industries ranging from healthcare, automotive to defense are leading towards the utilization of image sensors, intending for use on a variety of applications.

With the increased sale of smartphones, the consumer applications of the image sensors have witnessed rapid development over the last few decades. High-resolution digital camera, high sensitivity & low noise DSLR camera, point-and-shoot cameras, tablet PC cameras, smartphones with the dual camera are collectively giving a push to the demand for imaging sensors in consumer electronics. The commercialization of stacked image sensors for ADAS technology is likely to enhance growth in the automotive sector. Besides this, evolving technologies such as ADAS technology, driverless car, and automated vehicle systems are the major cabinets surrounding camera and visualization technology. The infrastructure majorly involves the deployment of an image sensor and imaging technologies. The factors mentioned above is likely to aid in the expansion of the image sensor market during the forecast period. Leading market players such as Sony Corporation, ON Semiconductor and, Omni-vision represent technology development interest in consumer electronics and automotive imaging products. Hence, consumer electronics and automotive applications are expected to attract high imaging sensors market revenue in the forthcoming period.

The security and surveillance segment is one of the major application areas accountable for the growing demand for image sensing solutions. Advanced CCTV or surveillance modules need to be adopted due to their increased quality, high resolution, and three-dimensional vision. Similarly, satellite photographs and radar images have enhanced due to advanced imaging sensors and technologies. The rising adoption of drones with high camera vision is becoming a prime factor for surveillance in defense. The increasing necessity of surveillance systems in industrial as well as commercial sectors has led to the higher adoption of CCTV cameras, drones and related imaging products.

Further, government policies and regulations focused on residential security and surveillance segment is also playing a significant role in the image sensor market landscape. Emerging optical scanning technologies, diagnostic technologies, and optical therapy are expected to supplement the image sensor market growth in healthcare applications. Industrial automation, and factory monitoring processes are also showcasing a surge in the adoption of image sensors, thus increasing the overall image sensors market size.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The global image sensor market is studied for five major geographic regions including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. These regions are further divided into countries. Among these regions, the market in Europe is likely to witness high adoption of image sensors, further attributed to the rise in purchase of camera modules and smartphones. This is expected to contribute to the market development in the upcoming years. North America is also holding significant imaging market share. Technological development and innovative technology adoption rate increased the popularity of advanced imaging solutions in the region. Further, automotive, consumer electronics, and healthcare industries show superior adoption of the imaging sensor and products in the region. Latin America (LATAM) and Middle East & Africa (MEA) market are likely to exhibit a healthy growth rate due to increasing adoption of ADAS system and safety regulations in the region.

In 2018, Asia Pacific (APAC) region contributed highest revenue in image sensor market and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period as well. In Asia Pacific, the rapidly growing semiconductor industry and the presence of market leaders have supported a surge in the growth rate of the image sensor market. The presence of key players such as Sony Corporation and the availability of a strong customer base is also accountable for expanding the image sensors market across Asia Pacific. Furthermore, the development of advanced infrastructure and increasing penetration of smart devices, smartphones, and digital services in APAC developing countries is likely to boost the market in coming years.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

“Advancement in Camera Modules of Smartphones and automotive imaging technology is dominating Image Sensor market landscape”

The top five key players such as Sony Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., ON Semiconductor Corporation, STMicroelectronics N.V. and, Panasonic Corporation functioning in the image sensor market account for about three-fourths of the imaging sensors market share. The key image sensor market manufacturers have been actively modernizing their current image sensing offerings to achieve more precise, robust and in-depth sensing at optimized cost. In terms of technological innovation, the key players are mostly functioning of Time-Of-Fight (TOF) technology for 3D sensing. Industry Preferring CMOS technology due to its low power consumption, improved sensitivity, robust and compact structure. Most of the key players contributed to the development of image sensors for high picture quality camera modules, drones, CCTV and smartphones as it is the fastest growing industry. Vital players are developing 3D depth sensors that play a significant role in smartphones and for applications such as augmented reality, reliable face authentication, and improved photo functions, that are extracted through exact 3D image data. Expanding the application area by incorporating image sensors in machine vision, industrial automation, and also the development of 3D image sensing technologies for ADAS and visualization in the automotive industry fuel the image sensor market growth in the future. Emerging optical diagnostic and optical monitoring equipment are integrated with advanced imaging technologies by key players

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED: 

• AMS AG.


• Canon, Inc.


• Galaxy Core, Inc.


• Hamamatsu Photonics K.K


• Infineon Technologies AG


• ON Semiconductor Corporation


• OmniVision Technologies Inc.


• Panasonic Corporation


• PMD Technologies AG


• Pixelplus


• Sony Corporation


• Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.


• STMicroelectronics N.V.


• SK Hynix, Inc.


• Sharp Corporation

REPORT COVERAGE

The global Image Sensor market research report provides various key insights such as market trends, segmentation analysis, recent industry developments including mergers & acquisitions, macro, and microeconomic factors, ecosystem analysis, consolidated SWOT analysis, competitive landscape, competition matrix, and company profiles.

Report Scope & Segmentation

INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT:

• October 2019: Sony Corporation launched six types of stacked CMOS image sensors. The sensors are developed by centering on industrial equipment applications. The back-illuminated pixel structure is adopted to attain a global shutter function.


• February 2019: Infineon Technologies AG works in partnership with PMD Technologies AG in the development of the world’s smallest 3 Dimensional image sensor chip for smartphones named REAL3. Along with deep sensing, the image sensor can control the device via gestures so that human-machine interaction being context-based.