Eastman Kodak Company announces that its KAF-16801 high performance image sensor has earned the coveted Circle of Excellence Award from the editors of Photonics Spectra at Photonics West in San Jose, CA. The 16 million pixel imager, which was awarded the honor for its advanced technology for digital imaging, further validates Kodak's position as a leading supplier of CCD and CMOS imagers for the world's most demanding applications.

The 14th annual Circle of Excellence Award, which recognizes outstanding product innovation and superiority in photonics, is one of the industry's most prestigious contests for photonics technology. Nominees are judged on a wide set of photonics technology criteria in applications including imaging, lasers and fiber optics. Judges of this award comprise experts from Photonic Spectra's editorial advisory board. Previous winners have been selected from every segment of the photonics technology industry and include large and small firms from around the world.

"This award underscores the fact that Kodak is committed to providing imagers with uncompromising performance and image quality," said Dave Nichols, Technology Development Manager, Image Sensor Solutions, Eastman Kodak Company. "The KAF-16801 image sensor has established a new standard of excellence for digital imaging in the professional photography market and is changing the way in which images are being captured. We are honored to be recognized as a leader in the photonics industry."

The KAF-16801, with its ultra-high resolution, high sensitivity and large pixel size, provides wide dynamic range and low image noise. The result is stunning digital images with exceptional sharpness. Professional and aerial photographers, scientists and astronomers benefit from these advantages in image quality.