From powering over 4.8 billion devices shipped last year to steering the future of autonomous cars and medical diagnostics, the image sensor industry is capturing explosive growth, projected to swell from a $25.4 billion market in 2023 to over $42.8 billion by the decade's end.
Key Takeaways
- The global image sensor market size was valued at USD 25.4 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 42.8 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2024 to 2030.
- Image sensor shipments worldwide reached 4.82 billion units in 2023, marking a 5.2% year-over-year increase driven by smartphone demand.
- The CMOS image sensor segment dominated the market with a 92% revenue share in 2023, up from 89% in 2022.
- Stacked BSI CMOS sensors captured 45% of smartphone market revenue in 2023.
- Global shipments of 200MP+ image sensors exceeded 50 million units in 2023, all stacked CMOS.
- Under-display camera image sensors in production reached 10 million units in 2023 using transparent pixel tech.
- Smartphone image sensors accounted for 78% of total shipments in 2023 at 3.76 billion units.
- Automotive image sensors per vehicle averaged 8 units in Level 2+ ADAS cars in 2023.
- Surveillance cameras deployed 1.2 billion units globally in 2023, each with 2.5 image sensors on average.
- Sony held 54% revenue share in CMOS image sensors for mobile in 2023.
- Samsung captured 29% of the smartphone image sensor unit market in 2023.
- OmniVision ranked third with 9% global image sensor revenue share in 2023.
- Asia-Pacific produced 95% of global image sensors by revenue in 2023.
- Japan accounted for 52% of image sensor revenue with Sony dominance in 2023.
- South Korea's Samsung and SK Hynix generated 28% global CIS revenue 2023.
The image sensor market is growing strongly, driven by smartphones and advanced technologies.
Applications
- Smartphone image sensors accounted for 78% of total shipments in 2023 at 3.76 billion units.
- Automotive image sensors per vehicle averaged 8 units in Level 2+ ADAS cars in 2023.
- Surveillance cameras deployed 1.2 billion units globally in 2023, each with 2.5 image sensors on average.
- Medical endoscopes used 12 million image sensors in 2023, dominated by CMOS.
- PC webcam image sensors shipped 180 million units in 2023, up 20% post-pandemic.
- Industrial machine vision systems incorporated 45 million image sensors in 2023.
- Drone camera image sensors reached 25 million units in consumer and prosumer drones 2023.
- Smartphones featured average 4.2 rear image sensors per device in premium segment 2023.
- Automotive surround view systems used 4-6 sensors per car, totaling 120 million units in 2023.
- Tablets shipped with image sensors in 85% of units, 120 million sensors in 2023.
- AR/VR headsets image sensors grew to 8 million units for inside-out tracking in 2023.
- Security cameras with AI analytics used 400 million image sensors in 2023 deployments.
- Smartphone front-facing sensors averaged 32MP resolution in 15% of models in 2023.
- Medical imaging like capsule endoscopy used ultra-miniature 1mm sensors, 2 million units 2023.
- Robotic vacuum cleaners integrated 50 million image sensors for navigation in 2023.
- Automotive cabin monitoring systems deployed 30 million image sensors in 2023 vehicles.
- Wearable devices like smart glasses shipped 15 million image sensors in 2023.
- DSLRs and mirrorless cameras used 8 million high-end image sensors in 2023.
- Smart home doorbells and locks incorporated 60 million image sensors in 2023.
- Industrial barcode scanners and readers used 20 million sensors in 2023.
- Gaming consoles like VR headsets demanded 5 million specialized sensors in 2023.
- Agricultural drones with multispectral sensors reached 1 million units in 2023.
- Fitness trackers with camera modules shipped 10 million image sensors in 2023.
- Point-of-sale scanners in retail used 35 million image sensors globally 2023.
Applications Interpretation
While smartphones gulp down 78% of all image sensors like a glutton at a buffet, the rest of the world is quietly but seriously putting them in everything from life-saving endoscopes to snoopy robotic vacuums.
Key Players
- Sony held 54% revenue share in CMOS image sensors for mobile in 2023.
- Samsung captured 29% of the smartphone image sensor unit market in 2023.
- OmniVision ranked third with 9% global image sensor revenue share in 2023.
- SK Hynix supplied 12% of mobile image sensors by units in 2023.
- ON Semiconductor held 7% market share in industrial image sensors 2023.
- Canon retained 15% share in DSLR/mirrorless sensor market in 2023.
- Sony's automotive sensor revenue grew 22% to USD 1.8 billion in 2023.
- Galaxy S23 series used Samsung's 200MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor exclusively in 2023.
- OmniVision's OV50H 50MP sensor powered 20 flagship phones in 2023.
- Tower Semiconductor produced 15% of custom CIS for automotive in 2023.
- Sony shipped 2.1 billion CMOS units in mobile segment alone in 2023.
- Samsung's foundry output for image sensors hit 2.5 million wafers in 2023.
- Teledyne acquired FLIR boosting its thermal sensor share to 25% in 2023.
- ams OSRAM held 11% in VCSEL/ToF sensors for 3D sensing 2023.
- STMicroelectronics supplied 18% of automotive front camera sensors 2023.
- Himax led ToF image sensors with 22% market share in 2023.
- Sony's IMX989 1-inch sensor used in 5 premium phones like Xiaomi 13 Ultra 2023.
- Galaxy Z Fold5 featured Samsung's under-display 4MP sensor in 2023.
- ON Semi's AR0234 global shutter sensor captured 10% industrial share 2023.
- Cropped APS-C sensors from Sony held 40% in mirrorless cameras 2023.
Key Players Interpretation
Sony is the undisputed champion collecting over half the mobile imaging revenue, yet everyone from Samsung to OmniVision is fiercely carving out their own profitable kingdoms, proving that in this sensor-saturated world, there’s still room for a strategic skirmish.
Market Size & Growth
- The global image sensor market size was valued at USD 25.4 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 42.8 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2024 to 2030.
- Image sensor shipments worldwide reached 4.82 billion units in 2023, marking a 5.2% year-over-year increase driven by smartphone demand.
- The CMOS image sensor segment dominated the market with a 92% revenue share in 2023, up from 89% in 2022.
- ASP of image sensors averaged USD 5.27 in 2023, with high-end smartphone sensors reaching up to USD 15 per unit.
- The image sensor market is expected to grow from USD 27.1 billion in 2024 to USD 38.5 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 7.3%.
- Mobile phone image sensors accounted for 75% of total market revenue in 2023, totaling USD 19.1 billion.
- Automotive image sensor market grew 15% YoY in 2023 to USD 3.2 billion, fueled by ADAS adoption.
- Global image sensor wafer capacity expanded by 8% in 2023 to 12.5 million 300mm equivalent wafers.
- The consumer electronics segment held 82% of image sensor unit shipments in 2023 at 3.95 billion units.
- Image sensor market revenue in PC and tablets reached USD 1.8 billion in 2023, up 12% from 2022.
- Projected CAGR for industrial image sensors is 9.1% from 2024-2030, reaching USD 4.5 billion by 2030.
- Surveillance image sensor market valued at USD 2.1 billion in 2023, expected to grow at 10.2% CAGR.
- Medical image sensor segment grew 11% in 2023 to USD 1.2 billion due to endoscopy demand.
- Total image sensor R&D spending by top 10 players exceeded USD 2.5 billion in 2023.
- Unit shipments for automotive image sensors hit 250 million in 2023, a 18% increase YoY.
- Smartphone image sensor market share in units was 85% of total in 2023 at 4.1 billion units.
- Global image sensor foundry capacity utilization rate averaged 92% in 2023.
- Aerospace and defense image sensors generated USD 850 million in 2023, up 8% YoY.
- The market for stacked CMOS image sensors grew 25% in revenue to USD 8.2 billion in 2023.
- Overall image sensor market CAGR from 2018-2023 was 6.8%, with acceleration to 8.2% projected 2024-2028.
- CMOS image sensors shipments increased by 6% to 4.7 billion units in 2023 globally.
- ASP decline for entry-level smartphone sensors was 4% in 2023, averaging USD 3.50.
- Image sensor content per premium smartphone rose to USD 65 in 2023 from USD 58 in 2022.
- Total market revenue growth slowed to 4.1% in 2023 after 10% in 2022 due to inventory adjustments.
- Drone image sensor market reached USD 450 million in 2023, CAGR 12% expected to 2030.
- CCD image sensors retained 2.5% market share in revenue in 2023, mainly in scientific apps.
- Global image sensor patents filed reached 15,200 in 2023, led by Sony and Samsung.
- Entry-level smartphone segment image sensors grew 7% in units to 2.8 billion in 2023.
- Premium smartphone image sensors revenue hit USD 12.4 billion in 2023, 35% of total mobile.
- Image sensor market penetration in wearables reached 45% of devices in 2023.
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
The world is now compulsively documenting its own existence to the tune of billions of tiny electronic eyes, with your smartphone leading the narcissistic charge while your future car watches intently to make sure you don't crash it.
Regional & Supply Chain
- Asia-Pacific produced 95% of global image sensors by revenue in 2023.
- Japan accounted for 52% of image sensor revenue with Sony dominance in 2023.
- South Korea's Samsung and SK Hynix generated 28% global CIS revenue 2023.
- China imported 70% of high-end image sensors but produced 40% low-end units 2023.
- Taiwan's TSMC and UMC fabricated 60% of advanced nodes for CIS in 2023.
- US firms like OmniVision and ON Semi held 12% revenue share despite manufacturing offshore 2023.
- Europe supplied 5% of image sensors mainly SWIR and scientific from France/Germany 2023.
- 300mm wafer fabs in Japan and Korea ran at 95% capacity for CIS in 2023.
- China's Galaxycore emerged with 3% global unit share in entry-level sensors 2023.
- Supply chain disruptions reduced automotive sensor deliveries by 5% in Europe Q1 2023.
Regional & Supply Chain Interpretation
While Asia-Pacific overwhelmingly owns the throne room of image sensor production, with Japan and South Korea as its crowned royalty and China its ambitious apprentice, the industry's global performance is a complex dance of design, fabrication, and market demand that reveals no single country truly holds the entire lens.
Technological Trends
- Stacked BSI CMOS sensors captured 45% of smartphone market revenue in 2023.
- Global shipments of 200MP+ image sensors exceeded 50 million units in 2023, all stacked CMOS.
- Under-display camera image sensors in production reached 10 million units in 2023 using transparent pixel tech.
- Event-based image sensors (dynamic vision sensors) shipments grew 40% to 1.2 million units in 2023.
- NIR-enhanced CMOS sensors for automotive increased to 35% of ADAS sensors in 2023.
- 3D stacked image sensors with logic under sensor accounted for 60% of high-end mobile sensors in 2023.
- Quantum efficiency of latest BSI sensors reached 85% at 550nm wavelength in 2023 models.
- Dual-pixel phase detection autofocus (PDAF) adopted in 70% of mid-range smartphone sensors in 2023.
- Organic photoconductive film (OPF) sensors entered mass production with 1.5x sensitivity gain in 2023.
- SWIR image sensors using InGaAs improved resolution to 2MP in commercial products in 2023.
- Multi-camera modules with 4+ sensors became standard in 25% of premium smartphones in 2023.
- Tetra2pixel binning technology reduced readout noise to 0.8e- in Samsung ISOCELL sensors 2023.
- Global Shutter CMOS sensors shipments doubled to 15 million units for industrial use in 2023.
- Perovskite-based color filters improved color accuracy by 20% in prototype sensors 2023.
- LiDAR-integrated image sensors shipments reached 5 million for automotive in 2023.
- 8K video capable sensors with 50MP resolution entered consumer market in 2023.
- AI-ISP processing on-sensor reduced power by 30% in Qualcomm Snapdragon sensors 2023.
- Multispectral imaging sensors with 5 bands became available for drones in 2023.
- Readout speed of high-speed CMOS sensors hit 120 fps at 12MP full resolution in 2023.
- Curved image sensors prototypes reduced field curvature aberration by 50% in 2023 tests.
- SPAD array sensors for ToF achieved 1 million pixels in Sony prototypes 2023.
- Low-light sensitivity of Gen 4 BSI sensors reached 2.0µm pixel size with 85dB dynamic range.
- Neuromorphic image sensors mimicking retina reduced data bandwidth by 90% in 2023 demos.
- In-sensor HDR fusion tech merged 10-bit low/high exposure in real-time on 2023 OmniVision sensors.
- Flexible image sensors on polyimide substrate passed durability tests for wearables in 2023.
- Raman spectroscopy integrated CMOS sensors detected single molecules in 2023 research.
- Pixel size shrank to 0.7µm in ultra-compact modules for AR glasses in 2023.
- Adaptive pixel sensors dynamically adjusted gain per pixel in automotive apps 2023.
Technological Trends Interpretation
Stacked BSI CMOS sensors now dominate nearly half the smartphone market, while high-resolution, AI-enhanced, and novel specialty sensors are proliferating everywhere from car dashboards to industrial floors, proving that the entire image sensor industry is stacking, shrinking, and innovating its way into every corner of our vision.
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