On October 22, Sony Semiconductor Solutions announced the IMX742,
a CMOS image sensor for single-use medical endoscopes.
The 1 mm square chip combines approximately 0.51 effective megapixels
with digital output, and supports video transmission over a 5 m cable.
Sample shipments are planned for November 2026.
The Announcement: A Compact Imaging Component for Thin Endoscopes
The IMX742 is designed to be built into thin endoscopes
such as bronchoscopes and ureteroscopes.
Sony describes its support for digital output and 5 m cable transmission
as an industry first among CMOS image sensors for medical endoscopes
(as of October 22, 2026, according to Sony’s research).
According to the announcement, demand for single-use endoscopes is growing
in medical settings, driven by infection prevention
and the aim of reducing the burden of reprocessing and equipment management after use.
At the same time, cameras for thinner insertion sections
require not only smaller sensors but also good image quality
and stable signal transmission.
Sony has previously supplied sensors for reusable endoscopes,
and is now extending its lineup to single-use endoscopes.
How It Works: Fitting Digital Conversion Circuits into a Small Chip
Digital output requires an A/D converter circuit on the sensor
to convert analog signals into digital form,
which makes miniaturization difficult.
In the IMX742, Sony miniaturized the peripheral circuits, including this converter,
to secure enough area for the pixel array,
achieving both a 1 mm square size and approximately 0.51 megapixels.
In addition, Sony’s proprietary bidirectional communication technology
transmits control signals and video signals over the same cable,
keeping the sensor to six pins.
What Changes: Image Quality in Dark Areas and Flexibility in Cable Layout
According to Sony, digitizing the video signal on the sensor
reduces noise in low-light environments compared with analog output.
The aim is to make dark areas inside the body easier to see,
even in thin endoscopes where small LEDs provide limited brightness.
Support for 60 frames per second is said to deliver smooth video
that keeps pace with rapid movement.
The 5 m transmission distance was confirmed in Sony’s evaluation environment
using an AWG44 cable.
Sony explains that, in addition to stable video acquisition,
this increases flexibility in cable routing and system configuration.
Key Specifications: 720 × 720 Pixels, 30 and 60 fps