It seems like yesterday that camera phones were the hottest new craze, rocking .3MP of VGA goodness, pictures were grainy but identifiable; it was the coolest thing.

Fast forward to 2010, Sony (being the innovative geniuses that they are) is introducing the 1/2.8-inch back-illuminated Exmor R IMX081PQ CMOS sensor (pictured on the left), which boasts 16.41MP of picture taking goodness – a first of its kind.

Slated for a 2011 release, this new sensor will ship to manufacturers for only $30.30 a pop, which is not too shabby for a camera phone part if you ask me. Now the question remains: who will be first to market with it?

[via Mobile Crunch]