HD Video Affects DSLR Sensors Design

Semiconductor International published Chipworks article talking about how HD video feature affected DSLR sensor design. The article analyzes quite significant changes in Samsung sensors used in Pentax K-7 (HD) and K20D (non-HD) and Panasonic DMC-GH1 (HD) and DMC-G1 (non-HD) sensors. Chipworks also mentions that Nikon uses its own designed sensors in its recent DSLRs, rather than outsource them to Sony. Canon DSLR sensors are said to be very stable design-wise and have little evolution over the last 3 years, with most performance improvement possibly coming from the Digic ISPs.

Update: Chipworks blog has an expanded version of the article.