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The sensor could find its way into high-end digital cameras from companies such as Nikon.

The 24.81 megapixel sensor is capable of capturing images at 6.3 frames per second, although it only offers 12-bit output, as opposed to the 14-bit sensors found in models such as the Canon 1d Mark III and Nikon D3.

Sony says its sensor includes a new "Column-Parallel A/D Conversion Technique", which means each column of pixels has its own analogue-to-digital converter, helping to reduce the amount of noise in photos and improve its burst rate.

The sensor should find its way into cameras this year, although exact model details have yet to be confirmed.