This is an interline type CCD, not Full Frame type like the ones used by Leica, MF backs and the early Olympus Four Thirds cameras. Kodak has some spec's and info for this online at
http://www.kodak.com/global/plugins/acrobat/en/business/ISS/productsummary/Interline/KAI-29050ProductSummary.pdfThe one advantage it gets from being interline is allowing a global electronic shutter, so no mechanical shutter needed and none of the artifacts of a rolling electronic shutter used use on CMOS sensors for video.
But there is no video mode, so still no Live View, and it does not look great for Leica's use, due in part to distinctly lower DR, a natural disadvantage of an interline sensor with global electronic shutter support. It has only about half the well capacity of FF CCD's of similar pixel size and less well capacity than the older KAI-10100 (20,000 vs 25,000) despite the KAI-29050 having a larger pixel spacing (5.5 microns vs 4.75 microns)
http://www.kodak.com/global/plugins/acrobat/en/business/ISS/productsummary/Interline/KAI-10100ProductSummary.pdfAs a result, the newer sensor with bigger photosites has only the same DR of 64dB.
This well-capacity and related DR disadvantage illustrates the cost of the global shutter support, which the KAI-10100 does not have.
Kodak indicates that the KAI-29050 is for purposes other than "photography", meaning what I call "retail cameras", as with most of its sensors:
• Industrial Imaging and Inspection
• Medical Imaging
• Security
Compare to the way Kodak describes the KAI-10100
Industrial Inspection
Scientific Imaging
Photography
It was indeed used in a DSLR (the short-lived Olympus E-400), but is more intended for astronomy, I think.
P.S. The KAF-18500, used in the Leica M9, seems to be discontinued; or is it just not listed being for Leica only?
