As pixel counts for digital cameras continue to increase, the size of pixels in CMOS sensors decreases. The HD CMOS sensor incorporated in Canon's HV10 HD video camcorder, released in 2006, realizes a pixel pitch of 2.75 µm.

To achieve pixel reduction of this extent, pixel isolation technology is as important as pixel- and wire-pattern design technologies. Canon developed a pixel reduction technology called STI (Shallow Trench Isolation), which is designed to reduce isolation regions, in addition to a reduction in dark current, enabling mass production of high-quality, highdensity CMOS sensors.