Although it may be some time before camera phones can match the richness of images captured by today’s digital cameras, the gap between the two is closing. According to Japanese publication Nikkei, NEC Electronics is now sampling its LSI capable of capturing eight megapixel images in camera phones.

The current market version of the LSI captures five megapixels. The new 8MP-capable CE131 LSI captures images with a noise-reduction method, helping to improve picture quality from the CMOS sensor. The CS131 also features image stabilization as well.

The sample price of the LSI is set at 4,000 yen each, or around $33. Volume production is to start in October, with the company expecting to product 1 million units per month