The "Panchromatic" cells are intended to replace the traditional Bayer-Red Green-Blue mask currently found on most digital camera sensor designs. Instead of designating specific cells to collect only a single color, Kodak's new technology will supplement the RGB units with additional cells sensitive to all light wavelengths. In doing so, the ability of the sensor's light is increased to a greater degree, theoretically increasing the shutter speed margin to allow hand-holding in lower light levels. The increased light sensitivity also holds great potential to reduce ambient "noise" in photos.

Kodak's technology will first become available in 2008, in their own cameras, with licensing deals to other companies to follow. Industry pundits see the cells potentially making their debut in camera-phones, where strides in both light sensitivity and noise reduction would dramatically increase performance and image quality.