Integrated lens and chip assembly for a digital camera

aaaaA integrated camera module for capturing video images in very small digital cameras, cell phones, personal digital assistants, and the like. A lens assembly is rigidly affixed in relation to a sensor array area of a camera chip by a molding. The molding is formed on the camera chip, and optionally on a printed circuit board on which the camera chip is mounted. The lens assembly is held in place in a recess of the molding by an adhesive. The molding is formed such that a precise gap exists between the lens assembly and a sensor array area of the camera chip.