Microelectronic imagers with shaped image sensors and methods for manufacturing curved image sensors. In one embodiment, a microelectronic imager device comprises an imaging die having a substrate, a curved microelectronic image sensor having a face with a convex and/or concave portion at one side of the substrate, and integrated circuitry in the substrate operatively coupled to the image sensor. The imaging die can further include external contacts electrically coupled to the integrated circuitry and a cover over the curved image sensor.