The current state and promising directions of development of photosensitive devices - photoresistors, photodiodes, photodetectors, matrices and imagers are considered. The main directions of development are high-frequency photodiodes and photodetectors for fiber-optic communication lines, rangefinding, guidance systems, as well as matrices for photo and video equipment, surveillance devices, night vision and thermal imaging. The main areas of application of photodetectors in optoelectronic systems for civil and military purposes are given.