Samsung Electronics has unveiled its latest image sensor, the ISOCELL HP2, which boasts a 200-megapixel resolution. The company claims that the new sensor will allow for stunning mobile images in future premium smartphones.
According to JoonSeo Yim, Executive Vice President of Sensor Business Team at Samsung Electronics, “Our leadership comes from innovative pixel technologies that allow our sensors to go beyond the number and size of pixels. We will continue to open new horizons and solidify our presence in the expanding ultra-high-resolution sensor market.”
The ISOCELL HP2 packs 200-million 0.6-micrometer pixels in a 1/1.3” optical format, a sensor size that is widely used in 108MP main smartphone cameras. This means that consumers will be able to enjoy even higher resolutions in the latest high-end smartphones without larger camera bumps in their devices.
The sensor also features Samsung’s advanced pixel-binning technology, Tetra2pixel, which adds more versatility to the camera as it simulates different pixel sizes to accommodate varying lighting levels. In low-lit environments, the sensor can transform either into a 1.2μm 50MP or 2.4μm 12.5MP image sensor by binding four to 16 neighboring pixels. For fuller 8K video, approximately at 33MP, the HP2 switches to 1.2μm 50MP mode to minimize cropping and capture more of the scene.
To reduce washed out pictures from brightly lit environments, the HP2 also features Samsung’s new Dual Vertical Transfer Gate (D-VTG) technology. This technology boosts the pixel’s full-well capacity by more than 33 percent, allowing for more electrons to be stored and more efficient signal transfers. This can reduce overexposure and enhance color reproduction, especially in bright light conditions.
The HP2 also features Super QPD, which allows the sensor to use all its 200-million pixels for focusing agents. This allows for faster and more accurate auto-focusing, even in dimly lit environments. For superb HDR performance, Samsung is also introducing the DSG feature for the first time in 50MP mode which applies two separate conversion values to the analog signal received at the pixel level.
Samsung has announced that the ISOCELL HP2 has entered mass production which indicates that this will most likely be the main sensor on the upcoming Galaxy S23 Ultra.
