The ISOCELL HP2, a new 200-megapixel (MP) image sensor with improved pixel technology and full-well capacity for great mobile photography in tomorrow’s premium smartphones, was revealed by Samsung Electronics.
“The Samsung ISOCELL HP2 combines Samsung’s high-resolution image sensor technology and cutting-edge know-how for epic details,” stated JoonSeo Yim, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics‘ Sensor Business Team. “Our innovation stems from pixel technologies that enable our sensors to go beyond the quantity and size of pixels. “We will continue to extend our horizons and improve our position in the developing ultra-high-resolution sensor industry.”
The ISOCELL HP2 has 200 million 0.6-micrometre (m) pixels in a 1/1.3″ optical format, which is common in 108 MP primary smartphone cameras. This allows users to experience even greater resolutions on the latest high-end smartphones while avoiding bigger camera bumps.
New ISOCELL HP2, 200-Megapixel Image Sensor
The HP2 provides extra flexibility to the camera with Samsung’s innovative pixel-binning technology, Tetra pixel, which mimics multiple pixel sizes to meet varied illumination levels. When exposed to low-light conditions, the sensor converts into a 1.2-m (50 MP) or 2.4-m (12.5 MP) image sensor by linking four to 16 nearby pixels. For richer 8K video, the HP2 changes to 1.2m 50MP mode to reduce cropping and record more of the scene at around 33MP. Filming 8K at 30 frames per second (fps) with a wide field of vision and a higher pixel resolution can result in a clear cinematic video.
The HP2’s unique Dual Vertical Transfer Gate (D-VTG) technology may greatly decrease washed-out images under strongly illuminated conditions. A voltage transfer gate is positioned on the bottom of each pixel of a photodiode to transmit electrons from the pixels to the logic layer. D-VTG inserts a second transfer gate in the pixel with great accuracy, increasing the pixel’s full-well capacity by more than 33%. This approach, with more electrons saved and efficient signal transfers, can prevent overexposure and improve colour reproduction, particularly under intense lighting conditions.
The HP2’s auto-focusing is pushed to the next level in low-light environments with Super QPD, which allows the sensor to utilise all 200 million pixels as focusing agents. A large number of focusing agents are clustered together by four neighbouring pixels to identify both horizontal and vertical pattern changes, resulting in quicker and more accurate auto-focusing. The new sensor is capable of quick auto-focusing, even in low-light conditions, thanks to the rich pattern data and a large number of reference points.
For exceptional HDR performance, Samsung introduces the DSG function in 50MP mode for the first time, which applies two different conversion values to the original data received at the pixel level. Additionally, the Smart-ISO Pro, an HDR solution that combines several ISO readouts from a single exposure, enables the camera to capture 12.5 MP photos and 4K at 60 fps video in HDR.
The Samsung ISOCELL HP2 is now being mass-produced.
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