Samsung Electronics has unveiled its latest image sensor, the ISOCELL HP2, which boasts 200-megapixels and improved pixel technology for stunning mobile images in future premium smartphones. The ISOCELL HP2 packs 200-million 0.6-micrometer pixels in a 1/1.3” optical format, a sensor size commonly used in 108MP main smartphone cameras. This allows for even higher resolutions in high-end smartphones without the need for larger camera bumps.
JoonSeo Yim, Executive Vice President of Sensor Business Team at Samsung Electronics, said, “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 also includes Samsung’s advanced pixel-binning technology, Tetra2pixel, which simulates different pixel sizes to accommodate varying lighting levels. When in low-lit environments, the sensor can transform into a 1.2μm 50MP or 2.4μm 12.5MP image sensor by binding four to 16 neighboring pixels. This enables the HP2 to capture fuller 8K video, approximately at 33MP, by switching to 1.2μm 50MP mode and minimizing cropping.
The HP2’s new Dual Vertical Transfer Gate (D-VTG) technology also helps to reduce washed out pictures from brightly lit environments. D-VTG adds a second transfer gate in the pixel, boosting the pixel’s full-well capacity by more than 33 percent and improving color reproduction, especially in bright light conditions.
In low-lit settings, the HP2’s auto-focusing is taken to the next level with Super QPD, which allows the sensor to use all its 200-million pixels for focusing agents. This delivers faster and more accurate auto-focusing.
For superb HDR performance, Samsung is 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. Additionally, the Smart-ISO Pro, an HDR solution that merges different levels of ISO readouts from a single exposure, allows the camera to take 12.5MP images and 4K at 60fps video in HDR.
The ISOCELL HP2 has entered mass production.
