Samsung Electronics revealed on Tuesday its high-performance 50-megapixel (MP) image sensor, ISOCELL GN1, for smartphones that feature fast autofocus, and supports 8K video recording.
As the mobile camera image sensor market rapidly grows, Samsung hopes that its new ISOCELL GN1 sensors would cement its position as the leading memory chipmaker.
According to the South Korean tech giant, the new product features “tetra cell” (4-in-1) pixel binning and “dual pixel autofocus” technologies. Samsung said that the features are a first for such an image sensor to feature simultaneously.
ISOCELL GN1 Sensor
The ISOCELL GN1 has a 50 MP resolution 1/1.3-inch camera sensor, comparable to Sony’s IMX700 50MP sensor. The image sensor boasts 100-million-phase detection for its ultra-fast and reliable autofocusing mechanism. The GN1 uses technologies that could detect, track, and focus on still or moving target objects in real-time. The sensor also improves light sensitivity allowing users to capture enhanced images and record brighter videos even in low light conditions.
Samsung said that with its tetra cell technology, ISOCELL GN1’s pixel size could turn into 2.4μm pixels from a native pixel size of 1.2μm. The tetra cell increases the quality of light reception by increasing the pixel size. The sensor could also capture 12.5MP stationary images with 2.4μm pixels in pixel-binning mode.
The new image sensor also includes gyro-based EIS and Smart ISO. It could also record videos at ultra-high-definition 8K resolution at 30 fps.
Park Yong-in, Samsung’s executive vice president in charge of its sensor sector, said that its products with advanced pixel technology had set the company as a leader at providing high-performance image sensors.
He added that the ISOCELL GN1 testifies to its commitment to cater to increasingly diverse market environments.
Later this month, the ISOCELL GN1 would go into mass production with new handsets using the sensors to come out later this year. A Vivo smartphone coming out later this year would reportedly use the new 50MP sensor first.
In November last year, Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi released the world’s first commercial smartphone, “Xiaomi Mi Note 10,” to feature Samsung’s 108-megapixel image sensor. Samsung’s “Galaxy S20”, the company’s first 5G phone released last February, also uses the same sensor.
