Sony reveals new, smaller 22.5 megapixel smartphone camera sensor

By Sophia Sanchez on Feb 17, 2016 with Comments 0

Secondly, its hybrid autofocus system essentially combines contrast based and phase detection autofocusing.

We have had phone cameras with 3-axis stabilization (the LG G4, for instance), but the new Sony IMX318 is the first with 3-axis stabilization built into its internal signal processor. The combo has AF performance as fast as 0.03 seconds (and 0.017 seconds during 60fps video recording). Although generally speaking, a smaller sensor is better, the smaller pixel size on the new IMX316 compensates for the slightly larger sensor and brings the module's effective resolution to 22.5 megapixels. The company is already the leader in mobile camera sensors, so this new one should be just as great and it's likely that many manufacturers will adopt it for their high end devices. Sony isn't about to compromise the image capturing quality of mobile devices, irrespective of how thin they get which is why the company will be announcing its latest sensor. It features a 1.0μm pixel size, which makes the sensor smaller than its 20MP predecessor despite having more pixels. Sony's unique image stabilization technology incorporated into the IMX318 corrects not only camera shake, but also lens distortion, making for more attractive videos. As for the 3-axis electronic image stabilization feature for video recording purposes, the firm has stated that the sensor leverages the image stabilization technology that Sony has cultivated over its years developing cameras, and stabilizes video recording even with sufficient camera shake. Furthermore, because image stabilization is achieved by processing within the hardware of the image sensor, less power is used than when it is accomplished by software processing in the external application processor. The videos below give some comparisons between the IMX318 sensor and the sensor it is replacing.

The IMX318 uses 22.5 megapixels, which is a modest bump over the previous 20MP design. The sensor can record 4K resolution videos at up to 30fps, full-HD resolution videos at up to 120fps, and HD videos at up to 240fps.

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Source: Sony reveals new, smaller 22.5 megapixel smartphone camera sensor