Samsung Electronics today unveiled the ISOCELL HP2, a new 200-megapixel (MP) image sensor with improved pixel technology and full-well capacity for stunning mobile images in tomorrow’s premium smartphones.
“The Samsung ISOCELL HP2 harnesses Samsung’s cutting-edge high-resolution image sensor technologies and know-how for epic details,” said JoonSeo Yim, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ Sensor Business Team. “Our leadership is based on innovative pixel technologies that enable our sensors to go beyond the number and size of pixels. We will continue to expand our horizons and strengthen our position in the rapidly expanding ultra-high-resolution sensor market.”
The ISOCELL HP2 has 200 million 0.6-micrometer (m) pixels in a 1/1.3″ optical format, which is common in 108MP main smartphone cameras. This allows consumers to enjoy even higher resolutions in the latest high-end smartphones while avoiding larger camera bumps.
The HP2 adds more versatility to the camera with Samsung’s advanced pixel-binning technology, Tetra2pixel, which simulates different pixel sizes to accommodate varying lighting levels. When exposed to low-light conditions, the sensor transforms into a 1.2m 50MP or 2.4m 12.5MP image sensor by binding four to 16 neighbouring pixels. For fuller 8K video, the HP2 switches to 1.2m 50MP mode to minimise cropping and capture more of the scene at approximately 33MP. Filming 8K at 30 frames per second (fps) with a wide field of view and larger pixel size can result in sharp cinematic videos.
The HP2’s new Dual Vertical Transfer Gate (D-VTG) technology can significantly reduce washed out images from brightly lit environments. A voltage transfer gate is placed on the bottom of each pixel in a photo diode to transport electrons from the pixels to the logic layer. D-VTG adds a second transfer gate in the pixel with high precision, increasing the pixel’s full-well capacity by more than 33%. This method, with more electrons stored and efficient signal transfers, can reduce overexposure and improve colour reproduction, particularly in bright light conditions.
The HP2’s auto-focusing is taken to the next level in low-light situations with Super QPD, which allows the sensor to use all 200 million pixels as focusing agents. A large number of focusing agents are grouped together by four adjacent pixels to recognise both horizontal and vertical pattern changes, resulting in faster and more accurate auto-focusing. The new sensor is capable of fast auto-focusing, even in low-light conditions, thanks to the rich pattern data and large number of reference points.
For exceptional HDR performance, Samsung introduces the DSG feature in 50MP mode for the first time, which applies two separate conversion values to the analogue signal received at the pixel level. Furthermore, the Smart-ISO Pro, an HDR solution that combines different ISO readouts from a single exposure, enables the camera to capture 12.5MP images and 4K at 60fps video in HDR.
The Samsung ISOCELL HP2 is now being mass produced.