The 200MP ISOCELL HP3 image sensor from Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. features the smallest 0.56-micrometer (μm)-pixels in the industry. Samsung has been setting the pace for the development of next-generation, ultra-high-resolution cameras ever since it released its first 108MP image sensor in 2019.
The ISOCELL HP3 has 200 million pixels in a 1/1.4″ optical format, which is the size of the area that is photographed through the camera lens, which is a 12 percent reduction in pixel size from the 0.64μm of the predecessor. This indicates that the ISOCELL HP3 can enable a reduction in camera module surface area of about 20%, enabling smartphone manufacturers to maintain the slim design of their premium smartphones.
All of the image sensor’s pixels have auto-focusing capabilities thanks to the Super QPD auto-focusing technology that is built into the sensor. Additionally, Super QPD detects the phase changes in both horizontal and vertical directions using a single lens spanning four neighbouring pixels. This makes it possible for smartphone camera users to focus more quickly and accurately.
Users can also capture films in 4K at 120 frames per second (fps) or 8K at 30 fps with little field of view reduction when using the sensor. Users can capture cinematic footage with their mobile devices using the Super QPD solution.
Additionally, the Tetra2pixel technology in the ISOCELL HP3 offers the best low-light performance. The sensor can take brighter and more colourful pictures even in low-light conditions, including inside or at night, thanks to technology that allows it to emulate a large-sized pixel sensor.
The ISOCELL HP3 utilises an upgraded Smart-ISO Pro technology to increase the dynamic range of the mobile image sensor. To create HDR photos, the technique combines image data from the two conversion gains of Low and High ISO mode. The improved technology has three ISO settings, Low, Mid, and High, which substantially expands the dynamic range of the sensor.
Additionally, the enhanced Smart-ISO Pro enables the sensor to express images in over 4 trillion colours (14-bit colour depth), which is 64 times more colours than the 68 billion of the predecessor (12-bit). Furthermore, the ISOCELL HP3 can produce HDR photographs of the highest quality by supporting both staggered HDR and Smart-ISO Pro and switching between them based on the shooting situation.
According to Samsung, ISOCELL HP3 is scheduled to enter mass production this year, so perhaps we’ll start seeing this image sensor in smartphones soon.
