Samsung's new 200MP camera sensor features small pixels, potentially improving telephoto zoom capabilities in future phones.
The ISOCELL HP5 is the first camera sensor with 0.5µm pixels in the world.
The new Front Deep Trench Isolation (FDTI) and dual Vertical Transfer Gate (D-VTG) technologies are combined in one example. Light sensitivity is improved because each pixel can hold more electrons. The DTI Center Cut (DCC) structure is also used by Samsung to enhance autofocus accuracy and minimize random noise.
**Improved color performance via optics and other technologies**
Samsung is incorporating multiple technologies into the ISOCELL HP5 to optimize light collection, which ought to result in better color. The company employs a string of complex acronyms, including High Precision Microlens, High Transmittance ARL, and High Sensitivity DTI, to explain how the sensor is better at collecting light with less interference. Even in dim light, this should produce crisp images despite Samsung's "remarkably small 0.5µm pixels."
Of course, Samsung also uses artificial intelligence with its end-to-end (E2E) AI Remosaic processing. The HP5 can then capture and process complete 200MP images in under two seconds, so there shouldn't be a noticeable delay when shooting full-resolution images.
The sensor's 13-bit color depth, which Samsung claims is eight times greater than that of 12-bit sensors and enables the expression of over 550 billion color combinations, is another notable feature. Better HDR performance is achieved by combining Samsung's Staggered HDR technology with Smart ISO Pro.
**Various photo options**
The ISOCELL HP5 may sound more like a zoom camera sensor, but it's also likely to appear in the primary cameras of certain low-cost smartphones. According to Samsung, it enables 2x in-sensor zoom when used with a wide-angle camera and up to 6x lossless zoom when used with a 3x telephoto lens.
According to Samsung, the sensor will be able to capture images at 7.5 frames per second at full resolution, 30 frames per second at 50MP, and 90 frames per second at 12.5MP. It also accepts RAW formats with 8, 10, 12, and 14 bits. You should anticipate up to 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps, and FHD@480fps without autofocus for video.
The HP5, like other Samsung sensors, makes use of Tetrapixel technology. With it, the sensor intelligently selects the resolution at which to operate depending on the lighting conditions. In low light, it combines the tiny 0.5 m pixels to produce 12.5MP photos at 2.0 m or 50MP images at 1.0 m.
The sensor is currently being mass-produced, and the first smartphones to use it ought to be available shortly.