Sony Corporation has announced new IMX230 1/2.4″ 21MP Exmor RS stacked CMOS camera sensor for smartphones. It has onboard image plane phase detection AF signal processing function, it promises the best focus tracking of fast-moving subjects and the High Dynamic Range (HDR) function enable you to capture both backgrounds and subjects clearly even in high-contrast scenes such as backlit locations. OmniVision recently announced a similar 1/2.4″ 21MP sensor.
It supports 4K (4096 x 2160) Ultra HD videos and still images. The dedicated image plane phase detection AF pixels are discretely incorporated into the screen of the image sensor, and the distance to the subject (range) and lens position for focusing are calculated based on the information obtained from these dedicated pixels. The High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging enables the camera to record still images and videos that reproduce details and rich gradations in the highlights and shadows of high-contrast scenes.
Sony IMX230 specifications
- Number of effective pixels 5344 (H) x 4016 (V) 21 megapixel
- Image size Diagonal 7.487mm (Type: 1/2.4)
- Unit cell size 1.12μm (H) x 1.12μm (V)
- Frame rate Full 24fps
- Movie: 4K(4096 x 2160) at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps, 720p at 120fps
- Sensitivity (standard value: F5.6) 78mV
- Sensor saturation signal (minimum value) 330mV
- Power supply: Analog 2.5V, Digital 1.1V, Interface 1.8V
- Key features: Image plane phase detection AF, HDR imaging, white spot correction, NR
- Output: MIPI (4 lane)
- Image format: Bayer RAW
The new Sony IMX230 CMOS image sensor is priced at 2,100 yen (US$18) for sampling and will ship in April 2015.