Sony just announced IMX318, a 22.5-megapixel 1/2.6 stacked CMOS Exmor RS image sensor with built-in high-speed hybrid autofocus for fast focus in just 0.03 seconds and built-in 3-axis electronic image stabilization technology for video. It has 1.0μm (micrometers) pixel size, after last year’s Samsung’s 16MP S5K3P3.
This achieves a smaller size (type 1/2.6) for more thinner smartphones and at the same time offers the same image quality of its predecessor IMX230, according to Sony.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GSdgnB3-W4
The IMX318 has hybrid AF built into the sensor’s internal signal processor for an AF as fast as 0.03 seconds and as fast as 0.017 seconds when shooting video at 60fps. It also has image stabilization functionality built into its internal signal processor.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx8dxw0RQcs
Regarding the 3-axis electronic image stabilization technology in the sensor, Sony said:
This sensor leverages the image stabilization technology that Sony has cultivated over its years developing cameras, realizing smooth 4K QFHD (3840 x 2160) videos with little camera shake by making effectively use of the signal output obtained from the external 3-axis (pitch, yaw, and roll) gyro sensor. Sony’s unique image stabilization technology incorporated into the IMX318 corrects not only camera shake, but also lens distortion, making for more beautiful videos. 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.
Sony has adopted MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) Alliance’s latest C-PHY 1.0/D-PHY 1.2 specifications for this image sensor’s interface that would allow it to achieve more power efficient and faster data transmission from the image sensor to the application processor. This enables seamless switching between high resolution video and still image photography. Other features in the sensor include, HDR imaging, lens resolution correction, white spot correction, NR and more.
Sony is looking to ship the new CMOS image sensor in May, 2016.