A 20 Mil. Pixel Sensor with Size of 1/3.4 Inch
Samsung Electronics released a new smartphone image sensor, ISOCELL Slim 3T2, on Jan. 22.
The 20 million pixel image sensor has a size of 1/3.4 inch. The sensor has been optimized for bezel-less design by application of 0.8 micrometer pixels.
The company explained that the small size has to do with hole-in and notch displays for larger smartphone screens and camera module size minimization for the same purpose. The product adopts Tetra-cell technology so that four pixels operate as a group when the sensor is used in a front camera, which results in a quadrupled sensitivity and bright images captured in dark environments. When used in a rear camera, the sensor provides clear pictures even with a high-magnification zoom camera.
In the case of 10x digital zoom, the sensor’s resolution is 160 percent of that of a 13 megapixel image sensor of the same size. In addition, the camera module height can be reduced by approximately 10 percent as compared with a 20 megapixel sensor with a size of 1/3 inches.
“Today’s smartphone market trends include design for screen maximization, and camera modules need to be reduced in size to that end,” Samsung Electronics explained, adding, “A smaller camera module, however, leads to less pixels and more difficulties related to using high-resolution cameras, and this is why we developed the new product.” Mass production of the product is scheduled to start this quarter.