Wondered how Samsung manages to slip 16MP cameras in such slim smartphones? Its because of very tiny 1.0-micron sensor
Samsung has developed a brand-spanking new sensor to place a 16-megapixel camera into the slim phones like the Galaxy A8.
The S5K3P3, Samsung’s new 1.0?m-pixel-based 16 megapixel (Mp) CMOS image sensor utilizes the company’s proprietary ISOCELL technology to activate the high performance 1.0?m pixels. Providing a perfect solution to today’s increasingly thinner mobile devices, this small pixel reduces the overall size and height of an image sensor module.
“As a trendsetter in the mobile image sensor business, we are pleased to be the first to deliver the most advanced 1.0?m-pixel imager, which meets both high-resolution and slim design requirements for smartphone cameras,” said Kyushik Hong, Vice President and Head of S.LSI Marketing at Samsung Electronics. “Starting with 16Mp sensor, Samsung plans to further expand 1 .0?m-pixel product category and lead the image sensor market for high performing slim mobile devices.”
An ISOCELL-based CMOS imager has been built by the Korean company that makes use of very tiny 1.0-micron (1 micrometer = one thousandth of one millimeter) pixels as opposed to usual sensors of the same size, which come with larger 1.2 micron pixels, captures more light by giving the images more clarity, and reduction in noise. This results in a sensor that is 20 percent slimmer, at an adequate 5mm (0.2 inches) height.
The smaller pixels will most likely result in slightly lowered picture quality; the camera would not be able to perform as well in dimly-lit environments in comparison to bigger sensors from Samsung. As for the camera itself, the Galaxy A8 will come with Samsung’s ISOCELL (LSI3P3) camera sensor instead of the Sony IMX240 sensor.
The ISOCELL technology strikingly reduces unwanted color transfer of neighboring pixels by adding physical obstacle between each pixel. This results in higher color fidelity even in dimly-lit conditions, as it essentially increases light sensitivity and explicitly controls the collection of photons.
The combination of ISOCELL technology with the industry’s smallest 1.0?m pixels will provide different design option for the manufactures with the news S5K3P3 image sensor.
Mobile device manufactures can lay their hands on Samsung’s new S5K3P3 image sensor available today to design into their next-generation products.
Source: SamsungTomorrow
