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Sony develops Next-generation Back-Illuminated CMOS Image Sensor

Sony announced its next-generation back-illuminated CMOS image sensor. With this new image sensor they promise further enhancement in image quality, superior functionalities and a more compact size that will lead to an enhanced camera. This development is aimed at the highly complicated smartphone market. With the advent of this new sensors Sony hopes to boost their smartphone sales and there is no doubt they will achieve it.

As the first step, Sony has developed a model with built-in signal processing functionality. Samples will be shipped from March, 2012. Models have been developed with Sony’s unique RGBW Coding function, which facilitates low noise, high quality image capture even in low light condition, and HDR (High Dynamic Range) Movie function, for excellent color management in extremely bright light conditions.

What’s new:

• Large-scale signal processing circuits required for higher image quality and better functionality are built-in.
• More compact image sensor chip size.
• Even higher image quality of the pixel section by adopting manufacturing processes specialized for superior image quality.
• Faster speeds and lower power consumption by adopting the leading process for the circuit section.

Conceptual diagram of the sensor:

RGBW Coding function

“RGBW Coding” function which adds W (White) pixels to the conventional range of RGB (Red-Green-Blue) pixels has realized higher sensitivity, enabling high-quality shooting with low noise even in dark indoor or night settings.

Comparison in low light conditions

HDR (High Dynamic Range) Movie

“HDR Movie” function enables brilliant colors to be captured even in settings with a wide range of light including bright light.

source:  sony press release

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This entry was posted on Monday, January 23rd, 2012 at 3:36 pm and is filed under camera, future, hardware. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

11 Responses to “Sony develops Next-generation Back-Illuminated CMOS Image Sensor”

1. Theonewithideas says:

   January 23, 2012 at 3:42 pm

   Isn’t such a big difference, isn’t it?
2. neofactor.is3 says:

   January 23, 2012 at 3:45 pm

   let them release the first smartphone with the new sensor
3. Boysie says:

   January 23, 2012 at 3:46 pm

   Theonewithideas, on 23 January 2012 – 03:42 PM, said:

   Isn’t such a big difference, isn’t it?

   Doesn’t need to be a big difference to be an improvement.
4. r6680jc says:

   January 23, 2012 at 3:53 pm

   Boysie, on 23 January 2012 – 10:46 PM, said:

   Doesn’t need to be a big difference to be an improvement.

   Agreed, a small improvement is a step to a big improvement.
5. tRaDuZ says:

   January 23, 2012 at 3:53 pm

   i only saw the hdr diff in the end of the video, but the rgbw seems like a good improvement imo!
6. neofactor.is3 says:

   January 23, 2012 at 3:56 pm

   tRaDuZ, on 23 January 2012 – 09:23 PM, said:

   but the rgbw seems like a good improvement imo!

   yeah a low light pic with no noticeable noise (may be because it’s resized )
7. tRaDuZ says:

   January 23, 2012 at 3:59 pm

   would be nice to see the sensors picture in high resolution, i cant read it xD
8. Boysie says:

   January 23, 2012 at 4:00 pm

   tRaDuZ, on 23 January 2012 – 03:59 PM, said:

   would be nice to see the sensors picture in high resolution, i cant read it xD

   http://www.sony.net/…009E/index.html
9. neofactor.is3 says:

   January 23, 2012 at 4:02 pm

   tRaDuZ, on 23 January 2012 – 09:29 PM, said:

   would be nice to see the sensors picture in high resolution, i cant read it xD

   big mistake
10. shanky88 says:

    January 23, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    Theonewithideas, on 23 January 2012 – 09:12 PM, said:

    Isn’t such a big difference, isn’t it?

    View video twice while seeing glasses and sky you may definitely know the difference is big or small
11. Theonewithideas says:

    January 23, 2012 at 4:40 pm

    Read it again, realized that the point was to improve quality in high lightness. Yeah, it’s a good difference