Samsung has recently announced the launch of its latest photo sensor for smartphones, the ISOCELL HP2. The ISOCELL HP2 is a revolutionary sensor that boasts of 200 megapixels and is set to take over from the ISOCELL HP1, which was the first 200 megapixel module launched by the South Korean giant in September 2021.
The ISOCELL HP2 adopts a size of 1/1.3 inches, a format that is widely used on 108 megapixel photo sensors. The sensor carries pixels of 0.6 micrometers, which might seem small in size but Samsung has come up with a solution to compensate for this. The ISOCELL HP2 uses pixel fusion, a technique that many smartphones use today. With this technique, a mobile device can capture pictures in 200 megapixels with 0.6 micrometer pixels, in 50 megapixels with 1.2 micrometer pixels by combining 4 pixels in one, or in 12.5 megapixels with 2.4 micrometer pixels by grouping 16 pixels.
Unlike some sensors that use pixel-binning, the ISOCELL HP2 is capable of simulating different pixel sizes to automatically adapt to different lighting levels. This means that the user does not have to manually change the mode on their device, as the phone will automatically select the best solution depending on the environment.
The ISOCELL HP2 also brings improvements in video quality. The sensor can film in 8K quality at 30 frames per second in the 50 megapixel and 1.2 micrometer pixel mode, while its predecessor was limited to 24 frames per second. Samsung also introduced its Dual Vertical Transfer Gate technology, which reduces the effects of overexposure and improves color reproduction under bright light conditions. The sensor also has Super QPD functionality, which provides fast and precise automatic development, even in low light environments