OmniVision has unveiled its first camera sensor with 100% phase detection coverage. It uses Quad Phase Detection (QPD) technology where all pixels (in groups of 2 x 2) are used for focus detection. This is similar to Sony’s 2×2 lens-on-chip system and may prove superior to the Dual Pixel technology used by Samsung (this sensor clearly wants to take the ISOCELL GN1).
QPD enables faster autofocus, especially in the dark. It also improves distance calculations (so bokeh and similar effects will be more accurate). The chip has on-board hardware to perform a recomposition of the QPD color filter array, which OmniVision says results in better image quality.
The sensor, OV50A, has a 1 / 1.55 ”optical format and 1.0 µm pixels. These can be grouped into pixels equivalent to 2.0 µm, which quadruples the sensitivity. It can output 12.5 MP photos and 4K videos in this mode.
The sensor is intended for use in primary and ultra-wide cameras. Still, it can do a 2x digital crop zoom with 12.5 MP output. It can record 8K video at 30 fps with QPD autofocus active, 4K up to 90 fps and also has slow motion modes (240 fps at 1080p and 480 fps at 720p).
Image quality is also enhanced by selective conversion gain – high conversion gain mode is used for shooting in low light and low noise while low conversion gain mode is used under conditions bright. 2 and 3 exposure scaled HDR is also supported with 10-bit RGB RAW output.
Samples of OV50A sensors will be sent to manufacturers in the second quarter.
Source | Via
