Samsung unveiled its 50MP ISOCELL GN1 camera sensor last year, bringing a perfect balance between high megapixel count, large pixel size and autofocus speed. Today, the company announced a successor to its first generation 50MP camera sensor, ISOCELL GN2. This 50MP sensor brings even faster autofocus and improved HDR performance.
The ISOCELL GN2 is a 1 / 1.12 in. Camera sensor. With 50MP resolution and 1.4 μm pixels. It supports 4 in 1 binning (effectively 12.5 MP images with 2.8 μm pixels) to deliver impressive performance in low light. The new camera sensor also has the ability to use its intelligent mosaic replacement algorithm to capture three 50 MP frames (red, green and blue) and create a 100 MP image for further details.
The South Korean technology company is also introducing its new autofocus technology, called Dual Pixel Pro, for the first time with the ISOCELL GN2. The new sensor has 100 million phase detection agents for ultra-fast focusing. In addition, it uses not only the vertical focus, but also the diagonal focus for more reliable performance, helping in conditions where a frame has no pattern changes in the horizontal direction. This results in a better focus on low light conditions and moving objects when compared to ISOCELL GN1.
ISOCELL GN2 also features scaled HDR, which ensures that images have a higher dynamic range than real-time HDR. Scenes with light and dark areas are captured with rich details and vivid colors, thanks to the stepped HDR. The new HDR engine also consumes 24% less energy compared to HDR in real time. The new camera sensor also has Smart ISO and Smart ISO Pro for greater sensitivity to light and dynamic range.
Samsung’s next generation 50MP camera sensor can also capture Full HD videos at up to 480fps and 4K videos at up to 120fps. The company has already started mass production of the ISOCELL GN2 camera sensor, and we can expect that on newer smartphones later this year.
Duckhyun Chang, executive vice president of sensor business at Samsung Electronics, said: “ISOCELL image sensors and their technologies have made major improvements to provide the quality and performance you would expect from top-of-the-line cameras. Our new ISOCELL GN2 features Dual Pixel Pro, an innovative auto-focus solution in all directions that increases the agility to capture moments as they develop. Adding Smart ISO Pro and a variety of advanced pixel technologies, GN2 images are more realistic than ever.“