Samsung reveals 20MP, 5mm smartphone image sensor that's the smallest in the industry
Samsung is making plenty of headlines at the moment, with a huge Samsung Galaxy S10 leak, and the Korean giant looking to acquire the company behind Oppo's 5x and 10x zoom technology.
The company is hard at work on its own tech, too, having just unveiled a brand new 20MP smartphone image sensor – which is also the world's smallest, measuring just 5.1mm (1/3.4 inches).
The ultra-slim Isocell Slim 3T2 delivers high resolution images for both front and back cameras, and should provide the imaging backbone for the next wave of slimline smartphones, which need the smallest possible sensors for their punch-hole or notch design.
Don't get too excited about seeing it in the imminently arriving Galaxy S10 models, though, as the sensor hasn't yet entered mass production.
The sensor will benefit designs with punch-hole cameras, though it's too soon for the Samsung Galaxy S10
“As the demand for advanced imaging capabilities in mobile devices continue to grow, we will keep pushing the limits in image sensor technologies for richer user experiences,” said Jinhyun Kwon, vice president of System LSI sensor marketing at Samsung Electronics.
The sensor uses Samsung's Tetracell technology to enable four pixels to "merge" and operate as one, resulting in larger photosites that result in the 3T2 taking brighter and sharper images in low light, with better colour reproduction.
With such a compact form factor, the sensor can reduce the height of Samsung's tele-camera module by around seven percent.
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The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.
