Samsung unveiled its ISOCELL GN1 50MP camera sensor last year, which has 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 in the form of the ISOCELL GN2. This 50MP sensor offers even faster autofocus and improved HDR performance.
The ISOCELL GN2 is a 1 / 1.12-inch camera sensor with 50MP resolution and 1.4 μm size pixels. It supports 4-in-1 pixel binding (effectively 12.5 MP images with 2.8 μm pixels) to provide impressive performance in low light conditions. The new camera sensor also has the ability to use its intelligent re-mosaic algorithm to capture three 50MP frames (red, green and blue) and create a 100MP image for higher details.
The South Korean technology firm is also introducing its new autofocus technology called Dual Pixel Pro for the first time with the ISOCELL GN2. The new sensor has hundreds of millions of phase detection agents for ultra-fast focus. In addition, it uses not only vertical but also oblique focus for more reliable performance, which helps in circumstances when a frame has no pattern changes in the horizontal direction. This results in better focus in low light conditions and on moving objects compared to the ISOCELL GN1.
The ISOCELL GN2 also has a staggered HDR, which ensures that images have a higher dynamic range than real-time HDR. Scenes with both bright and dark areas are captured with rich detail and vivid colors, thanks to staggering HDR. The new HDR mechanism also consumes 24% lower energy compared to real-time HDR. The new camera sensor also has Smart ISO and Smart ISO Pro for improved light sensitivity and dynamic range.
Samsung’s newer generation 50MP camera sensor can also record Full HD videos up to 480 fps and 4K videos up to 120 fps. The company has already started mass production of the ISOCELL GN2 camera sensor, and we can expect this with newer smartphones later this year.
Duckhyun Chang, executive vice president of sensor business at Samsung Electronics, said, “ISOCELL image sensors and its technologies have made major improvements to deliver the quality and performance one would expect from top-level cameras. Our new ISOCELL GN2 features Dual Pixel Pro, an innovative, autofocus solution that increases mobility to capture moments as it unfolds. With the addition of Smart ISO Pro and a range of advanced pixel technologies, photos from GN2 are more lifelike than ever.”