Samsung teases what could be the Isocell photosensor of the upcoming Galaxy S23
200 megapixels, yes, but not by all means. Samsung has introduced its new thin but huge Isocell photosensor.
Samsung’s semiconductor design team, including Isocell sensors, has unveiled its new 200-megapixel sensor. Without explicitly naming the Samsung Galaxy S23, we clearly expect to find this sensor in future flagships of the Korean brand. Especially since that 200-megapixel sensor is already rumored.
200 megapixels with elegance
That sensor is 200 megapixels, which is no mean feat considering 200 megapixel sensors are already available. However, it introduces a number of key changes.
For starters, the photosites of this new sensor are 0.56 µm. We refer you to the basics of photography: to collect light, the sensor is divided into several small light wells. photo sites, usually square, measured in microns (µm) or even nanometers (nm). The data from each individual photosite is converted into constituent pixels of the image after passing through the processor mill.
Logically, the more photosites there are, the smaller they are. However, the smaller the photosites, the less light they capture. So the challenge is to have as many photosites (sensor size) with the largest possible dimensions (photosite size) while limiting the thickness of the sensor.
Here, 0.56 µm per photocell is far from a record for a 200-megapixel sensor. Indeed, the Samsung S5KHP1 sensor, often called the Isocell HP1, performs better. Measuring 1/1.22 inch, it incorporates 0.64 µm photosites and can combine 16 of them to produce 12 megapixel photos with a final pixel size of 2.56 µm. In fact, the success of Samsung’s new 200-megapixel sensor is primarily about integrating this technology into a thinner sensor. The challenge here is not to enlarge photosites, but to implement technologies that limit the performance loss caused by miniaturization of photosites.
Proper demarcation of photosites
Correct demarcation of photosites is one of the challenges and is the subject of many innovations. In this new Isocell sensor, Samsung replaced the metal mesh between the color filters with a more reflective material. This innovation reduces optical loss and increases sensitivity to light. Improved light sensitivity allows the sensor’s tiny pixels to absorb more light, resulting in photos with more detail and less noise.
Thus, Samsung introduces a new combined mesh network, the purpose of which is to remove the mesh between filters of the same color, thus increasing the area of light absorption in each pixel.
the Pixel stacking depending on the context
Samsung has also updated its technology Pixel stacking (combination of pixels to get a brighter and more detailed image). For example, when photographing in a dark environment, Pixel binning (tetra) combines 16 pixels into one large pixel to capture more light for brighter images. On the other hand, during the day or when it is bright, the algorithm rearranges the pixel matrix to achieve high image accuracy, resulting in sharp and detailed images. the Pixel stacking not always useful, especially useful in low light conditions. With this technology, Samsung tries to get the best results depending on the context.
Without confirming the upcoming Galaxy S23’s sensor, we suspect the timing of the announcement isn’t necessarily a coincidence. Answer in a few weeks…
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, as well as the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus, have already been revealed through images, leaks and rumors. The 200-megapixel sensor, the telephoto lens, the Snapdragon chip, the design… We consider everything…
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