Samsung has officially announced the launch of its new 16-megapixel CMOS image sensor that comes with a pixel size of just 1.0μm (read as micrometer or micron, which is one thousandth of a millimeter or one millionth of a meter). The smaller pixel size will help mobile devices to be slimmer than they have been in the past, as cameras with larger sensors are often the reason behind smartphones being bulkier than they otherwise would have been. There are, however, concerns that it will be a case of form over function, as conventional wisdom states that with smaller pixel size, comes compromised image quality. Sensors of the same size generally come with larger 1.12µm pixels, which give images more clarity by capturing more light and reducing noise. Samsung however, has sought to allay fears of diminished image quality by stating that photos snapped with cameras incorporating the new sensor will be “on par with 1.12μm-pixel based image sensors”.
Announcing the new sensor officially, Samsung’s Vice President and Head of S.LSI Marketing, Mr. Kyushik Hong said, “As a trendsetter in the mobile image sensor business, we are pleased to be the first to deliver the most advanced 1.0μm-pixel imager, which meets both high-resolution and slim design requirements for smartphone cameras. Starting with 16 MP sensor, Samsung plans to further expand 1 .0μm-pixel product category and lead the image sensor market for high performing slim mobile devices”.
The new sensor is said to reduce the overall height of a 16-megapixel camera module by up to twenty-three percent when compared to the currently available sensors of the same resolution, which make use of larger 1.12μm pixels. So while the smaller pixels will probably result in slightly slimmer devices, it will be interesting to check out the image quality of the camera on the recently-released Galaxy A8, which already carries an ISOCELL camera sensor that comes with the aforementioned 1μm pixels. The Galaxy A8 is Samsung’s slimmest smartphone till date with a thickness of merely 5.9 mm, thanks largely to the new sensor. The company had thus far been using the industry standard Sony IMX240 sensor, most notably for its flagship Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge smartphones.
Apart from facilitating the making of slimmer devices, Samsung claims that its ISOCELL technology will reduce “color crosstalk” by physically separating each pixel from its adjacent ones. This is supposed to “substantially increase light sensitivity and effectively control the collection of photons, resulting in higher color fidelity even in poor lighting conditions”, according to the company.
