A 200MP sensor with 0.5µm pixels targets zoom cameras, supports fast processing and low-light capture. How does pixel size affect performance?
Samsung has launched a new 200MP image sensor called ISOCELL HP5. It is the first sensor to use 0.5µm pixels. The company plans to use it in upcoming smartphones. The HP5 is mainly designed for telephoto and periscope cameras. Its 0.5µm pixels are very small, so it may not be ideal for flagship main cameras. The sensor has a 1/1.56-inch optical format, which is smaller than earlier high-resolution sensors.
Small pixels usually capture less light and can create more noise. To address this, Samsung added structural changes. Front Deep Trench Isolation (FDTI) and Dual Vertical Transfer Gate (D-VTG) help each pixel store more electrons, improving light sensitivity. A DTI Center Cut (DCC) structure reduces random noise and improves autofocus accuracy.
The company also improved color performance. High Precision Microlens, High Transmittance ARL, and High Sensitivity DTI increase light absorption and reduce interference. This helps produce clearer images, even in low light.
The HP5 supports AI-based end-to-end remosaic processing. It can capture and process full 200MP images in under two seconds. The sensor supports 13-bit color depth, allowing it to show more than 550 billion colors. Staggered HDR and Smart ISO Pro improve dynamic range and preserve details in bright and dark areas.
For zoom, the sensor offers 2x in-sensor zoom for wide lenses and up to 6x lossless zoom when paired with a 3x telephoto lens. It can capture 200MP images at 7.5 fps, 50MP at 30 fps, and 12.5MP at 90 fps. It supports RAW formats from 8-bit to 14-bit. For video, the HP5 records up to 8K at 30 fps, 4K at 120 fps, and Full HD at 480 fps.
In low light, the sensor uses Tetrapixel technology to combine four 0.5µm pixels. This creates brighter 12.5MP images with 2.0µm equivalent pixels or 50MP images with 1.0µm pixels for more detail.
